Michael Taylor Design launched a new project this year ( 2015 ) to re-design the A-League and then create a new tiered football system with a second division, the plan for a third division lost pace. In addition, he has added expansion teams to the A-league as requested by "Expand the A-League" Facebook page.

This is the completed project:





Existing teams:

Central Coast Mariners


Melbourne Victory


Newcastle United Jets


Brisbane Roar


Adelaide United


Melbourne City


Perth Glory


Western Sydney Wanderers


Wellington Phoenix


Sydney FC


New teams:

Canberra United


Auckland City


AFC Geelong


North Queensland Fury








Tasmania United


Cairns Flying Foxes ( Was originally going to be Cairns Taipans but changed once designer was aware of the basketball team by the same name )



Sporting Fremantle


Darwin FC


Ipswich Dons


Christchurch Saints


Gold Coast United


Brisbane Strikers


Sunshine Coast Heat FC


Ballarat Red Devils


Adelaide City


Wollongong Wolves


South Melbourne


Sydney Olympic FC


Domestic Cups



"So this was included in the first post, and some of you really wanted to know about the domestic cups. The top two are the leagues. The Westfield FFA Cup currently exists, and is between all the teams in the A-League and the teams that qualify from the regional leagues. The Kiwi Cup would be a round robin between the 3 New Zealand teams.

But the State Cup is new. I had this idea very early on. The premise would be an 8 team tournament featuring one from each state and territory. The teams would qualify in their own state before the final tournament."



"Here's a breakdown of teams from the two leagues I made. Clearly the top 3 have a tougher time, but it would even out with expanded qualification from lower leagues. Just something I had an idea for, and thought I should share for the finale."

---

ORIGINAL POST

So following on from the continued interest in the Brisbane Roar crest I thought it might be a nice idea to open a thread that covers more generally the A-League as a whole. So please post any opinions, banter and design ideas for any of the A-league clubs.

One set of redesigns that cought my eye was by Michael Taylor Design ( http://sportslogospot.blogspot.com.au/2013_04_01_archive.html ) before the start of last season ( 2013 ).

He only completed 5 teams and I have asked him if any more are on the way but alas the project is on the backburner.

My personal favs out of what he did would be Central Coast Mariners and Perth Glory.

But the Adelaide United crest I think has too much white, I think the 'United' needs to be larger and put the FC down into the white space. I think it would use the space better and poroduce a better crest overal.

Have a look and tell me what you guys think.

Perth Glory:

"The second team in my series is Perth. Their logo is pretty gradient-astic. There isn’t really imagery for glory, so I took the sun burst and ball and just kinda created around it. I did a vertical oval, took some creative liberties, added the name and year, and thought the final product was pretty good."

Melbourne Victory:

"I feel like the Victory are a few minor tweaks away from a great crest. I cut down on the amount of grey used around the V shape. I took the outlines around the Victory, really just tried to make the whole look fresher."

Central Coast Mariners:

"My 3rd A-League rebrand, this time the newly crowned champions. I wanted to put the logo entirely into a circle, so I ended up with a yellow and navy circle. I used powder blue as another color in addition to the main two. Instead of the wave, I put an anchor."

Newcastle United Jets:

"The crest was a difficult upgrade, because the colors don't work together on how I normally go about logos, with the darker colors always making outlines. I did what I could, and just tried to clean up the look.I adjusted all the colors a little to try and make them pop."

Adelaide United:

"So this was the first team I did in this series. The logo had a lot of potential, but it needed to not look thrown together. I made the blue bolder, thickened the outlines, and arched the words to make it look like it isn’t slapped on there."


Edited by Volrath2002: 27/7/2014 05:43:50 PM

Edited by volrath2002: 9/7/2015 01:59:42 PM

Awesome job. I love the Jets and Mariners logos in particular. Never really liked the Victory 'Arsenal Rip Off' crest, not sure how we could fix it but to me it looks like it has been thrown together in 5 mins.

What's the obsession with making colours darker?

This is Australia. It's bright and sunny here. I don't think darker automatically = better.

Hate the AU redesign. Our current badge is perfect to me. Nothing is more plastic than changing club crests after 10 years of existence.

That said, something needs to be done with the horrific current Brisbane logo.

We seem to have done alright with it ;)

I like the Mariners one. The other ones are just basically the same with a darker tone.

The Perth one makes absolutely no sense.

Adelaide need a new crest entirely.

I like the CC one.

Good job.

Edited by iridium1010: 27/7/2014 05:07:56 PM

It's funny because only you seem to think so.

3 Championships and 2 Premierships.

I'd hazard a guess its not just me who thinks so :lol:

Central coast, jets and Melbourne ones are great and would be happy to see the logos change to those ones. I'd love to see us change our crest. Have you done any sydney ones.

Victory- It's ok a bit darker but I think this is an crest that should never be touched. It's a very good one.

Mariners- Nice, I don't like the waves. It reminds me off the Newcastle Breakers. Pretty sure the Mariners also used a darker yellow/gold one year so the darker shade is fitting.

Adelaide- I wouldn't say it's bad but surely there could be some other interesting ideas out there? I'm not a fan of something going outside the crest. In this case, the three lines.

Perth- Nice idea but the 'soccer' ball is always something I don't like to see on football crest and that's why the Mariners one looks so much better. The football looks like a weapon with all those spikes. Change the ball to a black swan and then it'd look much better I think. Ok, it'll look a bit like Swansea but why not?

Newcastle- I really like the non curved crest. Well done.

I think Sydney could see some interesting designs.

Please state the part of my post where I criticized the design choice.

Couldn't disagree more.
Roar are the club most desperately in need of a re-fresh IMO.

Not questioning the success of the club at all, just a shame they've done it with such a shit logo.

Never thought you were.

And btw, I think you've made it pretty clear what you think of the logo - no need to labour it.

I see no real improvements in the 5 logos he did. Most of them are meh. CCM one looks like some dodgy seafood restaurant in Batemans Bay.
The Perth one looks terrible, the MV and Adelaide he shouldn't have even bothered,and there is no improvement at all on the Jets one.

Brisbane is probably the only team in the HAL that really needs a new logo. The others are passable.

Yeah edit the colours and it would look like a good crest for a jersey like the Roma one. It would need tweeking for the full crest but that can easily be done. Good work.

Sydney FC is an interesting one. Never thought they would need to change theirs but really the text outside of the shield is annoying. it can be improved on. I saw a few Sydney FC fans would like an nautical theme to their crest.

This thread is a prime example of one of the very few things that shit me about this forum. Posters go to the effort to start an interesting thread or in this case spend time creating something interesting to share only to be slammed by a handful of knuckle draggers for daring to have different tastes to themselves. Seriously ](*,) ](*,)

=d>

Knuckle draggers is an underrated insult. :d

Have always hated our crest, and agree with the Breakers reference .
Don't mind this attempt at a new one at all. Pretty hard to improve when you have to work with the name "Mariners"
Like the Adelaide one with the black outline.

I did read that many of the younger generation entering the workforce for the first time are having problems dealing with criticism (constructive or otherwise).

I think I can see why now.

When did people start getting all righteous over nothing?

Not being self righteous at all. I happen to find some people's incessant negativity and willingness to shit on people for having a crack quite weak given that we are an online community and there are little to no repercussions for acting like a knob head. It's actually quite ironic because on one hand you are claiming that 'the younger generation' (I am 31 so I don't know how that assumption was made?) have issues handling criticism and in the same post bitching about people pulling you up (criticising you) for it. :roll: :roll:

Edited by George_Worst: 27/7/2014 09:04:05 PM

Oh I see. So it was Mabo, it was the vibe...

And you call me the reject? :lol:

Wow check this out:

Personal project by Flying Pig Productions on a brand redesign for the South Coast Wolves ( Wollongong Wolves ). As this is a possible expansion club for the A-League I thought I would add it in here.



Check out the project development stages here: http://www.flyingpigproductions.com.au/southcoastwolves/
They have various versions of the crest as well as kits for the club.

Quite interesting really.

I wasn't "bitching about people pulling me up", and never said you were part of the 'younger generation'.

I made some general comments in response to your post, which I note had not referred to any of my posts. I had no way of knowing whether you were referring to me or not , and couldn't have cared less.

Seems you're the one making the assumptions.

I've always loved our logo and don't really like the one in the OP. I've never thought of it as Breakers motif - more a NY Cosmos one.

Jesus christ are you a rice crackers multi?? Give up mate ](*,) ](*,)

I don't hate the Adelaide United one, but I think removing the stars in favour of a more regular football is a mistake and something that takes away from the identity of the logo. The stars are supposed to be a football made from the Southern Cross, so I think that part of the crest as well as the state colours should not be messed with.

Give up what?

You keep responding to my posts! :lol:

I dig it. Its the right balance between an old English Club logo and a modern take. =d>

The only issue I would have is the colours. Its the same as Wanderers which might cause an identity problem since they are geographically close.

Edited by SocaWho: 27/7/2014 09:31:49 PM

generally all this goes in the Kit thread, pretty sure this is in one of them.

Wow, resorting to gifs. Are you sure you're 31y.o? :lol:

On the link to the project page they have the crest in yellow / black as well and on one of the shirt designs, white / black.
Wollongong was red / black / white during their NSL days, but I do get your point about the two clubs having such similer colour scheme so close. I'm sure in the end something would be sorted out with Wollongong / South Coast to get them in okay.

I could always see the Victory/Arsenal but the Roar/Patriots, very interesting. True that after 10 years, the thing that might be missing for some clubs, is a real recognizable crest.

this is sick.

But honestly the rest are crap

something completely different for Adelaide.

the red flowers are 'sturts dessert pea' the SA state flower, and are intertwined with circle to represent 'united'.
The cross shape is also a subtle reference to 'city of churches'.

I did this PG logo ages ago. At the time it was suggested I could try some better fonts with it - which is a fair call, but I cant be bothered. My only real issue with Perths logo is the off centre ball. I prefer logos that are balanced/centred.

A complete departure from the current logo, but I don't hate it. I'm sorry that that is the most positive I can be:( If my club changed to this, I'd get used to it I guess. But honestly I don't think it's an improvement on our current logo at all.

Loving this; looks a bit cluttered but other than that Id say it surpasses the quality of most the current A-league crests.

I hope when Wollongong gets its team, they choose to go with Wollongong, not South Coast. Just my personal preference. Geographic identity over vague area..."South Coast of where? "

I think it'd be best for the area if they refer to themselves as 'Illawarra Wolves'.

That way it encompasses the whole Illawarra Escarpment, and like you said isn't vague. "South Coast" could describe the area South of Cronulla right down to the Victorian Border.

Base it in Wollongong, but call it the Illawarra Wolves. Better catchment area.

Massive improvement.

Needs more stars.

-PB

Much better.=d>

Couldn't agree more! Ive been saying this for years, forget Wollongong, its too specific, and South Coast is not specific enough. To be honest anyone outside of the Illawarra area isn't going to travel for a game anyway. I know wed all like to think there are thousands of rural supporters flooding in to games on weekends but it just isn't so. If you have to travel for more than an hour, chances are you won't go to the match. Of course die hards will always travel from wherever to wherever, but they don't make up the core numbers. Illawarra also inconsequently starts with a letter we don't have already and brings more difference in team abbreviations. Id hate to see WSW v WW and such. Seeing as we have 2 teams alreadys beginning with W a third is maybe too much.

Wollongong Wolves sounds better. Dat alliteration!

Wollongong Wolverines.

Looks good.

Maybe Adelaide can make this the logo and hand out ninja stars to fans in the form of the club logo.:lol:

Right uniform ...wrong team.:lol:

They actually did make a simplier version with Wollongong instead of South Coast after some community feedback



"Due to concerns of the crest/logo being too busy, we made some minor changes to try to simplify the crest. We removed the Star of the NSW flag as this could be confused with stars that are used by European teams to signify wins in the Champions League, or wins in the World Cup by National teams. We also removed the 'year', moved the NSW Gov logo to replace the star and repositioned some elements. We also tried out using "Wollongong" instead of "South Coast" as it is more traditional and rolls off the tounge better."

I think the name of the club is interesting as traditionally it would be Wollongong, currently it is South Coast but it consists of all the Illawarra so really it could be any of them. From what I understand the reason for the change currently in 2013 was the old Wollongong Wolves ( formally Wollongong City FC ) went bust and the current club in technical terms is a phoenix club, I could be wrong about this but that is what I have been told.

As for the concerns about the name of South Coast it is no more confusing than Central Coast, but with the crest design they have tried to incorporate the NSW waratah as a symble to where the club comes from.

Both your Adelaide and Perth designs are really good. I like both of them. Something different to what is currently used yet both incorperate state icons and a sence of identity.

That's not to bad either. nice and simple with a much stronger link to the correct Adelaide United crest.

Would it be worth trying to reverse the colours a little to make it a little more red?

Sometimes having a crest that contrasts well with the jersey works quite well. Would also still be interested in seeing a reverse version, though.

Good point.

Are there any Sydney FC fans out there?
What would you like to see as part of a Sydney crest if one was to be designed?

I've seen a few different designs on the Sydney forum with three general themes

1. Nautical ( ships, anchors etc )
2. 'The Cove' crest as a basis
3. Monograms are very fashionable right now

Keep ripping people from the safety of your keyboard champ. Everybody needs to have their wins however petty and cowardly they are..:roll:

I think it's technically the same club, just different groups owning/running the team.

Oh, and all of a sudden you want to try to be all mature. How cute.

Torch him, Ro-Ro! This bloke is literally the worst.

I thought I was literally the worst :cry:

Oh dear, it looks like I have upset the Brisbane Roar Internet Tough Guys with my outrageous suggestion for positivity and respect on this forum. What was I thinking? Obviously you need the last word to stroke your clearly lacking self esteem so fire away... Stand down rice crackers, the new king has arrived.

Come on guys can we take the fighting elsewhere? It's not even on topic.

I am done. Apologies for feeding the troll. Back on topic the AUFC crest from sobkowski is absolute quality.

I like it but idk, it seems a little too simple.

Yet here you are still quoting me :lol:

Oh yeah this looks a bit better, undecided about the naming, both Illawarra and Wollongong sound good.

[youtube]juFZh92MUOY[/youtube]

lol, maybe not, but I wanted to see some thoughts on the matter. I will just go ahead and see what I come up with.

The 2nd one is good. Really simple and clear cut. If you replace the star with Terry Mcflynn's face Im sure you will get a raving response from Sydney fans.
The other ones are over elaborate.

Edited by SocaWho: 29/7/2014 09:28:20 AM

The is nothing wrong with the Sydney FC crest.

Whilst some ides look good, making a early 1900's type crest for a club that originated 10 years ago to me wouldn't make any sense..

Also, why would the club create a logo incorporating The Cove? a supporters group. As much as they do great work for the team it would be silly on the clubs part to go down that path.

Its a reason to let Eurosnobs smile. :lol:

Nothing wrong with it - but nothing particularly inspiring either...

Don't mind this one, but there's more (or less) to be desired.

Okay so pretty random but last night rather than get onto my idea for a Sydney crest I decided to whip up something to go along with this idea of a future Canberra team being called Athletic. I took a lot of liberties such as calling the club Athletic Football Club or AFC and using the shortened abbreviation for Canberra in CBR. The ACT government the other year really pushed the use of CBR and since then we have seen the CBR Brave born out of the ashes of the Canberra Knights in the AIHL.

I'm not totally 100% convince of the design myself but I thought I'd see what you guys think.

I have implemented the colours of Canberra ( Green ) as well as the tri colours of the ACT ( Blue, Yellow and White ). I thought it might be very distinct to use the ACT coat of arms ( minus the swans ) for the centre piece of the crest.



I will give a few more concept ideas a run and see if I can come up with something I prefer more, but I think it is a good starting concept. I wanted to steer clear of using parliament house or anything as I am sick of seeing it or black mountain tower as emblems for logos and such.

Its not a bad start. I think you just gotta keep it simple and don't over commercialise the look (i.e. Brisbane Roar). Keep it up.

Nice, but maybe you should try swapping the white and green, the white background is a bit 70's.

concept for adelaide united, bit unsure of the church in the middle but... ideas?





cheers

I like it, clean and simple, looks a lot like Everton's crest

I made this Victory logo in the style of the VFL-era AFL badges...not to replace the current badge, but for use in (unofficial?) merch/banners etc. - let's face it, it really doesn't get any more 'Melburnian' than this:



Edited by BA81: 15/9/2014 12:55:20 PM

LOL! this central coast mariners re-brand is using THE anchor from the official CITY OF SYDNEY CREST!!!!
i agree that it looks nice though, so maybe it wouldn't be too bad for Syndey FC - if it wasn't in a circular New York subway token layout.

Looks more like a bear than a wolf.

I see what you did there!

Hopefully Melbourne City's crest changes next year. New York City doesn't have the St George Cross on it....

I think these logos are all class.


As you said, with a different font it would be better, but still awesome imo


Perfect. =d>


Class.

Edited by Roarz: 31/10/2014 01:17:40 PM

Edited by Roarz: 31/10/2014 01:21:30 PM

But the City of Melbourne's flag does.

Is that one of yours, imonfourfourtwo?

Sue them!!!