Crystal Palace are expected to unveil the club’s new badge today, a modern variation of the crest incorporating the eagle inspired by Benfica and adopted by Malcolm Allison in the 1970s.
Big Mal, Palace boss from 1973 to 1976, wanted to refresh the club’s homely image when he arrived and, impressed by Benfica’s ‘Eagles’ (Aguias), ‘The Glaziers’ became ‘The Eagles’.
The flamboyant manager also ended the club’s 68-year association with claret-and-blue and in came red and blue striped home shirts and later the all-white strip with a red and blue sash. Today, Kayla the eagle flies the length of the Selhurst Park pitch before each home game, and at Primeira Liga Benfica’s home matches the club’s eagle mascot Aguia Vitoria flies a circuit of the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.
The new badge was one of six designs Palace fans were asked to vote on this season and the winning crest was due to be revealed in the match programme for tonight’s Championship home game with Doncaster Rovers.
Badge B, as it was designated, is shown far left and is favourite to replace the most recent variation of an eagle perched on top of the old glass Crystal Palace exhibition hall (middle) with Benfica’s badge, showing their eagle, (right).
The new crest is expected to be seen for the first time on next season’s new kit at Palace’s final home against Cardiff on April 28.
