Leeds United crest consultation to be reopened

Leeds United Managing Director Angus Kinnear has told BBC's West Yorkshire Sport that the consultation process over the new club crest will be reopened, after the new design of the so-called "Leeds Salute" - thumping the chest with a clenched fist - faced a tremendous backlash.

Kinnear said it was "too early to make any knee jerk reactions, but you have my commitment we won't do anything that will derail getting this club back to greatness"

Leeds United boss says transparency at the heart of everything 

The managing director admitted that the consultation programme had "not gone deep enough" and that "the current crest doesn't say Leeds United. We need a badge which says that. There are current ideas we can evolve and improve upon but we need to go back to those discussions. Transparency has been at the heart of everything we do. We're not going to hide or duck the supporters. They should trust what we want to do."

With opinions being voiced amidst the Leeds United fan community that the crest imagery was "right wing" Kinnear said that had not come out in the consultation and there was evidence the salute was a "powerful symbol of Leeds United".

Leeds United hit with criticism

Championship side Leeds United had been hit with a barrage of criticism after presenting their new club crest.

On Wednesday, the club showed off their new badge, and said they chose the design, which will feature on shirts for the 2018-19 season, in which they celebrate their centenary, after six months of research and consultation with more than 10,000 people, including "legends, current players, club staff, the owner, partners and representatives from the Leeds and Yorkshire communities".

We are Leeds United

They explained in a statement: "The abbreviation rather than spelling out Leeds United in full contributes to the crest being unrecognisable. We wanted to say who we are with pride: We are Leeds United.

"The new crest depicts the 'Leeds Salute', which over the decades has been an expression of the passion that connects Leeds United's fans and players on and off the pitch and all over the world.

"It is used extensively, and notably on match days when with right hand on heart fans sing the club's famous song 'Marching on Together'. Leeds United owes everything to the supporters who have stood by the club through thick and thin. We are delighted and proud to reveal a new crest that reflects the passion and loyalty that runs deep through the club, and celebrates the fans at the heart of our identity."

However, despite praise from some fans, the crest has been met with a number of negative responses since it was first shared on social media.

Some complained the design was "atrocious" and compared it to an old-fashioned video game graphic, while one Facebook user said it looked "like a school homework project". An online petition was quickly drafted to try and force the club into cancelling the change which now appears to have paid off.

Leeds are 10th in the Championship table after 28 matches, three points outside the playoff place.