York City F.C. - Colours and Crest

Colours and Crest

For most of their history, York City have worn red shirts with white shorts. However, in the club's first season, 1922–23, maroon shirts were worn, with white shorts and black socks. Moreover, in the 1930s, York changed their maroon jerseys to chocolate and cream stripes, a reference to the city's association with the confectionery industry. After five years they changed their colours to what were described as "distinctive red shirts", with the official explanation that the striped jerseys clashed with opponents too often. To mark York's promotion to the Second Division in 1974, a bold white "Y" was added to the team's shirts, which became known as the "Y-fronts". Red shirts returned in 1978, along with the introduction of navy blue shorts.

In June 2003, York City agreed a deal for Nike to provide the club's kits. In 2004, the club dropped navy from the kits and instead used plain red and white, until the 2008–09 season, when a kit mostly of navy was introduced. For the 2007–08 season, the club brought in a third kit in the form of a light blue shirt and socks, with maroon shorts. A kit with a purple shirt was introduced for a one-off appearance in the 2009 FA Trophy Final.

York City originally had a crest which depicted the York Minster and a White Rose of York. This was replaced in the 1970s, when the club switched to a Y-shaped logo which featured on the front of the shirts. A new crest was introduced in 1978, which depicted Bootham Bar, two lions and the club name in all-white and in 1982 this was changed into a coloured version.

When John Batchelor took over as chairman of the club in 2002, the crest was replaced by one showing the club's new name of "York City Soccer Club" and held a chequered flag motif. After Batchelor's period at the club, the name returned to "Football Club" and a new logo was introduced, which was selected following a supporters' vote held by the club, with the successful design being made by Michael Elgie. The badge has some similarities to the coat of arms of York; it features five lions, four of which are navy blue and are placed on a white "Y" shaped background. The rest of the background is red with the fifth lion in white, placed between the top part of the "Y".

The first sponsor to appear on York shirts was Newitt's, a sports clothing company based in York, who sponsored the club from 1981 to 1983. Subsequent sponsors have been Cussins & Light Ltd. (1983 to 1984), Cameron's (1984 to 1985), Hansa (1985 to 1990), Flamingo Land (1990 to 1991), Portakabin (1991 to 2001), Evening Press (2001 to 2003), Phoenix Software (2003 to 2005), CLP Industries (2005 to 2009) and Pryers Solicitors (2009 to 2012). Benenden Healthcare agreed a deal to sponsor York's shirts ahead of the 2012–13 season.