When changing a shield it stirs consciences

First let’s put ourselves in context. Throughout Girona’s 91-year history, the organization has had seven varieties of coat of arms. The original coat of arms dates from 1 August 1930, days after the club’s founding. That date represents an important milestone, because that was when the City Council allowed the use of the city’s emblem inside the coat of arms. The link between Girona and Girona could not be stronger, and was imprinted by a rhombus-shaped flag, white-and-red waves and the ducal crown of that time. Precisely in the two options to replace the current shield, the crown – which has nothing to do with monarchical elements – has been removed after being the least scored element by the members in the first consultative process they have had to assume.

The second change of coat of arms came in the midst of the Franco dictatorship, in 1940. As names in Catalan were banned, Girona was forced to call itself Gerona Club de Fútbol. Thirty years later, in 1970, third modification, this smaller one: only the shading and the reduction of the letter. It would not be until 1980, already in democracy, that the original nomenclature would return. A gesture that today may seem small and that most of the new audience may not understand what scope it had. At that time it was a great victory.

We traveled until 2005, with Girona three years after returning to professional football fifty seasons later. These were years in which the Girona club moved between the Second B and the Third Division, with some relegation to hell included. That 2005 the crown of the shield separated, until then tied. The number of white-and-red lists is also declining. Like the name, in the middle. Finally, in 2012 the color of the waters was changed and the current one, from 2015, has a golden crown.

Face-to-face and virtual voting

Girona has offered its members to vote in different ways. It can be done in person, at the Montilivi stadium on match days or in specific spaces that the club announces. It can also be done from the web or the app. Whoever doesn’t vote is because they don’t want to. The first data collected indicated that in the first week more than 2,500 members voted, a quarter of the total. Right now the figure is around 3,500. “The best news would be that there would be a lot of participation and that everyone would give their opinion,” says Delfí Geli, president of the club, who adds that “this is a necessary step, because it must evolve.” The change will not only gain in visual appeal, but also serve to add credibility in the commercial field. With the current design, the image was not always sharp enough in all formats (merchandising, training clothes, advertisements, etc.). It will be fixed now.

But does everyone believe that? Criticisms on social media are obvious, even though they are not indicative enough because in anonymity everyone dares to do anything. There are those who boast of changing the shield and are proud to participate. On the other hand, some argue that this is a proposal that takes Girona a little further away from its origins and that brings it closer to City Football Group, its owner. They complain because they have not had the option to vote not to change the shield. In fact, in the matches played this season in Montilivi, when the voting process was remembered from the stadium’s loudspeakers, whistles were heard. No matter what they feel, the decision is made.

And the partner will take it, too. On the horizon, two options, although the one that provokes more consensus is the A, the most similar to the shield that will disappear in the summer of 2022. The word Girona is gaining strength, occupying the top to gain visibility. For the first time, the words Futbol Club are added, which means that the full name can be read in Catalan spelling. It had never happened before. Option B breaks with any stereotype: the widest area represents both the four rivers of the city and the sea of ​​the Costa Brava, while the flag of Catalonia appears in the form of dawn. The conscience of the members of Girona has the floor. On September 19 there will be no going back.