Worn proudly on players' chests and displayed enthusiastically by fans, it's a badge with a long and dignified history to honour

NEWCASTLE United's decision to consult fans over the club badge is set to see a change to what has appeared on players' chests for the first time in more than 37 years.

- 

It is expected that eventually supporters will have the opportunity to vote on a number of crests and have the final say on the new badge.

We have taken a look at the history of Newcastle United's club crests: While there have been only four official designs, the current badge is technically the fifth incarnation since Newcastle East End moved into St James' Park and rebranded themselves 'United' in 1892. For almost 80 years the club simply adopted the Newcastle Upon Tyne coat of arms as their badge.

Newcastle have remained largely faithful to the historic city motif that can be traced back as far as 1575.

That motif features three castles, a lion grasping a flag of St George, a pair of seahorses and the motto 'Fortiter Defendit Triumphans' which means 'victory by brave defence'.

Yet from 1892 to 1969, players wore the badge in fewer than ten games.