Deal Town football club forced to scrap shirts in row over crest
Dayle Melody displaying
the Deal Town shirt with crest
by Beth Robson
A struggling football club has been forced to scrap thousands of
pounds worth of kit - after they were banned from using their
crest.
Deal Town FC have proudly worn the badge on their shirts for
more than 25 years - only to now be told they are not authorised to
use it.
The semi-pro Kent club has five kits and face a £10,000 bill to
replace the cherished emblem on all of them.
The crest - a Roman centurion, a Royal Marine and Deal and
Walmer castles - was awarded to Deal Borough Council in 1968.
It was lost when the council folded six years later but then
'unlawfully' adopted by the club and Deal Town Council in 1997 (see
picture right).
The team has five kits - each costing £900 - and replacing them
will cost the already cash-strapped side thousands.
Officials had also purchased hats, scarves and ties showing the
crest, which must also be ditched now.
Dayle Melody, chairman of Deal Town FC who suffered a
devastating clubhouse fire in 2011, said: "This is another kick in
the teeth which will cost us multiple thousands.
Deal Town Council have also been ordered to stop using the crest
after an investigation by town clerk Lin Dykes found they had
adopted it unlawfully.
Then chairman of Deal
Town, Roy Smith, after the team went to Wembley in 2000
Deal Mayor Marlene Burnham said: "We have to be prudent in this
day and age of economic gloom.
"It's a shame because it's a beautiful crest and we have been
proud to use it."
Deal Town's proudest moment came in May 2000 when they carried
the crest on their black and white shirts at Wembley during their
1-0 FA Vase final win over Chippenham Town.
14/02/13
- Click here for more news from across the county...