Coats of Arms 

In Volume 1, I looked at football clubs that used Lions to represent their clubs in their badges. There were some interesting examples and some off the wall badges. 

Every football club has a badge representing them. In this sideways glance (Vol 2) I’m looking at the badges that feature “Coats of Arms” (CoA). 

Some of the most famous clubs in the world use coats of arms, such as, Real Madrid, Burnley FC, Bristol City and of course Stockport County. All giants of the game, so it’s no wonder they’re popular with non league teams. 

I’m going to review several from Sussex and then pick my favourite  from the carefully selected bunch of crests below. As per usual, I have kept the list manageable for the average football fans attention span. I’m guessing around four minutes. 

We’ll start with:

AFC Uckfield Town 

A fairly basic shield design, it has the club colours and the Oak Tree which represents Ashdown Forest. Uckfield was called Okkefeld which suggests an oak in the field. 



The club is an amalgamation of Uckfield Town and AFC Uckfield which occurred in 2014, they play in SCFL. This badge may have been updated since the article was written. 

Godalming Town FC 

This badge is a more basic version of the town’s CoA. The woolpack represents the traditional local clothing industry and is taken from the 18th century town seal. The growth and prosperity of the town was closely bound up in the wool trade, as is the lamb on top.  The sprig in its mouth is anyone’s guess, maybe it’s some mint. 



Yes, I know they’re in Surrey but they play in the SCFL, so just qualify in my opinion. 

Ferring FC

I love this badge. It’s a little confusing as there is so much going on.

The round shield, or Targe, bearing a field of blue, refers to the sea. 

The Cross of St Andrew in silver dividing the several parts of the Targe, refers to the Patron Saint of the Village. In the top segment is shown a Bishop’s Mitre, referring to the See of Chichester which formerly owned the whole village in medieval times.



To the left is a disc, or Bezant, of gold, part of the armorial bearings of the Henty family, one of the oldest families in the village. 

To the right is an open book standing for freedom and learning. In the bottom segment is the parish church of St Andrew. Sitting on top is a fox, again in its natural colours, refers to the wildlife of the Downs. 

Eastbourne Town

The club crest is mostly based on the coat of arms for Eastbourne. The red bars being from the large landowners in the area called the Badlesmere family. The stag heads are taken from the coat of arms from the Duke of Devonshire and the golden seahorse sitting on top is a reference to the coast. 



A busy badge for the Isthmian SE league side. 

Southwater Royals 

The Royals play in the West Sussex league. The badge as you’d expect has a regal theme, with a crown on top of a football. 

The shield is in the colours of the team’s kit. It is simple but quite attractive. 

Burgess Hill Town FC

A fantastic over the top crest which has an awful lot going on. Brickwork, a trophy, leaves and a bird. After some research the Isthmian SE club have used their town council coat of arms. 

The brick wall and potters wheel is homage to their brick/clay making history. The mythical bird the martlet sits on top and represent the old kingdom of the South Saxons. 

Now at number one please behold the amazing: 

Selsey FC

Wow, what a badge, which ticks all of the boxes. It’s dramatic with the Sussex shield, a crown, a ship’s sale and a seal for good measure. 



The coat of arms taken from the towns CoA, features six gold mythical martlets on a blue field. The crown represents the Kingdom of the South Saxons. The name Selsey comes from the Saxon Seals-ey, which means “The isle of seals”.

I hope you enjoyed this odd look at some further local badges. 

Next up, animals!