The new badge for Crystal Palace FC. Pic: CPFC

Crystal Palace FC’s end of season awards event announced the club’s new badge Tuesday May 7. It is the 9^th different badge in the 108 year history of a footballing institution in Norwood and Croydon,  and marks the first ‘re-brand’ of the club since 1994.

A new badge was intended to be introduced this year but was delayed after the six designs put forward to fans divided opinion. Designed by Palace Fan, Dan Mulcahy, the new crest retains elements of previous badges as well as adding the founding year of the club (1905).

Crystal Palace Co-Chairman Steve Parish said “I see this change as more evolution than revolution, as it was important to keep the heritage of the past. The towers, glass building and eagle have been included, but the badge brought up to date using the latest techniques and design styles”

The new crest brings the club’s identity up to date, in line with the vision of the consortium that run’s the club headed by Parish

“This new design will re-produce much better than the old line drawing, featuring a stronger more dynamic eagle that brings our club image into the 21st Century,” he said.

Some supporters have been critical of the change in badge, seeing it as a step away from tradition. The previous badge had been introduced by former owner Ron Noades who owns the copyright for the design.

The club also announced the new kits for the forthcoming 2013-2014 season.

New kits for Crystal Palace FC. Pic: CPFC

The club and its fans are eagerly preparing for the first Leg of the playoff semi-finals against arch-rivals Brighton on Friday evening.

Regardless of what league the team will be playing in, they will be sporting a kit reminiscent of Barcelona, the team former manager Malcolm Allison changed the club’s colours to emulate.

In addition to revealing the new badge, the awards announced captain Mile Jedinak as Player of the Year. The Australian has been a dominant force in defensive midfield and took over the captaincy when regular skipper Patrick McCarthy was sidelined with a long term groin injury.

Young Player of the Year went to the highly rated Welsh midfielder Jonny “Joniesta” Williams.

The Eagles go into Friday’s playoff semi-final in a positive mood.

On Saturday he secured their first win in ten matches condemning Peterborough to relegation back to League One.

Brighton travel to Selhurst Park for the first leg of the play-offs before the return fixture at the AMEX Stadium on Monday.

East London Lines intends to cover both legs of the semi-final and the potential play-off final at Wembley Stadium on the May 27.