Club classics.

Byline: By Adam Jupp

Revival of Toon badges is planned

Toon fans could be set for a blast from the past when they stock up on Magpies merchandise.

Newcastle United Football Club has applied to register two of its old badges as official trademarks.

And if given the green light, the two logos could be plastered on anything from babies' bibs to cupboard doors.

But Magpies bosses say the only place we are likely to see the crests is on retro kits, which can be bought from their official club stores.

A spokesman said: "We can confirm the club has applied to register two of our old logos. This is done to protect our commercial interests."

The Trademark Registry has received six applications from Newcastle United, which would allow the club to use the old-style logos on scores of different products.

Babies practising their dribbling skills could have the badges on bibs and romper suits, while family dogs could lend their support to the Toon with a logo on their kennel.

The trademarks would even allow the club to produce branded goods like hairnets and sewing baskets.

The older crest harks back to the 70s and 80s. The badge, showing a magpie with a castle in the background, was in use when Kevin Keegan signed for the club as a player. The second, more short-lived crest, has the letters NUF and an upside down C, and came into play in the late 80s, when stars like Gazza and current boss Glenn Roeder played.

Fans said they would love to get their hands on anything bearing a club crest ( no matter what era it came from.

John Wilkinson, 34, a barman, of Whitley Bay, said: "I think a lot of fans like stuff with the old badges on because it reminds them of good times they've had following the club.

"You often see people wearing the old shirts at matches and I think people think it's a sign of loyalty. Obviously we'll have to wait and see what kind of things they put out with the badges on but I'll definitely be interested in buying something."

People have three months to lodge any objections against the club being given the trademark rights.

Trademark owners can enforce their trademarks as a means of preventing others from using identical, or similar, names and logos.