Coventry City FC: Sky Blues clamp down on unauthorised crest use

A football supporter has been required to destroy counterfeit goods costing him thousands of pounds following a clamp-down on the unauthorised use of a club’s crest.

Coventry City FC said it took action after seeing a huge increase in items being available online from unaffiliated sources.

Its crest, which depicts an elephant carrying a castle flanked by an eagle and phoenix, is trademarked, meaning the club holds exclusive rights to its use.

Chief executive Dave Boddy said seeing others making money from products featuring the club’s badge “was concerning”.

The club said it had tracked down and taken action against a number of producers and sellers of “inferior” products such as mugs, replica shirts and framed prints.

“Some of the sellers were supporters of the club and did not realise that their actions were illegal and damaging to the football club, and potentially to themselves,” Mr Boddy said.

“Those sellers have been warned to cease selling items with the club crest on or they could face court action.”

The rise in rogue sales was attributed to the Sky Blues’ increased profile after gaining Championship promotion.

“To see other people selling products with the club badge on and that money not coming back to the club was concerning,” Mr Boddy added.

“Unfortunately, one supporter chose to continue producing items, despite several legal warnings. This led to action being taken against him, and ultimately has cost him several thousand pounds both in costs and destroyed items,” he added.

The club said it had contacted Trading Standards and, working with a specialist brand protection company, it would not “hesitate” to pursue further enforcement.

The clamp-down follows the opening of the club’s new superstore at the Coventry Building Society Arena in August.