United revert to ox-head badge following fans vote
Oxford United fans have voted in numbers to retain the simple ox-head badge, as worn on the players’ shirts last season.
Designed in 1979 by anthropologist and United board member Desmond Morris, the iconic ox-head symbol was based on a Minoan-style design, deliberately simplified so that it could be copied easily. The popular image has remained a feature of the club’s badge ever since, either as a separate symbol or with a surrounding crest.
The stand-alone ox head was reintroduced last season as part of the kit to commemorate the 30th anniversary of United’s Milk Cup triumph and proved so popular that the club held a vote to see if the fans wanted to keep it. With 91 per cent in favour, Oxford United have now registered it with the EFL as the club’s official badge.
Managing Director Greig Box Turnbull told the official web site: “The badge proved very popular last season and is part of the club’s identity. Whenever you see the symbol it is instantly recognisable as Oxford United and it is the badge with which the club has had a lot of its greatest triumphs.
“We held the vote, which showed an overwhelming majority in favour of retaining it, and have listened to the fans by making it our official badge. As a result we will be changing the signage at the stadium to reflect this.”