'I love the Saints crest - it's easier to tattoo'

Simon Stacey has already got himself a new team shirt bearing the updated crest

A Northampton Saints fan who had the champion's crest tattooed on his calf a decade ago has given his approval to the badge's redesign and vowed to have it inked on his leg.

Simon Stacey, 42, of Desborough, Northamptonshire, celebrated the rugby club's first Premiership title in 2014 by having the intricate insignia etched on his skin.

While the new crest had attracted some criticism for being bland since it was revealed on Thursday, Mr Stacey said its simplicity was its strength - and would be far easier to replicate as a tattoo.

"I love it; it's change, people don't like change, but it's got the history of the club and it will stand out whereas the old crest was a bit busy," he added.

Simon Stacey's Northampton Saints tattoo was his first time under the needle

'Fails to capture spirit'

Saints, who won their first Premiership title in ten years in June, said earlier in the year that it would rethink its crest, which had been in place since 1984, because it did not reflect the club's history.

The new design incorporates the club's name, colours, the date it began playing, and a cross emblem, which is on players' shirts in the first photograph of a Saints team in the 1880s.

While some have given the new crest their backing, calling it clear and bold, if "a bit Marmite", many fans have taken to social media to describe it as "naff", akin to a last-minute effort for a school project, and accused the club of a "derogation of its history".

An online petition calling for a rethink on the design because it "fails to capture the spirit of our beloved club" has attracted several hundred signatures.

The new crest design has divided opinion since it was revealed on Thursday

'Clearly says who we are'

Mr Stacey said he was "very shocked" at the backlash.

"The new crest tells us who we are, the old crest never said 'Northampton Saints', but this clearly says who we are, its identity," he added.

"I remember going to away games and walking through service stations and with [former sponsor] Travis Perkins on the shirt people would ask, 'Who are Travis Perkins?' because you saw the crest and it didn't say Northampton Saints."

He said the club had agreed to pay for his new tattoo, which he planned to have done at Franklin's Gardens next week.

"It's not that detailed, so it shouldn't take too long, hopefully," he added.

Speaking to BBC Radio Northampton, former Saints and England winger Ian Hunter said any club rebranding would split opinion, and had done so among ex-players.

"The rationale behind it is a good one," he added.

"It's simple but it's also easily recognisable.

"I'm happy with it and I'm sure give some time, most people will come around."