Leyton Orient Accuses Wrexham of Copying Badge for New Kit

Leyton Orient has raised concerns over the design of Wrexham's new third strip, claiming that the badge resembles their own. The criticism comes after Wrexham, owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, unveiled the new kit on Wednesday. The kit features a cream color with a black collar and terracotta-orange details, and was showcased with the two owners modeling it on the club's website.

Leyton Orient's objections were highlighted in public statements, asking Wrexham, 'What you playing at?' This comment reflects their dissatisfaction with what they perceive as a lack of originality in Wrexham's branding.

The new third strip has drawn attention not just for its design, but also for the celebrity status of its owners, further intensifying the scrutiny of the choice to use a similar badge. The similarities have not gone unnoticed by supporters of Leyton Orient, who feel that the distinctiveness of their emblem is being undermined.

Both sets of fans have engaged in discussions on social media, with Leyton Orient supporters expressing discontent regarding the overlap in designs. Fans of Wrexham have also chimed in, pointing out the coincidental nature of the badge design.

This incident adds to the ongoing dialogue surrounding team branding and originality in sports, especially given the prominent roles of celebrity ownership in club marketing strategies. The incident has sparked a light-hearted yet pointed debate about creativity in kit design within the football community.

At the time of reporting, neither Wrexham nor their owners had publicly responded to the specific accusation made by Leyton Orient. Wrexham's decision to unveil the new kit at this time has raised questions about the influence of celebrity culture on football branding.