Leyton Orient have accused Wrexham AFC and its celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney of copying the League One club's historic crest. The row erupted after Wrexham unveiled a new third kit on August 26, with Leyton Orient taking to social media to voice their displeasure directly at the Hollywood stars.
This off-field controversy comes as the O's sit 10th in League One with three points from their opening two games. They have scored three goals and conceded two, leaving them three points behind early leaders Bradford City. Their immediate focus returns to the pitch for a home match against Barnsley on August 29, a game you can find on our fixtures page.
What did Leyton Orient say about the Wrexham crest?
Leyton Orient FC posted an image of the Wrexham third kit's badge on social media with a pointed caption. The club wrote, "What you playing at, @VancityReynolds @RMcElhenney?" alongside a clip of former England manager Roy Hodgson. This direct call-out to the actors, who own Wrexham, framed the issue as a clear case of imitation. At the time the story was reported by Wrexham and Flintshire News, Sport, Events | The Leader, Wrexham had not issued a public response to the allegations.
How are the two club crests similar?
The core of the dispute lies in the visual design of the emblems. Wrexham's new third kit features a simplified badge showing two wyverns or dragons facing each other over a football. This is a departure from their traditional, more elaborate crest which features two inward-facing red dragons flanking a golden football beneath the Prince of Wales feathers. Leyton Orient's crest, introduced in 1976, prominently features two red wyverns guarding a football with a stylised representation of the River Thames beneath. In mythology, the wyvern is said to defend rivers and the sea, a theme reflected in Orient's design which nods to the old Orient Shipping Company and historic ties to the City of London and the Thames.
Why did Wrexham create this new kit design?
Wrexham's cream third kit, produced by Macron with a black collar and terracotta-orange detailing, was launched with heavy promotion featuring images of Reynolds and McElhenney modeling the shirt. The club stated the design was inspired by Ruabon's terracotta heritage and the planned red-brick façade of the new Kop stand at the Racecourse Ground. Marketing positioned the third shirt, alongside the home kit, as a tribute to different eras of the historic stadium. The shirt became available online and in stores as the club looked to capitalise on global interest ahead of the new season.
What does this mean for Leyton Orient?
For Leyton Orient, the incident is a defence of their unique identity and intellectual property. The club's crest is a symbol of its history and community, elements that are vital for any football club's brand. While engaged in this off-pitch dispute, the team must maintain focus on their League One campaign. Their current standing and goal difference show a solid, if unspectacular, start. You can track their progress in the standings. The immediate task is preparing for the Barnsley fixture, where a win could lift them higher up the table. The squad, detailed on our squad page, will be looking to put the crest controversy behind them and deliver a performance for the fans at Brisbane Road.
