York City Football Club will finally erase their 'chequered past' with the unveiling of their new badge.

The club received more than 150 entries from their competition to design a new badge, with fans invited to vote on the best three as selected by the club's marketing taskforce.

And the result of the poll has seen the fans overwhelmingly go for Michael Elgie's design, with 218 supporters voting in favour for the badge to replace the much-maligned chequered effort from the John Batchelor era.

Batchelor's design was produced by Northcross, with the club having to shell out for the re-branding. However, Elgie's effort will cost the club nothing.

Elgie, from Acute Marketing and Picture Drum, has encompassed the classic 'Y' design long associated with the club, and the five lions of York. The battlements represent the historic gates of the city.

Second in the polls was Ben Millar's 'Y' design, which incorporated the Yorkshire Rose, with 103 votes, while the lion badge by the Partners' Group was third with 62.

Commenting on the results of the competition, marketing & IT director Mike Brown said: "The badge competition has generated a huge amount of interest among

supporters.

"We have been overwhelmed by the volume and quality of designs. The board would like to thank everyone that has put so much time, energy and skill into the badge design competition.

"In particular, I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to submit their votes."

The club board have welcomed the new badge design and will now begin work on developing the merchandise.

Brown added: "The winning design projects a strong traditional feel with a modern edge.

"The club's marketing taskforce will further develop the York City brand, incorporating the new badge in a broad range of media, merchandise and the forthcoming new kit."

The many designs that did not manage to make the final three will be transformed into a mural that will be placed outside the Social Club.

YORK City reserves ended their Avon Insurance League programme in calamitous fashion - crashing 7-0 to Darlington at Feethams.

Ian Clark banged in a hat-trick for the Quakers, whose other goals came from Michael Bond (2), Danny Mellanby and an Adam Reed penalty. The defeat could have been heavier but for a fine display by City goalkeeper John Collinson.

Updated: 11:40 Thursday, May 01, 2003