I must say as a Royals fan, that Ottawa's new primary actually looks pretty cool, and the uniforms are also looking good in terms of updates! The updates to the other teams so far also look pretty snazzy! 

Also, this is admittedly a premature question, but do any real life video game companies exist in the NAAF universe? For when the 1980s comes around, there is the possibility of an NAAF video game or two? I apologize if you haven't thought of that yet, but it was something I was admittedly curious about as a gamer myself. 

Anyhoo, I'm looking forward to the rest of the team updates, especially the former WFU teams!

1970 Brand Changes Part 4

To round out the current NAAF redesigns, the final 3 teams made the biggest changes to their uniforms and logos. 

Halifax Mariners

Ever since the Mariners arrived in Atlantic Canada, the team has certainly carried the remnants of the Worcester Athletics through their branding. While the team initially wanted to honour the old club by keeping the famous cream in the brand along with the new blue, Owner Elliot Hudson has never quite felt right about the look. His uncertainty was a big reason the team had already changed their look ahead of the 1966 season. Finally, with the opportunity to work with Patterson Athletics, he could have a brand that felt like its own brand for the city of Halifax.

Logos: The first big change is that the team is dropping the cream from the colour scheme, and in its place, promoting the orange introduced on their 1966 logo to their secondary colour. The logo reflects this change with all the cream changed to white and the blue ring around the logo changed to orange. The team also introduces a new anchor mark for their secondary logo.

Uniforms: The uniforms see a significant overhaul. The home jerseys stay blue, with 2 orange stripes surrounding a single white stripe on the sleeve cuffs. The anchor is also on the sleeve with the numbers moving to the shoulders. The team also introduces an orange stroke around the white numbers. The roads take a similar design but with several colours swapped. While there was some discussion about the team moving on from the “heart” patch on the jerseys honouring the original owner, Richard Paul, ultimately Elliot Hudson wanted to keep it. However, the patch is now coloured to match the colour scheme and the font is changed to match the Mariners’ brand.

Field: While there were sweeping changes to the brand, the field at Atlantic Stadium does not change.

Long Island Raiders

The Raiders have had the same look since they rebranded to the Raiders in 1955. Last season, the team introduced a throwback to the team’s original green and white look. Owner, Wayne Tillman was very fond of that design and he wanted to go back to it, but also felt that the current brand had been so iconic with the team’s recent success. In the end, the team at Patterson Athletics came up with a meld of both.

Logos: The team’s new logo, brings back the classic crossed swords. The outline of Long Island is replaced with an oval behind the swords with “LI” and “Raiders” inscribed on it. The years 1919 and 1922 are also on the logo which are the years the original Raiders were founded and the current franchise, the original Hartford Maroons/Hawks, was founded respectfully. The other change sees the team adjust the green of their brand to stand out as more green than black.

Uniforms: The new uniforms mix the old with the new. The helmet remains the same, with the new swords on the side. The new jersey features the old design’s 4 stripes but with the maroon coming through underneath. The design was one of the more challenging designs to get right technically, but Tillman was willing to help make it happen, even if it required a little more money. The road has a similar design, but most details remain green with the numbers and names in maroon. 

Field: The new field sees the swords placed at midfield, replacing their anniversary logo from last season. While the endzones get “Raiders” with the new font. 

Providence Gold Stars

Finally, the Providence Gold Stars round out the bunch. As the team takes the opportunity to evolve their design in hopes of some new luck. 

Logos: The logo remains pretty similar to their previous one, but the new anchor is now just a single colour. The shape of the anchor is based on the anchor on the Rhode Island flag. The team also is making a change with their font, going to a block font that is often seen on ships. 

Uniforms: The new uniforms are a bit tamer compared to what the Gold Stars are used to, but it’s a fresh look. The new home uniform features the new font on the numbers and captain patch. The two stripe pattern they had started with the previous set returns but is now applied to the sleeves. The biggest change comes with the removal of the yoke that the team has had for many years. In its place are a pair of gold stars on the shoulders. The helmet maintains the 3 stars on the front to signify the pre-NAAF 3 McCallister Cups the team has won, however, the stripes on the helmet not longer go around the stars, but instead, stop just before the top star.

Field: The Gold Stars carry over a similar design for their field at New Providence Stadium, but have just updated the font and logos to match their new set.

Last edited by Wallflower (4/07/2023 10:58 am)

I saw the Raiders logo with the numbers on it and was hoping they would be on the jersey (since it's quite similar to what the MLB's Pittsburgh Pirates use). Not that there's anything wrong with the block numbers, of course.

Wallflower wrote:

I'm realizing tonight I have a lot more to work on before I can get the new reveals up, like make the rosters and flesh out the details of the history, so it may be a few days until the WFU teams are posted, especially while I am focusing on school for the next couple of nights. Hope you have enjoyed the 13 other reveals so far (C&C is certainly welcome), be back soon .

Take your time! Looking forward to the WFU teams. In the meantime:

MIN: An improvement for sure. My only critique is that I wonder how the striping on the white jersey would look with a blue stroke like the white one on the blue jersey. That said, I notice that blue and green don't touch anywhere else, so maybe not. Looks good nonetheless!
OTT: Finally, an update to the Royals! I love the new banner logo and the whole thing got a very much-needed touch-up. I love the new striping on the white jersey, it's a nice way to incorporate more purple. The blackletter captain patch rules as well.
PIT: Yeah, this was definitely needed. The new look is great, reducing the gimmicks and reinforcing the really nice charcoal color the Blacksmiths use. Love the new away set, feels much better.
HFX: RIP cream - gone, but not forgotten. I think it's right for the Mariners to forge their own brand (and have an awesome throwback jersey for the future). A little strange for both Halifax and Providence to use anchor symbols but they're different enough that I don't think it matters. Love the jerseys, they feel like a modern classic that can last to the present day. Also - I believe this is a NAAF first - the numbers are double-layered with that orange stroke. Innovations!
LI: I actually liked the old shade of green a little more but I understand the change. The home jersey remains excellent but I'm curious as to why the team refuses to use maroon below the waist on the road jersey. Use the same socks, fill in the stripes on the sleeves, and use more of that really nice shade of red. Love the new font, hoping that eventually a modified version of that makes its way onto the jerseys.
PRO: The yoke is gone! A classic look that again, will make for a great throwback someday. I love the stars on the shoulders, as well. I have two complaints, however: first, I think the stars on the front of the helmet make it a little too busy and I think they'd look better on the back. Second, I'd like to see some gold in the sleeves of the road jersey. Either way a great new look for the Gold Stars, hopefully this is the one to lead them to success.

Great updates to the existing NAAF teams. Upgrades across the board in my opinion and you've laid the foundation for iconic looks for a couple of these teams. Can't wait for the WFU teams, they're sure to be worthy additions to this great-looking collection of clubs.

Halifax Mariners:   Loving this update!   I think the blue and orange pop so cleanly with the white that I don't even miss the cream color at all!  I think this might just be the best looking team in the NAAF now!

Long Island Raiders: Definitely enjoying my team's new logo, it's old school without being too old fashioned, very nice!  And I still like the New York Giants-esque approach to the team being more green at home and looking more like a red team when wearing the road uniforms, it's goofy and it stands out in a fun way!

Providence Gold Stars:  Another awesome update!  The new anchor logo is very nice and I love the attention to detail with changing the font to resemble something an actual ship would likely use!   The uniforms are full of personality too!   The stars and stripes helmet is a particular favorite detail of mine!

Overall, really great work here!  Can't wait to see what's next!