Fútbol Club Cartagena, the Spanish football club based in the city of Cartagena in the Region of Murcia, has used two distinct crests during its history. The current emblem, in use since 2005, is built around the city’s characteristic symbols and the club’s traditional black and white colors.
Design and History
The club’s first crest was in use from 1995, during the period when the team was known as Cartagonova. That earlier design featured a grey tower on a yellow background representing a city wall, along with a football and three red stripes crossing the shield. This emblem remained in use until 2004.[1]
The current crest arrived in 2005 following the arrival of Francisco Gómez Rodríguez, who took over the club and helped save it from financial collapse. Gómez initiated several changes, including a new name and a new shield. The club’s name change to FC Cartagena was approved by the Royal Spanish Football Federation on September 21, 2004.[1]
According to the regional cultural encyclopedia Región de Murcia Digital, throughout its various club names (Cartagena Club de Fútbol, Fútbol Club Cartagena, and others), the club adopted two characteristic symbols in its crest: the black and white colors of the uniform and the golden castle with three crenellated towers that appears in the municipal coat of arms. The exception was the period when the club was called Cartagonova.[2]
Meaning and Symbolism
The current crest is topped by a city wall, and in its lower section, alongside the characteristic black and white colors, appears a submarine, a symbol of the city of Cartagena.[1] The submarine references Isaac Peral’s pioneering submarine, a notable local landmark and a symbol used by several teams in the Cartagena area.[2]
The club’s traditional black and white vertical stripes are reflected in the crest’s color scheme and remain central to the club’s identity. The official club website describes the team’s home kit as featuring “traditional vertical black and white stripes,” with the crest displayed on the shirt.[3]
Logo Index is an independent educational archive covering logos, visual identities and graphic design history. All trademarks and brand assets remain the property of their respective owners.
