RTS Widzew Łódź is a Polish sports club based in Łódź, founded in 1910. Its official club colors are red-white-red, a scheme reflected in the club’s nicknames, including “Czerwono-biało-czerwoni” (Red-White-Reds).[1] The club’s crest, known as the “herb,” is a round emblem that has undergone numerous changes since 1910, with the version in use today deriving from a 1970 design.[2]
Design and History
The current Widzew crest is circular, framed by a wreath composed of oak leaves on one side, symbolizing strength, and laurel leaves on the other, symbolizing victory.[2] At the top of the emblem sits the club’s founding date, 1910, beneath which appears a barbell, a reference to the gymnastics section of the original TMRF Widzew organization.[2] An Olympic torch represents sporting competition, while a white-and-red sail bearing the letters “RTS” on its white portion and “Widzew” on its red portion references Łódź, the city of the club’s founding, which in the 19th and early 20th centuries was home to many rivers and ponds.[2]
In 2015, following the bankruptcy of the commercial company RTS Widzew Łódź S.A., a new entity, the Stowarzyszenie Reaktywacja Tradycji Sportowych Widzew Łódź, was formed to continue the club’s sporting traditions.[3] During the 2015/16 season, the team played without the full crest. Initially, jerseys carried only the association’s name, and later an outline of the crest was introduced, suggesting the imminent recovery of the mark.[4] In March 2016, legal analysis by the club’s lawyers established that the historical crest remained the property of the Robotnicze Towarzystwo Sportowe, an organization predating the bankrupt company, rather than part of the bankruptcy estate.[3] An agreement was reached allowing all Widzew sections to use the historical crest again, and players wore the full emblem for the first time in an April 2016 match.[3]
For the club’s 110th anniversary in 2020, Widzew presented a special commemorative crest to be used throughout the jubilee year.[5] In October 2025, the club released a limited-edition third jersey featuring a historical version of an earlier Widzew crest: a burgundy embroidered “RTS” monogram on the left chest, recalling the club’s early years and working-class roots.[6]
Meaning and Symbolism
Each element of the Widzew crest carries documented meaning. The oak leaves in the surrounding wreath symbolize strength, while the laurel leaves symbolize victory.[2] The barbell references the gymnastics section of the original TMRF Widzew, the club’s predecessor founded in 1910.[2] The Olympic torch stands for sporting rivalry, and the sail motif alludes to Łódź’s historical landscape of rivers and ponds.[2] The club’s red-white-red colors are confirmed on the official club website as its formal barwy (colors).[1]
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