Bristol Rugby's name change flags up good reason for Gloucester Rugby being super careful about any rebrand plans it might have of its own.

In what appears to be a simple case of coincidence news that Gloucester Rugby had filed three new draft badge designs broke as its West Country rivals revealed a badge and name change to Bristol Bears.

'So what?' you might ask. Aside from the fact some Bristol fans think it makes them sound like an American football or ice hockey team, others have pointed out another reason.

Bristol Bears is also the name given to a long-established group of gay men from the city described as "big, hairy and sometimes muscular" in the Western Daily Press.

This Bristol Bears also plays a prominent part in the annual Pride celebrations.

Fans of Bristol Rugby have chosen to focus on the name and the badge change.

One described it as a "shocking decision" and the logo as "embarrassing".

Meanwhile back at Gloucester Rugby the club is perhaps understandably playing it straight - and leaking nothing about its own plans which have set social media around the club buzzing.

"We have no comment to make at this stage," said a spokeswoman for the club.

Speculation over a change to the badge worn on the shirts of players and supporters alike began when news broke of new designs lodged with the UK Intellectual Property Office.

A trip to the IPO's website reveals three trade-mark applications have been filed for draft designs (see below for links), but no decision has been made yet on whether there is a future for any of them.

It is not just the Bristol situation the Gloucester club will have in mind.

A furore broke out when Gloucester last changed its crest back in 2005, a move which allowed the club to own the copyright - a trademark which was renewed last year and runs until January 2026.

The design replaced the city's coat of arms with two lions. The three draft designs also feature lions and all also carry the legend 1873 - the year the club was founded.

The idea of changing the club name to Gloucester Lions first raised its head under the late chairman Tom Walkinshaw, but was shouted down by fans.

Trademarks for the three drafts (see below for links) were actually filed on February 19, 2008 and published on March 22 allowing two months for objections to be taken on board.

A tweet from @JobyBudvar perhaps summed up the general feeling: "I said earlier, I honestly don't care about the badge. It's about performance on the pitch."

@Thee_RichieRich tweeted: "If they win the #champions cup then I might let them change the name! As for the badge I think there just putting the feelers out to see what reaction there is,from what I've seen not good #GlawsFamily @gloucesterrugby."

Draft badge design 1 Draft badge design 2 Draft badge design 3 

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