Leeds United have promised a ­rethink over the club’s new badge after fans reacted with dismay to the design revealed to mark their centenary in 2019. The crest, which the club say celebrates “fans at the heart of our identity”, depicts a supporter doing the so-called Leeds salute.

Thousands of fans signed a petition calling for it to be scrapped and the Leeds managing director, ­Angus Kinnear, told BBC Radio Leeds that the club will now consult with more supporters before a new badge is adopted.

“As we look at the feedback today I think it’s clear that the consultation process that we embarked on, that we were very confident had delivered a result, wasn’t extensive enough,” Kinnear said. “We need to reopen that consultation process very clearly.”

By Wednesday night the number of signatures on the petition had risen to well over 50,000. Fans and players often put their right fist over their heart as a sign of support for Leeds.

Before the storm the club proudly revealed the new badge on Wednesday afternoon following six months of research in which 10,000 people were consulted.

A statement on the club's website read: "After a rigorous process that spanned six months, we consulted more than 10,000 people connected to Leeds United, through digital surveys, one-on-one and group interviews and meetings with legends, current players, club staff, the owner, partners and representatives from the Leeds and Yorkshire communities.