Championship side Leeds United has been met with a barrage of criticism and ridicule after presenting a new club crest.

The club showed off its new badge — it comprises the image of a figure doing the so-called 'Leeds Salute', thumping the chest with a clenched fist — beneath the club's name in bold letters.

Leeds chose the design, which will feature on shirts for the 2018-2019 season in which it celebrates its centenary, after six months of research and consultation with more than 10,000 people, including "legends, current players, club staff, the owner, partners and representatives from the Leeds and Yorkshire communities".

The club explained in a statement: "The abbreviation rather than spelling out Leeds United in full contributes to the crest being unrecognisable. We wanted to say who we are with pride: We are Leeds United.

"The new crest depicts the 'Leeds Salute', which over the decades has been an expression of the passion that connects Leeds United's fans and players on and off the pitch and all over the world.

"It is used extensively, and notably on match days when with right hand on heart fans sing the club's famous song 'Marching on Together'. Leeds United owes everything to the supporters who have stood by the club through thick and thin. We are delighted and proud to reveal a new crest that reflects the passion and loyalty that runs deep through the club, and celebrates the fans at the heart of our identity."

However, despite praise from some fans, the crest has been met with a number of negative responses since it was first shared on social media, including England cricket star Jonny Bairstow.

Some complained the design was "atrocious" and compared it to an old-fashioned video game graphic, while one Facebook user said it looked "like a school homework project". Others called for an immediate petition to be drafted to force the club into cancelling the change.

Leeds is 10th in the Championship table after 28 matches, three points outside the play-off places.