In searching for the iconic representation of what it means to be a Local in our region, we wanted to be inclusive of the beaches, the mountains, the city, the desert, the suburbs, the international border. We soon realized that it’s pretty impossible to fit all of that into a symbol.
But perhaps more importantly, we realized that being Local isn’t just a physical place. It’s the feeling you create within a place, together.
We create the feeling of being Local by returning time and again to the same people, to the same traditions, to the same places. We choose to become a Local and we keep showing up, nodding in recognition (or raising a pint glass) when we see each other.
In our crest, we celebrate a treasured Local by the name of Bum, San Diego’s first & only official town dog in the late 19th century. According to tradition, this St. Bernard-Spaniel mix arrived at our shores as a stowaway aboard a steamer ship in December 1886, and became very special to the people who lived here because of his good-natured personality, his inquiring mind and his unfailing sense of camaraderie.
This dog-about-town frequented a wide variety of businesses and restaurants, one of which posted a sign in the window claiming “Bum eats here” to advertise his affiliation. And it is said that Bum was typically given beer to drink instead of water, which is what likely led to the unwise fight with a rival dog on the train tracks, resulting in the loss of his right front paw.
In the Torrey green and vibrant orange hues to reflect the San Diego Loyal Soccer Club colors, we’ve given our beloved Bum a vintage soccer ball to play with in the sunset light, as we march together into the stadium to cheer on our team together.
It was said of Bum:
Let a band be heard in the distance; he will go to it as fast as his three legs will carry him along. He is present at all street gatherings and remains as long as the interest lasts.1
Like us, Bum is at home in a crowd and willing to go the full ninety minutes plus.
Like us, he’s one of The Locals.
And he can’t wait for us to unite together, again and again.
The Locals crest was created collaboratively, in the same way our supporters group continues to grow, by passionate people coming together, united by a love of the beautiful game and a connection to this place we call ‘home’.
Brand development and creative design was a generous contribution of Brandiose FC, developers of some of the most supported, talked about club brands in the USL including Tormenta FC and El Paso Locomotive FC. We are incredibly grateful for their time and expertise.
Learn More About Bum the Dog:
Bum, A Dog Who Chose San Diego as his Home, America Comes Alive
A Friend was for Sharing, The Journal of San Diego History
The Remarkable Story Of Bum, San Diego's High Society Street Dog, The Dodo
Want to visit Bum? A statue of this remarkable dog can be found at The Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House in downtown San Diego.
Hey kids! Bum the Dog is the mascot for the San Diego History Center’s Kids Club! We encourage you to visit them and learn more about your community and its colorful history.
1 James Edward Friend, “Bum,” The Weekly Drift, (San Diego, California), n.d., (about 1895) (deposited in the archives of the San Diego Historical Society, Junipero Serra Museum, San Diego, California), 18-20.
