Ever wondered why your favourite club is nicknamed the way it is.
Here is a list of the premier league teams of 2014-2015 with the origins of their nicknames, in alphabetical
order of course.
1)
Arsenal aka Gunners: This nickname is a perfect
case of evolution, Back in 1886 when the workers of the Woolwich Arsenal
Armament Factory, decided to open a football club they named it Dial
Square, named after the workshops. It was renamed Woolwich Reds in subsequent
weeks and Woolwich Arsenal in future and finally dropping Woolwich to keep it
as Arsenal. The name Gunners name was just synonymous with the close connection
to the engagement in arms.
2)
Aston Villa aka Villans: Aston Villa was formed
when the local cricket club Villa Cross wanted to keep themselves occupied
during the winter months. The nickname Villans ultimately evolved from their
name Villa.
3)
Burnley aka Clarets / Turfites: The name clarets
refer to the colour of the crest. The colour resembles the colours of Aston
Villa, which was supposed to be a mark of respect towards the dominant side,
and it was supposed to motivate Burnley players and supporters.The name
turfites is taken from their ground Turf Moor which has been home to them from
1883.
4)
Chelsea aka Blues / Pensioners: Known as the
pensioners previously, they are now referred to as the Blues owing to their
jersey colour. The name pensioners were synonymous to them because there was a
hospital nearby the club’s stadium. The Chelsea crest even portrayed a
pensioner before 1950.
5)
Crystal Palace aka Eagles: Initially called the
Glaziers, the club ended the relationship with this nickname with the name
Eagles which is seen on their crest. The palace after which the club is named
was destroyed in a fire in 1936.
6)
Everton
aka Toffees: Though there are many legends that are associated with this name,
but the most plausible is that there was a local sweet shop known as ‘Mother
Noblett’ that advertised and sold the Everton mint. This shop was located right
opposite to the lock up what is portrayed in the Everton crest.
7)
Hull City aka Tigers: Hull city has traditionally
played in the black and amber with a striped design, resembling the colours of
a tiger, and hence the nickname. The club’s mascot is called Roary the Tiger.
8)
Leicester City aka the Foxes: Leicester City has
a fox incorporated into their clubs crest since 1948, this lead to the nickname
the ‘Foxes’. The mascot is called ‘Filbert Fox’.
9)
Liverpool aka the reds: This name doesn’t take
too much of understanding and explanation. The name just follows the colours of
their jersey.
10)
Manchester City aka Citizens / Sky Blues: The
name citizens have evolved from the name City whereas the name sky blues
evolved from the home colours.
11)
Manchester United aka Red Devils: Legend has it
that during a trip in 1960 to France, they were called the Red Devils owing to
the colours of their kit. Sir Matt Busby liked the name so much that he
incorporated the Devil in their badge. Another story that is equally realistic
is that the name is derived from the local rugby team of Salford, who were
called the red devils. Manchester United trained in Salford, so the name just
stuck.
12)
Newcastle United aka Magpies / Toons: The name
Magpies originates from the iconic Black and White colours of the club, whereas
the name Toon is the local pronunciation of the the word Town.
13)
Queens Park Rangers aka Rangers or Hoops: Called
as Hoops because of their team’s white and blue hooped shirts. The name rangers,
is also derived from the name of the club itself.
14)
Southampton aka Saints: A name has stayed with
the club right from its inception. The club was known as a church football
team, and was founded by St. Mary’s Church of England Young Men’s Association.
Their Stadium is also called St. Mary’s.
15)
Stoke City aka Potters: There have been no other
nicknames for this club except the Potters owing to the Pottery industry in
Stoke-on-Trent. Together with Port Vale, Stoke city play the Potteries Derby.
16)
Sunderland aka Black Cats: there has been a long
history of Sunderland and the Black Cats. In 1997 the clubs official nickname
was the Black Cats. During the 19th century there was a company called the
Black Cat Battery. During the 1960’s a black cat was taken care of and fed by
the club.
17)
Swansea City aka Swans: Another club that doesn’t need
much explanation about their nickname. It is just the short form of their club’s
name Swansea.
18)
Tottenham Hotspur aka Spurs / Lillywhites: Spurs
is obviously a shortened version of Hotspur which comes from the clubs
connection with Shakespeare character Harry Hotspur. Lilywhites simply comes
from the colour of Tottenham’s home shirt.
19)
West Bromwich Albion aka Baggies: One of the
most debatable nicknames of football clubs. Initially known as the “The
Throstles”, the name Bagpies was initially was looked down upon and
later embraces. But club historian Toby Matthews claims: “In its early days The
Hawthorns had only two entrances, one behind each goal. On match days the
gatekeepers would gather up the takings at each end and be escorted by
policemen along the sides of the pitch to the centre line where there was a
small office under the stand.
“The gate money, mostly in
pennies, amounted to a considerable sum and was carried in large cloth bags. It
wasn’t long before some wag in the crowd started shouting “Here come the bag
men!” at their appearance in front of the main stand, and this developed into a
chant of “Here come the Baggies,” giving the team its nickname.
20)
West Ham United aka Hammers: The name is derived
from the football club from which it developed – Thames Ironwork Football Club.
The West Ham crest features two crossed rivet hammers and the club has been
known has the Hammers ever since
