Origin and Nicknames of Premier League Clubs

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