Today we hear from Kevin Lenton – STAR Board Member
What’s in a nickname?
So today it’s Royals v Robins, according to the club’s nicknames. All clubs have a nickname or two. Where do these nicknames come from? The usual origins of nicknames are as follows:-
- Local industry
- Colour(s) of home strip
- Name of club
- Name of area or ground
- Club badge
- Influence of players or fans
Some clubs, including Reading, changed their nicknames. We were previously known as the Biscuitmen, after the town’s famous Huntley & Palmers biscuit factory. Fans of a certain age will know that Reading was famous for its three Bs, Biscuits, Bulbs (Sutton Seeds) and Beer (Simonds, then Courage). Choosing ‘Beermen’ might have given the wrong idea! There was a competition to give the club a new nickname after the biscuit factory closed in 1976. Someone suggested that they become Reading Raindrops as they were the biggest shower in the division! Eventually manager Charlie Hurley picked Royals from a fan-inspired shortlist.
Here’s a list of the clubs in our division and how they got their nicknames. Most nicknames start with a “The” but I have not included this.
| Team | Nickname | Origin |
| Barnsley | Tykes,
Reds |
Colloquial name for a Yorkshireman.
Colour of home kit. |
| Birmingham City | Blues | Colour of home kit |
| Blackburn Rovers | Rovers
Riversiders |
Name of club
After a side of the ground adjacent to a river |
| Brentford | Bees | Based on initial letter of club name |
| Bristol City | Robins | Colour of home kit same as a robin’s chest |
| Cardiff City | Bluebirds | Based on club crest |
| Charlton Athletic | Addicks | A corruption of the word ‘haddocks’, named after a local fish and chip shop |
| Derby County | Rams | Folk song “The Derby Ram”, and by extension an emblem of the city |
| Fulham | Cottagers | From club’s ground, Craven Cottage, which has a cottage in the corner |
| Huddersfield Town | Terriers | Named after the Yorkshire Terrier breed of dog |
| Hull City | Tigers | Colours of home strip |
| Leeds United | Whites | Colour of home strip |
| Luton Town | Hatters | Local links to hat making industry |
| Middlesbrough | Boro | Short version of name |
| Millwall | Lions | Featured on badge |
| Nottingham Forest | Reds | Colour of their home strip |
| Preston North End | Lilywhites
|
Colour of their home strip |
| Queens Park Rangers | Hoops | Design of home strip |
| Reading | Royals | The town is in the Royal County of Berkshire |
| Sheffield Wednesday | Owls | Based on name of local area Owlerton |
| Stoke City | Potters | Local links to the pottery industry |
| Swansea City | Swans | Based on abbreviation of city name |
| West Bromwich Albion | Throstles
Baggies |
Based on the large number of Song Thrushes (Throstles) near the ground.
Acquired when the players played in long shorts |
| Wigan Athletic | Latics | Short version of name Athletic |