English football supporters are some of the most passionate in the world. Indeed the sport on that side of the pond is more like a religion rather than a game. And their teams are pretty damn good at it too.
The likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United all have European Cups to their name, while the English national team has also been thrust back into the limelight in recent years as well. Their crowning moment came way back in 1966 when they defeated Germany 4-2 after extra time to lift the World Cup for the first and only time in their history. Throughout the decades that followed, the Three Lions have suffered heartache after heartache, but under current manager Gareth Southgate, they have returned as a superpower once more.
The former Middlesbrough defender led his country to the semifinals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, their first trip to the final four in 28 years. They followed that up with a trip to the final of the European Championships three years later, their first major final since that glorious day in the ’60s. Three years on from that bitter defeat to Italy, Bovada betting currently makes them the +325 for UEFA Euro 2024 this summer.
But while England remains a frontrunner in the global football scene, they don’t half have some strange-sounding team names. Let’s take a look at some of the strangest of them.
1. Arsenal
Founded in 1886 by munitions workers at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich, the Arsenal Football Club was initially named Dial Square as a nod to one of the factory’s workshops. The name quickly changed to Royal Arsenal, then Woolwich Arsenal, before settling on Arsenal upon moving north of the Thames.
Over the years, the Gunners have been one of the dominant forces in English football. Under Arsene Wenger at the turn of the Millennium, the club won the Premier League three times including an Invincible season in 2004 where they didn’t lose a single game. They were the first team to achieve such a feat since Preston North End 115 years prior, but they haven’t lifted the title since.
Last term, they came ever so close to ending their 19-year baron spell, ultimately being pipped to the crown by Manchester City. This season, as the campaign reaches its business end, they are currently top of the league, one point clear of the reigning champions and Liverpool.
2. Tottenham Hotspur
Heading across North London, Tottenham Hotspur – often simply called Spurs – are Arsenal’s archrivals, and they too have one of the most distinctive names in football. The club was initially formed in 1882 by a group of schoolboys, adopting the name “Hotspur Football Club” from the Hotspur cricket club some of them were involved in. The name “Hotspur” itself comes from Sir Henry Percy, a late 14th-century nobleman known for his speedy charges in battle, who was nicknamed “Harry Hotspur.”
In recent years, the club has become known for not winning silverware. Their last trophy came back in 2008 when they lifted the League Cup, and they haven’t managed to get their hands on anything since. They last became champions of England back in 1961 however, they did reach the UEFA Champions League final back in 2019. Unfortunately for them, however, that ended in defeat, losing 2-0 to Liverpool in Atletico Madrid’s state-of-the-art Wanda Metropolitano.
3. Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest’s name is as evocative as it is historical, bringing to mind the legendary tales of Robin Hood. The club, founded in 1865, took its name from the Forest Recreation Ground, an area of Nottingham that was historically part of Sherwood Forest. In terms of recent performance, Nottingham Forest has experienced fluctuating fortunes, including stints in the Championship. However, their storied history, including their remarkable back-to-back European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980, remains a source of pride.
They returned to the Premier League last season after 24 years away and they managed to successfully avoid an immediate drop back to the second-tier. This term, however, a breach of UEFA’s financial fair play rules has seen them hit with a four-point deduction that has plunged them into the relegation zone.
4. Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday’s name is perhaps one of the most unusual in football, originating from the day of the week on which the team was founded. Established in 1867 by the members of the “Wednesday Cricket Club” looking to stay fit during the winter, the football club adopted the same name. Their recent years have seen them competing mainly in the Championship, striving to recapture the form that once made them one of England’s leading clubs.
5. Accrington Stanley
Accrington Stanley’s name carries with it a tale of revival and resilience. Originally formed in 1891, the club dissolved in 1966 only to be reformed two years later. The “Stanley” part of the name is thought to come from a local pub where the team’s founders met. Despite its challenges, including financial struggles, the club has persevered and competed in League One, showcasing the spirit that the name Accrington Stanley has come to embody.
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