West Bromwich Albion F.C. is based in the West Midlands area of England and was founded in 1878. The team have played their home games at The Hawthorns football ground since 1900. The original club nickname was The Throstles, taken from the bird on the clubs badge, but from the 1900s they became more commonly known as The Baggies.
The actual origin of the name is not known but one theory is that it referred to the very large baggy shorts worn by the team. Another nicknames sometimes used is The Albion.
2. Sunderland A.F.C.
Answer: The Black Cats
Sunderland A.F.C. based in the North East of England, was founded in 1879 and at inception was known as Sunderland and District A.F.C. The use of the nickname The Black Cats was not used by the club until 1997 when they moved their home ground from Roker Park to The Stadium of Light.
They had previously been known as The Rokers or The Rockerites but with the move from Roker Park this nickname was no longer appropriate. The management of the team polled the fans to establish a new name for the club and the most popular was The Black Cats.
There are several stories and myths as to how this name came about but one story which I liked was that in 1937 the team managed to get to the final of the FA Cup and one fan by the name of Billy Norris, took a small black cat in his pocket to the game. Sunderland won the match and returned with the cup.
The little black cat was seen as being the teams lucky mascot.
3. Watford F.C.
Answer: The Hornets
Based in Watford, Hertfordshire, to the north of London, the team was first formed as Watford Rovers in 1881 by local man Henry Groverand. In 1893 the club merged with local rivals Watford St Marys and the Rovers part of the name was dropped and the club became just Watford FC. For a period of time Sir Elton John, a lifelong supporter, became owner and chairman of the club.
The teams home colours comprise a yellow shirt with black trousers and black socks with yellow turnover tops. It is from the clubs colours that the nickname of The Hornets originates.
Other nicknames sometimes used: The Golden Boys, Yellow Army and The Orns.
4. Stoke City F.C.
Answer: The Potters
Based in Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, Stoke City F.C. was originally called The Stoke Ramblers when it was founded in 1863. They merged with Stoke Victoria Cricket Club in 1878 and became Stoke FC. In 1888 they were one of the 12 foundation members of The Football League. Following the town being given city status in 1925 the club changed their name to Stoke City F.C. Stoke-on-Trent is the home of the pottery industry in England and colloquially known and refered to as The Potteries.
It is from this industry that the nickname for the club, The Potters, is derived.
5. Leicester City F.C.
Answer: The Foxes
The club was founded in 1884 as Leicester Fosse F.C. due to the location of the ground they played on being close to Fosse Road. The club's name was changed to Leicester City F.C. in 1919. The county of Leicester has a well documented history of fox hunting dating back to the 18th century. It is from this history that the inspiration for the clubs nickname The Foxes was derived. The club badge incorporates a fox at its centre and the motto of the club is 'Foxes Never Quit'. The club mascot is called Filbert Fox.
Other Nicknames sometimes used: The Blues, City.
6. A.F.C. Bournemouth
Answer: The Cherries
A.F.C. Bournemouth, situated on the south coast of England, was formed in 1890 and originally went by the name of Boscombe St John's Institute F.C. There were a further two change of names before the club finally settled on A.F.C. Bournemouth in 1972. Their nickname, The Cherries, came about when they moved to Dean Court, also known as Goldsands Stadium, the stadium having been built on what had been a field of cherry trees.
7. Arsenal F.C.
Answer: The Gunners
Arsenal F.C. started out its life in 1886 as Dial Square. In 1891, when the club turned professional, it changed its name to Woolwich Arsenal although after a short time the prefix of Woolwich was dropped. After 27 years playing at the Manor Ground in Plumstead South London the club moved in 1913 to Highbury, North London and then to the Emirates Stadium, also in North London, in 2006.
The nickname of The Gunners owes its origins to the founding members of the club, all of whom were workers at the local munitions and armenants factory in Woolwich. Supporters of Arsenal F.C. are themselves known as Gooners which is a corruption of Gunners.
8. Ipswich Town F.C.
Answer: The Tractor Boys
Founded in 1878, Ipswich A.F.C. merged in 1888 with the Ipswich Rugby Club and became Ipswich Town FC. The club retained amateur status until 1938 when they turned professional. The team play their home games at the Portman Road ground which is just a walk away from Ipswich town centre.
They have the nickname of Tractor Boys which alludes to the large agricultural nature and industry of the surrounding area. Ipswich play their home games in a royal blue and white strip and are sometimes also referred to as the Blues.
9. Newcastle United F.C.
Answer: The Magpies
Located in the north east of England, Newcastle United F.C. was founded in 1892 from two local soccer clubs, namely Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End. From inception the home ground at which the team plays is St James Park.
The nickname of Magpies, comes from the teams home colors, which consist of black and white striped shirts with the shorts and socks being black with a white trim.
Two other occasionally used nicknames are The Toons and The Geordies.
10. Everton F.C.
Answer: The Toffees
St Domingo's F.C. was founded in 1878 and was associated with the local Methodist church of the same name located in the village of Everton, Liverpool. In 1879 the club changed its name to Everton FC and in 188 were one of the 12 foundation members of The Football League.
There are several stories as to how the club got the nickname of The Toffees, one of them being that there was a sweet shop close to the ground which sold a local toffee type sweet called the Everton Mint. It is said that on match days there would be a girl who was sent to the ground from the local shop and she would throw free Everton Mints into the crowd. An Everton Mint is similar to a mint humbug and is always coloured black with white stripes.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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