From the Gunners and the Red Devils to the Chairboys and the Grecians, club nicknames are an essential part of English football culture. Some originate from shirt colours, local industries or stadium landmarks, while others have emerged from regional identity, wordplay and generations of supporter tradition.

Here is a complete guide to the recognised nicknames of the 92 clubs competing in the Premier League and English Football League during the 2026/27 season.

Premier League Club Nicknames

Arsenal: The Gunners

Arsenal’s nickname reflects the club’s origins among workers at the Royal Arsenal armaments factory in Woolwich. The cannon remains central to the club’s badge and identity.

Aston Villa: The Villans

Aston Villa are widely known as the Villans, a nickname created from the club’s name. Supporters also commonly refer to the team simply as Villa.

Bournemouth: The Cherries

Bournemouth are known as the Cherries. The nickname is often associated with the club’s red shirts and the cherry orchards once found near their former ground.

Brentford: The Bees

Brentford’s nickname developed from a supporters’ chant of “Buck up, Bs,” referring to the club’s initials. It was reportedly misheard as “Bees,” and the new identity remained.

Brighton & Hove Albion: The Seagulls

Brighton adopted the Seagulls nickname because of the club’s coastal location. The team are also sometimes known simply as the Albion.

Chelsea: The Blues

Chelsea are known as the Blues because of the royal blue shirts that have defined the club’s appearance for generations.

Coventry City: The Sky Blues

Coventry City’s nickname comes from the sky-blue home colours introduced during the club’s successful period under manager Jimmy Hill.

Crystal Palace: The Eagles

Crystal Palace became the Eagles during the 1970s, when the club adopted a new badge and identity. Palace had previously been known as the Glaziers because of the club’s connection to the Crystal Palace exhibition building.

Everton: The Toffees

Everton are known as the Toffees, a nickname connected to historic sweet shops located near the club’s early homes.

Fulham: The Cottagers

Fulham’s nickname refers to the historic cottage situated beside their Craven Cottage stadium on the banks of the River Thames.

Hull City: The Tigers

Hull City are known as the Tigers because of their traditional amber-and-black colours.

Ipswich Town: The Tractor Boys

The Tractor Boys nickname is a playful reference to Suffolk’s rural and agricultural character. Ipswich are also sometimes known as the Blues.

Leeds United: The Whites

Leeds United’s nickname comes from the club’s famous all-white home kit.

Liverpool: The Reds

Liverpool are known as the Reds because of the all-red kit that has become central to the club’s global identity.

Manchester City: The Citizens

Manchester City are most commonly known as the Citizens, a nickname derived from the club’s name. They are also occasionally called the Sky Blues because of their home colours.

Manchester United: The Red Devils

Manchester United adopted the Red Devils identity during the 1960s. The nickname was inspired by the successful Salford rugby league team, who had previously been given the same name.

Newcastle United: The Magpies

Newcastle’s black-and-white striped shirts resemble the colouring of a magpie. Supporters also frequently refer to the club as the Toon, based on the local pronunciation of “town.”

Nottingham Forest: The Reds

Nottingham Forest are usually called the Reds because of their traditional home colours. Forest and the Tricky Trees are also familiar names among supporters.

Sunderland: The Black Cats

Sunderland’s nickname has historical connections to the city and the club, including stories involving a black cat associated with the team and its supporters.

Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs

Tottenham are universally known as Spurs, a shortened version of Hotspur. The club are also called the Lilywhites because of their white shirts.

Championship Club Nicknames

Birmingham City: Blues

Birmingham City are known as Blues because of the royal blue shirts traditionally worn by the team.

Blackburn Rovers: Rovers

Blackburn are generally known as Rovers, although the Blue and Whites and the Riversiders have also been used.

Bolton Wanderers: The Trotters

The origins of Bolton’s Trotters nickname are disputed. It may relate to an old term for practical jokers or to stories of players retrieving footballs from land behind an early ground. The club are also known as the Wanderers.

Bristol City: The Robins

Bristol City are called the Robins because of their red shirts. A robin has appeared regularly in the club’s visual identity.

Burnley: The Clarets

Burnley’s nickname comes from the club’s distinctive claret-and-blue home colours.

Cardiff City: The Bluebirds

Cardiff City are known as the Bluebirds because of their traditional blue shirts and the bluebird featured on the club badge.

Charlton Athletic: The Addicks

The Addicks nickname is believed to have evolved from the local pronunciation of “haddocks.” One popular story links it to a fishmonger who provided meals for the team.

Derby County: The Rams

Derby County’s nickname reflects the ram traditionally associated with the city and the county of Derbyshire.

Lincoln City: The Imps

Lincoln City take their nickname from the Lincoln Imp, a famous figure carved inside Lincoln Cathedral and a longstanding symbol of the city.

Middlesbrough: The Boro

The Boro is a straightforward shortened form of Middlesbrough. The club are also sometimes known as the Teessiders.

Millwall: The Lions

Millwall adopted the Lions nickname after becoming known for giant-killing performances in the FA Cup. A lion has remained part of the club’s badge and identity.

Norwich City: The Canaries

Norwich’s nickname is connected to the historical popularity of canary breeding in the area. The bird also inspired the club’s yellow-and-green colours.

Portsmouth: Pompey

Portsmouth are known as Pompey, a traditional nickname for both the city and its football club. Several theories exist about its precise origins, many involving the city’s naval heritage.

Preston North End: The Lilywhites

Preston are called the Lilywhites because of their white shirts. The club’s undefeated league and cup winners of 1888/89 are also remembered as the Invincibles.

Queens Park Rangers: The Rs

QPR are most commonly called the Rs, an abbreviation of Rangers. They are also known as the Hoops because of their blue-and-white hooped shirts.

Sheffield United: The Blades

Sheffield United’s nickname reflects Sheffield’s international reputation for steelmaking and the production of cutlery and blades.

Southampton: The Saints

Southampton were founded by members of St Mary’s Church, leading to the club’s enduring Saints nickname.

Stoke City: The Potters

Stoke’s nickname comes from the pottery industry for which Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding area are famous.

Swansea City: The Swans

Swansea City are known as the Swans, an abbreviation of the city’s name and a central feature of the club badge.

Watford: The Hornets

Watford’s yellow-and-black colours inspired the Hornets nickname. The club are also sometimes called the Golden Boys.

West Bromwich Albion: The Baggies

The exact origins of the Baggies nickname remain debated. Suggested explanations include the baggy trousers worn by local industrial workers and the bags used by matchday staff to collect money.

West Ham United: The Hammers

West Ham’s nickname originates from the club’s beginnings as Thames Ironworks. The team are also known as the Irons, while crossed hammers feature prominently on the badge.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Wolves

Wolves is the universally recognised shortened form of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Wrexham: The Red Dragons

Wrexham are known as the Red Dragons, reflecting both their red colours and the dragon’s importance as a Welsh national symbol. The club are also called the Reds.

League One Club Nicknames

AFC Wimbledon: The Dons

AFC Wimbledon inherited the Dons nickname associated with Wimbledon football. Supporters also use the affectionate name the Wombles, inspired by the fictional characters connected with Wimbledon Common.

Barnsley: The Tykes

Barnsley are known as the Tykes, a traditional term for people from Yorkshire. The club are also called the Reds because of their home colours.

Blackpool: The Seasiders

Blackpool’s coastal location explains the Seasiders nickname. The club are also called the Tangerines because of their distinctive bright-orange shirts.

Bradford City: The Bantams

Bradford City are known as the Bantams, a nickname associated with the small but combative breed of chicken. The club have also been called the Paraders and the Citizens.

Bromley: The Ravens

Bromley’s nickname is the Ravens, with the bird forming an established part of the club’s identity. The Lilywhites is another name associated with the team.

Burton Albion: The Brewers

Burton Albion are known as the Brewers because of Burton upon Trent’s long and internationally recognised association with brewing.

Cambridge United: The U’s

Cambridge United’s nickname is simply a shortened version of United.

Doncaster Rovers: Donny

Doncaster Rovers are generally referred to as Donny, an informal abbreviation of Doncaster. Rovers is also widely used.

Huddersfield Town: The Terriers

Huddersfield Town are known as the Terriers, reflecting the determination and fighting spirit associated with the breed.

Leicester City: The Foxes

Leicester City’s nickname comes from Leicestershire’s historic association with fox hunting. A fox remains the central feature of the club badge.

Leyton Orient: The O’s

The O’s nickname is a simple abbreviation of Orient.

Luton Town: The Hatters

Luton Town are called the Hatters because Luton was historically an important centre of the hat-making industry.

Mansfield Town: The Stags

Mansfield’s nickname takes inspiration from the stag associated with the town and the wider Nottinghamshire area.

Milton Keynes Dons: The Dons

The club’s nickname is drawn directly from the Dons portion of its official name.

Notts County: The Magpies

Notts County’s black-and-white striped shirts led to the Magpies nickname.

Oxford United: The U’s

Oxford United are most commonly known as the U’s. The Yellows is another familiar nickname based on the club’s home colours.

Peterborough United: The Posh

Peterborough United have long been known as the Posh. The nickname predates the modern club and was originally associated with an earlier Peterborough team.

Plymouth Argyle: The Pilgrims

Plymouth’s nickname reflects the city’s historic connection with the Pilgrim Fathers and the voyage of the Mayflower. The club are also known as the Greens.

Reading: The Royals

Reading’s nickname recognises the club’s location in the Royal County of Berkshire. The team were previously called the Biscuitmen because of the town’s biscuit-making industry.

Sheffield Wednesday: The Owls

Sheffield Wednesday became the Owls after moving to the Owlerton district of Sheffield. Supporters also refer to the club simply as the Wednesday.

Stevenage: The Boro

Stevenage are known as the Boro, a shortened form of the club’s former name, Stevenage Borough.

Stockport County: The Hatters

Like Luton, Stockport’s Hatters nickname reflects a local history of hat manufacturing.

Wigan Athletic: The Latics

Latics is a shortened form of Athletic and is also used by Oldham Athletic.

Wycombe Wanderers: The Chairboys

Wycombe’s nickname comes from High Wycombe’s historic furniture-making industry, particularly its reputation for producing chairs. The club are also called the Blues.

League Two Club Nicknames

Accrington Stanley: Stanley

Accrington Stanley are most commonly known simply as Stanley. The Reds is also used because of the club’s traditional colours.

Barnet: The Bees

Barnet are known as the Bees, a nickname reinforced by their amber-and-black kit and modern home at The Hive.

Bristol Rovers: The Gas

Bristol Rovers gained the Gas nickname because their former Eastville Stadium stood beside a gasworks. The club are also called the Pirates, reflecting Bristol’s maritime history.

Cheltenham Town: The Robins

Cheltenham are known as the Robins because of their red home shirts.

Chesterfield: The Spireites

Chesterfield’s unusual nickname refers to the famous crooked spire of the town’s Church of St Mary and All Saints.

Colchester United: The U’s

The U’s is a straightforward abbreviation of United.

Crawley Town: The Red Devils

Crawley Town’s nickname combines the club’s red colours with a bold and combative identity.

Crewe Alexandra: The Railwaymen

Crewe are called the Railwaymen because of the town’s historic importance as a railway centre. The Alex is another commonly used shortened name.

Exeter City: The Grecians

Exeter City are known as the Grecians, although the exact origin of the nickname remains uncertain. It may have links to local historical traditions or groups based in the St Sidwell’s area.

Fleetwood Town: The Cods

Fleetwood’s fishing heritage produced the Cods nickname. The Fishermen is also used.

Gillingham: The Gills

The Gills is a shortened and more easily pronounced version of Gillingham.

Grimsby Town: The Mariners

Grimsby Town’s nickname reflects the fishing and maritime history of Grimsby and nearby Cleethorpes.

Newport County: The Exiles

Newport County became known as the Exiles after playing home matches outside Newport during a difficult period in the club’s history. The Port and the Ironsides are alternative nicknames.

Northampton Town: The Cobblers

Northampton Town are called the Cobblers because of Northampton’s historic importance in the footwear and shoemaking industries.

Oldham Athletic: The Latics

Oldham’s nickname is an abbreviated form of Athletic.

Port Vale: The Valiants

The Valiants nickname developed from the word “Vale” and represents courage, determination and strength.

Rochdale: The Dale

Rochdale are known simply as the Dale, taken from the town and club name.

Rotherham United: The Millers

Rotherham’s nickname comes from the club’s historical links to the Millmoor area and a former flour mill located nearby.

Salford City: The Ammies

The Ammies nickname is a shortened version of the club’s former name, Salford Amateurs.

Shrewsbury Town: The Shrews

The Shrews is an abbreviation of Shrewsbury. The club are also known as Salop, an old name for Shropshire.

Swindon Town: The Robins

Swindon Town are known as the Robins because of their traditional red shirts.

Tranmere Rovers: Rovers

Tranmere are most commonly called Rovers, taken directly from the club’s name.

Walsall: The Saddlers

Walsall’s nickname recognises the town’s historic leatherworking and saddle-making industries.

York City: The Minstermen

York City are called the Minstermen in recognition of York Minster, one of the city’s most famous landmarks.

The Stories Behind Football Nicknames

The nicknames of the 92 clubs can be separated into several broad categories.

Colours and Kits

Some of the simplest names come directly from club colours. Liverpool are the Reds, Chelsea are the Blues, Leeds are the Whites, Burnley are the Clarets and Blackpool are the Tangerines.

These nicknames may not have complicated origins, but they create an immediate connection between the team, its shirt and its supporters.

Local Industries

Many of the most distinctive nicknames preserve the industrial history of a town or city. Stoke City are the Potters, Northampton Town are the Cobblers, Burton Albion are the Brewers and Walsall are the Saddlers.

Elsewhere, Sheffield United’s Blades represent steelmaking, Luton and Stockport’s Hatters recall the hat trade, and Wycombe’s Chairboys celebrate furniture production.

Animals and Birds

English football contains an extensive collection of animal identities. Leicester are the Foxes, Crystal Palace are the Eagles, Newcastle and Notts County are the Magpies, Norwich are the Canaries, Watford are the Hornets and Bradford are the Bantams.

These names often originated from club colours, regional traditions or symbols incorporated into badges.

Geography and Local Landmarks

Some clubs draw their identity from their surroundings. Fulham’s Cottagers nickname comes from Craven Cottage, Lincoln’s Imps are connected to Lincoln Cathedral, and Chesterfield’s Spireites celebrate the town’s crooked spire.

Coastal clubs also reflect their maritime heritage. Blackpool are the Seasiders, Grimsby are the Mariners, Fleetwood are the Cods and Bristol Rovers are the Pirates.

Abbreviations and Wordplay

Other nicknames are shortened versions of club names. Queens Park Rangers are the Rs, Leyton Orient are the O’s, Cambridge and Oxford are the U’s, and Middlesbrough and Stevenage are both called the Boro.

Wigan and Oldham share the Latics nickname, while Gillingham are the Gills and Rochdale are the Dale.

More Than Just a Name

A club nickname is rarely just an alternative label. It can represent the industry that built a town, the colours worn by generations of players or a story passed down through local communities.

Some nicknames are historic and dignified, while others are playful, unusual or surrounded by competing explanations. Together, they provide a cultural map of football across England and Wales.

From Premier League giants to clubs fighting for success in League Two, every member of the 92 has an identity of its own. The names may be different, but each one gives supporters a shared language through which to celebrate their club, their community and their history.