For whatever reason, football clubs all seem to follow a very similar naming structure. The naming formula usually goes something like: Name of the area that the club originated + descriptive word.
In English football, common club names often include words such as ‘City’, ‘Wanderers’ or ‘Rovers’. However, the most recognized word has to be ‘United’.
On that note, why do so many teams have ‘United’ in their name?
In summary, there are several reasons why clubs use the word ‘United’. However, the main reasons are when two or more football clubs combine to form one, when a club wants to showcase their unity or simply so a club can attract more sponsors.
I did a bit of research to unpack all of this.
Table of Contents
When two or more clubs merge
As football has grown over the past century or so, several football teams have been created. Often times, teams were created within very close proximity to one another.
In many cases, this has led to the development of intense rivalries between clubs (such as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspurs, for example). However, in many other cases (and for various reasons), it has led teams joining forces with one another.
Famous teams that have ‘united’ in their name for this reason include Newcastle United and Sheffield United, among many more.
Let’s take a brief look at the reasoning behind this naming convention, using these two clubs as an example.
Newcastle United
Embed from Getty ImagesThe first recorded football club in Newcastle was known as Tyne Association and was created in 1877. This club was later renamed Newcastle East End F.C in 1882. In the same year, Newcastle West End F.C was formed.
The presence of these two clubs in such close proximity naturally led to a competitive rivalry in the local football league (The Northern League).
However, due to financial difficulties, Newcastle West End F.C were forced to dissolve. Newcastle East End F.C ended up taking in many of the backroom staff and players from their western rivals soon after this.
This was essentially viewed as the two clubs merging. The merge was made official soon after, as Newcastle United was formed in 1892.
Sheffield United
Embed from Getty ImagesThis club was formed in 1889 but was not necessarily created through the merging of 2 or more football clubs. Sheffield United F.C was actually created by members of the Sheffield United Cricket Club.
However, the Sheffield United Cricket Club was, in fact, formed by the merging of several cricket clubs in 1854.
In this scenario, the use of the word ‘united’ served not only to indicate that this club was the amalgamation of several clubs, but also to distinguish themselves from the already establish ‘Sheffield Cricket Club’.
Interestingly, the Sheffield United Cricket Club is the first known sports club in England to use ‘united’ in their name.
Showcasing unity or starting afresh
Not all clubs have included ‘united’ in their name based on the merging of organisations. In certain cases, the reasoning behind this is the sense of togetherness that is implied from the word.
The intention here is that the word quite literally implies that all those involved in the club are ‘united’.
In the same vain, the word can be used to indicate a fresh start for newly established teams.
The most famous examples of this reasoning are Manchester United F.C and Leeds United F.C.
Manchester United
Embed from Getty ImagesContrary to popular belief, Manchester United were not formed as a result of several teams merging to form one.
Manchester United was initially founded as Newton Heath in 1878 by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company. The club was named after a small area within Manchester, north east of the city centre.
The original colours of the clubs were gold and green; matching the colors of the founding railway company.
After struggling with severe debt in the early 1900s, the club was on the brink of liquidation. However, thanks to the assistance of outside investors, the club was saved and renamed as Manchester United in 1902.
Leeds United F.C
Embed from Getty ImagesBefore Leeds United were formed, a team known as Leeds City, created in 1904, was the leading football club at Elland Road.
However, Leeds City were infamously disbanded in 1919 after allegation were made that the club had been making illegal payments to players around the time of the first World War.
Shortly after this, in the wake of Leeds City being disbanded, Leeds United was formed in the same year.
Attracting sponsorships
Probably the least common reasoning for the use of the word.
The reasoning here is pretty simple; the word ‘united’ is very common amongst football clubs in this day and age.
Having this word appear in your name makes it very easy to create a brand around your club and attract sponsorship.
A good example of this is United Sports Club.
United Sports Club
Initially founded in 1927 in India, the United Sports club was originally known as Eveready Association Club.
In 2006, the club was renamed with the sole reason being that sponsorships would be easier to secure.
Closing thoughts
At this point in the cycle of football history, there are likely hundreds of football clubs of all shapes and sizes that have ‘united’ in their name.
It is likely that each organisation has their own unique reasoning for choosing their name, however hopefully this article helps clear up the main reasoning for this naming convention.
If you’re interested in finding out why so many Spanish teams have the word ‘Real’ in their name, be sure to check out this article.
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