Now, some are just boring (Reds, Blues, Lions, Eagles). Some are a little more interesting (Clarets, Violets, Griffins, Gunners). And some are just crazy.
And it’s that last group that we’re interested in here. So, without further ado, here are my top 25, from least to most crazy.
NOTE: There are probably thousands of soccer teams in the world. I’m limiting this to just the 5 major European leagues – the EPL (England), Bundesliga (Germany), Ligue 1 (France), Serie A (Italy) & La Liga (Spain). Maybe I’ll be back with some more.
25. Anchovies (Boquerones) – Malaga (La Liga)
An important part of the local cuisine
24. Carnival Club (Karnevalsverein) – Mainz 05 (Bundesliga)
City is famous for its Mardi Gras celebration
23. Violins (Violini) – Cremonese (Serie A)
City is known for violin-making
22. Blockheads (Teste Quadre) – Reggiana (Serie A)
Traditional insult directed at people from Reggio
21. Grandpa (Abuelo) – Huelva (La Liga)
Oldest team in Spain
20. Tractor Boys – Ipswich (EPL)
Located in an agricultural part of the country
19. Pompey – Portsmouth (EPL)
A nickname for the city (itself of uncertain origin)
18. The Old Lady (La Vecchia Signora) – Juventus (Serie A)
Reflects the team’s elegance & tradition
NOTE: Hertha (Bundesliga) is also known as the Old Lady (Die Alte Dame)
17. The Old Fool (Il Vecchio Balordo) – Genoa (Serie A)
Coined by a journalist who loved the team but hated their “often frustrating and unpredictable decisions”
16. The Scapular Club (Le Club au Scapulaire) – Bordeaux (Ligue 1)
From a scapular-like V on the club’s jersey (a scapular is a Catholic ornament worn around the neck)
15. Throstles – West Bromwich Albion (EPL)
A songbird prevalent on the grounds where the team’s stadium was built, AKA the song thrush
14. The Big Grass Snake (Il Biscione) – Inter Milan (Serie A)
From the coat of arms for the city
13. Potato Beetles (Kartoffelkäfer) – Aachen (Bundelsiga)
Because of their black and yellow striped jerseys
12. Little Dutch Girl (Olandesina) – Pistoiesa (Serie A)
From their orange jerseys (& with orange traditionally associated with the Netherlands)
11. Tricky Trees – Nottingham Forest (EPL)
From the team name (which, in turn, comes from Sherwood Forest)
10. Biscuitmen – Reading (EPL)
Because of the town’s association with biscuit (i.e., cookie) makers Huntley & Palmers
9. Toffees / Toffeemen – Everton (EPL)
From a candy shop near the stadium
8. Cucumber Growers (Pepineros) – Leganes (La Liga)
From an agricultural specialty of the area
7. Moody Diva (Launische Diva) – Eintracht Frankfurt (Bundesliga)
From the 1990s, when “the club would comfortably defeat top teams only to surprisingly lose to lesser clubs”
6. Wombles – Wimbledon (EPL)
Pointy-nosed, furry creatures from a series of children’s books (ultimately, from a mispronunciation of Wimbledon by the author’s daughter)
5. Flying Donkeys (Mussi Volanti) – Chievo Verona (Serie A)
From rivals who said the team would reach Serie A when “donkeys could fly” (comp. “when pigs can fly”)
4. Meringues (Merengues) – Real Madrid (La Liga)
From their white uniforms
3. Mattress Makers (Colchoneros) – Atletico Madrid (La Liga)
Team’s red and white jerseys are similar to traditional Spanish mattresses
NOTE: Cadiz (La Liga) also has the same nickname
2. Yellow Submarine (El Submarino Amarillo) – Villarreal (La Liga)
From the colors of the uniforms, as well as fans’ playing the Beatles’ song
1. Clockwork Cheese (El Queso Mecanico) – Albacete Balompie (La Liga)
From a famous local product (Manchego) & from the team’s precise, technical play (comp. the Clockwork Orange, a nickname for the Dutch national team)
