153 replies to this topic

[fieldofclothofgold]

with rugby league being a combative team sport it's reasonable to expect 'soldier type' soubriquets.
However, for instance Widnes was a Viking settlement. I think your defining of Vikings as 'soldiers' by the way is a little one dimensional-they were farmers and trtaders as well, but no matter. Widnes were originally going to be called the Giants because one of the tallest men to live in the UK was butied nearby, but Huddersfield beat them to it. Why is Giants inapproriate for Hudds, but Rovers ok for fev?

I can't see what your beef is

At leeds the club took a fans poll as to what nickname would be incorportated into the clubs name,and it was overwhelming vote for "LOINERS"which is a term for citizens of leeds,but the club said "well we cant really market loiner,like we can Rhino",Cant see what Rhino has got to do with Kirkstall road or Burley road,which is where most of the support for the club came from in the early 20th century.I think the reason for RHINO was because of the rivalry they had at that time with a very successful Bradford "BULLS"

[l'angelo mysterioso]

At leeds the club took a fans poll as to what nickname would be incorportated into the clubs name,and it was overwhelming vote for "LOINERS"which is a term for citizens of leeds,but the club said "well we cant really market loiner,like we can Rhino",Cant see what Rhino has got to do with Kirkstall road or Burley road,which is where most of the support for the club came from in the early 20th century.I think the reason for RHINO was because of the rivalry they had at that time with a very successful Bradford "BULLS"

that's right: good for them.

[l'angelo mysterioso]

There are a few others I don't like.

each to their own


out of interest what are they?



"most of them have little thought behind them, it is just a case of looking up a synonym for "soldier" or the name of a large animal"


since this
we have narrowd it down to 'a few'


anyway those nicknames in full


Wigan Warriors: aggressive name, and is alliterative

St Helens-derived from name of town and dates before SL

Warrington Wolves: heritage related

Widnes Vikings: historical connection

Huddersfield Giants: denotes size, stature and power

Catleford Tigers: the team historically wear black and yellow hoops

Bradford Bulls: alliterative, powerful snorting beast

Leeds Rhinos, as above but no alliteration

London Broncos: historic association with Brisbane Broncos

Hull Kingston Rovers: dates pre SL

Hull FC: predates much of modern sport history

Salford City Reds: describes the team and refers to historic nickname

Catalan Dragons: historic connotations

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats: combination of historic name and marketing based name.

Edited by l'angelo mysterioso, 18 November 2012 - 08:54 PM.

[Padge]

swinton weren't officially called the Lons until post SL. Many club nicknames weren't or aren't official

I can only think of one synonym for 'soldier' in Sl and that's Wigan Warriors.

almost all apart from Wigan and Hudds-not sure about the Wolves, and maybe Wakefield who still use the name Trinity alongside Wildcats, although Wolves badge has a border of barbed wire, and rhinos is arguably the most successful of the lot alongside perhaps Bulls, have names relating to the culture and history of the area.

If Featherstone and Rochdale had only just decided to call themselves Rovers and Hiornets would they be criticised for it?

Originally Wigan were Wigan Wasps playing in blue and white hoops , the wasps name was adopted much later by the once very successful Wigan swimming club. Wigan were slow in adopting an official tag, for me they should have just gone for Wigan Rugby.

[Northern Sol]

each to their own


out of interest what are they?

I think Wigan could have done a lot better. Wigan had a very strong brand but Warriors is very common.

[Padge]

Because it was first.

far from it.

[l'angelo mysterioso]

I know that but IIRC there was another Rochdale side which necessitated them calling themselves Rochdale X. And while there was no particular reason to choose Hornets, it wasn't done for commercial reasons.

I think most of us recognise the need for commercial interests in the game but they are a necessary evil.

On the whole I prefer names that say something about the club or area. The new clubs joining CC1 are All Golds (great name), Stags (fantastic) and err Oxford RLFC (boring).

Leeds Rhinos works very well as a device for flogging shirts but it's crass.

tell that to the kids in local primary schools and hospitals when Ronnie The Rhino turns up

[Lobbygobbler]

Originally Wigan were Wigan Wasps playing in blue and white hoops , the wasps name was adopted much later by the once very successful Wigan swimming club. Wigan were slow in adopting an official tag, for me they should have just gone for Wigan Rugby.

I agree. Why does arguably the biggest rugby club in the UK need a moniker like Warriors? Bath RU are simply called Bath Rugby, so why cant Wigan do the same? Btw my own team Leigh will always be "Leigh Rugby" rather than the awful Cent-ur-io-ons 4 syllable nightmare we are seemingly stuck with.

I also really dislike Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. FFS just drop the Wildcats. Two nicknames is wrong (Salford City Reds is also near as bad for the same reason). Huddersfields is also garbage for reasons pointed out by others

[l'angelo mysterioso]

I think Wigan could have done a lot better. Wigan had a very strong brand but Warriors is very common.

so we're down to one, sorry two including the rhinos, arguably the most successful one of the lot.

[l'angelo mysterioso]

I agree. Why does arguably the biggest rugby club in the UK need a moniker like Warriors? Bath RU are simply called Bath Rugby, so why cant Wigan do the same? Btw my own team Leigh will always be "Leigh Rugby" rather than the awful Cent-ur-io-ons 4 syllable nightmare we are seemingly stuck with.

I also really dislike Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. FFS just drop the Wildcats. Two nicknames is wrong (Salford City Reds is also near as bad for the same reason). Huddersfields is also garbage for reasons pointed out by others

presumably Kingston Rovers is wrong as well. Two names and the same number of syllables as Centurions.

[Northern Sol]

so we're down to one, sorry two including the rhinos, arguably the most successful one of the lot.

I don't like Crusaders as a name either whether London, Celtic or Thatto Heath.

[Northern Sol]

tell that to the kids in local primary schools and hospitals when Ronnie The Rhino turns up

I know they like, I just don't.

[Northern Sol]

far from it.

It was in the modern era.

Unless you count Huddersfield Barracudas but that got enough stick that it was changed.

[Padge]

It was in the modern era.

Unless you count Huddersfield Barracudas but that got enough stick that it was changed.

So Huddersfield Barrucudas was earlier, by what definition is it not therefore earlier and therefore Cougars was not the first.

[Padge]

I know they like, I just don't.

Its not aimed at you.

[Northern Sol]

So Huddersfield Barrucudas was earlier, by what definition is it not therefore earlier and therefore Cougars was not the first.

It was the first of the era that we were discussing.

Otherwise Barracudas got more flak.

[Dennis Bloodnock]

Don't recall any protests at the time. ...but it was 52 years ago.There used to be a baseball ground on Bolton Road opposite Pendlebury market. In the early 60s used to watch Stretford Saints baseball in Longford Park.

Don't recall any protests at the time. ...but it was 52 years ago.There used to be a baseball ground on Bolton Road opposite Pendlebury market. In the early 60s used to watch Stretford Saints baseball in Longford Park.

Don't recall any protests at the time. ...but it was 52 years ago.There used to be a baseball ground on Bolton Road opposite Pendlebury market. In the early 60s used to watch Stretford Saints baseball in Longford Park.

Don't recall any protests at the time. ...but it was 52 years ago.There used to be a baseball ground on Bolton Road opposite Pendlebury market. In the early 60s used to watch Stretford Saints baseball in Longford Park.

I played against Stretford Saints many times,they were one of the best teams in England in the 60's.
Gus Risman played for the Salford baseball team.
Freddie Miller played for the Hull pro baseball team.

[marklaspalmas]

Freddie Miller played for the Hull pro baseball team.

Legend!!!

[JohnM]

I agree. Why does arguably the biggest rugby club in the UK need a moniker like Warriors? Bath RU are simply called Bath Rugby, so why cant Wigan do the same? Btw my own team Leigh will always be "Leigh Rugby" rather than the awful Cent-ur-io-ons 4 syllable nightmare we are seemingly stuck with.

I also really dislike Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. FFS just drop the Wildcats. Two nicknames is wrong (Salford City Reds is also near as bad for the same reason). Huddersfields is also garbage for reasons pointed out by others

What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.



I know not how to tell thee who I am.
My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself,
Because it is an enemy to thee.
Had I it written, I would tear the word.

[Lobbygobbler]

presumably Kingston Rovers is wrong as well. Two names and the same number of syllables as Centurions.

No Hull KR is not wrong.

Any moniker added many many years after a club formed is faux and unecessary in my opinion. Hull KR have always been called that, as have Rochdale Hornets. Certainly not gimmicks.

Also I dont think "Rovers" sounds Americanised - it certainly sounds British and authentic.

Finally I would argue that "Kingston" does not count a third moniker as the city is called Kingston Upon Hull.

We seem obsesssed with ridiculous Americanised nicknames yet football has it spot on and does more than okay without them