EFL Championship Clubs With Former Names

The upcoming Championship season promises fierce competition as 24 clubs prepare to battle it out. Among them, only four have reached the top flight during the Premier League era: Bristol City, Millwall, Preston North End, and Wrexham. All are striving for upward momentum.

The 2026-27 campaign features eight of the original 12 Football League founders, boasting some of England’s largest fanbases. The Championship has a reputation for housing historic clubs with rich legacies across Europe and beyond. This season is no exception.

Several clubs in the division have won top-flight titles, including Blackburn Rovers during the Premier League era. Famous cup winners like Bolton Wanderers, Preston North End—the original 'Invincibles'—and European trophy holders such as West Ham United enrich the league's mix. Other well-known names include Burnley, Derby County, Middlesbrough, Sheffield United, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Interestingly, only three clubs in the 2026-27 Championship were founded after 1900. The youngest is Swansea City, which originally went by another name when formed in 1912. Several teams have evolved from different original names, such as Bolton Wanderers, Stoke City, West Brom, West Ham, Wolves, Cardiff City, Millwall, Queens Park Rangers, Southampton, and Watford.

Here is how these 12 clubs began their journeys under different identities before becoming the teams fans recognize today.

Birmingham City (Small Heath Alliance)

Founded in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, named after a Birmingham suburb, the club dropped 'Alliance' in 1888 to become Small Heath. It adopted the name 'Birmingham FC' in 1905, coinciding with their move to St Andrew’s Stadium. The 'City' suffix was added in 1943, making it Birmingham City for over 80 years now.

Bolton Wanderers (Christ Church)

Though officially recognizing 1877 as its founding year, Bolton Wanderers started in 1874 as Christ Church. A disagreement with a local vicar near their first ground on Deane Road led to the name change. Playing home games at three venues inspired the 'Wanderers' nickname, which stuck ever since.

Cardiff City (Riverside AFC)

Cardiff City began in 1899 as Riverside AFC to keep cricketers fit during the winter break. Their early matches took place at Sophia Gardens. Attempts to rename to Cardiff City in 1905 initially failed but succeeded in 1908 after joining the South Wales League, following the city’s official status.

Millwall (Millwall Rovers)

Starting as Millwall Rovers in London’s Isle of Dogs, the club became Millwall Athletic in 1889 after moving grounds. They finally simplified to just Millwall upon entering the Football League in 1920.

Queens Park Rangers (Christchurch Rangers)

The merger of St Jude’s and Christchurch Rangers in 1886 created Queens Park Rangers, though QPR traces its roots back to Christchurch Rangers from 1882, marking that as their true founding date.

Southampton (St Mary’s YMA)

Founded in November 1885 as St Mary’s Young Men Association FC, the club soon dropped the YMA, becoming Southampton St Mary’s by 1894 when joining the Southern League. The simple name Southampton was adopted in 1896.

Stoke City (Stoke Ramblers)

There’s debate whether Stoke’s origins trace to 1863 or to the formation of Stoke Ramblers in 1868. The Ramblers suffix was removed in 1878 to become Stoke. After Stoke-on-Trent gained city status in 1925, the club changed its name to Stoke City.

Swansea City (Swansea Town)

Formed in 1912 as Swansea Town, reflecting its then-town status, the club changed to Swansea City in 1970 after the area was granted city status in 1969.

Watford (Watford Rovers)

Watford began as Watford Rovers in 1898, switching to West Herts in 1893. By 1898, merging with Watford St Mary’s due to attendance trends, they settled on Watford FC, the current name.

West Bromwich Albion (West Bromwich Strollers)

Workers at George Salter’s Spring Works formed West Bromwich Strollers in 1878. The 'Strollers' tag lasted only a few years before switching to West Bromwich Albion, named after the local Albion suburb, now Greets Green.