12 EFL Championship Clubs With Different Original Names

The 2026-27 EFL Championship season is approaching fast, and it promises to be fiercely competitive. Among the 24 clubs, only four have featured in the Premier League era's top flight: Bristol City, Millwall, Preston North End, and Wrexham. All four seem poised for upward momentum.

This season also sees eight of the original 12 Football League founding members competing in the Championship, boasting some of England’s largest fanbases. The league is known for hosting historic clubs with rich legacies, including past top-flight champions like Blackburn Rovers and famous cup contenders such as Bolton Wanderers. The undefeated 'Invincibles' Preston North End and European trophy winners West Ham United add to the division’s prestige, alongside long-standing names like Burnley, Derby County, Middlesbrough, Sheffield United, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Most Championship clubs date back well before 1900, with only three founded after that year. The youngest club, Swansea City, was originally formed under a different name in 1912. Several clubs began their journeys with other identities, including Bolton Wanderers, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Cardiff City, Millwall, Queens Park Rangers, Southampton, and Watford.

Here’s a look at the 12 clubs that started out with different names and how they evolved into the teams known today.

Birmingham City (Small Heath Alliance)

Founded in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, named after a Birmingham suburb, the club shortened its name to Small Heath in 1888. In 1905, they became Birmingham FC upon moving to St Andrew’s from Muntz Street. The current name, Birmingham City, was adopted in 1943 and has been in use for over eight decades.

Bolton Wanderers (Christ Church)

While Bolton recognizes 1877 as its founding year, the club actually started in 1874 as Christ Church. A dispute with the local vicar led to the name change to Bolton Wanderers. The 'Wanderers' tag comes from the club having played home games across three venues during its early days.

Cardiff City (Riverside AFC)

Established in 1899 as Riverside AFC to keep cricketers fit during off-season, the club initially played at Sophia Gardens. Attempts to rename the club Cardiff City after the city gained status in 1905 were rejected initially, but approval came in 1908, shortly after joining the South Wales League.

Millwall (Millwall Rovers)

Millwall started as Millwall Rovers in London’s Isle of Dogs. The name changed to Millwall Athletic in 1889 when they moved to The Athletic Grounds. They dropped 'Athletic' in 1920 upon joining the Football League.

Queens Park Rangers (Christchurch Rangers)

A merger between St Jude’s and Christchurch Rangers in 1886 created what became Queens Park Rangers. QPR dates its founding to 1882, the year Christchurch Rangers formed, acknowledging its original identity.

Southampton (St Mary’s YMA)

Formed in November 1885 as St Mary’s Young Men Association FC (St Mary’s YMA), the club soon dropped 'YMA'. By 1894-95, they played as Southampton St Mary’s in the Southern League, then simplified to Southampton in 1896.

Stoke City (Stoke Ramblers)

Debate surrounds whether Stoke City began in 1863 or 1868 as Stoke Ramblers. The 'Ramblers' tag was removed in 1878 to become Stoke. After Stoke-on-Trent earned city status in 1925, the club added 'City' to its name.

Swansea City (Swansea Town)

Founded in 1912 as Swansea Town, the club retained this name until 1970, changing to Swansea City after Swansea became a city in 1969.

Watford (Watford Rovers)

Like Millwall, Watford began as Watford Rovers in 1898. The club renamed itself West Herts in 1893, reflecting Hertfordshire. In 1898, a merger with Watford St. Mary’s gave birth to the modern Watford Football Club.

West Bromwich Albion (West Bromwich Strollers)

Originating in 1878 as West Bromwich Strollers, the team was formed by workers at George Salter’s Spring Works. The 'Strollers' nickname lasted a few years before changing to West Bromwich Albion, inspired by the Albion district (now Greets Green).

Club: Birmingham CityOriginal Name: Small Heath AllianceName Changes: Small Heath (1888), Birmingham FC (1905), Birmingham City (1943)
Club: Bolton WanderersOriginal Name: Christ Church (1874)Name Change: Bolton Wanderers (1877)
Club: Cardiff CityOriginal Name: Riverside AFC (1899)Name Change: Cardiff City (1908)
Club: MillwallOriginal Name: Millwall RoversName Changes: Millwall Athletic (1889), Millwall (1920)
Club: Queens Park RangersOriginal Name: Christchurch Rangers (1882)Merger: Formed QPR in 1886
Club: SouthamptonOriginal Name: St Mary’s YMA (1885)Name Changes: Southampton St Mary’s (1894-95), Southampton (1896)
Club: Stoke CityOriginal Name: Stoke Ramblers (1868)Name Changes: Stoke (1878), Stoke City (1925)
Club: Swansea CityOriginal Name: Swansea Town (1912)Name Change: Swansea City (1970)
Club: WatfordOriginal Name: Watford Rovers (1898)Name Changes: West Herts (1893), Watford FC (1898, post-merger)
Club: West Bromwich AlbionOriginal Name: West Bromwich Strollers (1878)Name Change: West Bromwich Albion (early 1880s)