12 EFL Championship Clubs with Different Original Names

The upcoming 2026-27 EFL Championship season promises fierce competition among 24 clubs, many carrying deep histories and proud traditions. Only four teams—Bristol City, Millwall, Preston North End, and Wrexham—have played in the Premier League era's top flight and are currently pushing upwards.

Among this season's participants, eight were part of the Football League's founding members. The Championship hosts some of England's biggest fanbases alongside a collection of historic clubs known across Europe and beyond.

This mix includes previous top-tier champions like Blackburn Rovers, famous cup teams such as Bolton Wanderers, the undefeated Preston North End 'Invincibles,' and even a European trophy-winning club in West Ham United. Other storied teams like Burnley, Derby County, Middlesbrough, Sheffield United, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, and Wolverhampton Wanderers also enrich the league’s heritage.

Surprisingly, only three clubs in the division were founded after 1900. The youngest, Swansea City, started in 1912 but initially carried a different name.

In fact, a dozen clubs began under different names before adopting their current ones. Among these are Bolton Wanderers, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Cardiff City, Millwall, Queens Park Rangers, Southampton, and Watford. Here is how each transitioned to their modern identity:

Birmingham City: Founded in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they dropped 'Alliance' in 1888 becoming Small Heath. By 1905, they were Birmingham FC and adopted 'City' in 1943.
Bolton Wanderers: Starting as Christ Church in 1874, they changed to Bolton Wanderers in 1877 after a dispute with a local vicar. Their 'Wanderers' tag reflects playing home games at multiple venues.
Cardiff City: Formed as Riverside AFC in 1899 to keep cricketers fit during winter, they first tried to become Cardiff City in 1905 but officially took the name in 1908.
Millwall: Originating as Millwall Rovers in London’s Isle of Dogs, they became Millwall Athletic in 1889 and finally Millwall when joining the Football League in 1920.
Queens Park Rangers: Created by merging St Jude’s and Christchurch Rangers in 1886, QPR traces its roots back to Christchurch Rangers formed in 1882.
Southampton: Established in 1885 as St Mary’s Young Men Association FC, they shortened it to Southampton St Mary’s in 1894 and just Southampton in 1896.
Stoke City: Possibly founded in 1863, they were known as Stoke Ramblers from 1868 until 1878, when they became Stoke. The 'City' suffix came in 1925 after Stoke-on-Trent gained city status.
Swansea City: Formed in 1912 as Swansea Town, they adopted the 'City' name in 1970 following Swansea's city designation in 1969.
Watford: Started as Watford Rovers in 1898, renamed West Herts in 1893, then merged with Watford St. Mary’s in 1898 to form Watford FC.
West Bromwich Albion: Created by workers at George Salter’s Spring Works in 1878 as West Bromwich Strollers, they dropped 'Strollers' and became West Bromwich Albion within a few years.