12 EFL Championship Clubs That Began With Different Names

The upcoming 2026-27 EFL Championship season promises intense competition, featuring clubs with deep-rooted histories. Many of these teams started out under names quite unlike the ones fans recognize today.

Only four out of the 24 teams have played in the Premier League era's top flight: Bristol City, Millwall, Preston North End, and Wrexham. Meanwhile, eight of the 12 original Football League founders are part of this year's Championship, boasting some of England’s largest fanbases.

The Championship showcases historic clubs including former top-flight champions like Blackburn Rovers, famous cup sides such as Bolton Wanderers, the legendary 'Invincibles' Preston North End, and European trophy holders West Ham United. Other notable names include Burnley, Derby County, Middlesbrough, Sheffield United, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Only three clubs in the division were founded after 1900, the youngest being Swansea City, which originally went by a different name when formed in 1912.

In total, twelve clubs began under alternate names before settling on their current identities. Here's how those changes unfolded:

Birmingham City (Small Heath Alliance)Founded in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance after a Birmingham suburb, they dropped 'Alliance' in 1888 and became Small Heath. In 1905, upon moving to St Andrew's, they renamed to Birmingham FC. The 'City' suffix was added in 1943.
Bolton Wanderers (Christ Church)Starting as Christ Church in 1874, the club changed its name in 1877 to Bolton Wanderers after a dispute with the local church vicar. Their early use of multiple home venues inspired the 'Wanderers' tag.
Cardiff City (Riverside AFC)Formed in 1899 as Riverside AFC to keep cricketers fit during winter, they played at Sophia Gardens. Attempts to adopt the Cardiff City name were initially rejected until 1908, after joining the South Wales League.
Millwall (Millwall Rovers)Founded as Millwall Rovers on London's Isle of Dogs, they became Millwall Athletic in 1889 when moving grounds. The name shortened to Millwall in 1920 upon entering the Football League.
Queens Park Rangers (Christchurch Rangers)A merger in 1886 between St Jude’s and Christchurch Rangers created QPR, but the club traces its origins to 1882, the founding year of Christchurch Rangers.
Southampton (St Mary’s YMA)Established in 1885 as St Mary’s Young Men Association FC, the team soon dropped 'YMA' and adopted Southampton St Mary’s for the 1894-95 Southern League season. The name Southampton came into use in 1896.
Stoke City (Stoke Ramblers)Debates exist over whether Stoke was founded in 1863 or 1868 as Stoke Ramblers. The 'Ramblers' suffix was removed in 1878, and after Stoke-on-Trent gained city status in 1925, the club became Stoke City.
Swansea City (Swansea Town)Originally Swansea Town in 1912, the club kept that name until 1970 when Swansea was granted city status, prompting the change to Swansea City.
Watford (Watford Rovers)Watford started as Watford Rovers in 1898, changed to West Herts in 1893, then merged with Watford St. Mary’s in 1898 to form Watford FC.
West Bromwich Albion (West Bromwich Strollers)Founded by workers in 1878 as West Bromwich Strollers, they dropped 'Strollers' a few years later, adopting West Bromwich Albion, named after the local Albion area now called Greets Green.