Why are Exeter City nicknamed the Grecians?
What is in a name? Is it the history behind it or the meaning? Whether a club has a nickname not one thing is that there is always a story behind it. On most occasions the name speaks of the history they are headed in. For instance, the Pittsburgh Steelers comes from Pittsburgh's long history with steel. If you are into sports betting with heart bingo promo code, we are sure you would want to know more about the new upcoming team, Exeter City.
Yes, there is that one name that has always intrigued many fans is the nickname of Exeter City: Grecians.
The legend of the Grecians has always baffled a lot of Exeter City fans. There are a lot of theories surrounding this mythology. Some of the suggestions include from chants such as "We hate the Green Ones" and "We are the Grecians." While other fans have come out to point that the name arose because the players played like Greek gods.
However, there is one theory that has stood out the test of time. And it actually dates way back even before the club was formed in 1901.
The Early Years: A Look at How the Club Developed
In 1726, during a fair in Southernhay, the war of Troy for some weird reason was reenacted. The residents of the inner wall played as the Trojans while residents who lived in the outer most parts of the walls were the Greeks. The Greeks were the residents of Sidwell. Moreover the Greek Orthodox community had a huge population.
After a couple of these reenactments, the people of Sidwell started referring themselves as the Grecians. Therefore when a football ground was opened at the end of the city wall it was given the name "Grecian Gate." The players who started playing at that ground were known as " The Grecians."
The Grecians were formed officially in 1901 but they were formerly known as Sidwell United. The Grecians attracted players from different clubs such as the old boys of St Sidwell's School.
When they merged the club went on to win the Exeter & District Junior League. Then again in 1903 St Sidwell joined the new East Devon Senior League and even changed grounds to St James which was closer to the Sidwell wall.
The club changed its name officially on May 31, 1904, during the club's annual meeting. The club decided to change the name to Exeter City Association Football Club. The name the Grecians did not change and until today it is still being used.
The club's official game kit used to be green with white stripes. However, when City was elevated to the Southern league it changed its kit to red with white stripes on November 1910.
However, one question still lingers in everyone's mind, did the Grecians adapt the name due to the high population of Greeks or the proximity to the wall of Sidwell? Let us know what you think.
