Why are English football teams called 'United?

Answer 1

Back in the olden days, when there were only 12 teams in the football league, most teams played in local leagues and there would maybe be several teams in each city, named after neighbourhoods and stuff like that.

As the league grew, local teams in a city would often join forces to create one team which was big enough to represent the city in nationwide competition. Teams called United are those that were formed from smaller local teams uniting together.

Sheffield United Cricket Club were formed in mid 1850s before any football teams were in existence. This was an umbrella organisation for a number of cricket teams using the Bramall Lane ground. The cricket club formed a football section in 1889 and this team became one of the leading professional football clubs in England in the late 19th century. Sheffield United were the first team to use united. Other teams that use the name were influenced by the fact sheffield used it. Although there are also other reasons for example Newcastle eastend and Newcastle westend joined together to become Newcastle united.