Football club nicknames can often appear really obvious in terms of the logic behind them. Liverpool are known as the Reds, for example, because they play all in red, whilst Manchester United are the Red Devils for a similar reason. Sometimes, though, a club’s nickname can seem significantly stranger until you delve into the history and find out why it is that they have taken on that title. That is very much the case with Bristol City, who are known as ‘the Robins’, but the reason why isn’t something that will occur to all football fans straightaway.
Where ‘the Robins’ Comes From
The club was founded in 1894, which was 11 years after fierce rivals Bristol Rovers were formed. It took three years for their kit of red shirts and white shorts to be formed, but they have played in some variation of that ever since. This is important, given the fact that the colour scheme bears a slight resemblance to the bird of the same name. Interestingly, though, it isn’t the name that was given to the club during its more formative years. Instead, followers of the club were known as ‘Garabaldians’, thanks to the Italian revolution.
Followers of the Italian revolutionary Garibaldi wore red shirts, hence the fact that ‘the Garabaldians’ was briefly a nickname associated with Bristol City. In 1926 there was another change, with City becoming known as ‘the Bristol Babes’. Around 15 years later, however, the nickname of ‘the Robin’s was attached to Bristol City and this was one that would finally stick. In some ways, that is a fact that has annoyed some fans on account of the fact that more than a couple of English clubs have borne the nickname over the years.
Will They Always be the Robins?
Given the fact that the club’s own supporters aren’t entirely enamoured by the nickname, it isn’t an outrageous question to ask as to whether they will always be known as the Robins. In fact, back in 2010 there was a conversation between fans on a forum where one suggested that the club should change its nickname. The logic was that other clubs were known as the Robins, so it wasn’t unique to Bristol City, whilst the club’s crest at the time also didn’t show a Robin so it lacked any real link to the club in its form a the time.
Some supporters felt that the Robin was not a symbol that inspired much fear in the opposition, whilst others were quick to point out that, as far as they were concerned, the club had always been known as the Robins and always would be. That was a long time ago now, of course, and the club’s nickname remains resolutely in place, but the fact that it was discussed amongst supporters once upon a time is suggestive of the fact that things might change at some point in the future of the desire for it to happen is there.
Robins on the Club Badge
In 1976 a decision was taken to introduce the image of a Robin to the Bristol City badge. That remained in place until 1994, at which point the Robin was removed. There was some protest and disgruntlement about this, but not enough to make the club change its mind. As a result, the Robin remained absent from Bristol City shirts until 2019, at which point it was brought back and has remained a part of the club crest ever since. When it returned to the shirt, the club claimed it was in order to celebrate the symbol of the team.
The Vice-Chairman of the club at the time, John Lansdown, said, “The robin has long been a symbol of Bristol City and has been part of our history through imagery, words and song. It’s important that we have an instantly recognisable crest that reflects the club and we want to fully own this symbolic part of our identity”.
The design was carried out in the wake of a consultation with more than 3,000 supporters, as well as a focus group that took in opinions on what people wanted to see the club’s new symbol to be moving forwards.
It was an opinion that was backed up by the club’s then-Chief Executive Officer, Mark Ashton, who said, “I am sure that supporters will be delighted with what we have achieved with the crest. It is bold, creative and symbolises what this club is all about. The return of the robin is something I know fans have wanted for a long time. We saw it return on this season’s away kit and now it is back for good. The updated crest takes Bristol City and Bristol City Women into a new era together and I can’t wait for what the next chapter will bring”.