Arsenal are one of the few sides that do not have a geographical location in our current name. But where does our famous it come from?
For that answer, you have to go back to Christmas Day, 1886, when a group of 15 men would lay the foundations for one of the most synonymous names in global football.
HOW DID WE BECOME ROYAL ARSENAL?
In 1886, a group of 15 workers at the Arsenal munitions factory in Woolwich each paid a sixpence, with co-founder David Danskin adding another three shillings himself, to purchase a football.
Having arranged a first friendly game for December 1886, the side had no name, no kit and nowhere to play football. Danskin and company were referred to as Dial Square – after one of the factory's workshops.
After defeating Eastern Wanderers 6-0 on the Isle of Dogs on December 11, 1886, the group of men then met in the Royal Oak pub, next to Woolwich Arsenal station, on Christmas Day 1886, to discuss the club’s future, including the name. They opted for their place of work - Royal Arsenal. It was far grander than Dial Square and would be the club's name until 1893.
WHY DID ROYAL ARSENAL BECOME WOOLWICH ARSENAL?
Five years after becoming Royal Arsenal, we were on the move from Plumstead Marshes to the Invicta Ground and as success started to blossom, we were looking to become a professional team.
This shocked football authorities and after being boycotted by many southern clubs, we resigned from the London FA. We changed our name to Woolwich Arsenal in 1893, as ambitions grew and became a limited company.That same year, we were elected into the Football League, becoming London's only professional club and the first club south of Birmingham City to be elected to the League.
WHY DID WOOLWICH ARSENAL BECOME ARSENAL?
Following financial troubles at the end of the 1912/13 season, we made the necessary and ambitious move out of Woolwich.
After lengthy negotiations and fierce opposition from Tottenham and Clapton Orient, then playing at Homerton, our re-location to Highbury was confirmed by the League Management Committee.
Following the relocation north of the river, Woolwich was dropped from the official name to become ‘The Arsenal’ in April 1914 before becoming ‘Arsenal’ in November 1919, the name that remains in place to this day.
Learn more about our time as Royal Arsenal and Woolwich Arsenal
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