Why are English football teams called 'United?
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.