Why Middlesbrough were nicknamed 'the scabs' in the 1890s - George Waller

After playing for Sheffield Wednesday at the 1890 FA Cup final, George Waller played for Boro for four seasons before making the mover back to Sheffield to sign for United and he remained at Bramall Lane as a coach until 1930. In 1929 he wrote a number of articles for the local Saturday Night Sports paper. 

This short exert from the article on 23 November 1929 is interesting. 

“Scabs” and “Washers”

There were two football clubs in Middlesbrough - Middlesbrough and Middlesbrough Ironopolis and many exciting matches were played. Middlesbrough’s nickname was "the scabs”, and that of the Ironopolis was “Washers”. The name of “Washers” was because the Ironopolis were supposed to have the “washers”, otherwise, money. The origin of the nickname, "The Scabs," may interest you.

Went to play Newcastle East End in a Northern League match on a ground which was covered with ashes and clinkers. Before the end of the game all of us had our knees and arms badly "skinned" and we looked a mess. Heaton, our trainer, treated our wounds and big scabs formed. Ever after people called Middlesbrough "The Scabs."


George Waller: Victorian Footballer and Coach: Amazon.co.uk: Waller, George, Waller, George, Metcalf, Mark, Nicholson, Clive: 9798390851562: Books







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