Best Premier League Nicknames for Players

The Premier League has long been a stage for not only dazzling football talent but also some of the most unusual and eccentric nicknames in the sport. From amusing puns to cheeky references and even links to sinister TV characters, some players have been given monikers that are anything but ordinary. While fans may be familiar with iconic names like Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock or Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez, the English top-flight has also produced a string of lesser-known, yet thoroughly bizarre nicknames for current and former stars.

Below, EPLNews spotlights five Premier League players—past and present—who have been given some of the most unconventional nicknames in footballing history.

Fabio Vieira – ‘T-Bag’

Arsenal completed the signing of Fabio Vieira from Portuguese side Porto in the summer transfer window of 2022. The Portuguese midfielder made 28 appearances for the Gunners during his debut season in north London. However, it did not take long after his arrival at the Emirates Stadium for him to be handed an unusual moniker by one of his new team-mates.

Within a day of joining Arsenal, Vieira was dubbed ‘T-Bag’ by fellow Portuguese player Nuno Tavares. The nickname is a reference to Theodore ‘T-Bag’ Bagwell, one of the most notorious characters in the American television drama Prison Break, portrayed by Robert Knepper. The character is known for his chilling and sinister persona, making the comparison all the more peculiar.

Interestingly, Fabio Vieira is not the first Premier League star to be likened to the fictional villain. Former Manchester United right-back Gary Neville revealed that Wayne Rooney gave him the very same nickname when they played together at Old Trafford.

Harry Maguire – ‘Slabhead’

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has had his fair share of scrutiny and ridicule throughout his career, but one nickname that has stuck with him in a more playful spirit is ‘Slabhead’. The origin of the name can be traced back to Jamie Vardy, Maguire’s former Leicester City and England team-mate.

During the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Maguire scored a header for England against Sweden. In the post-match interview, Vardy famously interrupted by saying: “Hi, this is Jamie Vardy from the Vardy Express – what is the diameter of your head?” The light-hearted jibe cemented the nickname ‘Slabhead’ in football folklore.

When Maguire made his high-profile move from Leicester to Manchester United in 2019, Vardy once again seized the opportunity for humour. He tweeted a picture of the pair together with the caption: “All the best Slabhead.”

Though some fans may refer to Maguire as ‘Fridge’, owing to his physical frame, ‘Slabhead’ has become his defining moniker among team-mates and supporters alike.

Darren Anderton – ‘Sicknote’

Darren Anderton, the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, is often remembered as much for his injuries as for his performances on the pitch. During his career, which included 30 international caps for England, Anderton earned the unflattering nickname ‘Sicknote’.

The tag stuck due to Anderton’s frequent spells on the sidelines, as he struggled with recurring fitness issues. While the nickname was undoubtedly cutting, it reflected his unfortunate injury record across the years. Nonetheless, Anderton still managed to make an impressive 317 appearances in the Premier League before calling time on his playing career.

Despite its harsh tone, the moniker ‘Sicknote’ has become synonymous with the player’s legacy—testament to both his talent and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Fitz Hall – ‘One Size’

Perhaps the most humorous nickname in Premier League history belongs to former defender Fitz Hall. Known affectionately as ‘One Size’, the play on words was simply too good to ignore: “One Size Fitz Hall”.

Hall had stints with several top-flight clubs, including Southampton, Crystal Palace, and Queens Park Rangers. While his time in the Premier League was notable, the bulk of his playing days were spent in the Championship, where he achieved promotion with both Newcastle United and QPR.

The nickname became so popular that fans even created a chant in his honour. It remains one of the most iconic and light-hearted examples of football wordplay, showcasing the creativity and humour that exists within the beautiful game.

Ray Parlour – ‘The Romford Pele’

Arsenal cult hero Ray Parlour enjoyed a successful career with the Gunners, winning three Premier League titles among other honours. Yet one of his most enduring legacies is the nickname ‘The Romford Pele’.

According to Parlour, the name was coined by Dutch winger Marc Overmars during a training session in the 1997/98 season. Recounting the story to talkSPORT, Parlour explained: “I went through a few players in training one day and I hit the ball. It went straight into the top corner and he (Overmars) ran past me… he said, ‘you are like the Romford Pele.’”

Parlour responded: “You don’t even know where Romford is.” Overmars admitted, “No I don’t.” But the nickname gained momentum almost instantly.

Later that same day, Overmars was asked in a press interview whether Arsenal could overtake Manchester United in the title race. He quipped: “We’ll definitely win the league because we’ve got the Romford Pele on our side.” The remark made it into the press—and into Premier League folklore.

Заключение

From ‘Slabhead’ to ‘T-Bag’ and ‘One Size’, the Premier League has never been short of colourful nicknames. These quirky titles not only entertain fans but also add a layer of personality and charm to the game’s rich tapestry.