Recently I initiated a discussion on the International Speedway Mailing list on the subject of local nicknames (derogatory or otherwise). I hoped that it might flush out some names along with derivations. A number of names came forward including the Deadbeats (Kings Lynn), the Spoons (Cradley Heath), the Wackies (Reading), not to mention the Scum (Edinburgh) and the Soapdodgers (Glasgow).

The Deadbeets is the name generally used by Ipswich fans to describe their near neighbours from Norfolk. It has an interesting derivation stemming from the defunct sugar beat factory near to Compost corner (Kings Lynn's stadium at Saddlebow Road). This is an excellent nickname combining a terms of abuse with social and economic history.

Wolves' supporters have used the Spoons as a term of abuse to describe their Black Country rivals, Cradley Heath, for many years. Its original derivation comes from the time when Cradley were perennial strugglers and candidates for the wooden spoon each year. This line got rather out of hand recently when a prominent journalist (who himself has a nickname resembling a measure of ice cream) argued that it was in bad taste to call Cradley the Spoons when they were struggling to reclaim their stadium and return from hibernation. Just how Cradley's fight to resume at Dudley Wood is going to be affected by some light-natured abuse is beyond me.

The Wackies is not as interesting as I thought it was going to be. It stems from the Dastardly and Muttley cartoons show Wacky Races and Reading's official nickname the Racers. I rather hoped that it might be a reference to strange substances apparently consumed by a well-known e-mail correspondent from Reading. It certainly might explain some recent postings!

Edinburgh fans' affectionate name for Glasgow, the Soapdodgers, stems from the generic east of Scotland reference to the population of the east-end of Glasgow. This usually refers to the players and supporters of Celtic Football Club although some from Edinburgh used it more generally for anyone from Glasgow or the indeed the West of Scotland.

A recent newspaper report caused a great deal of mirth in the east of Scotland recently. Apparently a Rangers supporter working at a soap factory in the east-end of Glasgow was sacked for writing sectarian comments on a jotter in the office including references to the "Up the UVF", "Remember 1690", "Rangers are magic", etc. The fact that there was such a thing as a soap factory in the east of Glasgow appeared rather far-fetched. On reflection, it was the obvious place to build a soap factory since there was little danger of any of the stock being nicked by the locals!

Paul Taylor suggested that the aversion to soap was more to do with redundancy as no dirt is seen in the Glasgow area, or at least in the vicinity of Shawfield Stadium!

The Glasgow supporters' use of Scum to describe the Monarchs goes back to about 1989. Apparently it was first used then and stuck although no derivation has been forthcoming. Co-incidentally Heart of Midlothian football club is also known locally, by Hibernian supporters, as the Scum. This comes from the rhyming slag "Jam Tarts" to refer to Hearts. This shortened term Jambos is used widely by supporters and opponents alike. Hibs fans have corrupted this to Scumbos and hence to Scum. I don't know if there is any connection between the two nicknames.

Of course anyone living in a hard water area will know that soap and water produces scum. Not that I would expect anyone from Glasgow to be aware of this! Glasgow has soft water.

There is nothing like a bit of good-natured local rivalry to maintain interest in any sport. Local nicknames are one way of maintaining this.

John Lowe