Jungite aut perite and football's Latin love affair

With the recent announcement of the newest members of Major League Soccer, Philadelphia Union - aptly named for so many reasons - there have been people asking why the motto, "jungite aut perite", is in Latin as oppose to it's original English of "join, or die". The answer is simply that Latin mottos are common in football.

The most famous club with a Latin motto is probably Arsenal who proudly proclaim "Victoria Concordia Crescit", which translates roughly as "victory through harmony", something which Gunners fans are currently longing for. Arsenal's North London rivals Tottenham drew fire from fans after dropping "Audere est Facere", "to dare is to do", from the club's badge in 2006. Blackburn's crest proudly bares "Arte et labore", "[Through] art and labor", enscribed under the red rose of Lancashire. Manchester City's crest reads "Superbia in proelia", "pride in battle". Everton taunt that "nothing but the best is good enough" with "Nil satis nisi optimum" while one more Premier League club, Sunderland with "Connectatio Excellentiae", "the search for excellence", have gone Latin.

The Premier League is not the only league with Latin mottos however. North of the border no less than three Scottish clubs have adopted phrases from the noble tongue. Kilmarnock's simple "Confidemus", "We trust", is the only Latin motto in the top division but tiny Elgin have adopted "Sic itur astra", "and we reach for the stars" which has been the cause of a few laughs, and proudly amateur Queen's Park have the admirable and modest "Ludere causa ludendi", "to play for the sake of playing".

In days of yore Sheffield Wednesday's crest read "Consilio et Animis", or "by courage and wisdom". While not appearing on the badge, Bristol City borrow "Vim promovet insitam", "promotes your inner power", from the city's university. Stockport County's fans will need plenty of "Animo et Fide", "courage and faith", to get through the heartwrenching process of administration and will hope that local rivals Bury's "Vincit Omnia Industria" (hardwork overcomes all) rings true for them. On the south coast Plymouth Argyle have a phrase that will be familiar to many Americans, "Semper fidelis", or "always faithful".

Fittingly Benfica, the club with the largest membership base in the world, hold proud to the motto "E Pluribus Unum", which it shares with the United States, meaning "out of many, one".

For more information see:

• The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2004/aug/31/theknowledge.sport The Knowledge, Aug 31 2004.
• The Independent/Olivia Blair: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/football-unravelling-the-history-and-mystery-of-the-motto-1240202.html Unravelling the history and mystery of the motto, Sept 20 1997