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Hi Parallelogram

I spent my student days in Manchester starting in 1969 - when I could afford it I went to see both `City` & `United` - City were on a par with United at that time, Colin Bell, Tony Book et al.
As you say the definite article seems to be used before nicknames - not the full name - apart from Arsenal, who seem to be unique in English football (arguably).

Football clubs and the definite article.

The Arsenal may now be unique, but as they evolved from Woolwich Arsenal I suppose they used to be on a par with the Villa and the Argyle, but the 'the' just stuck when they moved to Highbury and dropped the Woolwich.

Having had a manager, Arsene Wenger, with a name so similar to the club name must also be unique. If women continue to advance in the football world, perhaps one day Chelsea will have a manageress called...

Paulh

I think you`re right that the move north led to Arsenal dropping Woolwich from its name - don`t think Spurs were too impressed!

Charlton missed a trick by not appointing Bobby or Jack as manager.

Malone

I am sure you were delighted to see the "daily" clue in the Times today.

jigjag

I hadn't done today's Times puzzle. I would have sighed, grimaced, tutted, all sorts of things if I'd bumped into that 'daily' clue!

Malone

It is only 3 weeks since the last "daily" clue, so are they really doing it to wind us up?

Jigjag,

Maybe it's the same setter who has a little game with us - sneaking 'daily' into every puzzle set? The rotation of Times setters means that there's a little bit of time in-between? (I'd prefer a time gap of 'once every five years, if at all - and take your debs and your SA and your IT with you'.)

From yesterday's DT Quick Crossword:

Unexpectedly gain an advantage over. The answer is STEAL A MARCH ON. But I always think that that is done by design and not by accident.

Also:

Pious. Answer: SANCTIMONIOUS. I think that's stretching things too much. Calling someone sanctimonious is a criticism, but that's not the case with pious. I think, anyway.

Orson, I thought your Pious thoughts were interesting. I checked Chambers and it seems to be valid - sanctimonious doesn't have to be a criticism, as sanctimony is 'outward, affected or simulated holiness; holiness (obs)'. Still, the 'obsolete' means the clue should really contain some indication of old usage.

You're right, malone, but who likes to be called sanctimonious?