FOOTBALL chiefs who launched a promotion which asked supporters to come up with a nickname for their club were shocked when fans suggested the Sulphurites.

The name has been given the cold-shoulder by Harrogate Town club historian and supporters' club secretary, Phil Harrison.

Even though the club's colours are yellow, Mr Harrison said: "We can hardly shout 'Come on you Sulphurites' from the rooftops.".

Harrogate may have long links with its famous sulphur wells, but there seems little support for resurrecting a nickname once used by the club's forerunner, Harrogate AFC.

Some have been put off by the smell associated with sulphur, while Mr Harrison points to the dictionary definition of sulphur, as "a pale yellow non-metallic element used in black gunpowder".

One suggestion already discussed by the supporters' club is The Spa - taking its inspiration from Harrogate's fame as a spa town.

But Mr Harrison says the supporters' club wants a wider input before a final decision is made.

Members have established a suggestion box at their shop in the Wetherby Road ground.

For years the club has been known simply as "Town".

"Our supporters shout 'Come on Town', but they could be shouting for the opposition," says Mr Harrison, pointing out there are any number of Towns about.

The search for an official nickname for the Unibond League Premier Division side comes as the team faces the most important match in its 88-year history, on Saturday. It plays Wisbech Town, away, in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup.

It is a clash where Mr Harrison's point about "Come on Town" is amply illustrated.

Harrogate AFC was formed in 1914, securing admission to the Northern League. But it never played its scheduled opening match at Bishop Auckland because the First World War intervened.

Its first clash was against Horsforth, in the West Riding League, in August 1919.