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Fans are only just realising why it's called a hat-trick in football

Fans are only just realising why it's called a hat-trick in football

Here's why it's called a hat-trick in football.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Ever wondered why it's called a hat-trick in football? Well, here's why as it's actually derived from another sport.

A hat-trick consists of a player scoring three goals in a single game. If a player scores two goals in one match, they are described as being on a hat-trick.

It's the peak output of a goal-scoring player, but the term didn't actually come from football.

The term hat-trick came from cricket. Yes, cricket! It was used when a bowler took three wickets from three consecutive balls.

In a piece about the origins of football jargon, the BBC wrote: "The phrase came from cricket, and was used when a bowler took three wickets from three consecutive balls. The club would give the bowler a hat to celebrate this achievement."

What's more, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, it was first used in 1858 after English cricketer H.H. Stephenson took three wickets in three consecutive balls.

After his impressive feat, fans held a collection for Stephenson and presented him with a hat bought with the proceeds.

The Chelmsford Chronicle used the term in print for the first time in 1865.

Son Heung-min takes home the match ball after scoring a hat-trick. Image: Getty
Son Heung-min takes home the match ball after scoring a hat-trick. Image: Getty

Football wasn't the only sport to adopt the term hat-trick as hockey, Formula 1, rugby and water polo also came on board.

So, the next time your favourite player scores a hat-trick, you'll know the meaning of the term having originated from cricket.

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Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Football

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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