

One of the earliest known flops is Clive Allen, who joined Arsenal from QPR on Jfor £1.25m and left for Crystal Palace two months later for the same price - a fortune in those innocent days. "Who is the most expensive player to never make a first-team appearance for his club?" asks Antonia Fraser. They meekly suggest "Ludere causa ludendi," which means "to play for the sake of playing". But the prize for non-pretentiousness goes to Queens Park, who play at Hampden but are currently in the Scottish third division. Elgin City win the comedy rosette for their "Sic itur astra", meaning "Thus we reach the stars". North of the border, Kilmarnock have the monopoly on Latin in the Premierleague with their simple but classy "Confidemus", or "We trust". Gillingham claim to be the "domus clamantium", or "home of the shouting men". In the lower leagues, Sheffield Wednesday boast of "Consilio et anamis" - which means "intelligence and courage" - while Bristol City share their motto of "Vim promovet insitam" ("Promotes your inner power") with the city's university. Manchester City's motto is "Superbia in proelia," which as every Latin scholar knows means "Pride in battle," while Spurs rejoice in the SAS-like exhortation "Audere est facere," or "To dare is to do".
