The game of soccer has all sorts of different acronyms that represent different elements of the widely popular game.
In fact, there are so many abbreviations used in the game that it can sometimes be difficult to keep track of them all!
For instance, soccer positions get shortened when analysts refer to them on television.
You’ve probably seen graphical illustrations of team formations with two letter words like CB, CM and ST used to denote the role and responsibility of various players on the pitch.
When it comes to the COYS acronym however, the meaning is quite unique.
COYS is a short form abbreviation of the phrase “Come on You Spurs”. It’s a rallying chant that Tottenham Hotspur fans use when they’re trying to motivate and encourage their team during home or away fixtures.
Let’s now expand on this term a little more.
What’s the meaning of COYS?
In soccer, fans use specific chants to support their team during competitive fixtures.
Fans from England are well known for their creativity and ingenuity when it comes to creating memorable slogans that other supporters can get behind.
COYS is simply the short form of “Come on You Spurs” – a term used by fans of Tottenham Hotspur.
The “come on” part of the phrase is said by the supporters to sort of kick their players into higher gear.
And the “Spurs” part of the chant simply refers to the specific team that the fans are trying to get behind.
“Spurs” is how most people who follow soccer refer to Tottenham Hotspur, as it’s simply takes less time to say the word “Spurs” than to state the entire club name in a conversation.
Altogether, the “Come on You Spurs” chant is often heard when Tottenham Hotspur are gaining attacking momentum in a Premier League or European fixture.
For example, if Harry Kane or Heung Min Son took a shot that narrowly missed the target or forced the opposition goalkeeper into making a good save, you’ll sometimes hear the fans trying to rally their team to remain on the front foot and keep the offensive pressure high.
Here’s a small clip that demonstrates this:
Is the COYS chant easy to recognize?
For a Tottenham Hotspur fan who has supported the club for a number of years, it’s very difficult I not impossible to mistake this chant for something else.
Whether you’re watching games at home from the comfort of your television, or actually physically present at the stadium, this chant is loud enough to not go amiss.
On forums, people use the short form abbreviation when they want to show support for their team, so it’s also pretty easy to spot and understand the context.
However, if you’re new to the sport, you might not know what the acronym stands for.
But that’s why you’re on this blog right now, as we’re here to enlighten you!
What other supportive chants do Tottenham Hotspur fans sing?
The Tottenham fans do have a number of other chants that they sing during matches.
After all, it’s good to have variety!
When the Spurs go marching in
This is an adaptation of Southampton’s own fan chant – “when the Saints go marching in”.
It was originally found as part of a gospel song that was written by Bruce Springsteen.
The song spoke about how a person would want to be among those who go to heaven when the world and time as we know it eventually come to an end.
So, Tottenham sneakily substituted the word “Saints” for “Spurs” to make the chant associate with their own club and resonate with its fanbase.
Here it is being sung at Wembley a few years back:
Glory glory Tottenham Hotspur
This tune is really one of the most popular especially when it comes to soccer teams based in the United Kingdom.
For example, Manchester United have their own version of it that goes like this:
“Glory glory Man United, glory glory Man United, as the Reds go marching on!”
Tottenham have their own version of this chant that they sometimes sing during games in which their team is playing, with the words of the “Tottenham Hotspur” club name said in place of Manchester United who are considered a rival team.
Final thoughts
This article has comprehensively covered the meaning of the word COYS in soccer.
Now that you understand what the acronym is and why it’s used by Tottenham fans, you should go and watch a few Spurs games to see if you can pick out the moments where fans in the stadium passionately recite this chant.
Now off you go!
But wait, before you do head off, you should check out some of our other articles explaining different soccer abbreviations, like:
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