What Team Should Anthony Support Once he Moves to London?

[Anthony]

Hello all. It looks like my transfer has gone through and I am just back from a house hunting trip in London. If all goes well, in three weeks time, I will be a resident of the Notting Hill neighborhood in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, with my children going to some international school where they learn that their daddies are to blame for all the world's problems.

Which brings me to the important question.

What football team do I support?

Should I go for the local glamour and support Chelsea?

Or head a mile or so down the road and support fellow Yank Dempsey at Fulham?

I have read all of Hornby's novels, so should I be a poser and support Arsenal?

West Ham seems a bit far of a trip but Spurs might be a good balance of a descent club that avoids glory seeking.

Or maybe I should go with Championships sides QPR or Crystal Palace to show I am a real fan?

Like all US soccer fans I have a bit of a bitter streak, so maybe Milwall is the team for me.

Maybe I should become a Man U fan, given the stereotype that their fan base is in London.

Finally, why not Conference side AFC Wimbledon? Given all their fans did, they sound like the kind of folks I would like to associate with.

So, what you all think? I have my own ideas.

[Stretch Armstrong]

The Super Bees of course.

[Toon³]

If you're going to live in London, I'd say support a team that you can go and see each week. Don't see the point of choosing to support a Premiership side when you can only see them a couple of times a season.

My mate supports Charlton so go support them

[Manu LD]

If you are going to live in Notting Hill, I would suggest QPR as Loftus road is two stops on the central line. You could walk it if you are up for it as well. They are also owned by some very rich people and could easily be in the Prem in a year or so. I live on Loftus Road in Shepherds Bush so if you decide to go to a game PM me and I'll go with you.

[revelationx]

Hello all. It looks like my transfer has gone through and I am just back from a house hunting trip in London. If all goes well, in three weeks time, I will be a resident of the Notting Hill neighborhood in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, with my children going to some international school where they learn that their daddies are to blame for all the world's problems.

Which brings me to the important question.

What football team do I support?

Should I go for the local glamour and support Chelsea?

Or head a mile or so down the road and support fellow Yank Dempsey at Fulham?

I have read all of Hornby's novels, so should I be a poser and support Arsenal?

West Ham seems a bit far of a trip but Spurs might be a good balance of a descent club that avoids glory seeking.

Or maybe I should go with Championships sides QPR or Crystal Palace to show I am a real fan?

Like all US soccer fans I have a bit of a bitter streak, so maybe Milwall is the team for me.

Maybe I should become a Man U fan, given the stereotype that their fan base is in London.

Finally, why not Conference side AFC Wimbledon? Given all their fans did, they sound like the kind of folks I would like to associate with.

So, what you all think? I have my own ideas.

Why don't you use the opportunity to go and see as many of the English London clubs as possible? You can go on tours to see the various stadia as well as the the actual matches. I should point out that it is much easier to get tickets to watch Fulham play then Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal.

You have a Man U top as your avatar - does this mean you support Man U already?

[Anthony]

Why don't you use the opportunity to go and see as many of the English London clubs as possible? You can go on tours to see the various stadia as well as the the actual matches. I should point out that it is much easier to get tickets to watch Fulham play then Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal.

You have a Man U top as your avatar - does this mean you support Man U already?

I do plan to see as many as I can. As for the top, it is the post AIG bailout Man U jersey, now that AIG is owned by the US Federal Reserve

[Throbbin Wood]

Right now, most football supporters in London go for Chelsea or Arsenal because of their recent success. The other two big four teams, Man United and Liverpool, see their share of supporters in the nation's capital.

I agree with the man who said that you should support who is closest to you. You're already jumping on someone's side at this point in your life, so do you want to be a glory hunter or at least have a respectable connection to your club?

I've been to Craven Cottage and Loftus Road. Both stadiums are in residential areas and are easy to get to. Stamford Bridge isn't so far away from the Cottage, either.

[51BLU]

Be a real fan and support Newcastle ;)

Seriously, I agree with revelationx. Go and see some games and see which club appeals. Be it for the quality of football, attitude and humor of the fans or the other 101 strange reasons that fans eventually fall in love with a club.

[Alan_V]

If you're going to live in London, I'd say support a team that you can go and see each week. Don't see the point of choosing to support a Premiership side when you can only see them a couple of times a season.


Seconded!

[Sab0tage]

Go for whichever club is nearest you. I really don't like glory hunters, so if I was in your situation I would not support Chelsea, Arsenal, even Spurs. I would probably go for a club in the lower leagues that is near your new house. There are a lot of clubs in the lower leagues in London. Take a look at clubs like Watford, Brentford, Leyton Orient etc. as well.

[Throbbin Wood]

Brentford's Griffin Park is known for having a pub at every corner of the ground.

[You Need A Spanking]

The fact that you are asking us tells me whoever you support will not actually be getting your support

You will attend a few games and be happy as long as they win. When they don't, you will be gone

Just as 90% of those who ask people to help them 'select' a team do....

Freakin glory hunters

[Anthony]

The fact that you are asking us tells me whoever you support will not actually be getting your support

You will attend a few games and be happy as long as they win. When they don't, you will be gone

Just as 90% of those who ask people to help them 'select' a team do....

Freakin glory hunters

I guess my attempt at humor did not go over with you (Brit humor and all that).

In any event, I had pretty much already decided on a course of action, I was curious though to see what people would say. In the end, while I do plan to check out different teams and grounds, I have decided that my primary team will be Fulham. After all, they are local enough for me (though I will be living in RBK&C) and Clint Dempsey is doing well for them. And a friend of mine who has been "temporarily" living in London for several years is a season ticket holder.

I cannot support Chelsea, I just cannot. Their owner has too much Steinbrenner in him and it carries that whole "glamour" thing I have grown to hate about modern sports marketing.

Among the other teams I do plan to watch is Milwall (I have always wanted to watch a game there) but I do hope to see a few others (maybe even getting adventurous and going to Scotland for a Celtic or Rangers game (though not a Celtic-Rangers game)). I also want to see Arsenal play. And maybe I will venture to a Chelsea game at some point.

At any rate, I hope to have my visa next week, and could be on a flight to London by next Saturday. So I hope to see you all there (London is not that big of a city, is it?)

[51BLU]

Good Luck, and have fun at the New Den ;)

[Habitat]

I'm moving in Septmeber to London...I'll be living in the Ealing area...Probably go to a few of my favorite teams games then settle in with the local crowd. But I'm a footballer so I want to play on the local club - Brentford :)

Oh well

[stokemanfc]

If you supported milwall or charlton I'd have respect for ya, but you'll probably be sucked in the chelski ranks being in notting hill. :o

[nicephoras]

Having lived in London - go for Chelsea. They're your local side. (They really are.) Also, if you become a supporter, you can see most Chelsea matches if you're willing to spend a few quid with the favorable exchange rate. :)

[Harry Boulton]

Having lived in London - go for Chelsea. They're your local side. (They really are.) Also, if you become a supporter, you can see most Chelsea matches if you're willing to spend a few quid with the favorable exchange rate.

Well, having said this......................:


Hello all. It looks like my transfer has gone through and I am just back from a house hunting trip in London. If all goes well, in three weeks time, I will be a resident of the Notting Hill neighborhood in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, with my children going to some international school where they learn that their daddies are to blame for all the world's problems.


......................... I suspect that he earns easily enough to get hold of a Chelsea season ticket.

[THFC6061]

There's really only one logical choice...

A club which was formed by local schoolboys and have remained in the same area for the last 126 years.

A club renowned for playing attractive, attacking football.

The only club to win the FA Cup as a non-League side.

The first Southern club to win the FA Cup since the Football League was formed.

And the second Southern club to win the FA Cup since the Football League was formed for good measure.

The first club in the 20th Century to do the "Double" - FA Cup and League Championship in the same season.

The first British club to win a Major European Trophy - The European Cup Winners' Cup in 1963.

The club who's players have scored more goals for England than those of any other club.

Founder members of the Premier League and ever-present for the ensuing 18 seasons.

A club who have only spent one season outside the Top Flight of English football since winning the Second Division title in 1949-50 (we didn't have to bribe our way in, like some other club who shall remain nameless!).

Can you guess which club I'm talking about yet?

[Throbbin Wood]

He's not Jewish so get out of here.....

BTW - I just noticed you're in Israel, so it's nothing personal. My girlfriend is Jewish, so imagine what she puts up with. :p