Colin Bell the King
02 Dec 2005, 06:31 AM
Discounting home games and concentrating on the away fan sizes. Who would you have?
I'd have.
1. Arsenal. Always had decent numbers away, even though they dont sing much these days. Not sure if the fansize is inflated because of thier success, but I do recall them bringing a fair few in the early 90's when they were an average sized club only.
2. Aston Villa. Always have the numbers, they can bring 3,000 to City and sing thier hearts out, yet Birmingham cant, and they're coming from the same place. They only had 1000 earlier this season, but it was the barmiest, loudest set I've heard for quite some time.
3. Leeds United. Whatever you say about the type of support they pull, you cant question thier passion. The majority of them are sound lads who really love thier team and travel anywhere, just a shame they have a bigger minority of plebs than usual who sour thier reputation.
4. Man United. Now this is a funny one. Thier home support is really quiet, but on the road they're fookin barmy, and its full of working class lads who love thier club. They have a great reportaire of witty chants, and stand for 90 minutes whatever game it is. Thier away support is the only thing about the club I respect. The heart of it is a Mancunian/Salford support, kind of like Citys.
5. Man City. Not blowing my own clubs trumpet but we do take thousands away, even when we're crap. I remember a weekday night game at WBA a few years back in Division One, and we took 3,500. Lately our support has tailed off a bit due to support size, but last season we took 6,000+ to Blackburn, 4,500+ to Aston Villa, 4,600 to Oldham in the cup. Crowds were even higher in the late 90s when we'd regularly take 5,000+ to places like Tranmere, and the two Sheffield clubs.
6. Liverpool. As with United the core of thier support are local lads who love thier club.
7. Everton. Not noted for a singing club, but they have the numbers and I cant remember the last time they didnt sell out Man City away. I know a few Evertonians and they're proud as hell of being Everton.
8. Newcastle. Best away fans in the country, took over 4,300 to Wigan this week in the cup, in a competition that alot of fans dont bother travelling to. You can say what you like about the Geordies, but you cannot fault thier away fans, or disagree with them when they claim to be amongst the most passionate in the country.
9. Sheffield Wednesday. Always been impressed with thier suppport.
10. Hull City. Last season they took over 7,000 to thier local derby with Wednesday, and could take over 8,000 to Leeds if thier attendance wasnt capped at 1,700.
11. Tottenham Hotspur. I rate them as 2nd best lot of fans behind Newcastle. Even though I think they're all arrogant bar-stewards I admire thier passion and willingness to travel the length and breadth of the country.
12. West Ham United. Another club like Tottenham. Always had the numbers, even though they sing 'I'm forever blowing bubbles' too much.
13. Sunderland. Thier home crowds might not be up to much, but the away section usually sells out. A good set of passionate fans.
14. Nottingham Forest.
15. West Brom Albion.
16. Plymouth Argyle. These boys take more away than most clubs in the Championship, and thier closest away is over 3 hours away. Put that in perspective and the numbers they take will appear more amazing, even if its nothing special numbers wise.
17. Cardiff City. I might not like the Taffs, but they do support thier boys and travel well.
18. Norwich City. They had over 2,700 fans at Man City last season, and it was a midweek night game, most teams who have to travel that distance cant do that for midweek.
19. Portsmouth. Fook me, this lot are loud away, AND at home.
20. Chelsea. In the old shed days they took loads away, even though they dont sing much these days they still have the numbers.
I'd have.
1. Arsenal. Always had decent numbers away, even though they dont sing much these days. Not sure if the fansize is inflated because of thier success, but I do recall them bringing a fair few in the early 90's when they were an average sized club only.
2. Aston Villa. Always have the numbers, they can bring 3,000 to City and sing thier hearts out, yet Birmingham cant, and they're coming from the same place. They only had 1000 earlier this season, but it was the barmiest, loudest set I've heard for quite some time.
3. Leeds United. Whatever you say about the type of support they pull, you cant question thier passion. The majority of them are sound lads who really love thier team and travel anywhere, just a shame they have a bigger minority of plebs than usual who sour thier reputation.
4. Man United. Now this is a funny one. Thier home support is really quiet, but on the road they're fookin barmy, and its full of working class lads who love thier club. They have a great reportaire of witty chants, and stand for 90 minutes whatever game it is. Thier away support is the only thing about the club I respect. The heart of it is a Mancunian/Salford support, kind of like Citys.
5. Man City. Not blowing my own clubs trumpet but we do take thousands away, even when we're crap. I remember a weekday night game at WBA a few years back in Division One, and we took 3,500. Lately our support has tailed off a bit due to support size, but last season we took 6,000+ to Blackburn, 4,500+ to Aston Villa, 4,600 to Oldham in the cup. Crowds were even higher in the late 90s when we'd regularly take 5,000+ to places like Tranmere, and the two Sheffield clubs.
6. Liverpool. As with United the core of thier support are local lads who love thier club.
7. Everton. Not noted for a singing club, but they have the numbers and I cant remember the last time they didnt sell out Man City away. I know a few Evertonians and they're proud as hell of being Everton.
8. Newcastle. Best away fans in the country, took over 4,300 to Wigan this week in the cup, in a competition that alot of fans dont bother travelling to. You can say what you like about the Geordies, but you cannot fault thier away fans, or disagree with them when they claim to be amongst the most passionate in the country.
9. Sheffield Wednesday. Always been impressed with thier suppport.
10. Hull City. Last season they took over 7,000 to thier local derby with Wednesday, and could take over 8,000 to Leeds if thier attendance wasnt capped at 1,700.
11. Tottenham Hotspur. I rate them as 2nd best lot of fans behind Newcastle. Even though I think they're all arrogant bar-stewards I admire thier passion and willingness to travel the length and breadth of the country.
12. West Ham United. Another club like Tottenham. Always had the numbers, even though they sing 'I'm forever blowing bubbles' too much.
13. Sunderland. Thier home crowds might not be up to much, but the away section usually sells out. A good set of passionate fans.
14. Nottingham Forest.
15. West Brom Albion.
16. Plymouth Argyle. These boys take more away than most clubs in the Championship, and thier closest away is over 3 hours away. Put that in perspective and the numbers they take will appear more amazing, even if its nothing special numbers wise.
17. Cardiff City. I might not like the Taffs, but they do support thier boys and travel well.
18. Norwich City. They had over 2,700 fans at Man City last season, and it was a midweek night game, most teams who have to travel that distance cant do that for midweek.
19. Portsmouth. Fook me, this lot are loud away, AND at home.
20. Chelsea. In the old shed days they took loads away, even though they dont sing much these days they still have the numbers.