choosing a premiership club

[melvin06]

this november i will be visiting london and plan to see a match when i am there. I want to choose a premiership team before i go to make everything more interesting. I have narrowed it down to tottenham and west ham. i am not a glory hunter, but i also do not want a team that is always loosing. which do you think is the best team for an american fan?

also, can anyone send me a copy of bill simmons epl article?

[hasselbrad]

I've never been to London, but West Ham chose me for the following reasons:
1. Fans I've met via the interweb seem to be a nice lot.
2. One of them is a fellow Bama fan.
3. The movie Pure. When the little boys go to the first West Ham game with their newly sober mother, the scene where they walked out onto the mezzanine (?) sort of took my breath away. I figure the real thing might just bring me to tears.

[655321]

This should be fun.

*pops open beer and sits back*

[sarabella]

Is it this time of year again?

[655321]

this november i will be visiting london and plan to see a match when i am there. I want to choose a premiership team before i go to make everything more interesting. I have narrowed it down to tottenham and west ham. i am not a glory hunter, but i also do not want a team that is always loosing. which do you think is the best team for an american fan?

Just start watching the matches and see who's style you think is more attractive.

Be on the lookout for these teams:

West Ham
Chelsea
Arsenal
Tottenham
Charlton
hmm...maybe one more...struggling here.

Also, you'll soon start reading some replies here calling you a glory-hunter. Just ignore them.

[nicephoras]

I've never been to London, but West Ham chose me for the following reasons:
1. Fans I've met via the interweb seem to be a nice lot.
2. One of them is a fellow Bama fan.
3. The movie Pure. When the little boys go to the first West Ham game with their newly sober mother, the scene where they walked out onto the mezzanine (?) sort of took my breath away. I figure the real thing might just bring me to tears.

Its a good thing you made that choice before Green Street Hooligans (or was that the Green Street Apple Gang?) was released. A shame that West Ham apparently have a fegele firm.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.................

[pookspur]

this november i will be visiting london and plan to see a match when i am there. I want to choose a premiership team before i go to make everything more interesting. I have narrowed it down to tottenham and west ham. i am not a glory hunter, but i also do not want a team that is always loosing. which do you think is the best team for an american fan?


i've encouraged you to go to the lane on another thread, but west ham can treat an american fan well, also. hell, anywhere can, once it gets in your blood.

but, since you're going to be there, anyway, i've another suggestion. if you're still in town the following tuesday evening, head out to loftus road and catch the QPR/sunderland match. they won't meet your "not enough losing" or you "premiership" criteria, but QPR's a nice little club, and it's a fine place to watch a football match.

i wouldn't forsake a prem match to go there, but you don't have to. besides, what the hell else are you gonna do on a tuesday night in london. ;)

[Meta Tarsal]

Forget the Premiership, mate. For the quintessential London football fan experience, hop on down to the New Den and check out Millwall. The atmosphere there is always, erm, interesting, and it's situated in a lovely part of the City.

[ilv2]

i am not a glory hunter, but i also do not want a team that is always loosing.

LOL

[sendô]

but, since you're going to be there, anyway, i've another suggestion. if you're still in town the following tuesday evening, head out to loftus road and catch the QPR/sunderland match. they won't meet your "not enough losing" or you "premiership" criteria, but QPR's a nice little club, and it's a fine place to watch a football match.

i wouldn't forsake a prem match to go there, but you don't have to. besides, what the hell else are you gonna do on a tuesday night in london. ;)
Dammit the yiddo is right. You could also do worse than watch Crystal Palace, one of my least favourite teams. They're a decent championship side and so fit into your gloryhunting criteria of 'not always losing' ;)

Forget the Premiership, mate. For the quintessential London football fan experience, hop on down to the New Den and check out Millwall. The atmosphere there is always, erm, interesting, and it's situated in a lovely part of the City.
If you're here in february I suggest trying to get tickets for the south london scum's game against Leyton Orient. Should be a good derby match, especially as the O's are now arguably better than Millw*nk.

[Mr. Bee]

Forget the Premiership, mate. For the quintessential London football fan experience, hop on down to the New Den and check out Millwall. The atmosphere there is always, erm, interesting, and it's situated in a lovely part of the City.

I agree. Bring your children and any elderly members of your family. Its as delightful as a Sunday picnic.

[hasselbrad]

Its a good thing you made that choice before Green Street Hooligans (or was that the Green Street Apple Gang?) was released. A shame that West Ham apparently have a fegele firm.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.................

Thankfully, I've never seen it. Elijah Wood a Hammer? Meh.
Keira Knightley a Hammer...mmm...mmm...good.

[pookspur]

Forget the Premiership, mate. For the quintessential London football fan experience, hop on down to the New Den and check out Millwall. The atmosphere there is always, erm, interesting, and it's situated in a lovely part of the city.

I agree. Bring your children and any elderly members of your family. It's as delightful as a Sunday picnic.

as you may have gathered, they're taking the piss, as millwall have a reputation for ugliness, and the location is truly dire. that said, i still think it's good advice. the atmosphere there really is exceptional, and not necessarily in a bad way. you won't find trouble unless you look for it, and it's nowhere near as daunting as their reputation would have you believe. the 'children and old folk' part, however... :o ;)

...If you're here in february I suggest trying to get tickets for the south london scum's game against Leyton Orient. Should be a good derby match, especially as the O's are now arguably better than Millw*nk.

this match will probably be 'members only', though, right?

[Meta Tarsal]

as you may have gathered, they're taking the piss, as millwall have a reputation for ugliness, and the location is truly dire. that said, i still think it's good advice. the atmosphere there really is exceptional, and not necessarily in a bad way. you won't find trouble unless you look for it, and it's nowhere near as daunting as their reputation would have you believe. the 'children and old folk' part, however... :o ;)

Bollocks! This numpty's talking pure bollocks. Millwall's supporters are the most tolerant and welcoming to outsiders in all of the City. I would encourage any first-timer to English football to make a point of visiting the New Den, so as to revel in the hospitality.
If you can't get tickets in advance, just ask a punter for a seat near the 50-yard-line. Oh, and be sure to mention you're a Yank.

[scarshins]

Reading.

[pookspur]

Bollocks! This numpty's talking pure bollocks. Millwall's supporters are the most tolerant and welcoming to outsiders in all of the City. I would encourage any first-timer to English football to make a point of visiting the New Den, so as to revel in the hospitality.
If you can't get tickets in advance, just ask a punter for a seat near the 50-yard-line. Oh, and be sure to mention you're a Yank.

no, no! bad advice. you'll want to mix in. let them know you're one of them.

the most important of their customs that you'll want to adopt are the 'high five' and the ritual singing of "i'm forever blowing bubbles".

oh, and remember, should the lions (God forbid) concede a goal, all millwall fans will seek and expect comforting solace in the form of a big hug.

[Meta Tarsal]

no, no! bad advice. you'll want to mix in. let them know you're one of them.

the most important of their customs that you'll want to adopt are the 'high five' and the ritual singing of "i'm forever blowing bubbles".

oh, and remember, should the lions (God forbid) concede a goal, all millwall fans will seek and expect comforting solace in the form of a big hug.

That's right, now yer talking!
Seriously, mate, I'd go so far as to recommend staying in Bermondsey during your trip. It's convenient to all the main sites of interest, and puts you within perfect walking distance of the ground.
When you get to there, be sure to order one of their special Millwall Dogs. At first you'll be told they only serve kidney pies 'n such, but be persistent and you'll be rewarded.
Finally, Melvin, make sure your seat is in and amongst the Bushwhackers. They're nowhere near as menacing as they sound. The name has more to do with the group's politics--they're good blokes, the lot of 'em.

[scarshins]

How about rooting for Everton? They have an American keeper for awhile, and they just beat some big team 3-0....

[Meta Tarsal]

How about rooting for Everton? They have an American keeper for awhile, and they just beat some big team 3-0....

Erm, I don't see an (R) at the top of this thread, do you?
Must have been blinded by that MLS shite.

[Mr. Bee]

Erm, I don't see an (R) at the top of this thread, do you?
Must have been blinded by that MLS shite.

Still just a tad-bit sore?