Need help picking a favorite club team?

[hawaiiseasider]

I just resently got into english football. And im having a hard time trying to find a team that i can support in a regular basis. Im not a big club kind of guy, like Arsenal or Man U, i tend to like smaller, underdog type teams. And preferably an team with a great town so one day ill come a visit and enjoy the town and a few games. Does anyone have a suggestions? Thanks


Dave

[RedBulls225]

I used to try to support underdog teams (I supported Aston Villa. They're pretty good this year tho) because I was against the whole "top four" thing. But eventually I gave in and decided to support Chelsea FC.

[LG David]

Everton.

Club situated in Liverpool.

Go for it.

[ApproachWithCaution]

If you want to support a team that is outside of the traditional top 4 but is still fashionable and reasonably successful, you're best of supporting one of either:

Tottenham Hotspur
Everton
Aston Villa
Newcastle*

All of these clubs have been successful in the past and (especially in the case of Everton and Spurs), have seriously threatened to break into the promised land of the top 4 in recent seasons. They are also all based in big, modern cities. So travelling over here to see them play should be a great experience.

In the end, who you decide to support is your decision. I would highly recomend researching EVERY club in the league though before you make your choice. Don't base your selection on other people's opinions and don't just choose a so called "underdog" team for the sake of it. Find out about the history, traditions, honours, fanbase and set up of all the Premier League clubs then pick one.

You may find yourself breaking your own rule by deciding to follow a top 4 side, like for example....Man United. ;)

* Newcastle is an exception to the "reasonably successful" criteria, but they are still a well supported and respected club.

[hawaiiseasider]

I have looked alot into the teams fanbases and pretty much narrowed it down to teams that can bring in close to 20K fans a game. Im just having a hard time doing the history part. And traditions, everyone has there own opinion on how there club has better traditions than others. It doesnt have to be a EPL team either. I like Fulham but it seems that English fulham supporters dont like americans that support the team. I would like to be able and visit the club and be able to interact with its fans without having to be treated like a outsider.

[blue nose uk]

If you ever come over to England, you'll be more than welcome at St Andrews, home of Birmingham City FC ... we need all the fans we can get :rolleyes:

[code1390]

I'll make a plug for Tottenham. The reason. They have the best podcast name in the world. :)

http://www.cockonball.com/

Everton is a good pick also. You might even get to watch them in the Champions League next season.

[Kot Matroskin]

You'll also want to consider who their rivals are. The derbies are one of the special parts of being a fan of a certain club. In fact, you may dislike one club at first more than you love another. If you do, you may find yourself naturally attracted to supporting the rival of your "hated" club.

[BlackburnRover]

I have looked alot into the teams fanbases and pretty much narrowed it down to teams that can bring in close to 20K fans a game.

I was keeping quiet until the 20k bit. Blackburn Rovers, 23k average attendance, steeped in history and tradition with a smattering of recent success, Big Brad the goalkeeping God, and for a DC fan Ryan Nelsen as captain.

All fans are welcome, we need them. Only problem being Blackburn's not exactly Hawaii to visit... but it's very friendly and the surrounding countryside, Ribble Valley etc is gorgeous. Ask Seahawkdad on our boards, he loved it.

And ermmm ... that's all I can think of. Gotta be a winner.

[Levinix]

I'm an Arsenal fan. You know how i chose them, since i live in the states? I watched the FA cup final in 05, it was the first Pro soccer game I've ever seen besides world cups. Arsenal won and I've been a fan ever since. I guess I'm a bandwagon fan that never fell off... picking a team to support is easy, staying with them can be difficult at first.

[blue nose uk]

I'm sorry but supporting teams like Arsenal, Man Utd, Liverpool etc isn't hard at all. You know that each season you're going to be challenging for all the silverware there is.

I've always beleived that you support your local team and stick with them through the good times and bad.

Obviously, being in the US makes it a little difficult choosing a local English team :rolleyes: to support. Overseas fans will always choose the more successful sides to "support".

I personally like New England Revs from the MLS. I didn't know they were one of the better teams, I just liked them because they had "England" in their name :D

[hawaiiseasider]

Well my favorite american team is DC United, thats because they were the first team i have ever saw in person. Now an English team i just dont know who to pick. It doesnt have to be a premiership club either. I dont like the clubs that win the silverware every year like Chelsea and Arsenal. Rivalries- well i dont like tottenham or Sunderland. I just want a team to support that has great fans and a great city. If i had to pick a London based club it would be Fulham. They are the oldest club in London and has lots of history. But if you guys have any other clubs that you think i would like let me know. It doesnt have to be premiership clubs.

[Toon³]

I dont like the clubs that win the silverware every year. Rivalries- well i dont like Sunderland.

Think you've just picked your team

[revelationx]

Well my favorite american team is DC United, thats because they were the first team i have ever saw in person. Now an English team i just dont know who to pick. It doesnt have to be a premiership club either. I dont like the clubs that win the silverware every year like Chelsea and Arsenal. Rivalries- well i dont like tottenham or Sunderland. I just want a team to support that has great fans and a great city. If i had to pick a London based club it would be Fulham. They are the oldest club in London and has lots of history. But if you guys have any other clubs that you think i would like let me know. It doesnt have to be premiership clubs.


Liverpool fans feel a close connection with their team. This is embodied with our Anthem You'll Never Walk Alone which is about solidarity, unity and hope in adversity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11MQnQ8QjJs&feature=related

We also have some dynamic players to watch such as Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1yLy1SVnfg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oEl9HK2Cjk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGsUTzswJxA&feature=related

Join us at Liverpool. It's an exciting time to be a Reds fan.

Choose the team that has appeals to your heart. Whichever you choose, welcome to the crazy world of football, an emotional rollercoaster of highs and lows await you.

Good luck. ;)

[fernb8]

cmon revelation

we dont need someone else running around telling us about "history". :D

Fulham may not be the best choice as they most likely wont be in the Prem next season.


The teams listed have been good choices to date.

I would add Portsmouth to that list as well. Small ground which doesnt hold that many fans, but very good and vocal support. They have some exciting players and have really turned things around in the past few seasons.

Not the most exciting choice, but perhaps something for you to look into.

[revelationx]

cmon revelation

we dont need someone else running around telling us about "history". :D

Fulham may not be the best choice as they most likely wont be in the Prem next season.


The teams listed have been good choices to date.

I would add Portsmouth to that list as well. Small ground which doesnt hold that many fans, but very good and vocal support. They have some exciting players and have really turned things around in the past few seasons.

Not the most exciting choice, but perhaps something for you to look into.

I am just saying if he wants to support Liverpool we would welcome him with open arms. I am just promoting my club. I have taken the trouble to do so and attach some vids for him to view. You can do the same for your club. The guy is plainly keen to learn more about the various clubs prior to choosing a favourite. He has asked for input into suggestions. If he feels that Liverpool are not the club for him then that is fair enough. It is his choice entirely. :)

[norwaytips]

West Ham. The East end club. The cockney boys. Great support, they sell out every home game and have one of the largest travelling band of supporters in the PL.
If you want a PL team, then avoid the very small clubs, because they will struggle, in an economic sense. These would include Fulham Wigan, Derby and Bolton.
Any of the big boys, I guess, but try a club that is on the up. That has the support and the tradition. Try the one that is called The Academy of football.:D

[bigINTERNETTOUGHGUY]

Think you're going about this the wrong way. You don't pick a team, the team picks you. My advice: watch as many games as you can without worrying about which club is "yours." Before long you'll be drawn to one more than the others. Perhaps it will be because you watched a great game, a great player, or just like their style of play.

The way my club chose me was because Mom took a trip to London and brought me back an Arsenal shirt. I wore it to school one day and an exchange student from England who I was friendly with told me they were his team. Then I started watching games with a friend from bristol who was a United fan, so it seemed natural to support their league rivals (plus I had the shirt).

Mind you that's only part of it. I love the way our manager buys youth and develops talent (it's a bit frustrating too sometimes) and we've had some special talents over the years -- Bergkamp, Henry, Cesc, Oleg Luzhny...(of maybe not Luzhny).

Anyway good luck in your quest. May your team find you soon.