If we had a premier league based on who should be in it on, say, quality of supporters, moral grounds, historic grounds who would deserve to be in it? I would suggest (in no particular order) 1. West Auckland (Two world cups) 2. West Ham (One World cup, first Wembley final, Bobby Moore, Alf Garnett 3. Man U (Busby, Fergie, Best and Ronaldo) 4. A Nottingham (Cant decide between Forest – Clough- or County – History. I think county have to win) 5. A Sheffield (It started there but which one? Utd or Wednesday? My heart says Wednesday, my head says Utd, maybe we should just go for FC) 6. Spurs (the first double, Jimmy Greaves) 7. Arsenal (you know it really is a good name. Henry, Charlie George, the 30’s) 8. Leeds (you need a bad guy in every drama) 9. Newcastle (wor Jackie – and by extention both Charltons – and the fans 10. Liverpool (Shankly keegan and the sublime cretinism of Ian Rush) 11. Wolves (They just sound big and lets face it they are called Wolves) OK we need at least 9 more, any ideas?
Do West Aukland still play? You may as well say Clapton, or Dulwich Hamlet, or even Corinthian Casuals. My others would include...... Everton....for being the first team that I saw us play: and beat, Ipswich...just for the great Ramsey years, Charlton....cos I remember Sam Bartrum and The Valley, Blackpool... for the reasons stated, Preston N.E. for Tom Finney, Bolton...for winning the first cup final that counted for anything, Celtic and Rangers....cos it's about time they had a season when neither of them win anything.
I was tempted by the Corinthians and Preston North End, also Villa and even Sunderland but my gut says they dont make the cut
Naturally, you are extracting the water here. If not then let me help you decide. One of them I will shake your hand for and the other (who lose the toss on moral grounds alone) I will gladly carve off each of your limbs with a rusty stanley and feed them to the cat. Hartlepool. Jeff Stelling and that monkey.