Hello everyone. I am an American who grew up in in the 80′s, played little league soccer, but never had a team to support since there was no real soccer on TV. After watching the last world cup my interest in “Football” has been re-invigorated. I am learning from by mates at the local British pub about the different teams in the Premier League. I am looking for a team to support and want to get as much input as possible before deciding.
I am looking for a team in the English Premier League to support, as well as a smaller club to support as well. Possibly a League 1 or 2 team or even a Welsh team. Just have to figure out how to see those games in the US (I am an American). I know I can see the Premier League teams.
I am not looking to jump on a bandwagon, so Man. U. is pretty much out. My family is name is Welsh. I like tough football teams, like England and the US. All of this rolling around pretending to be hurt just ticks me off. I really like Peter Cech, but I am not pulling for a Russian owned team, sorry Chelsea.
I have a good feeling about Aston Villa and Sunderland. The comments I have recevied so far have been great!!! Thanks Tina, I love hearing from you!!! I am just starting the search, so give me as much input as possible BEFORE THE LEAGUE STARTS IN AUGUST!!!
The comments, they help me understand the culture and context of the league. As I watch games, it is your comments that will be the foundation that my new perspectives of football clubs will sit on!
May 31, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Ok, so here are the teams that I am interested in maybe following. Of course, this is really just the beginning of my search! I have to see them play. My wife is pregnant with twins, so there is NO WAY I will be able to make it to the UK to see a game live. One day I will and that is where I will truly fall in love with the club I support!!
I like the idea of following one of the Big 4. If I did, I think it would have to be Arsenal.
I really like the vibe of Sunderland and Aston Villa.
Newcastle has an American owner. Fulham has a lot of American players.
Tina says to look at Bolton, and I always listen to what the ladies have to say!
Simon says Blackburn is hard as nails, I like that!
Cardiff City, Nottingham Forrest, sounds pretty good, but I have not researched them yet.
I saw the FA year in review on TV, wow, I liked the Bristol Rovers and Barnsley too!!!
Email your friends this forum, tell them I need help deciding!!!
June 1, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Add Stoke City and Tottenham to the list!
June 3, 2008 at 9:31 pm
support the mighty mighty rip roaring barn storming potters!!!!!!
stoke city fc
there goin to be kicking blackburn off the park, the prems new most physical team
June 5, 2008 at 4:27 am
Need a major club not the MONEY Teams(Man U, Chelsea, Lverpool)I would try a team like Spurs,great history and has mostly English players. Dawson, King, Huddlestone, Jenas, Robinson,Woodgate and a few Under-21 players all have worn the National Teams shirts. They also score a lot which makes it better for novice fan.
For a underdog team, you should look at Leeds which is coming back from the dead. As I live in Kansas City, Mo I miss the EPL style of football.
June 7, 2008 at 9:15 am
hi
almost unanswerable question….i went with a friend to ‘spurs’ (tottenham hotspur) in 1948….and got hooked…..the trouble is once you give your heart to a team you get peaks and troughs….ecstasy and utter despair….i have been up in the clouds and then the valleys of despair….but as you know that is sport….Spurs are an attacking side but mercurial…..do you want an offensive or defensive
side…do you want almost guaranteed glory(Man u chelsea) or uncertainty?…entertainment(arsenal.spurs etc)
i would watch soccer on the television in USA and make your choice from the teams on display….
one will jump out and bite you….then follow your star !!!!
July 1, 2008 at 12:03 am
I am a fellow American that has gone through the search for a football team to follow. I was quite the opposite when it came to the big four. I didn’t feel that it was “right” to root for the “Yankees” or “Red Sox” of the Premier League. I wanted a team that I could really connect with. After my research was over, I wasn’t even following a team in the Prem. It was a “big” club falling on hard times. They were at the bottom of the table in the Championship League. They had set the record for the least amount of points in a season the year before. They didn’t have a permanent manager. The Chairman was the interim manager and had not lead the team to a win in 5 matches to start the season. They were looking to hire a young manager with no experience anywhere!
Why would I choose this team? They were obviously huge underdogs in the league and nowhere near the top four in England in money or reputation. They were located in a hard working town (an England version of Green Bay). The fans don’t own a part of the team, but don’t tell them. The manager they were looking to hire has a history of winning (and controversy) as a player. He played hard-nosed football and led his team as captain the same way. He has a no nonsense attitude and speaks his mind to the media, teammates and his players now. He has high expectations and the persona to demand it from those around him. The team was big enough to compete with the teams in the Prem. and just needed the right mix of management and players. The new owners were showing that they intended to back the squad completely with funds for new players. In short they had a ton of potential!
When they finally hired the manager, they went on a tear of the Championship League. They went from worst to first and didn’t lose a match from January to the end of the season that year. They were promoted to the Premier League!
This past year they survived a thrilling relegation battle with several injury time winners! It is an exciting time to be following the:
Sunderland Blackcats and Roy Keane!
Go Blackcats!!!
July 1, 2008 at 11:33 am
May I recommend Fulham – as you have already learned we have a number of Americal players – although Brian McBride is returning to the US and Carlos Bocanegra is going to Rennes. However Fulham has much to commend it including the fact that it is the only ground where, if you were to visit, you would be able to obtain a seat to watch most premiership teams without having the expenses and inconvenience of registering as a member. Spurs, Arsenal, Man U etc, even the Blackburns and Sunderlands, are grounds where casual visitors cannot get tickets. Fulham have gone in 12 years from the depths of the leagues (91 out of 92) to their current standing in the premiership (just!) and still retain a ground with the atmosphere of football rather than a clinical modern stadium with little atmosphere – try us out http://www.fulhamfc.com – you won’t regret it.
July 6, 2008 at 9:51 am
i think a trip to wikipedia would be a good thing so you can read up on the teams and get an idea of their history. this might assist in making your decision.
July 6, 2008 at 1:02 pm
You have to support Aston Villa.Owned by an American Randy Lerner,and he is well liked by Villa fans.Compare our attitude with that of Man U and Liverpool fans towards their American owners,as they feel quite justifiably they are being exploited and ripped off.At Villa,our owners have forsaken approx. $4million in shirt sponsorship to promote a childrens charity,how enlightened and supportive of the local community is that?
Then of course there is our tradition,Villa were one of the 12 founder members of the football league in 1888.In fact it was William Magregor of Villa who came up with the idea.
Will you get success supporting us?Well in 40 years I have seen us down in the depths of the third division and 10 years later crowned champions of all europe so its never dull here.
Will you be in good company supporting us?Well the future King of England Prince William,the possible next Prime Minister David Cameron,the governor of the Bank of England Mervyn King,are all Villa fans.Ozzy Osbourne was born just round the corner from the stadium,and Tom Hanks is a follower too!
July 11, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I’d like to add Swansea City FC to the list. You said your family name is Welsh and Swansea is a town in Wales. That’s the team I support. I’m a fellow American, but spent a year living in Swansea and fell in love with the town and it’s people.
Swansea just won League One last year so are now in the Championship. They’ve got a great up and coming manager in Roberto Martinez and (I think) play some exciting football.
I haven’t found a way to WATCH any of their games since I’ve moved back to the US, but now that their in the Championship maybe it’ll be easier, who knows?
But, just wanted to add them to the list. Good Luck!
July 13, 2008 at 9:06 pm
I DONT SEE ANY REASON NOT TO SUPPORT 2 TEAMS. MOST FANS HAVE A MAIN TEAM THEY SUPPORT, AND ANOTHER THEY HAVE ‘A SOFT SPOT FOR’. ASTON VILLA AREN’T MY TEAM. BUT THEY DO HAVE A VERY GOOD MANAGER IN MARTIN O’NEIL. SO YOU COULD DO ALOT WORST.
September 12, 2008 at 2:20 am
I would suggest you look at Everton FC. They’re everything you’re looking for in terms of tradition, history and support. I could tell you numerous things, but it’s better if you look it all up as there’s so much.