Football fans, when do we stop calling Spurs a ‘Big’ club?

Posted by theslowrunningexpert@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 32 comments

The ‘Big 6’ often refers to 6 teams: Arsenal, Chelsea, United, City, Liverpool, Spurs. I believe that only 5 of these clubs are ‘Big’ clubs and we need to acknowledge this as the sport moves forward.

The Big 5 would be: Chelsea, United, City, Liverpool, Arsenal.

So no Spurs.

I want to preface this by saying that I’m mid 20’s, and so Spurs have never been a big club in my lifetime which may be leading to some bias. However, if we’re going to be objective we need to accept that Spurs are not ‘Big’- they’ve not had any sustained period of success in Premier League history, have not even won a Premier League title, and in my opinion should be in the group of ‘big fanbases, mediocre club’ alongside teams like Everton, Newcastle, etc.

City, Liverpool, and Chelsea don’t need explaining- they have historic and recent success. Of course United aren’t as dominant as they used to be, but their history in the 90’s and 2000’s keeps them in. Arsenal are starting to become competitive again, but it’s also their history keeping them in. Spurs neither have history, or recent success, so why are some still calling them ‘Big’?

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Iron_Beef_Curtain@reddit

The fact you claim Spurs have no history makes you sound silly, do you realise that football existed before the premier league?

No recent success? Is last season not recent enough?

The ‘Big 6’ were originally the most successful clubs in English football (based on honours) and also included Everton.

You are referring to the best 6, which Spurs are obviously not one of at the moment, but as it stands, we are the 6th most successful team in England. That may come as a shock to you, as you’re probably one of those who loves to spout the classic lines about empty trophy cabinets etc.

But for money, Chelsea and especially Man City would be as irrelevant as they were 30 years ago.

As a Spurs fan, I couldn’t give a toss if we were in the big 6, the shit 6 or the mediocre middle. These titles don’t have any bearing on anything.

The only place I don’t want us to be is in the bottom 3, which is looking more likely with each passing week.

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O_C_Demon@reddit

To be fair mate, my team, Huddersfield Town are the 20th most successful club in England on your criteria...Not sure we'd be considered in a Big 20

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Iron_Beef_Curtain@reddit

That’s kind of what I’m saying. I explained where the term big 6 came from. As others have said, why metrics do you use to define a big club?

Success, stadium, revenue, fan base?

Ultimately as a fan, I only care about current performance. Last seasons success already seems like it never happened. If OP, Sky or anyone else wants Spurs out of a ‘Big 6’ I won’t be losing any sleep over it.

Queasy-Job1996@reddit

they not been top 5 biggest club in past 30 years but sure got a great claim to be the 6th biggest club based on popularity, relevance, attendance and revenue. Spurs challenges for title's and UCL campaigns sure gained them lots of fans. Winning couple of league cups and Europa league sure helped. I would says spurs are bigger in recent times than original big clubs like my everton and villa who have really fell down in pecking order past 30 years

Ellers12@reddit

Biggest club to be relegated since Leeds I hope

camfield@reddit

Why did we start calling them a big club lol??

DaveBeBad@reddit

Things change. Everton and spurs were big club when Manchester City were in the 3rd tier.

Arsenal only got into the top flight through bribery and corruption.

Wonderful-Tale-1483@reddit

He as anyone ever seen Tottenham win the league ?

65 years ago. Must be some fans left who were there

Has anyone ever seen Tottenham win the league ?

jdsuperman@reddit

"Big club" is not the same thing as "good team".

Halliron@reddit

They’ve never been a big club

MoistPossibility3446@reddit

There doesn’t need to be a big six or a big five, there I said it.

TTNNBB2023@reddit

Exactly, its nonsense, and you can tell its nonsense because Man UTD are always in it despite being shit for years.

bradshan187@reddit

Utd have only finished outside the top 6 three times in the past 35 years

Lol ok but 2 of those were in the last 3 years and of those they were 15th! If it wasn't for Carrick they would have been relegation contender this year.

Ah yes, the club in 7th, 3 points off 4th and 18 points above the drop zone were relegation contenders when Carrick came in

Mate its fine, youre a Man U fan you don't need to try and make me one.

No point trying to change the record just because you can’t face reality

mate whatever you win, i will delete my comments literally dont care

terryjuicelawson@reddit

Funny thing about Man City is when I was a lad they were a lower division team. Maine Road was falling down. When they started getting success people put it down to foreign owners chucking money at them. Prior to that, they last had real success in the 60s. But then all you know is Man City being this huge title winning side if you are young. Spurs hadn't even been relegated the whole time. So how do you measure this stuff?

Hot-Health7006@reddit

I would guess within the next 8 games when they are relgated.

RetroRegretso@reddit

Do what you want, call them anything. None of this matters.

vivaorangina@reddit

Explain to me how Chelsea’s and City’s historical success is greater than Spurs/Everton/Villa?

Retrospective sports washing is wild.

xxx654@reddit

Spurs have the best stadium in the country, they generate massive revenues and are a huge commercial enterprise.

On-field performance is way down the list in any criteria.

Liverpool Man U Chelsea Citeh The Arse Spurs

Everton and Newcastle on the fuzzy edge.

Then there’s a drop to the minnows like Leeds.

League position largely irrelevant to this.

PabloMarmite@reddit

recent success

They’re the current Europa League champions.

Impossible_Round_302@reddit

It's big not top. Spurs value is comfortable in the 3-6 range with a significant drop between 6th and 7th. There revenue is the 5 most and again a sizable drop 6th to 7th.

bogusalt@reddit

Football these days is unfortunately all about revenue. Spurs' revenue is above Chelsea, and 50% more than even Villa. Being a London club they also have a large media presence. Loads of different interpretations of "big" for a football club.

sneakyhopskotch@reddit

The "Big 6" is a media thing, more aptly named the "Sky 6." Clubs wax and wane in terms of success and wealth and popularity. That's not new, nor will it stop any time soon. Any line drawn for a group of clubs that is bigger than the rest is arbitrary from size, metric, and time perspectives.

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