What Premier League Team Should I Support?
Posted by GhostHostYT@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 83 comments
Hello,
American here. I just went to the UK for the first time recently to watch the LA Rams vs Jacksonville Jaguars play at Wembly. During that time, I talked to some very nice people in a pub who really got me considering being a soccer fan. I live in Chicago, and started going to a couple of Chicago Fire games, and I found it to be really entertaining. After that, I’ve been watching more premier league soccer games on TV and really have gotten into it. The thing is… idk who to support. I genuinely know nothing about soccer and the Premier league, only that it is the NFL of the soccer world.
If somebody could put the teams into NFL terms or something so I can understand who to like. For example, my favorite NFL teams are the LA Rams and Chicago Bears. So far, I really feel like I am leaning towards Man City or Crystal Palace. Let me know what you think lol😂😂
BeaumarchaisApu@reddit
Support a team below the Premier League. Far more chance of seasons of excitement.
billabongj@reddit
Follow the UK Rams, Derby County, currently in the league below but sure to provide a roller coaster ride !
BeaumarchaisApu@reddit
I honestly think this is as good a reason as any to support a club and it’s a pretty good choice, you’ll see promotion charges, relegation battles, cup upsets!
Congratulations, you’re a Derby County fan!
Difficult-Muscle-448@reddit
Is it worth it tho as a US fan? I've always like Derby but I don't want to expirience never being in the prem.
BeaumarchaisApu@reddit
100%. Derby will be back in the Prem. Couldn’t tell you when but three teams go up every year.
dowker1@reddit
That's a great answer in many respects but don't underestimate how hard it can be watching games in lower divisions when you're outside the UK.
BeaumarchaisApu@reddit
Using Derby as an example: https://ramstv.dcfc.co.uk/
I support a National League level team and overseas fans can pay £15 a month to watch pretty much any National League game streamed live.
dowker1@reddit
Huh, what a better world we live in now. It was nigh impossible for me to see a game when Newcastle went down.
BeaumarchaisApu@reddit
Yeah it’s a post-Covid thing that has hung on well!
llynglas@reddit
Far more chance to see a game. Join the supporters club also.
RhubarbImmediate7007@reddit
To really experience the emotional turmoil of football, pick a team That isn’t very good. All the better if they’re from somewhere no tourist wants to visit and is well out of the way, so when you next visit the uk, you feel obliged to travel halfway across the country to watch some poor quality football on a Tuesday night in a dead town and have the best night of your life. Barrow in Furness is a nightmare to get to, Ipswich is also just moving into the 1980s if you enjoy historical journeys alongside the inevitable move into the prem?
FluidGolf9091@reddit
Just came to say that you can support any club but know two things
A. There is a chance that your team won't stay a premier league team which is different to the NFL
B. Don't support Tottenham Hotspur, partly but not entirely linked to point A
timiny74@reddit
Or Burnley or Wolves 😂
johnnyjonnyjonjon@reddit
Solid advice.
jesterstearuk71@reddit
Support a lower league team, far cheaper to watch and you get more sense of being part of the club
Dennyisthepisslord@reddit
Find a family treem if you can find an English town your great great Great great grandfather came from they will have a side of some sort. There you go.
EvilLee666@reddit
I did a swap with a friend in Seattle, he introduced me to the Seahawks and I introduced him to Liverpool FC.
JonathanBroxton@reddit
Find out if you have any English ancestry. If you do, find out which town/city they were from (or which one is closest to where they were from). If they have a football team in either the Prem, Champ, L1, L2, or NL, that's your team. Embrace your hertiage!
Capital-Ostrich-6089@reddit
Fulham has a an American owner and long American connection. When I lived there they were always super nice to this moon in SW6.
weedywet@reddit
If you’re American then I’d suggest Richmond.
OkGreen3481@reddit
Get a very accurate DNA test, based upon your DNA you should choose the closest team, otherwide you'll be known asca glory hunter...
I'm 32% gordie, 31% scouse and 30% Welsh so obviously I support Arsenal.
tannercolin@reddit
Do you live in North London?
OkGreen3481@reddit
Yeah, I do - erm Luton is north london isn't it.
Lollygagger105@reddit
Accrington Stanley
sipnlurk@reddit
Who are they?
Lisa111333@reddit
Lmao there’s actually a book on Amazon free that basically puts football into nfl terms
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX2VGWWG/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=3JCHUZJCTPSCV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.sM_LFpYt23IntIeIAut4ZSIxB2CEFiskSJuoYj2vgMWr5E6znYwyJ5Uhg3YPPSnD1QPDxZKOgrBGNRS036KjCSYBqKRnhKyiShYvQU68pNRYxyZG69ucmR1S1qIdF6SyoMqZc_JIVNR9ZdVFg8821xxyI44kOyzKLXJE1-yBCXiTehHeagL61-Bqy0dKOFcQQZseFHrnwUKde-wgHqEscw.vXdoqibw5fctFVNrHpeMShD8PfMZ2Spp1UZImczUuO8&dib_tag=se&keywords=soccer+for+american+fans&qid=1776303879&sprefix=soccer+for+american+fans%2Caps%2C209&sr=8-3
Lisa111333@reddit
Soccer sorry * lmao
Derfel60@reddit
You shouldnt, you should support a local team or a team you have a connection to.
Cautious-Fox9757@reddit
I support the Panthers and the Hornets despite not being born there.
Should I not watch American sports? Or try to figure out which NFL team is closer to south Cheshire?
The guy wants to find an English football team to support, what’s wrong with that?
Few_House_5201@reddit
Spot on. Can pick anyone you want to support.
Cautious-Fox9757@reddit
I can understand saying people born in Britain should support their local team, but considering the OP is from Chicago he’s gonna have to pick a team, and asking Reddit what team has the aura that might most appeal to him, seems a fair way to do it.
Also, I’m pretty sure if the OP does turn up in Crystal Palace top, saying “how bout does Eagles?” he ain’t deceiving anyone, or aiming to deceive anyone, into thinking he really did sit on his ironmonger father’s knee in a terrace in Tooting cheering as Ian Dowie nodded it in at the far post.
Kind_Ad5566@reddit
The club should choose you.
Find some family history see if you have ancestors from an area of the UK.
I realise it's much easier to consume PL content abroad, but there's a rich history of football outside of the premier league.
And supporting clubs that win all the time is boring 😉, so out of your two it's got to be Palace.
Spirited_Ad_2697@reddit
Support a team thats local to you. You can always have a second team that you like in the premier league but if you want to do that id recommend just watching games or match of the day and see if you come to like any team more than others.
Just don’t support Man City because they aren’t a real club.
tannercolin@reddit
Just watch all the games. You can't 'choose which team' to be a fan of
Stefgrep66@reddit
Nick Hornby in his book Fever Pitch said his dad was a spurs fan but as soon as he watched Arsenal, that was his club.
I agree to a point that your club chooses you not the other way round. It's different if you live in a particular area and you have a local club your old fella supports.
Why would I be a West Ham fan, were moderate to shite mostly, with the very rare moments of glory.
But as soon as I went to the Boleyn they were my team.
50 years later through thin and....thin I still go when I can, and I live 130 miles from London!
WinkyNurdo@reddit
Irons ⚒️
Krakshotz@reddit
Watch Sunderland Til I Die on Netflix first
Personal-Listen-4941@reddit
The LA Rams & Arsenal share the sane owners and do occasional joint ventures, so there’s an obvious connection.
Krakshotz@reddit
It was quite funny that that weekend had Fulham v Arsenal on Saturday and then Jaguars v Rams on Sunday. Same owners, two different sports
RaidersGuy85@reddit
If you like coming second a lot I'd recommend Arsenal
elom44@reddit
You’ve been to London, so that’s a connection. Plus if you want to see your team play London will be easier for flights. So you need a London team. Remarkably there are 7 in the premier league.
I say put the seven names in a hat and let fate decide your team. If your team gets relegated though you don’t get a do-over, it’s for life.
bdiggitty@reddit
Probably going to violate the spirit of this sub as im an American living in London. But I would say find something that you’re connected to. It doesn’t have to be a successful team. Probably better that it’s not. If you have heritage in the country find out where and support their local club. Or the nearest bigger team (as it’s likely easier to watch games).
I support my local team and try to go to as many matches as I can. And I really love the camaraderie, legacy and history. I used to work with a guy in the states who was a Millwall supporter randomly. And he’d fly to the uk a couple times a year to watch matches. Had lots of British friends who were supporters as well.
You’ll probably get crap for being an American supporting man city because their success has been recent so you look a bit like a fair weather fan.
shelleypiper@reddit
I'm always suspicious of Millwall fans
Namelessbob123@reddit
Man Utd
Dragonfruit-Agitated@reddit
Fulham have had a lot of American players over the last few years. Antonee Robinson is a current member of the squad. Also, the Khan's, who own Jacksonville Jaguars, are also the owners of Fulham
Nevernonethewiser@reddit
Hi, I'm not a fan of sports in general, but I know that the English football teams are local. They don't move around like NFL teams can.
It was a major issue when the Wimbledon team moved to Milton Keynes and became MK Dons. That sort of thing didn't and doesn't happen.
So don't pick a team, pick a place. A city you think is really cool, and support their team.
It is pure tribalism. Supporters are lifelong and their allegiance doesn't change. If their team comes bottom of the league every year for 20 years they still support them (while complaining bitterly).
The late pope Jean Paul II (who I believe has been made a saint now) once said "of all the unimportant things, football is the most important."
It is a religion in Europe (and elsewhere) in a way I don't think a lot of Americans fully appreciate.
your-a-bellend@reddit
A great man once said “Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.'
MarkWrenn74@reddit
His name was Bill Shankly, BTW
your-a-bellend@reddit
Haha thank you, thought I had put Bill Shankly at the end.
moist-v0n-lipwig@reddit
I know very little about football but I’d recommend Newcastle United. I was there in 93 when they were promoted, and the atmosphere in the town was something I will always remember. Just an outpouring of love and pride. I also love the city.
Few_House_5201@reddit
I’m a Bears fan and I also support Everton and I think the two teams are very similar.
Incredible history. Had their best times in the 80s. Club for the people. And also have a lot of hope all of a sudden.
That’s the team for you my friend!
Speedbird223@reddit
If you want to get a handle on, and appreciation for, the promotion and relegation system then Southampton are a good shout.
A year of joy followed by a year of abject misery.
Signed, A Southampton Fan
hongkonghonky@reddit
The owner of the Jaguars also owns Fulham FC - which is the nicest club in the EPL
buzzfrightyears@reddit
Nottingham Forest. Guaranteed a wild ride!
ATOJAR@reddit
Don't just randomly pick a team; watch as much football as you can going forward. Over time, you should start to enjoy the play style of a club and find yourself being drawn to watching a team's matches over others. Try to make it as natural as possible until you naturally become a fan and enjoy watching a single club play over others.
VodkaMargarine@reddit
Do you remember that scene from The Simpsons where sideshow bob repeatedly steps on a rake and it smacks him in the face? If you watched that and thought "boy, being sideshow bob right there sure seems fun" - then support Spurs.
ServoWHU42@reddit
See whose colors (colours, sorry, my Yank is leaking) you like. I'd say pick one that has a cool shirt sponsor, but now they're mostly online casinos so scratch that. If you have English ancestry, maybe pick the nearest club to where they came from. If you have a favorite (favourite) English musician or band, maybe support the same club they do. If you want to be different (or not get accused of being a front runner/glory hunter), definitely don't go with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, or Liverpool. (or Tottenham or Millwall either, they're both a bunch of bastards)
Fuck it, just go with West Ham and enjoy the roller coaster ride. We have Iron Maiden, cool colours, and even more colourful fans, but our stadium is soulless and boring.
NoContract1090@reddit
How can you support a team you don't have a connection too? It would be like a random English person suddenly deciding to support Mexico at the world cup, it makes no sense and you'll never feel that genuine level of support
Alive_Forever_9541@reddit
I do this all the time. I'm from Newcastle and I'm also a paying supporter of Bayern Leverkusen, and massively enjoy watching Mexico national team.
There's just a vibe that I appreciate beyond simply which hospital I was born
Ok-Exam6702@reddit
Why not? Loads of kids start off supporting teams in cities they have no connection with and become lifetime supporters.
Palealedad@reddit
No, because Mexico is a country. England is a country. A person's national identity is quite different to supporting a football team.
Source: hundreds of millions of people who support teams from places they aren't from.
Rare_Tax3577@reddit
Look at the top 10 teams and watch the games. See what you like best.
Palealedad@reddit
Palace, yes, City, no.
Rare_Tax3577@reddit
Either is an awful choice......
Alive_Forever_9541@reddit
Take ten minutes, stick all the team names into Google and search for the biggest local supporter group.
Football isn't just the team, but the shared hope, anxiety, passion and success.
See which teams are supported the most locally, see where they are in the league, and either: 1) pick the best 2) pick the worst 3) pick the strip you like
Enjoy!!
Kent_Tog@reddit
If it's a Premier League team you want to follow don't bother with West Ham or Spurs as one of them won't be a Premier League team come May ....
WotanMjolnir@reddit
They should go with Coventry - we’re as close to a certainty for promotion as it’s possible to be, and we’ve gone from top flight to lowest league, been groundless for far too many seasons, unable to sign players, had awful owners who couldn’t give a shit about the club, and we’ve finally turned it around and will be back among the big bottles after 25 years. Yes, probably for only one season, but we’re going to be back.
PUSB!
Kent_Tog@reddit
My club is still in the middle of the way back up. I'd agree that Coventry would be a great club to support but I think he's probably looking for more 'Prawn Sandwich' clubs like Man U or Arsenal.
WotanMjolnir@reddit
Yeah, I think you’re right. Anyway, good luck on the rebuilding - we’ll probably pass you at some point as we continue to yo-yo!
doepfersdungeon@reddit
Nine
Not how it works
AblationaryPlume@reddit
AJ Hudson's in Chicago is the home of MCFC supporters club, I think. I was in Chicago recently, but was unable to get there.
smoulderstoat@reddit
If you want the full experience of supporting an English football team you will obviously want to experience the most important aspect: the overwhelming sense of despair and crushing disappointment. You should therefore support Tottenham Hotspur.
MartianDuk@reddit
Dont pick one, just watch it. If you eventually end up liking one team over the others, that’s great. But you don’t need to pick a team arbitrarily to enjoy it - youll probably have more fun if you just watch as a neutral and take things as they are
Real23Phil@reddit
Watch different clubs and let a club speak to you.
MickSturbs@reddit
You could try Arsenal. The owner (Stan Kronke) also owns the LA Rams.
Questingcloset@reddit
Go for one of the teams thats not the most supported from that city eg Everton over Liverpool. Everton are probably the nearest to an NFL team (as in no relegations etc.) in the fact they've been in the top flight for the longest period! Or someone like Brentford or Fulham (I know a few american fans who support them)
Lavidius@reddit
Pick a lower league team, they need the love
Fo11owthewhiterabbit@reddit
None.
sipnlurk@reddit
Where was the pub where you met the nice people? What’s the closest football team to that pub? I think you should support that team
kingoffuckery@reddit
Just pick one and stick with it through thick and thin. Thats all it takes for someone new to the game
SirGuestWho@reddit
Choose a town or a city that you know something about or like the sound of and support that team.
FirstAgent8310@reddit
Do what i did with the NFL, I put all the teams on a hat pulled one out and 10 years later I'm still an avid Bills fan!
qualityvote2@reddit
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