Blog Archives
Walsall
A club that has rarely even sniffed the second tier, Walsall is a friendly and casual day out, if not the most exciting. LOCATION: Walsall is in the West Midlands, about 30 minutes from Birmingham by train. CONTACT: saddlers.co.uk, 01922651414, #Saddlers NICKNAMES: The Saddlers, because the town was once famous for making saddles
Stoke City
Whenever a manager is doing well at a club, commentators will ask a question meant to determine whether his talent is real or just a fluke. The question is, “Yeah, but can he do it on a rainy Tuesday in Stoke?” Somehow that always seems to summarize this club. LOCATION: Stoke-on-Trent, a city of 260,000…
Coventry City
A club that is bigger than it currently appears to be, Coventry is emerging from chaos and re-establishing itself in its home town. LOCATION: The city is about 20 minutes by train from Birmingham, a little over an hour from London’s Euston station. CONTACT: CCFC.co.uk NICKNAMES: The Sky Blues
Burton Albion
Burton Albion is a very friendly club in the beer-making capital of England. LOCATION: Burton upon Trent, 30 miles northeast of Birmingham in the West Midlands CONTACT: burtonalbionfc.co.uk, 01283 565938, #BAFC NICKNAMES: The Brewers
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest is in a very cool city not too far from London. And boy, are they happy these days! They are back in the top tier for the first time in a long time, and off on a European tour this season! LOCATION: In the East Midlands, 90 train minutes from St. Pancras station…
Club Profile: Aston Villa
Aston Villa is a big and historic club with an awesome stadium and giant fan base – and they're back in Europe! LOCATION: In Aston, which is part of the sprawling Birmingham area, just under two hours from Euston station in London CONTACT: avfc.co.uk NICKNAMES: Villans or the Villa
Club Profile: West Bromwich Albion
One of several big ones in the Birmingham area, West Brom has been a yo-yo club bouncing up and down the divisions for years; their fans also bounce and sing “Boing Boing” when they score. LOCATION: West Bromwich (it’s BROM-itch), which to us foreigners seems like just another part of Greater Birmingham, in the West…
Club Profile: Birmingham City
A former yo-yo club that is now riding a money-fueled high, Birmingham City is—to outsiders anyway—kind of the forgotten club of the four big ones around Birmingham. But it’s a fun and easy place to catch a game. LOCATION: In Birmingham, West Midlands, 90 minutes north from Euston station in London CONTACT: bcfc.com, 0121 772…
Swansea City
One of four Welsh teams in the English Football League, Swansea rose from near oblivion in 2003 to become the model of a scrappy little club hanging on in the big time. LOCATION: Swansea, South Wales, about three hours west of Paddington station in London CONTACT: swanseacity.com, 01792 616400, #Swans NICKNAMES: The Swans
Forest Green Rovers
Known mainly for their status as a green and vegan club—no, really—Rovers also offer a great way to combine small-town football with a visit to the heart of the Cotswolds. LOCATION: Nailsworth, a village in the Cotswolds about two transit hours west of London’s Paddington station CONTACT: forestgreenroversfc.com, 01453 834860, #FGRFC NICKNAMES: The Green Devils
