Blog Archives
Oxford United
In the City of Dreaming Spires lie beautiful buildings, famous colleges, amazing history, and a little football club recently on the up. LOCATION: One hour west of Paddington station in London CONTACT: oufc.co.uk, 01865 337500, #OUFC NICKNAMES: The U’s or the Yellows—same as Cambridge United, oddly
Millwall
Millwall’s supporters proudly claim the mantle of “Last of the Real Clubs.” We think they really mean “vulgar” clubs. And there’s truth to it: no place can rock, or disturb, or entertain like Millwall at a big game. LOCATION: Bermondsey, one stop out of London Bridge station in South East London CONTACT: millwallfc.co.uk, 020 7232…
Luton Town
You know how, when a place gets cool and gentrified, some people say it was a dump that needed work, but others say it lost its essence and now it’s too nice? Let’s just say that Luton—both town and club—isn’t cool and hasn’t gentrified. We think it's great -- and now it's Premier League! LOCATION:…
Leyton Orient
This East London club, which is probably bigger than you think, hits a real sweet spot with a community feeling at a Football League club in the capital. LOCATION: Leyton, a district in the eastern part of Greater London, on the Central Line less than 20 minutes out from the center CONTACT: leytonorient.com, 0208 926…
Gillingham
Poor Gillingham (it’s JILL-ing-um) is barely hanging on, but a day out there combines fourth-tier English football with seafaring English history. LOCATION: Gillingham, Kent, about an hour east from London’s St. Pancras Station CONTACT: gillinghamfootballclub.com, 01634 300000, #Gills NICKNAMES: Gills, pronounced “jills”
Fulham
Old-fashioned Fulham is trying to break the yo-yo cycle and stay in the big time; they have even rebuilt part of their quaint old ground in time for another return to the Premier League. LOCATION: In a posh corner of South West London on the banks of the Thames CONTACT: fulhamfc.com, 0843 208 1234, #FFC…
Dulwich Hamlet
Out in South London, next to a grocery store and behind a car wash, there is a sixth-tier football club that also lies at the complicated intersection of development, tradition, and gentrification. LOCATION: In East Dulwich, Southwark, London CONTACT: dulwichhamletfc.co.uk, 020 7501 9255, #DHFC NICKNAMES: The Hamlet
Crystal Palace
Not the biggest or one of the best, but one of the most fun clubs to visit, Palace also bring an old-fashioned and local feeling to the Premier League. LOCATION: The South London neighborhood of Selhurst, about 30 minutes by train from Victoria or London Bridge station CONTACT: cpfc.co.uk, 0208 768 6000, #CPFC NICKNAMES: The…
Crawley Town
Crawley Town is a chill, easy way to get some League Two action on the south side of London. LOCATION: Crawley, West Sussex, about an hour south of London Bridge station by train CONTACT: crawleytownfc.com, 01293 410000, #TownTeamTogether NICKNAMES: The Reds
Chelsea
Chelsea are one of the giants of the league, with a roster full of international stars, in a surprisingly small stadium tucked into a very cool London neighborhood. But their run at the top is on pause -- at least. LOCATION: Just west of London’s center and on several transport lines CONTACT: chelseafc.com, 0371 811…