Blog Archives
Stevenage
Stevenage is one of several clubs that perfectly fit the bill if you want to get just out of London for the day and see some proper small-club family football. LOCATION: Stevenage is a northern suburb of London. CONTACT: stevenagefc.com, 01438 223223, #StevenageFC NICKNAMES: The Boro
Reading
A fun day out from London or a good arrival-day trip from Heathrow, Reading is a pleasant town with an attractive downtown and a nice stadium. Shame about their club at the moment. LOCATION: Thirty minutes west by train from Paddington station in London or about 45 minutes by bus from Heathrow Airport CONTACT: readingfc.co.uk,…
Queens Park Rangers
For the London soccer tourist, a game at QPR is a great option: a nicer part of town than Millwall, not as posh as Fulham, and not as hard to get into as the big Premier League clubs. LOCATION: Shepherd’s Bush in West London CONTACT: qpr.co.uk, 020 8743 0262, #QPR NICKNAMES: QPR, the Rs, the…
Oxford United
In the City of Dreaming Spires lie beautiful buildings, famous colleges, amazing history, and a little football club 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
While they did just spend a remarkable season in the Premier League, Let’s just say that Luton—both town and club—isn’t cool and hasn’t gentrified. I think it’s great! LOCATION: Luton is thirty minutes north of London St. Pancras. CONTACT: lutontown.co.uk, 01582 411622, #COYH NICKNAMES: The Hatters, because in the 17th and 18th centuries the town…
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
