Blog Archives
Luton Town
While they recently spent 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 by train. CONTACT: lutontown.co.uk, 01582 411622, #COYH NICKNAMES: The Hatters, because in the 17th and 18th centuries the…
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 seem to have broken the yo-yo cycle and are staying in the big time; they have even rebuilt part of their quaint old ground. LOCATION: In a posh corner of South West London on the banks of the Thames CONTACT: fulhamfc.com, 0843 208 1234, #FFC NICKNAMES: The Cottagers (for their ground)
Dulwich Hamlet
Out in South London, next to a grocery store and behind a car wash, there is a seventh-tier football club that should be your introduction to a different world of football. 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. And now they even have a trophy! LOCATION: The South London neighborhood of Selhurst, about 30 minutes by train from Victoria or London Bridge station CONTACT:…
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. LOCATION: Just west of London’s center and on several transport lines CONTACT: chelseafc.com, 0371 811 1955, #CFC NICKNAMES: The Blues. Also the Pensioners because of a long…
Charlton Athletic
Almost a forgotten team in London, especially since they have been out of the Premier League since 2007, Charlton is an easily reached, family-friendly club that is now back up in the Championship. LOCATION: South East London, 15 minutes east of London Bridge station by train CONTACT: cafc.co.uk, 020 8333 4000, #CAFC NICKNAMES: The Addicks—and…
Cambridge United
Yes, it’s that Cambridge, with the chapels and halls and Nobel Prize winners. When you’re out for a visit, cross the “town and gown” divide for a game at this friendly little club. LOCATION: Cambridge, about an hour north of London’s King’s Cross station CONTACT: cambridge-united.co.uk, 01223 566 500, #CamUTD NICKNAMES: The U’s, which is…
