Blog Archives
Paris Saint-Germain
With their red, white, and blue uniforms, a big stadium in the capital city, and the Eiffel Tower in their crest, Paris Saint-Germain appear to the outside world to be the only team in France. That is, of course, not true, but they are currently and by far the biggest and most glamorous outfit in…
Hertha Berlin
Commonly referred to as Hertha BSC, and sometimes Hertha Berlin, or simply Hertha, they are one of two German Bundesliga clubs from Berlin. The club is known by the affectionate nickname Die Alte Dame (The Old Lady), and Hertha is also a reference to the fertility goddess. The club was originally named for a steam…
Borussia Dortmund
While it’s safe to call Dortmund “Germany’s second team,” after the almighty Bayern Munich, for many groundhoppers it’s a more appealing destination. That is because Dortmund plays in Europe’s second-largest club stadium, home of the 24,000-seat South Stand, known as the “Yellow Wall.” LOCATION: Dortmund, Westphalia, Germany CONTACT: BVB.de/eng, #BVB NICKNAMES: Die Borussen, Die Schwarzgelben…
Bayern Munich
Known as FC Bayern München around the world, most English-speakers know Die Bayern (The Bavarians), as Bayern Munich. They are the most successful club in German football history, having won a record 33 league titles, including the past 11 Bundesliga titles dating back to 2013. The largest club in Germany, and the sixth highest-earning football…
Barcelona
Barcelona is, of course, one of the biggest clubs in the history of football. They like to say they are mes que un club, or “more than a club,” but to us they are more like a club than most of the “clubs” we’ve been to. That is, while they aren’t by any means a…
Real Madrid
Real Madrid are the biggest and most successful football club in the world. Here is a brief history and some background information about Los Blancos and the Spanish city they call home. LOCATION: Madrid, Spain WEBSITE: realmadrid.com NICKNAMES: Real Madrid's nickname, Los Blancos (the Whites), is derived from the club's all-white home kit, which they…
Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid are, from the outside, the No. 3 team in Spain’s La Liga. Still, they are a big club with a rich history and new stadium in an amazing city. LOCATION: Madrid, Spain WEBSITE: atleticomadrid.com NICKNAMES: Colchoneros (Mattress Makers) - Its origin comes from the post-civil war era. Back then mattresses were covered with…
Rochdale
Rochdale is a quintessential small community club, and one that has never seen the second tier in its 100-plus year history. LOCATION: Rochdale is in Greater Manchester, about 45 minutes out from the center on the city’s MetroLink tram. CONTACT: rochdaleafc.co.uk, 01706 644648, #RAFC NICKNAMES: The Dale
Morecambe
A club recently in the Football League, from a town known for its sandy beach, a rich shrimp dish, and being home to a very famous comedian of the same name. LOCATION: Morecambe, Lancashire, is on the coast just over an hour north from Liverpool or Manchester. CONTACT: morecambefc.com, 01524 411797, #UTS NICKNAMES: The Shrimps
Sunderland
“Sun’lun” was just hanging on in the Premier League for years before a dramatic fall a few years ago—but they are back, returning hope to an amazing group of supporters. LOCATION: Sunderland is about four hours by train from either London or Manchester. CONTACT: safc.com, 0371 911 1200, #SAFC NICKNAMES: The Black Cats, apparently because…
