Blog Archives
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…
Grimsby Town
Way out on the edge of the country, there’s a club who famously “only sing when we’re fishing.” LOCATION: Grimsby is two and a half hours by train east of Manchester and just over three hours from London. CONTACT: grimsby-townfc.co.uk, 14726 05050, #GTFC NICKNAMES: The Mariners, because Grimsby was home to the world’s largest fishing…
Carlisle United
Way up in the north, almost to Scotland, is an old club in an old ground in an old city that will take you back in time. Let's hope they survive their current troubles. LOCATION: Carlisle, Cumbria, is two hours north of Manchester by train. CONTACT: carlisleunited.co.uk, 0330 094 5930, #CUFC NICKNAMES: The Cumbrians or…
Wigan Athletic
For years a story of plucky overachievement topped off with a remarkable moment of success, Wigan have more or less returned to their old ways. LOCATION: Wigan is between Manchester and Liverpool, about 30 minutes from each by train. CONTACT: wiganathletic.com, 01942 774000, #WAFC NICKNAMES: The Latics or just the Tics. Apparently this is based…
Tranmere Rovers
If you’re in Liverpool for a game at one of those “other” clubs, do yourself a favor: take a ferry across the Mersey and go see a traditional game of football at Prenton Park. LOCATION: Tranmere is a neighborhood in Birkenhead, which in turn is in a place called The Wirral Peninsula. But Rovers are…
Preston North End
Almost the definition of a traditional, well-supported, and mostly second-tier club, Preston North End also has a lovely modern ground, a convenient location, and butter pies. LOCATION: Preston is about an hour by train north of either Manchester or Liverpool. CONTACT: pnefc.net, 0344 856 1964, #PNEFC NICKNAMES: The Lilywhites, after their shirts
