Blog Archives
Burton Albion
Burton is an impressive story and a very friendly club in the beer-making capital of England. LOCATION: Burton upon Trent, 30 miles northeast of Birmingham in the West Midlands CONTACT: burtonalbionfc.co.uk, 01283 565938, #BAFC NICKNAMES: The Brewers
Nottingham Forest
Yes, there is a club named Nottingham Forest, and it’s in a very cool city not too far from London. And boy, are they happy these days! They are back in the top tier for the first time in a long time. LOCATION: In the East Midlands, 90 train minutes from St. Pancras station in…
Aston Villa
Aston Villa is a big and historic club with an awesome stadium and giant fan base – and they're back in Europe! LOCATION: In Aston, which is part of the sprawling Birmingham area, just under two hours from Euston station in London CONTACT: avfc.co.uk, 0333 323 1874, #AVFC NICKNAMES: Villans or the Villa
West Bromwich Albion
One of several big ones in the Birmingham area, West Brom has been a yo-yo club bouncing up and down the divisions for years; their fans also bounce and sing “Boing Boing” when they score. LOCATION: West Bromwich (it’s BROM-itch), which to us foreigners seems like just another part of Greater Birmingham, in the West…
Birmingham City
A former yo-yo club that has stabilized in the Championship since 2011, Birmingham City is—to outsiders anyway—kind of the forgotten club of the four big ones around Birmingham. But it’s a fun and easy place to catch a game. LOCATION: In Birmingham, West Midlands, 90 minutes north from Euston station in London CONTACT: bcfc.com, 0121…
Swansea City
One of four Welsh teams in the English Football League, Swansea rose from near oblivion in 2003 to become the model of a scrappy little club hanging on in the big time. LOCATION: Swansea, South Wales, about three hours west of Paddington station in London CONTACT: swanseacity.com, 01792 616400, #Swans NICKNAMES: The Swans
Forest Green Rovers
Known mainly for their status as a green and vegan club—no, really—Rovers also offer a great way to combine small-town football with a visit to the heart of the Cotswolds. LOCATION: Nailsworth, a village in the Cotswolds about two transit hours west of London’s Paddington station CONTACT: forestgreenroversfc.com, 01453 834860, #FGRFC NICKNAMES: The Green Devils
Cheltenham Town
Kind of a “while you’re out there” way to add some football to a Cotswolds visit. LOCATION: Cheltenham is two hours west of London’s Paddington Station. CONTACT: ctfc.com, 01242 573558, #CTFC NICKNAMES: The Robins
Cardiff City
Cardiff City, in a beautiful and historic city, has one of the most passionate fan bases in the country and a truly insane rivalry that is on again for this season. LOCATION: Cardiff, South Wales, about two hours west of London’s Paddington station by train CONTACT: cardiffcityfc.co.uk, 0845 365 1115, #CardiffCity NICKNAMES: The Bluebirds
Bristol City
Seeing a game at Bristol City FC is like arriving at the intersection of small-town, community football and the modern age—all in a very cool town. LOCATION: Bristol, just under two hours southwest of London’s Paddington station CONTACT: bcfc.co.uk, 0117 963 0600, #BristolCity NICKNAMES: The Robins
