Blog Archives
Swansea City
One of five 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
This club, 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 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 NICKNAMES: The Robins
Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers are a friendly little club in a goofy stadium in a very cool city. LOCATION: Bristol, just under two hours southwest of London’s Paddington station CONTACT: bristolrovers.co.uk, 0117 9096648, #BRFC NICKNAMES: You might think it’s Rovers, but that’s part of their actual name. No, they are The Gas because their old stadium was…
Southampton
A solid Premier League club until very recently, Southampton are also famous for developing—then selling—young players. They’re in a major port city that makes a nice day or overnight trip from London. LOCATION: On the South Coast, about 90 minutes south from London’s Waterloo station CONTACT: southamptonfc.com NICKNAMES: The Saints, because they were originally formed…
Portsmouth
Portsmouth and a game at Fratton Park are a trip back in time, inside and outside the football ground. The side can now finally also offer some improving football: Pompey are back in the Championship. LOCATION: On the south coast, about ninety minutes from London’s Waterloo station CONTACT: portsmouthfc.co.uk, 023 9273 1204, #Pompey NICKNAMES: Pompey,…
Brighton and Hove Albion
Brighton and Hove Albion is a club enjoying its eighth top-flight season in a row after not being there for more than three decades before. Last year they even played Europe for the first time ever! It’s one of the best short football trips outside London, as well: great town, lovely area, terrific new stadium.…
Bournemouth
This “little club that could” is back in the Premier League, and seeing a game in Bournemouth means visiting a posh and lovely seaside town for a game in a tiny stadium. Good luck getting tickets, though. LOCATION: In Dorset on the South Coast of England, about two hours from Waterloo station in London CONTACT:…
