And I, for one, am fucking psyched about it. I know that there are those out there who have their issues with Bill Simmons, but I feel like he’s as observant, and certainly as funny, as sports fans come. And he’ll only be slightly newer to the EPL than me, so in a way, we’ll be doing this together. From his mailbag column last Friday…
Thanks to everyone who e-mailed suggestions for my new English Premier League soccer team that I haven’t picked yet. Out of any challenge that I’ve ever thrown out to the readers, I can’t remember getting a more passionate, entertaining and informative batch of e-mails. If anything, I’m even more dedicated to making the leap now. And this isn’t going to be a half-assed thing, either. I’ll be buying the merchandise, TiVo-ing the games, traveling to see a couple home games, throwing myself into the team … I’m going all out. Obviously I’m not a huge soccer fan, but I’m a huge sports fan and it’s becoming clearer and clearer that I missed the boat with the English Premier League and UEFA. Better late than never.
Couldn’t agree more… I still maintain my belief that more people could/would be soccer fans if they give it a legitimate chance (which involves more than watching one or two games), and I’m somewhat regretful that I didn’t do it sooner. But I’m glad that Simmons is hopping on the bandwagon.
And I’m sort of in the same boat as he is, on the favorite team issue. It’ll be interesting to see where he goes. I watched a season of EPL last year, and I still don’t have a favorite club. I don’t even know if that’s the sort of thing you can choose, or something you just have to wait and let happen on its own. I was kind of leaning towards Manchester City, because that’s where Claudio Reyna played, and because I like their uniforms.
But that’s the problem with the EPL… there are only a handful of teams who can win the thing, and if I started cheering for Manchester United or Chelsea, I’d feel like a front-running prick. Liverpool’s also right there, with Arsenal and Tottenham not far behind. But after that (and I’ll admit that I don’t have the greatest understanding of this yet, so feel free to correct me) I don’t think there are too many teams that can hope to finish in the Top 4. Newcastle has kind of a high profile, I think. But after that, no one else is a real threat to compete for a league title. It’s like there’s a handful of teams, and then the NFC North.
So I could root for Man City, but really, the best I can hope for is an upset or two of Man United, and perhaps a UEFA Cup qualification. So I don’t know what to do. It’s not like the NFL, where there’s hope that sometime in the near future, they could rise up and be good. And I’m not saying that I can’t ever root for a bad team, because I have plenty of experience with that, but… it would be nice if they at least had a chance to compete at some point in the reasonably near future.
So I dunno what to do. I think teams like Tottenham (another team I’m leaning towards), Liverpool, and Newcastle are still in play. I’m ruling out Manchester United and Chelsea, because they’re too powerful, and I kind of hate them anyway. Manchester City and Tottenham are my leaders in the clubhouse. And I think West Ham’s got an outside shot, because of the movie “Green Street Hooligans” (a very underrated film that I really loved, except for the first and last five minutes of it) and the “Forever Blowing Bubbles” song, which is awesome.
mazdak Says:
July 17th, 2006 at 5:37 pm
You cannot root for Man City, or any other team that wears blue as thier primary colour (everton, chelsea etc…). The blue symbolizes blue-blooded, i.e. rich aristocratic types. Red shirted teams represnt the working class (Liverpool, Arsenal, ManU).
Football teams are trenched with tradition an cheering for a team is more then just a sports (Just look at the history of Barcelona and Real Madrid)
I started following the EPL in 2002, at at first I wanted to cheer for Liverpool, but after 11 weeks into the season i became an Arsenal fan, due to their history, and this might sound dumb but the first three games i saw them play all thier players except the goalie were black. That drew me to them, an now i am a hugh Arsenal fan.
I don’t really no the point of saying all of this, hope it helps somehow.
Jimmy Says:
July 17th, 2006 at 6:35 pm
I’ve been following/playing soccer almost my entire life. And at 24, I still don’t have an EPL team I call my own.
My 21-year-old brother is a soccer nut — he plays every day and if he’s home, the TV is guaranteed to be on FSC. He’s a hardcore Liverpool fan, he was able to tour their stadium last fall when his college team trained over in England and Scotland.
I have trouble pulling for one team because I’ve never been over there to get a sniff of it firsthand. I’ve always liked the English national team, and my wife’s late grandmother is from England, but I’ve never been able to get attached to a club.
I would like to find a team to call my own, but I think it’s going to take me actually going over there and seeing a game in person, or drinking at a pub with one club’s fans.
Being from Minnesota, I’ve always cheered for all the pro teams from my state. It took a few years for me to let go of the Dallas Stars, but the Wild have helped ease that pain.
With the Premiership, I just enjoy the games no matter who plays.
Like the previous post, I don’t know if this helps at all, but don’t feel weird as a newcomer. I’ve been watching for years and still don’t have any loyalties.
Bouj Says:
July 17th, 2006 at 6:36 pm
Good points on choosing a team to support in a sport you are new to. I’ve been a soccer fan since the ‘94 Cup. I got on-board with AC Milan (I liked the colors and I was always a fan of the region and its historic past). As far as other countries, I follow but don’t have a rooting interest.
I am trying to get with a Spanish side now though. I have roughtly traced my ancestory to NE Spain, near Basque Country, so I may start following Osasuna or Bilbao.
In regards to England, Oasis’ Gallagher brothers are huge Man City supporters. You know, if that affects your choice in any way. Just throwing that out there too.
Fightclub3230 Says:
July 17th, 2006 at 6:51 pm
I’m doing the same thing, and I’ve decided to cheer for Tottenham Hotspur for three reasons: they have Paul Robinson (who, along with Rooney, were the only two guys on the English team who looked like they could play a sport in America), they are called the “Lilywhites,” and their club emblem is the Cock and Ball. Yes, I’m very immature.
DAN Says:
July 17th, 2006 at 6:51 pm
I was reading the London Times today and apparently the EPL is going to be even better this year due to scandals in the Italian Leagues. Their best teams (Juventis, AC Milan etc.) are being demoted to series B and all their best players want out. The EPL has the money to buy them so this season will see a huge influx of stars to the Premier Leagues. If people do not make the jump this year they are really missing out.
BoSox Siobhan Says:
July 17th, 2006 at 7:14 pm
MJD - I’m a fan of Liverpool, mostly because of what a shithole the actual town of Liverpool was when I went there years ago. Made our Rust Belt cities look positively brimming with opportunities. And I love Stephen Gerrard.
Just dropping in my 2 cents.
Fish Says:
July 17th, 2006 at 7:18 pm
I too recommend Tottenham, they are good enough to win against Chelsea, Arsenal, Man U but are not at that level where you would hate yourself for being a bandwagon jumper. Fulham is also a choice, Brian McBride is team MVP and really is a legitimate finisher. But, go with Tottenham and appease our new soccer overlord Klinsman.
brad Says:
July 17th, 2006 at 7:28 pm
You do not want to become a tottenham or Newcastle fan, as these teams are the epitome of mediocrity. They have never won, and will never win. You can pencil team in a mid-table every year. Just check this site (http://www.krysstal.com/football.html) for past results if you need the evidence. Football, unlike any other sport is highly predictable, and if it was not for Chelesea’s owner, the three historically winning teams (Arsenal,13 championships, ManU 15, and Liverpool 18) would have been the ones still wining now.
The league format makes, and the way players are aquired makes change. Over 38 games, the best teams will win, no chance of upsets. The rest of the league are so far behind that they are like the Expos, bring up talent then lose them to teams with more money.
However, even more money doesn’t gurantee victory, as Man City, Tottenham, Newcastle, Leeds, and others have spent a lot more then Arsenal over the last ten years, yet Arsenal have been the ones winning Champioships.
max power Says:
July 17th, 2006 at 7:47 pm
Ive got to toss Middlesbrough into the mix, for no other reason then thier emblem is pretty much the same as the soccer team I played for as a kid. plus Im a bullets fan, so mediocrity is second nature.
mrmom61 Says:
July 17th, 2006 at 9:33 pm
Im rooting for Liverpool just because of Samual L Jackson’s movie Formula 51.
sarah Says:
July 18th, 2006 at 12:40 am
Watch this video and tell me you don’t want to be an arsenal fan
http://youtube.com/watch?v=L2EvsW0zpHA&search=Sensational%20Player
Reverend Says:
July 18th, 2006 at 1:11 am
Read //Fever Pitch//.
The real one.
tony Says:
July 18th, 2006 at 1:22 am
I agree with the Reverend. If I had to randomly pick an EPL team to pull for, it’d likely be Arsenal just because of that book. Then I’d go out and punch Jimmy Fallon in the ol’ flesh balloon. Great book, though.
Oh, and Simmons is still a douchebag.
Antgrad Says:
July 18th, 2006 at 2:38 am
The comment about blue teams being blue-blooded and red working class is just bull. How much more working class can you get than Blackburn Rovers?
Which brings me to my point. Choose Blackburn. The ONLY team to have won the Premier League outside of the big three of Man U, Arsenal & Chelsea. The ONLY team to have won one of the three major English honours in 3 different centuries (1800s, 1900s & 2002s). Plus the current team don’t take prisoners having finished bottom of the fair play league the last two seasons yet still finished 6th last year and qualified for European competition. Also, we seem capable of beating those “big” teams. Last season we beat Man U at home and Old Trafford scoring SIX goals past them in the process. We also beat Arsenal & Chelsea at home. Another thing, we have a great kit and have always had it. Blue and White halves. Traditional. And lastly we need the fans. Being the team from the smallest town in the Premier League (Population 113,000) we need a bit more help punching with the big boys
Edward Says:
July 18th, 2006 at 2:50 am
What the fuck is this ‘EPL’ shit about? No one outside of the US calls it this, and it’s incredibly confusing. It’s the Premiership, or the Premier League. Please stop using made-up acronyms.
And the author of the blue vs red teams has it exactly opposite…the blue teams tend to have more local supporters (outside London, that is). B’ham City vs. Villa, Everton vs. L’pool, and DEF. Man City vs. The MU Rowdies of Manchester (mostly supported by Londoners and pennant chasers of all stripes.
(And it’s Steven Gerrard, by the by, not Stephen.)
Edward Says:
July 18th, 2006 at 2:54 am
By the way, if you want to keep up with UK football, read the Fiver from the Guardian. You can get it as an email, or read it on the site M-F. Although they do tease Yanks a fair amount, it’s funny and imformative most days.
http://football.guardian.co.uk/fiver/
the mighty mjd Says:
July 18th, 2006 at 3:37 am
The reason I can’t go for Arsenal is because it seems like every EPL (woops, sorry Edward) fan in America likes them. I know Henry is a stud, and I know they play an entertaining style… but I dunno, it seems like everyone’s on the Arsenal bandwagon. I can’t roll like that… and I prefer Ronaldinho to Henry anyway… his teeth have more character.
The red vs. blue jerseys thing is interesting, but… I’m not buying it, either. None of the players on any of these teams are members of the blue-collar working class group anymore, and any fan that wants to believe that they are, it’s just something they’re telling themselves. And if that was really the case, all MLS teams would wear blue. Dark blue.
I like what I’m hearing about Tottenham… having a cock and ball as a logo… well, that’s just something you can’t put a price on. And I read this book once, “How Soccer Explains the World,” and there was a chapter about how Tottenham was a club with Jewish roots, and some other team’s fans were taunting them with some cheeky chant about foreskin, and the Tottenham fans, in response, all pulled out their dongs.
And I really appreciate all the responses… it’s helpful. When Simmons said he got the most passionate, entertaining, and informative batch of e-mails he’s ever gotten when he posed a similar question, I have no doubt that that’s true… kinda like this post, but on a much grander scale. But at the same time, their best ever finish in the league came last year, and I don’t know if they’re capable of breaking through to the upper level with any consistency.
So I’m still pondering, and again, I really appreciate all the responses… thanks again.
Edward Says:
July 18th, 2006 at 4:13 am
Well, Spurs haven’t won much in the Premier League, but they used to win a lot…they dominated the 60s, and have won the Euro Cup and the Cup-winners Cup. Here’s what they’ve won…not a bad tally at all.
Football League First Division / Premier League
1950-51, 1960-61
Football League Second Division
1919-20, 1949-50
FA Cup
1900-01, 1920-21, 1960-61, 1961-62, 1966-67, 1980-81, 1981-82, 1990-91
League Cup
1970-1, 1972-3, 1998-99
FA Community Shield
1920-21, 1951-52, 1961-62, 1962-63, 1967-68, 1981-82, 1991-92
Southern League
1899-1900
Western League
1903-04
Football League South
1943-44, 1944-45
UEFA Cup
1971-72, 1983-84
UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup
1962-63
Had I it all to do over again, I’d have picked a team like Charlton…they finish in the middle, are great to the community, and upset enough teams to keep it interesting. But I was born into Chelsea, so it’s Chelsea till I die (although I get tired of having to justify it to everyone). While I loved winning the league the last two years, I miss the era of Zola et al, when nipping the Scousers to the post for the fourth Champion’s league spot was the best thing that ever happened (Chelsea weren’t crap before they became billionaires by the way…and teams like Arsenal and Man U don’t get their players in Christmas stockings either, as Mourinho has pointed out). Besides, to see players like Ballack, Sheva, Cech, Robben, Lamps, Terry, Gallas, J. Cole and everyone else play on the same side…that’s just good football. I’ll enjoy it while it lasts, because it won’t last forever.
CA1289 Says:
July 18th, 2006 at 4:39 am
Why even bother debating this. Chelsea is going to win the EPL. They already had the most talent last year. Now they add Andriy, Ballack, Mikel and Kalou. They are an unstoppable force. They are -250 to win the EPL. Everyone else is playing for second.
MLS Says:
July 18th, 2006 at 9:50 am
You should try and support a team with an American, if you have to support an EPL Team (don’t forget you have a very good league here in the states that really needs more support).
So you’d be limited to pretty much:
Watford, Reading(x2), Everton, Fulham (x2), Manchester City, Blackburn.
Visit www.yanks-abroad.com for more info on American’s playing in England (anywhere outside the US really).
Andrew Says:
July 18th, 2006 at 11:35 am
I just wanted to throw in my two cents about the Premiership, mainly regarding Chelsea.
First of all, Edward is dead on about this “EPL” thing. I’ve been a devoted Premiership fan for a few years, and the first time I saw that pop up in a blog the other day, I actually had to look it up. Maybe it’ll catch on, just cause it’s shorter to type, but it’s still really weird.
Anyway, I’m a Chelsea fan because when I studied abroad in London for a Semester my Junior year, we were housed in Chelsea. Is Chelsea popular now? Yes. Are Chelsea considered evil, like the Yankees? No. Why not? Because while Chelsea has an incredible history with a few great players and whatnot… they have three championships. When people talk about the Big 3 in England… it doesn’t include Chelsea… it’s Arsenal, Man U, and Liverpool.
For MJD, I’m not saying you should cheer for Chelsea. But I just want to clear up that if you did, it wouldn’t be like aligning yourself with the Yankees - a team with bushels of purchased championships and incredible history that divides the country. Before 2005, the last (and only) time CFC won the league was 1955, with the only recent consolation being their 90s-00s surge in the FA Cup and UEFA Cup. Instead, you would just look like someone hopping on the bandwagon, like most of Chelsea’s fans now. Chelsea is a weird neighborhood… it used to house the Rolling Stones and was the birthplace of the Clash. Now it houses Hugh Grant and Kylie Minogue.
Anyways, I’m a fan by default - I lived there. And I love them, and their songs. Which is my last point - if you want a trivial way to pick out a team, check out some of their chants/songs/cheers, etc. Many are quite hilarious, you could try to pick your favorite.
Ray Says:
July 18th, 2006 at 12:09 pm
You can’t just be a fan of the Premiership, unless you choose 1 of the 6-8 top teams that almost never get relegated, you have to think about that. I don’t know the exact number but about 10-12 teams in the premiership have been promoted in the last 5 years, and there are quite alot of yo-yo clubs that seem to go up and down regularly (my club Sunderland being one of them). So you pick a club and stick with them wherever they go.
There’s alot of clubs with a history of success in the past that are in the lower divisions just trying to get back up, like Forest, Leeds, and (hopefully) Sunderland.
Anyways, English football is fun to watch regardless of the level. You just don’t get to see much of the lower divisions.
FTM
Ray
nirwin Says:
July 18th, 2006 at 1:02 pm
A very good league here in the states, my ass. Whatever you do, don’t listen to these MLS bozos. The MLS flat-out sucks, and its unwillingness to admit that it sucks and try to improve the product is dragging U.S. Soccer down. If our next coach adopts this “fuck MLS” attitude, we will be much, much better off. We should start playing in Copa America and start encouraging our players to play overseas. If we do this we would be much better off.
As far as EPL teams go, I’ve only been watching for a few years, but I don’t have a team yet, either. The problem with Manchester City and Fulham is that they both suck. I guess the closest I’ve come is Blackburn, who actually is pretty good. Maybe Reading will be entertaining and stay up in the EPL for a few years.
Biff Says:
July 18th, 2006 at 1:21 pm
Personally, in a situation like this, I think it necessary to make a decision in a completely arbitrary fashion. (i.e. rooting for Portugal during the World Cup because my good friend is something like 1/16 Portugese) Hence the decision to root for Tottenham, for all the sophmoric reasons listed above.
brad Says:
July 18th, 2006 at 1:55 pm
“None of the players on any of these teams are members of the blue-collar working class group anymore”
I just want to commnet on this, as it is true for almost all teams, excpet I would argue for Athletic Bilbao which is the thrid most succesfull team in Spanish league history, and who have never been relegated.
They only sign players od Basque decent, unless you were born in the Basque region of Spain you cannot paly for them. This would be similar say the Utah Jazz only signing people form Utah for thier team.
This fact makes this team to me more a cultural institution then a business.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletic_Bilbao
Chunky Says:
July 18th, 2006 at 2:18 pm
Liverpool is the way to go …Stevie Gerrard is god.
And it’s “The Prem”
jeff Says:
July 18th, 2006 at 5:03 pm
Forget the premiership, just watch the following video, and it will make you want to follow the South African league
http://youtube.com/watch?v=JKdRJhDCGfk&search=south%20africa%20football
Moonshine Mike Says:
July 18th, 2006 at 5:42 pm
My friend patrick is a huuuge Arsenal fan - has been for years. I tend to root against them for the sheer pleasure of needling him, but they do play quite well. And he loves his Henry, yes he does.
But I like watching Gerrard with the ball. If I can say that in a hetrosexual tone of voice.
twoeightnine Says:
July 19th, 2006 at 4:34 pm
blame “EPL” on DirecTV. That’s how they advertise their Premiership package.
Z. Ryan Jackson Says:
July 19th, 2006 at 4:51 pm
Not to mention that the Scottish Premier League has the abbreviation “SPL” right in their logo, so it’s kind of a natural progression for some.
TZ Says:
July 19th, 2006 at 5:33 pm
The one issue I have with following English soccer is how hard it seems to be to keep up via the web, which is almost my only method without FoxSoccerChannel and DirecTV. The Fiver looks good. Any other suggestions for Yank-friendly Premier League commentary on the web, hopefully in a blog/community type format? Specifically, I like Fulham based solely on my Portugese allegiance to Boa Morte, my continuing like for Brian McBride’s game, and my approval of the sleek unis.
Edward Says:
July 20th, 2006 at 2:17 am
SPL I have no problem with, but the major leagues of Europe generally just go by one short name…La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and the Premiership. EPL sounds very, very odd, and has never been used by anyone in Britain. It sounds as odd to me as someone referring to the all-star game as being played between the “United States American League” and the “United States National League”.
DS Says:
July 20th, 2006 at 11:40 am
Chelsea as innocent defenders of the flame of English football against the Big Bad Three?
What a joke. Chelsea’s dominance of the Premiership has everything to do with their Russian mobster sugar daddy and ill-gotten financial dominance. They are not only the Yankees of English football at this stage, but they’re actually worse because even the Yankees can’t just go to Tampa, hand the owner a $50M check, and come back with Scott Kazmir.
Mark Says:
July 20th, 2006 at 3:01 pm
In case anyone is interested, Bill Simmons picked the Tottenham Hotspurs as his Premiership team. Interestingly, I had started my own quest for a team to follow when I ran across your blog, MJD. I’ve currently narrowed my teams to: Liverpool, Blackburn, Newcastle, and Tottenham. I’m leaning towards Liverpool. Are you going to publish your team of choice when your decision is made?
the mighty mjd Says:
July 20th, 2006 at 3:10 pm
I kinda had it narrowed down to two, and Tottenham Hotspur was one of them. I’m not sure if Simmons picking Spurs should influence me in their direction, or away from them. But yeah, I’m close to a decision, and I will, of course, let you know…
tony Says:
July 20th, 2006 at 4:04 pm
Pick the other one. Not just because Simmons is an annoying twat, but because it will be even better for you to kick him in the balls when Tottenham loses to your “Random Team X”.
THIS is how rivalries are born. Embrace it.
(Or, uh, something like that…)
andrew Says:
July 20th, 2006 at 4:07 pm
Since Simmons picked Tottenham, who have to pick Arsenal now. This will give you ample opputunities to make fun of him, and loard it over him. Plus the arguments over controvesies will make your allegiance to your team even higher.
Fish Says:
July 20th, 2006 at 5:27 pm
I definitely do not feel good about simmons picking my team. If I see a ton of retards with Tottenham jerseys and red sox hats, I will vomit.
Antgrad Says:
July 21st, 2006 at 8:25 pm
I wouldn’t worry about it, Fish, they’ll be jumping off the bandwagon as soon as they got on it when the “mighty” Spurs plod along to their annual mid-table finish.