History UsefulNotes / BritishFootyTeams

* Representing Dundee in the Scottish Premiership (known as the Scottish Premier League, or SPL, before 2013–14) is '''Dundee United''', known as The Arabs. Founded as Dundee Hibernian in 1909, they make up the other half of the "New Firm". United reached the European Cup semi-finals in 1984 and the final of the 1986/87 UEFA Cup. They have won the League only once (1982/83) and have won both Cups on two occasions each. Playing in tangarine, their stadium (Tannadice Park) is just down the road from that of their city rivals, Dundee FC.
* '''Heart of Midlothian''' (universally known as Hearts) are one of Edinburgh's two major teams, they play in maroon red and rhyming slang makes them the "Jam Tarts" or just "Jambos". Named after the 19th century dance hall where it was founded (a hall which itself took its name from a nearby jail) Hearts are among the most successful non-Glaswegian sides in Scotland with 7 Scottish Cups, 4 League Cups and 4 League titles (the last of which came way back in 1960, but they came famously close in 1986 before losing it to Celtic on the last day). Playing out of Tynecastle Stadium in the Gorgie area of the city, the club are presently owned by [[CloudCuckooLander eccentric]] Lithuanian businessman Vladimir Romanov. Fierce rivals with...
* '''Hibernian'''. Wearing green and nnown simply as Hibs (or the Hibees), Hibernian's home at Easter Road is based in the Leith region of Edinburgh. Won their fourth (and so far last) Title in 1952, they have also won the League Cup three times and the Scottish Cup twice (most recently in 1902, and the 112-year wait is a source of mocking for Hearts fans). Sharing Celtic's Irish roots (but predating the Glaswegian side) Hibs were a Catholics-only club in the early years but have long since moved away from their sectarian/political roots.

* '''St Johnstone''' - one of several clubs known as The Saints - were formed in 1884 and call McDiarmid Park their home. They hail from Perth and wear light blue, but have no major honours to their name.
* The side most recently promoted back to the Premiership is '''Partick Thistle''', one of the Glasgow clubs outside the Old Firm. Founded in 1876, they have played at Firhill Stadium in Maryhill since 1909, but retain their "Partick" name. ''The Jags'' wear yellow and red stripes and have won the Scottish Cup once.

** The only non-English side to have won the FA Cup (in 1927) and got to the 2008 final, where they were beaten by Portsmouth. Won the Championship title in 2013, earning them a spot in the Premiership for 2013–14.

** Formerly [[TropeCoTropeOfTheWeek Total Network Solutions]], one of the leading clubs in the Welsh Premier League, famous for [[SoccerSaturday Jeff Stelling's]] RunningGag about dancing on the streets of Total Network Solutions whenever they win. (Stelling still continues with the gag, using The New Saints instead.) They actually play their home games in England—they absorbed Oswestry Town, a nearby English club that played in the Welsh leagues, when the latter club folded, and chose to play at Oswestry's larger home ground.

* Formed in 1872, '''Rangers Football Club''' are the older of the two, wear blue and play out of Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow's southside. The most successful side in Scottish football, Rangers have won a record 54 league championships (including nine straight championships from 1989 and 1997), 27 League Cups (they presently hold both) and 33 Scottish Cups. They also acheived European success in the form of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1972, and finished runner up in the 2008 UEFA Cup. The 'Gers once had an informal "no Catholics" signing policy, but this was abolished in the 1980s to kick start the nation-wide anti-Sectarianism campaign. Rangers went into liquidation (bankruptcy) in 2012. The assets were purchased by a Newco, which was refused entry into the SPL. As a result, Rangers have been relegated to the Third Division (now known as Scottish League Two). The team are now in Scottish League One (the former Second Division) in the 2013-14 season.

* '''Heart Of Midlothian''' (universally known as Hearts) are one of Edinburgh's two major teams, they play in maroon red and rhyming slang makes them the "Jam Tarts" or just "Jambos". Named after the 19th century dance hall where it was founded (a hall which itself took its name from a nearby jail) Hearts are among the most successful non-Glaswegian sides in Scotland with 7 Scottish Cups, 4 League Cups and 4 League titles (the last of which came way back in 1960, but they came famously close in 1986 before losing it to Celtic on the last day). Playing out of Tynecastle Stadium in the Gorgie area of the city, the club are presently owned by [[CloudCuckooLander eccentric]] Lithuanian businessman Vladimir Romanov. Fierce rivals with...
* '''Hibernian'''. Wearing green and nnown simply as Hibs (or the Hibees), Hibernian's home at Easter Road is based in the Leith region of Edinburgh. Won their fourth (and so far last) Title in 1952, they have also won the League Cup three times and the Scottish Cup twice (most recently in 1902, and the 109 year wait is a source of mocking for Hearts fans). Sharing Celtic's Irish roots (but predating the Glaswegian side) Hibs were a Catholics-only club in the early years but have long since moved away from their sectarian/political roots.

* '''Queen's Park''' are a League Two (third division) side based in Glasgow. They are notable for a number of reasons: firstly, they play out of 52,000 seater stadium Hampden Park (Scotland's national stadium) and are the oldest club in Scotland (founded in 1867). They are also the only amateur side left in the senior Scottish game, a long-standing tradition dating back to their opposition to professionalisation in the late 19th century (their motto is "''Ludere Causa Ludendi''" – to play for the sake of playing). They are the only Scottish club to play in the FA Cup Final (in 1884 and 1885), own the oldest football-related structure in existance (Lesser Hampden), won the first televised game involving a Scottish side in 1951 and are the third most succesful side in the Scottish Cup, winning the trophy ten times - although the last was in 1893!
* '''Airdrie United''' is a story worth discussing. The first Airdrie - called Airdrieonians - were founded in 1878 and were a fixture of the Scottish Leagues for decades. However in the late nineties/early 21st century the club faced financial trouble and was ultimatley liquidated in 2002. Fans of the club rallied around a newly formed successor, Airdrie United, but United failed in their application to join the League (their place was given to Gretna). In desperation, Airdrie United owner Jim Ballantyne bought out the crumbling League side Clydebank FC, moved them to Airdrie and renamed them Airdrie United, thus bringing Airdrie back to the League. Airdrie United is considered a continuation of Airdrieonians, while Clydebank supporters reformed their club (now in the Junior leagues) in 2003/04 season.

*** The 2013/14 season of the Premier League is the first time since 1987 that Manchester United won't have Ferguson at the helm. His replacement is Everton manager David Moyes, who was actually [[MeetTheNewBoss Ferguson's handpicked successor]].

-->Good old Arsenal! We're proud to say that name! While we sing this song we'll win the game!

->''Good old Arsenal! We're proud to say that name! While we sing this song we'll win the game!''

* AKA "The Gunners". Play in red and white. Based in North London at the Emirates Stadium, replacing their historic home of Highbury. Was British-owned until late in 2010 when American Stan Kroenke launched a takeover of the club. Have not won the Premiership since 2004 and since them have come 4th three times and 3rd twice. However last time they won it they went unbeaten.

->''"Good old Arsenal! We're proud to say that name! While we sing this song we'll win the game!"''

** AKA "The Gunners". Play in red and white. Based in North London at the Emirates Stadium, replacing their historic home of Highbury. Was British-owned until late in 2010 when American Stan Kroenke launched a takeover of the club. Have not won the Premiership since 2004 and since them have come 4th three times and 3rd twice. However last time they won it they went unbeaten.

->''"Good old Arsenal! We're proud to say that name! While we sing this song we'll win the game!"

->''"Good old Arsenal! We're proud to say that name! While we sing thsi song we'll win the game!",\\

** AKA "Man Utd", "The Red Devils" or just plain "United". Based at Old Trafford (ironically located in Salford), the biggest club ground in the land. England's most successful club, with major honours including 13 Premiership titles (20 league victories overall), 11 FA Cups and 3 Champions' League titles.

** Has a long standing rivalry with City - the fact that it is located at Salford (well outside Manchester, but within the Greater Manchester Area) makes most Mancunians who are not fans treat United as a bastard team to the area, though Mancunian United fans will bite back. That said, much like the Liverpool[=/=]Everton rivalry mentioned above, there are times where the fans will unite, such as the anniversary of the Munich plane crash in 1958 which killed several members of the United squad & left several others seriously injured.

** Well known for the Tartan Army, among the better behaved and better liked supporters of a national team

** Play all in red. Managed to make the World Cup quarter-final in 1958, but Wales is really rugby territory and the team has never enjoyed much success since. John Charles played well for them in the 1960s, and Ryan Giggs of Manchester United is their most famous recent player.
*** Gareth Bale is an up-and-coming star for Wales, coming into his own at the same time Giggs is nearing the end of his career.

** Could be considered TheArtifact of the Premier League. Everton and Aston Villa were founding members of the Football League, and neither have been relegated from the Premier League in its' current iteration. However, while Everton consistently challenge for European football, Villa are lower mid-table and battling relegation.

** A West London club nicknamed "The Blues" or rarely [[TheArtifact "The Pensioners"]] (the Royal House in Chelsea serves as a retirement home to veteran soldiers), they're owned by a Russian oligarch and accordingly have done rather well by buying up the best players. Play in all blue with white socks, they play their home games in Stamford Bridge, in nearby Fulham. Despite being bought by an Oligarch, Chelsea had a reputation of being somewhat underachieving, though not to the degree of Arsenal. This finally broke for them when they won the Champions League in 2012.

** They were the first London side to win the UEFA Champion's League (2012), beating Barcelona [[BestServedCold in the semi-finals]] and winning a penalty shoot-out against Bayern Munich[[note]]bucking the "trend" of the English succumbing to the Germans in penalties[[/note]].
** Roman Abramovich has [[ArbitrarilyLargeBankAccount drowned the club with investment]] over recent years. Which has led to Chelsea paying [[RichInDollarsPoorInSense absurdly high sums of money for players who really aren't worth that much]].

** Previously thought of as the team that would break the "Big 4" thanks to strong league and cup runs in the middle 00s (culminating in Champion's League qualification in 2005), but have since dropped to mid-table, with financial hardship preventing major squad investment. Still widely considered a 'dark horse' side and one likely to cause upsetting score lines for the big teams.
** Part of one of (arguably) the most famous rivalries in Football, with the neighboring Liverpool FC. This has ranged everywhere from friendly competition to seemingly utter hatred over the hundred plus years of the clubs existence. Currently seems to be the latter as of 2012.

** AKA "The Anfield Reds" or just "The Reds"[[note]] Anfield is their home ground, which is formerly occupied by crosstown rivals Everton. Anfield is only added to the name to distinguish the team from the other red team at Manchester[[/note]] is the other Merseyside club. Won everything in sight in the 1970s and 80s, and have 18 league victories. They have the most Champions' Leagues in England (5). Fans famously sing "You'll Never Walk Alone", a song originally from the musical ''Carousel''. Well known outside of football for the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillsborough_Disaster Hillsborough Disaster]], where 96 fans were crushed to death prior to an FA Cup semi-final. Their rivalry with Manchester United is so intense it's pretty much hatred.

** However, in 2008 an Abu-Dhabi based investment group took over the club, bringing in massive amounts of finance. In turn this brought several experienced international stars to the club, making City serious trophy contenders. Following their 2011 FA Cup victory they beat Manchester United to the 2011-12 Premier League. Thus, they are now considered part of the "Big 4," usually at Arsenal's expense.

*** The recent influx of absurdly lucrative sponsorship deals has helped to calm the protests - United fans still dislike the Glazer's ownership of the club, but will accept that they seem to be running the commercial side well (and perhaps more importantly, leaving the football side well alone).
** To give you an idea of their success, they have more Premier League titles than all of the other winners ''put together''. A lot of this is down to their manager, who had been at the job for [[LongRunner over a quarter of a century]]. The fact that he's called ''Sir'' Alex Ferguson indicates something.
*** The 2013/14 season of the Premier League will be the first time since 1987 that Manchester United won't have Ferguson at the helm. His replacement is Everton manager David Moyes, who was actually [[MeetTheNewBoss Ferguson's handpicked successor]].

** Spurs are notorious for their Chairman, Daniel Levy, being one of the toughest negotiators in football. His ruthlessness has seen Tottenham Hotspur pick up some classy bargains (Van Der Vaart for £8million), recoup losses on expensive flops (Darrent Bent sold for the exact amount he was bought for) and sell players for some obscene amounts. (Gareth Bale being sold for a World Record Transfer fee of £85million).

*** They subsequently placed in the Top 4 following the 2010/11 season but due to the unprecedented achievement of Chelsea in coming 6th but managing to win the Champion's League, Tottenham failed to qualify. Which made them the first team in Football to place within the Champion's League Qualification places but fail to qualify due to a lower-placed side winning the Tournament.

*** In recent years, however, the traditional "violent Milwall fan" image has begun to become a bit stale, as violence has largely decreased. Frustration at media demonization has led to the latest chant heard at the Den: [[ZeroApprovalGambit "No one likes us, we don't care!"]]

** AKA "The Magpies" for their black-and-white striped kit. [[EveryYearTheyFizzleOut Perennial underachievers - always looking good on paper but never ''quite'' translating it to success on the pitch.]] Vocal and passionate support in sufficient numbers (their fans are known as "The Toon Army") to still describe themselves as a "big club", but haven't won the League since 1927 or the Cup since 1955. To be more precise despite a long period of not winning anything, they still maintain the third biggest club stadium in the UK or to put in an American equivalent a stadium slightly bigger then the New York Yankee's! Which is consistently packed out every season, Put simply, in Newcastle you can't be considered a true Geordie unless you support the team. The club is owned by a London businessman who does not turn up to St. James' Park on the reasonable grounds that the fans hate him. Playing wise, they are considered a dark horse team and incredibly strong at home. In the 08/09 season their manager, quit seemingly over transfer policy. Despite a valiant effort by former player Alan Shearer who managed them for the last eight games of the season, they were relegated on the last day. Under new management (although not new owners), they are now back in the top flight.

** Enjoyed a few years of success at the end of the 1970s to early 1980s, winning the English League and the European Cup (as the Champions' League was called then) under the inspirational leadership of Brian Clough. Relegated in the late 1990s, and have since yo-yoed between the second and third tiers. Notable for being the only club to have won the European Cup more often than their own national league, and also for being the only European Cup winner to have been relegated to their country's third tier.

** The stadium at which Notts play their home games, Meadow Lane, is the shortest distance in the English League (though not in the UK) from another stadium, the other being The City Ground, home of [[TheRival Nottingham Forest.]]

** Most recently the club shocked the football world by hiring former England Manager Sven Goren Eriksson as Director of Football as well as signing England defender Sol Campbell having seemingly been [[ItSeemedLikeaGoodIdeaattheTime taken over by a group of wealthy investors from the Middle East]]; [[BasedOnAGreatBigLie however, this turned out to be a fraud on a large scale and the club was sold to current owner Ray Trew for a nominal fee in late 2009. Police fraud investigations continue into these affairs.]] However,[[BigDamnHeroes Trew]] has thankfully since been able to bring spiralling debt under control, avoid administration, attain promotion and relative stability, as well as some notable cup runs.

*** Unfortunately for Portsmouth, they entered relegation yet again and are now fan-owned, but struggling in League Two (the fourth teir).

** Stoke City were one of the 12 founder members of teh Football League. The Premier League's current mid-table 'unfashionable' physical side. Suffered {{Flanderization}} in the media, as the club's defining characteristic is the long throw-in of Rory Delap. Stoke reached the FA Cup Final in the 2010/11 season, losing 1-0 in the final to Manchester City. Wear red and white stripes.

** Reasonably successful club which has had its fair share of ups and downs, but has never won anything significant. For a time during the 80’s Watford rose to the top of English football thanks to [[EltonJohn Elton John’s]] investment in the club and Graham Taylor’s [[MundaneSolution simple, yet effective long ball strategy]]. Lost to Everton in the 1984 FA Cup final. The club is notable for being [[TheOnlyOne the only big team in Hertfordshire]], they even changed their crest to the county symbol, [[AnimalMotifs a hart]], to acknowledge this fact.
*** Recently, they have been slowly climbing to the top after having been [[SellOut bought by rich Italian’s]], who successfully bussed in foreign players from the two other clubs they owned, turning Watford into a winning team.

** "West Brom" or "The Baggies" are currently a lower-table Premiership side. A former great, they last won a major trophy (the FA Cup for the fifth time) in 1968 and then spent 1986 to 2002 out of the top flight. Were one of the twelve founding members of the football league (along with several other Midlands clubs, including arch-rivals Wolves) but have only won the league once, in 1920. Recently have had a tendency to shift regularly between the divisions - of their last nine seasons seven have resulted in promotion or relegation, the other two being a defeat the play-off final and a survival so improbable to be dubbed "The Great Escape". They play in navy and white stripes, although unusually have no shirt sponsor. Statistically have the most intelligent fans... [[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1984648.stm no, seriously]]. Among said fans, we happen to have Music/EricClapton.

** Their vice president is Robert Plant. Yes, [[LedZeppelin that Robert Plant]].

Scottish Football is dominated by two teams from Glasgow - Rangers and Celtic, the "Old Firm". Since the formation of the Scottish League in 1890, there have only been 18 instances where a side outside of these two have won the Title, the last of which was in 1985. The history between the clubs [[ArchEnemy goes far beyond the usual sporting rivalry]], encompassing religious and socio-economic issues that predate the existance of either side. The "Old Firm" rivalry is often associated with UsefulNotes/TheTroubles; Rangers are often seen as the team of Protestant Unionists in Scotland and Northern Ireland while Celtic as the club of Catholics and Republicans.

* Formed in 1872, '''Rangers Football Club''' are the older of the two, wear blue and play out of Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow's southside. The most successful side in Scottish football, Rangers have won a record 54 league championships (including nine straight championships from 1989 and 1997), 27 League Cups (they presently hold both) and 33 Scottish Cups. They also acheived European success in the form of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1972, and finished runner up in the 2008 UEFA Cup. The 'Gers once had an informal "no Catholics" signing policy, but this was abolished in the 1980s to kick start the nation-wide anti-Sectarianism campaign. Rangers went into liquidation (bankruptcy) in 2012. The assets were purchased by a Newco, which was refused entry into the SPL. As a result, Rangers have been relegated to the Third Division. The team will be promoted to the Second Division in the 2013-14 season.

* Representing Dundee in the SPL is '''Dundee United''', known as The Arabs. Founded as Dundee Hibernian in 1909, they make up the other half of the "New Firm". United reached the European Cup semi-finals in 1984 and the final of the 1986/87 UEFA Cup. They have won the League only once (1982/83) and have won both Cups on two occasions each. Playing in tangarine, their stadium (Tannadice Park) is just down the road from that of their city rivals, Dundee FC.

* '''Hibernian'''. Wearing green and nnown simply as Hibs (or the Hibees), Hibernian's home at Easter Road is based in the Leith region of Edinburgh. Won their fourth (and so far last) Title in 1952, they have also won the League Cup three times and the Scottish Cup twice (most recently in 1902, and the 109 year wait is a source of mocking for Hearts fans). Sharing Celtic's Irish roots (but predating the Glaswegian side) Hibs were a Catholics-only club in the early years but have long since moved away from their political roots.
* '''Kilmarnock''' are the oldest club side playing in the SPL, formed in 1869. "Killie" however have only won a single top-flight title (in 1964-65 season) and three Scottish Cups (the last of which came in 1997). The Ayrshire side play at Rugby Park, wear blue and white stripes and are famous for the quality of their matchday pies.

* The youngest side in the SPL is Highlands club '''Inverness Caledonian Thistle''' (known as Caley Thistle or ICT). Founded in 1994, the club joined the SFL and soon gained a reputation as giant killers after a shocking upset victory in a Cup match at Celtic Park in 1999. Their home ground, the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, is situated beside the Moray Firth and they wear royal blue and red.

* The side most recently promoted back to the SPL is '''Dunfermline Athletic''', from Fife. Founded in 1885 and at playing out of East End Park, ''The Pars'' wear black and white and have won the Scottish Cup twice.

* '''Queen's Park''' are a third division side based in Glasgow. They are notable for a number of reasons: firstly, they play out of 52,000 seater stadium Hampden Park (Scotland's national stadium) and are the oldest club in Scotland (founded in 1867). They are also the only amateur side left in the senior Scottish game, a long-standing tradition dating back to their opposition to professionalisation in the late 19th century (their motto is "''Ludere Causa Ludendi''" – to play for the sake of playing). They are the only Scottish club to play in the FA Cup Final (in 1884 and 1885), own the oldest football-related structure in existance (Lesser Hampden), won the first televised game involving a Scottish side in 1951 and are the third most succesful side in the Scottish Cup, winning the trophy ten times - although the last was in 1893!

* '''Gretna FC''' began life in 1946 as a Scottish Junior League side before decided to play across the border in the early 1980s. The club found some success in the lower regions of the English pyramid and became the first Scottish side to play in the FA Cup since Rangers had appeard in 1887. When Airdrieonians collapsed in 2002 Gretna applied to join the Scottish League and were successful. Under the ownership of grass-roots football advocate Brooks Mileson, Gretna raced up the Leagues with three successive promotions from 2005 to 2007 that took them to the Premier League. They were the first third tier team to reach the Scottish Cup final - where they lost on penalties to Hearts in 2006 - but as Hearts had qualified for the following seasons Champions League, Gretna won a spot in the UEFA Cup. However the club was in debts of £4m in 2008, and while it was struggling in the SPL Mileson fell ill (and later passed away), later removing his financial support and plunging the club into administration. Players and staff were made reduntant, only 400 people turned up to see them be relegated. The club resigned from the League and was dissolved later that summer.

** The only non-English side to have won the FA Cup (in 1927) and got to the 2008 final, where they were beaten by Portsmouth. Won the Championship title in 2013, earning them a spor in the Premiership for 2013–14.

** Formerly [[TropeCoTropeOfTheWeek Total Network Solutions]], one of the leading clubs in the Welsh Premier League, famous for [[SoccerSaturday Jeff Stelling's]] RunningGag about dancing on the streets of Total Network Solutions whenever they win. They actually play their home games in England—they absorbed Oswestry Town, a nearby English club that played in the Welsh leagues, when the latter club folded, and chose to play at Oswestry's larger home ground.

** Notable for either getting tremendous value for players (Rafeal van der Vaart bought for £8 million, Robbie Keane sold for £24 million) or for getting ripped off (Darren Bent bought for £16.5 million, Robbie Keane bought BACK for £20 million).
*** Robbie Keane was actually bought back for more like £10 million. Darren Bent stood as Tottenham's record transfer until they purchased Paulinho for £17.1 million before the 2013/14 season. Bent was also sold for in total the same price he was bought for. David Bentley is the big transfer blunder of recent years.

** Notable for either getting tremendous value for players (Rafeal van der Vaart bought for £8 million, Robbie Keane sold for £24 million) or for getting ripped off (Darren Bent bought for £16 million, Robbie Keane bought BACK for £20 million).
*** Robbie Keane was actually bought back for more like £10 million. Darren bent still stands at the record transfer for Tottenham. Bent was also sold for in total the same price he was bought for. David Bentley is the big transfer blunder of recent years.

** Reasonably successful club which has had its fair share of ups and downs, but has never won anything significant. For a time during the 80’s Watford rose to the top of English football thanks to [[EltonJohn Elton John’s]] investment in the club and Graham Taylor’s [[MundaneSolution simple, yet effective long ball strategy]]. Lost to Everton in the 1984 FA Cup final. The club is notable for being [[TheOnlyOne the only big team in Hertfordshire]], they even changed their crest to the county symbol, a hart, to acknowledge this fact.

*** ('''A''' '''F'''ans' '''C'''lub) Feeling alienated by all of the above, a group of Wimbledon fans founded their own team, starting in the amateur London leagues. The club has rapidly promoted through the regional leagues and has gained entry to the League in 2011, only nine years after the club has been founded. Although the club does not ''officially'' claim to be a continuation of the old Wimbledon FC, it is regarded by its own fans and most neutrals as at least a SpiritualSuccessor. Crowd turnout at their home games tends to be significantly higher than both home crowd turnout for other clubs in their division ''and'' MK Dons' average turnout. Brian in ''NewTricks'' is a supporter. Managed to get the honours won from Wimbledon FC to be returned to the Wimbledon area, seeing them as part of the area rather then just the club itself. They also hold the record for the longest unbeaten run in any league at 78 games!

** They were the first London side to win the UEFA Champion's League (2012), beating Barcelona [[BestServedCold in the semi-finals]] and winning a penalty shoot-out against Bayern Munich[[hottip:*:bucking the "trend" of the English succumbing to the Germans in penalties]].

** AKA "The Anfield Reds" or just "The Reds"[[hottip:*: Anfield is their home ground, which is formerly occupied by crosstown rivals Everton. Anfield is onyl added to the name to distingish the team from the other red team at Manchester]] is the other Merseyside club. Won everything in sight in the 1970s and 80s, and have 18 league victories. They have the most Champions' Leagues in England (5). Fans famously sing "You'll Never Walk Alone", a song originally from the musical ''Carousel''. Well known outside of football for the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillsborough_Disaster Hillsborough Disaster]], where 96 fans were crushed to death prior to an FA Cup semi-final. Their rivalry with Manchester United is so intense it's pretty much hatred.

*** The Premiership title was won with a [[DownToTheLastPlay 94th minute 3-2 win over QPR in the last game of the season]]. Had the match ended at full time[[hottip:*:90 minutes]], City would have ''lost'' 2-1 and conceded the Premier League to Manchester United by two points. The victory put them level on points, but with a greater goal difference.

** "West Brom" or "The Baggies" are currently a lower-table Premiership side. A former great, they last won a major trophy (the FA Cup for the fifth time) in 1968 and then spent 1986 to 2002 out of the top flight. Were one of the twelve founding members of the football league (along with several other Midlands clubs, including arch-rivals Wolves) but have only won the league once, in 1920. Recently have had a tendency to shift regularly between the divisions - of their last nine seasons seven have resulted in promotion or relegation, the other two being a defeat the play-off final and a survival so improbable to be dubbed "The Great Escape". They play in navy and white stripes, although unusually have no shirt sponsor. Statistically have the most intelligent fans... [[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1984648.stm no, seriously]]. Among said fans, we happen to have EricClapton.

** Formerly [[TropeCoTropeOfTheWeek Total Network Solutions]], one of the leading clubs in the Welsh Premier League, famous for [[SoccerSaturday Jeff Stelling's]] RunningGag about dancing on the streets of Total Network Solutions whenever they win. They actually plays their home games in England—they absorbed Oswestry Town, a nearby English club that played in the Welsh leagues, when the latter club folded, and chose to play at Oswestry's larger home ground.

** The only non-English side to have won the FA Cup (in 1927) and got to the 2008 final, where they were beaten by Portsmouth. Currently a Championship side, finishing fourth in the 2010/11 season.

** Finished eighth in the Championship in the 08/09 season, making a big impact in their first season after promotion from League One. They made a bigger impact in 2010/11, winning the four-team Championship promotion playoff, sending them to the top level for the first time since 1983, and making them the first Welsh team in the modern history of the English Premier League.

** Formerly [[TropeCoTropeOfTheWeek Total Network Solutions]], one of the leading clubs in the Welsh Premier League, famous for [[SoccerSaturday Jeff Stelling's]] RunningGag about dancing on the streets of Total Network Solutions whenever they win.

** Formerly found floating around the middle of the Premier League, Blackburn are one of only five teams to ever win the Premiership, thanks to a spending spree in the mid 90s (and having Alan Shearer before Newcastle did), letting them legitimately(?) claim to be better than Liverpool, Everton and City. Relegated to the Championship in 2011/12.

* Formed in 1872, '''Rangers Football Club''' are the older of the two, wear blue and play out of Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow's southside. The most successful side in Scottish football, Rangers have won a record 54 league championships (including nine straight championships from 1989 and 1997), 27 League Cups (they presently hold both) and 33 Scottish Cups. They also acheived European success in the form of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1972, and finished runner up in the 2008 UEFA Cup. The 'Gers once had an informal "no Catholics" signing policy, but this was abolished in the 1980s to kick start the nation-wide anti-Sectarianism campaign. Rangers went into liquidation (bankruptcy) in 2012. The assets were purchased by a Newco, which was refused entry into the SPL. As a result, Rangers have been relegated to the Third Division.

** Currently a side struggling to survive in the Championship, Wolves (as they are nicknamed) had a successful spell in the 1950's. This side was dubbed "Champions of the World" due to their success at beating top foreign sides, even though official European competition was not established at the time, and they won the League three times under Stan Cullis.

** Recently, the job of Chelsea manager is notorious for its short tenure - there have been ''nine'' managers in the last eight seasons! This is due to the owner demanding success, [[GeorgeJetsonJobSecurity quickly firing managers who can't provide it constantly.]]

** To give you an idea of their success, they have more Premier League titles than all of the other winners ''put together''. A lot of this is down to their manager, who has been at the job for [[LongRunner almost a quarter of a century]]. The fact that he's called ''Sir'' Alex Ferguson indicates something.

*** Robbie Keane was actually bought back for more like £10 million. Darren bent still stands at the record transfer for Tottenham. Bent was also sold for in total the same price he was bought for. David bentley is the big transfer blunder of recent years.