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| Home Ground/Stadium: Emirates Stadium London, England |
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Arsenal have always been one of the biggest and most successful teams in England, but since 1996 when they hired a little known French manager, Arsene Wenger, they have moved on to an even higher level. Now on a par with the top teams throughout Europe, most of the success has been credited to the revolution under Arsene Wenger. He brought continental ideas including diet, training methods, and lifestyle changes to a team that previously had many well publicized drinkers. Arsenal now consistently finish winners or runners-up in the Premiership and qualify for the Champions League each year. The Gunners used to be chided by their local neighbors and fiercest rivals Tottenham Hotspur for being “boring boring Arsenal” and “one nil to the Arsenal”, but since the advent of Wenger they have been known for winning with astonishing flair and style. They are just starting to establish themselves as a real force in the Champions League, and many believe it won't be long until Arsenal lift the European Cup.Aston Villa FC
| Home Ground/Stadium: Villa Park Birmingham, England |  |
Aston Villa are sleeping giants in the English game, but perennial underachievers. As the biggest club in Birmingham, the second largest city in England, the fans are notoriously upset because the club’s promise of success is never realized. Villa were crowned champions of England and Europe in 1981/82, but only have two League Cups to add to their trophy cabinet since. Prior to those magnificent seasons in the early 1980’s, Villa’s success was mostly limited to the late 1800’s. Last season was another disappointment for Aston Villa. This might all be about to change now that Randy Lerner, the billionaire owner of the Cleveland Browns, recently bought the club. At the same time Villa have attracted one of the brightest and most sought after managers in the game, Martin O'Neill, who will be looking to immediately challenge the current elite of the league.
| Home Ground/Stadium: Ewood Park Blackburn, England |  |
Blackburn were fairly successful in the first half of the 20th century, but were then stuck in the lower divisions for decades. A local wealthy businessman and passionate fan named Jack Walker, bought the club and invested millions to bring Blackburn into the top flight. In 1994, Rovers won the league for the first time in 80 years. After then underachieving for a few seasons they were relegated twice yet were able to get promoted back to the Premiership fairly quickly. Now established in mid-table, Blackburn are slowly trying to consistently challenge for European qualification.
| Home Ground/Stadium: The Reebok Stadium Bolton, England |  |
Bolton have never won the league, but they have won the FA Cup four times in their history, though the last time was in 1958. Bolton have spent the vast majority of the last 50 years in the lower divisions. In the last few decades, they have yo-yoed between the Premiership and the first division (now called the Championship). Wanderers have been enjoying their longest spell yet in the Premiership. As a small city near Manchester in the northwest of England, Bolton are considered a provincial club and are often fighting for Premiership survival. The last few seasons have seen Bolton in the final of the Carling Cup and challenging for European qualification by their league position, but this season will be a test just to avoid a relegation battle.
| Home Ground/Stadium: Stamford Bridge London, England |  |
Chelsea have only recently hit the big time. Located in the fashionable area of west London, the Blues are now considered one of the most talented teams in England and Europe. Chelsea have a long and proud history but until 2005 only managed to win the league title once all the way back in 1955. They have won the FA cup three times in the last decade. Until about 15 years ago, Chelsea bounced between the top flight and the lower leagues and could not establish themselves consistently in the top flight.
As Chelsea became more successful and cemented their Premiership status in the 1990’s, a Russian billionaire oil tycoon named Roman Abramovich came out of nowhere and bought the club in 2003. He has invested millions into the infrastructure, management, and playing staff and wants Chelsea to be the best and most entertaining team on the planet. He hired Jose Mourinho, a young brash Portuguese manager who won the Champions League with FC Porto (from Portugal) in 2004. Mourinho immediately stamped his personality onto the club and created a solid star-studded team who more importantly gained the confidence and mentality of winners. After Mourinho left, it was evident that having a team of brilliant individual stars does not guarantee success in a team sport. Chelsea have put their trust in Brazilian Luis Felipe Scolari, known as 'BigPhil'. Having won the World Cup managing Brazil, and turning Portugal into one of the most feared teams in world football, Scolari is expected to bring silverware back to Stamford Bridge.
| Home Ground/Stadium: Goodison Park Liverpool, England |  |
Everton and Liverpool are the two teams from this city. Liverpudlians are either blue or red. Stanley Park separates the two clubs that split the city’s support right down the middle. Everton have been in the top flight longer than any other team in England. The Toffees dominated the league in the 1930’s and also won the league twice in the 1960’s and 1980’s.
Everton have now had years of underachievement with little to cheer about in the last 20 years except for one FA Cup. For a team with a large fan base and a long and proud history, the blue half of Liverpool believe they should be challenging for the Premiership on a regular basis. Financial instability and lack of European competition has made it difficult for Everton to climb out of mid-table obscurity. The Toffees have been a top six team three out of the last four seasons, consistently challenging for European qualification.
| Home Ground/Stadium: Craven Cottage London, England |  |
Fulham are located in fashionable west London next to Chelsea. The Cottagers are owned by Mohamed Al Fayed, the Egyptian-born owner of the well-known Harrods department store who is equally famous for being the father of Dodi Fayed, who was killed along with Princess Diana in Paris. Mr. Al Fayed invested heavily into Fulham when they were languishing in the lower leagues of professional football. He declared that he would take Fulham to the Premiership and compete with the heavyweights of England. After promotion in 2001, Fulham have cemented their place in the Premiership and are searching for silverware that has eluded them in their 126 year history. Fulham have invested successfully in American players which has increased their fan base in the States.
| Home Ground/Stadium: KC Stadium Hull, England |  |
Prior to this coming year, Hull was famous for being the biggest city in Europe whose football club had never played in the top flight. Following years of investment in the infrastructure, management and squad of players, and after becoming perilously close to bankruptcy, Hull City were promoted via the playoffs after a superb goal from their local forty year old veteran Dean Windass. With a huge catchment area in a remote part of east Yorkshire, the potential for Hull to compete at this level is a very realistic possibility if they can stay up against everyone’s prediction.
| Home Ground/Stadium: Anfield Liverpool, England |  |
Liverpool have a glorious past as one of the most successful teams in English history. Their hey day was in the 70’s and 80’s when they won lots of trophies including multiple league titles and European Cups. They have won more than any other English team. Still considered one of the biggest and best supported teams in England, they have been trying to get back their status as the top club in England but have not won the league in over 15 years. Although Liverpool won the European Cup in 2005, they did so against the odds as underdogs in almost every round. Liverpool have fallen behind Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea in the pecking order, but they are close to reestablishing themselves at the top.
The Reds went through several managers in the 90’s and have finally brought in a Spaniard to bring success. Rafael, or "Rafa", Benitez won La Liga (the Spanish equivalent of the Premiership) twice in three years with Valencia ahead of the more famous and richer Real Madrid and Barcelona. He has bought some young Spanish players who have added some panache and continental flair to the team. The fans are expecting Benitez to take Liverpool back to the top of English football, and this season Liverpool expect to be challenging for the Premiership.
| Home Ground/Stadium: City of Manchester Stadium Manchester, England |  |
Manchester City enjoy a huge base of support in Manchester, similar to their more famous neighbors and hated rivals Manchester United. City fans have had a roller coaster ride of emotions in their history, having been relegated two divisions below the Premiership and having been promoted several times in a yo-yo manner. However, even in the doldrums of the old second division, average gate receipts were bigger than many teams playing in the Premiership. Manchester City fans are often known as the most loyal fans in the country despite years of disillusionment.
It has been a long time since Man City were considered one of the best. They have won the league twice in their history, most recently in 1968, and have won the FA Cup four times. The last great City team was in the 1960’s and 70’s, though since then they have struggled and created lots of heartache for their passionate fans. Now established again in the Premiership with a fantastic stadium, a great young manager in Mark Hughes, and a bottomless bank account provided by new Arab owners, the Sky Blues are trying to prove to the world how big of a team they are.
| Home Ground/Stadium: Old Trafford Manchester, England |  |
Manchester United are probably the best supported and most popular team in England and some think the world. Their world wide marketing success parallels their dominance in the Premiership. Old Trafford has the highest capacity of any ground in England and almost every game is sold out. United are second only to Liverpool in how many league titles they have won. United have also won the European Cup three times; first in 1968 as the first English team to lift the trophy, second in 1999 when they won the unique and unprecedented treble of league, FA Cup, and Champions League in the same season, andmost recently last season where they famously beat Chelsea on penalty kicks.
Manchester United captured the hearts of the footballing world in 1958 when their plane carrying players, staff, and journalists crashed in Munich killing most of the team with a few survivors. The "Busby Babes" was the name given to this team of fledglings who were destined for greatness. The legendary manager Matt Busby rebuilt the team and 10 years later lifted the European Cup with the skills of Denis Law, Bobby Charlton, and of course George Best. Most of the world followed and cheered this team which had risen from such tragic circumstances.
The 70’s and 80’s were lean years for United. Despite having star players and lots of support, success was limited to the FA Cup. Then Alex Ferguson came south of the border from Scotland as manager and started a new era of dominance. Having been at the pinnacle of English football for the last 15 years, United are still perrenial favorites for the league.
| Home Ground/Stadium: The Riverside Stadium Middlesbrough, England |  |
Middlesbrough are one of the three “big” clubs in the northeast of England, along with Newcastle United and Sunderland. Middlesbrough have not been as successful over the years as their more illustrious neighbors, but they have recently fared better than Sunderland and are challenging Newcastle for regional supremacy. Financed by an ambitious chairman, Boro have invested heavily in their infrastructure, youth academy, and first team. Prior to 2004 when Boro won the League Cup (Carling Cup), they had never won a major honor in soccer. Now expectations are that Middlesbrough should be challenging for trophies and European places each season.
| Home Ground/Stadium: St. James’ Park Newcastle, England |  |
People from Newcastle in the far north east of England are called Geordies, and their hometown club Newcastle United have one of the most colorful histories in the game. This part of the country is mad about football, as evidenced by the ardent following of the Toon Army. They idolize their team, especially their center forwards who have been their heroes over the years. Match tickets are hard to come by despite having the second largest capacity ground in England. St. James’ Park is considered one of the most intimidating places to play for a visiting team.
Newcastle United have invested lots of money into the club in the last 15 years which has somewhat paid off with top four finishes and qualification into the Champions League in Europe. However, it has been a long time since the Magpies won any silverware. The last time they won the league was in 1927, and although they have won the FA Cup six times in their history, the last time was all the way back in 1955. Always demanding, thefans have driven out several owners who have not been able to survive the abuse of the Geordies who expect to be challenging for the Premiership, playing in the Champions League, and desperately want to win some long awaited silverware.
| Home Ground/Stadium: Fratton Park Portsmouth, England |  |
Portsmouth were promoted to the Premiership in 2003. Although Portsmouth won the FA Cup and the league in the middle part of the 20th century, they have mostly been competing in the lower divisions for 50 odd years. Since promotion to the Premiership, Pompey have stayed in the top flight, albeit flirting with the wrong half of the table. With notoriously loud and passionate supporters among the most vocal in the land, Portsmouth are considered a fairly big club who have the financial muscle to stay in the Premiership and rise to the next level. They need to move to a bigger stadium though, as Fratton Park is too small for the number of fans who want to see their team play. Their biggest rivals are their close neighbors Southampton who had been in the top division since the 1970’s.
| Home Ground/Stadium: Britannia Stadium Stoke-on-Trent, England |  |
The second oldest club in England, Stoke City have flirted with success throughout their history. They have never won the league, but they did win the League Cup in 1972. Two of the most famous English players of all time, Sir Stanley Matthews and Gordon Banks, both played for Stoke when they were one of the top teams around. For the past two decades, the Potters have been trying to get back to the Premiership having played most of their football in the division below. It will be a very difficult season for Stoke as they will be one of the favorites to go right back down.
| Home Ground/Stadium: The Stadium of Light Sunderland, England |  |
Sunderland enjoy massive support in the northeast of England across the river from their fiercest rivals Newcastle United. Their biggest triumph in modern history was winning the FA Cup in 1973 when they were plying their trade in the old second division. In the 1990’s, the Black Cats enjoyed long spells in the Premiership, but were unfortunately relegated when things were looking up. Now they are back with a flock of new young players after winning promotion as champions in 2007. Sunderland’s young manager Roy Keane was a legend as a player at Manchester United, known as a winner and very demanding of his teammates. He has effortlessly made the transition to a suit, and along with new young chairman Niall Quinn in charge of the monies, Sunderland look like they have a very bright future.
| Home Ground/Stadium: White Hart Lane London, England |  |
Totttenham Hotspur have an illustrious history and a large fan base. However, since the 1960’s when Spurs were the first English team to win the double (league and FA Cup in the same season) and the first English team to win a European trophy (the UEFA Cup), they have fallen into decades of mid-table mediocrity. Spurs fans consider their team to be one of the biggest in England, but are now thought of by many to be only the third biggest team in London behind Arsenal and Chelsea.
Tottenham have produced many teams over the years that have striven to produce elegant football with emphasis on style. This was all the more important to the fans as their more successful and hated rivals Arsenal were grinding out 1-0 wins and finishing with more silverware. Tottenham have continued to produce lots of skillful teams but have rarely challenged for the coveted league championship in the last 40 years. They have, however, been quite successful in the FA Cup. Spurs have been everybody's pick to be the next team to break into the big four with one of the most talented squads, a well respected manager in Juande Ramos, and financial muscle. Spurs fans are optimistic that the glory days are coming back after five decades of false dawns.
| Home Ground/Stadium: The Hawthorns West Bromwich, England |  |
West Brom miraculously avoided relegation in 2005 on the last day of the season. They defied the odds by becoming the first team in history to stay up after being bottom of the Premiership during Christmas. However they went down the following season. WBA then hired Tony Mowbray from SPL side Hibernian. He immediately stamped his authority on the club and earned promotion back to the Premiership. If he can keep Albion up again and improve on their position, it would be a remarkable achievement for a provinicial Midlands club with fewer resources than their richer neighbors in Birmingham.
| Home Ground/Stadium: Upton Park London, England |  |
West Ham are the big team from the east end of London. The Hammers have always had a huge following, mostly drawing on the working class area and surrounding suburbs. Their famous claret and blue shirts have been worn by some of the most famous players in English history including England’s 1966 World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore. More recently, West Ham’s youth academy has produced some of the most exciting young players of the current England squad. With high expectations among Hammer fans, the board have always been under pressure to provide the management and resources to bring silverware hme to the Iron faithful.
| Home Ground/Stadium: JJB Stadium Wigan, England |  |
Wigan had never been in the top flight before moving up in 2005. Promotion to the Premiership is a remarkable achievement for a club that was not even in the professional leagues 30 years ago. Wigan is on the outskirts of Manchester, and is more famous for its rugby team than its soccer team. The ‘Latic fans now host the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal at the JJB Stadium. Staying up and avoiding relegation was considered a massive success for Wigan’s first two seasons in the Premiership. With ex-Man United skipper Steve Bruce now in charge, he has bought some previously unknown players who have formed a formidable side capable f keepin Wiganin the top flight and possibly challenging for a Cup.