A Civilized discussion of football (Possible?)

I have a question.

What football team should I support?

See, I'm a girl who likes sports.  I actually like American football, but I know I won't be going to too many games there , so I need a football team to support (it's no fun if you don't have a team.)

I know I can't like Manchester United, because they have a distro deal with the New York Yankees and I hate the Yankees.
My English friends support Chelsea, but I'm not sure I'm too crazy about their colors.  Blue and white...kinda dull, and I don't like that particular shade of blue.

So how does one pick a team, especially if they don't live in a place where there is a team?  I'll be in Devon.  EF (English friend) says most of them there support Liverpool, because they're not a London team and they're from the West.  Well, I love Liverpool's cute little song, but don't know too much else about them.

Should I give in to peer pressure and support Chelsea?  And which option is least likely to get my a** kicked?

Should I give in to peer pressure and support Chelsea?  And which option is least likely to get my a** kicked?

Thats too funny SAF, I'm LMAO ...........Obviously the most covered team in the Premiership is Man.U and in the last 11 years the most successful. Chelsea?........theyve got some history and the new Russian owner has spent millions this year in attempts to win the league and the Champions League. Not really my favorite team. Liverpool, Leeds, and Newcastle all have great traditions and big followings. Theres huge support for Glasgow Rangers and Celtic in some pockets of England too. Arsenal, Manchester City(not to be confused with Man.U), Southampton,Birmingham are just a few more but in actuality theres TONS (so if I left someones team out forgive me ) of support for all the teams in the different divisions. My fave.........Liverpool........and their longsleeved black and grey(away) top is one of my old stand-bys. No matter who ya choose someones always gonna take the P, the British ARE passionate about their football but in most pubs I've been in it seems like a good ecclectic mix of different supporters (unless youre in London of course where it seems the majority of fans support one of the London teams). If ya go to a game just remember to sit on the side where whatever team youre supporting is congregated ( British police are very adept at ushering you that way), its not like here where you can sit anywhere, over there some parts of the stadiums are no go zones if youre wearing the wrong top.

P.S.....If all else fails get an England International top......like Visa, its accepted everywhere.

SAF, like CeltictotheCore, I support Liverpool but I am actually from London!!
I did move to Devon and there are teams there in the Nationwide Football League- that is the divisions below the Premiership.
Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United may not be names you are familiar with and may not stimulate the imagination but their supporters are ardent and of course ever-hopeful.
Therein lies the secret. You chose you team and then support them through thick and thin- in the words of that song you like (the Liverpool anthem) "walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain, though your dreams be tossed and blown...... walk on with hope in your heart and you'll never walk alone!"
There is no such thing as a bad choice but make sure you know the basics like colors, nicknames, the "star players", the home ground, and the latest result if possible. You should always try to defend your team even if it is having a bad run. For example, a classic line when your team is kicked out of the Cup competition is "good, now we can concentrate on the League!". All the best.    

I would find a team that wears the same colours as your US team and go with that! At least you can wear the same t-shirt! I support Leeds Utd as I was told to do so by some family friends when I was about 8. Seems as good a reason as any, right?! (truth is I'm not that bothered...)

My take on it.....nicely pat husband on head....nod politely when he talks about it, bring him a nice beer and snacks and then scream like mad at the TV when he does....

This of course is repayable by making him drive you to a nice girlie movie and taking you out to eat when you are too tired to cook....

That or that age old trick....find the team with the nicest looking bums......

I actually do enjoy the main competitons and support the US Womens team, Barcelona and Liverpool (due to hubby--Miles ) in that order.  

............are just a few more but in actuality theres TONS (so if I left someones team out forgive me ) of support for all the teams in the different divisions.

There's supposedly 92 professional teams around the UK!  But this doesn't include the others that are in the conferance leagues or amateur players.

When i was younger I supported a team in London called West Ham United who during which they won the FA Cup and had a lot of success.  The only real reason that I supported them was because my Dad loved them so much and I guess I still would say that I support them.

Have to agree with Celtic when he says that the best way to "not get your ar*se kicked" is to wear the England strip

Elle's actually got into Rugby when she's seen it on the TV!  After seeing all the American football in the states she likes the agression and the fact they don't wear any protection in English Rubgy.  Last time she was shouting with the teams and was heard to say stuff like "Oooo look at them guys piling into each other!" or "Damn, that must have hurt!" lol  Just another blood-thirsty English past-time.

Elle's actually got into Rugby when she's seen it on the TV!  After seeing all the American football in the states she likes the agression and the fact they don't wear any protection in English Rubgy.  Last time she was shouting with the teams and was heard to say stuff like "Oooo look at them guys piling into each other!" or "Damn, that must have hurt!" lol  Just another blood-thirsty English past-time.

That would be correct....he he he....probably the only reason I'd want to actually buy a TV....muhahahahahahaha....

 P.S.....If all else fails get an England International top......like Visa, its accepted everywhere.

Except Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.  

I'm a bit late, but if choosing a team, why not choose one with an American player?

Yanks Abroad

This doesn't list all of them mind you, but it does list the ones that play for our US national team. Brad Friedel was our angel for the last world cup, he was absolutely brilliant. Claudio Reyna is also one of our national treasures.

There are more and more Americans coming to the Premier League, especially in the youth teams.

I'm late on this one too, but I'll throw in my 2p.

I adore football ... love it, love it, love it (watching Inter v Kiev at the mo).  But it wasn't always that way.  When I first came here, I didn't really pay much attention to footie even though hubby is a keen Sunderland support.

I'm a Chelsea supporter and have been early 2000.  I chose Chelsea because they were close to me (15 mins from where we used to live), but the primary reason was a certain little Italian striker named Zola.  The way he danced past defenders as if they were made of stone just totally hooked me on football and Chelsea...(cont'd)...

I suppose I was very lucky because neither my husband nor friends pressured me into choosing their team.  They allowed me to decide for myself.

If you are moving to Devon, hubby says there are teams that will be close to you.  Yeovil and Torquay, both in the third division.  The nice thing about supporting a third division team is that it's usually easy to get tickets and the tickets don't break the bank, unlike some Premiership teams.

My best advice:  spend some time watching teams, get to know them.  Perhaps go to some local games if you can.  Once you start to get a feel for teams, divisions and players, you'll be able to make an informed decision about who you'd like to support.

Elle asked me one time what I was watching one time I said "it's football England against...." I can't remember, but she said "That's not real football "

I used to watch American football a while ago when they used to show it on Channel 4 every sunday.  I used to enjoy it.  But C4 being experimental with what they like to show they took it off and put stuff like "gibudi" (I think it's spelt that way) which is an Indian game like tag - although you have to keep saying "gibudi" over and over.

Then Channel 5 started showing American football, but only at night  so I never really got back into it.

Anyhow to get back on topic, Elle never really watched any Football/soccer.  I have thought about taking her to see a match before but I know she'll like the blood and guts of rugby more lol.  I'm sure if she had her way she would want to watch me play again like I used to  

So, SAF have you picked a team yet?

No, I'm guessing I'll have to wait until I get there...but I'm also guessing if I don't support Chelsea my friends will hate me.  

I'm not sure what other teams they support though, so it might be fun to pick a smaller-league team.

I just can't wait to go to a match, I try to go to at least one (American) football game a year, I haven't been able to the last two because of the little one but hopefully this year I can.

And I have to check that "American players" website too!  What a great thing to have!

SAF, its usual to support a team thats local to you.   It doesnt really matter if the team is in one of the lower divisions they all play reasonable soccer.    Im sure your local team (you didnt say what part of the county you will be living in) has a team and would like your support.    I know most like to support the big clubs, but they are mostly foreign imports playing for them and those clubs have more money than sense when it comes to paying players.     Most of the smaller clubs have very little money and get by on local talent.   I myself have supported Hartlepool Utd for the past 30 years no matter where in the world ive been living and i get more pleasure out of them having a good season that someone like Man Utd, Chelsea or the liverpools of this world. :-/

    Be a true supporter follow your local club dont be one of the herd and follow the big clubs........