But here’s the problem: if you are not set at a particular club, then how do you decide which game to see?
There are several ways to approach this question:
Where will you be?
If you are in London, you will have many choices. To get this taste, see the amazing blog The London Football Guide. In other cities, you will have fewer choices, but more than you think.
Vacation in Bath, for example? There are two clubs 12 miles away in Bristol (City and Rovers).
In Manchester or Liverpool? There are around two dozen clubs within one or two hours. In Newcastle? Some to choose from.
There are several other general tourist destinations with clubs: Oxford, Cambridge, Norwich, and Nottingham, for example.
When will you be there?
English football schedule (aka “equipment list”) can be confusing. In the United States, we announce a schedule, sell tickets, and that’s it. In England … Well, first, there are several leagues and “cup” tournaments (and even some trophy tournaments!) With the overlapping schedule that is often not set for a month before the match. So sometimes there are games every day a week.
But the times often change. If you look at a schedule, especially for the Premier League, more than about six weeks before the match, you will see that all games are scheduled for 3 nights. Saturday. But at some point TV people will move one to daylight, one or two or two things one thing, a few days, maybe one until Monday – all in a six-week notice. And they can be moved to a different week for trophies! So you already pay attention.
Who do you want to see?
As I said, if you are ready to see a particular club, then you go. Just hope they are at home and you can get a ticket – and watch the schedule for changes and new games!
If, on the other hand, you just want to see Premier League football, then you might have more options – again, depending on where you are, when, and how will you travel. For example, I help some people who buy stairs train tickets from London to Manchester, two hours of roads, to see playing united.
If you want to see a smaller, more accessible club, and have an easier time with tickets, check the championship game, or league, or go very small for truly family families, environmental experience.
Look for competition games
I want to see everyone, and I like traveling, so this is what I’m looking for:
How close is the two teams? Simply connect their names to Google Maps and check the distance. This has to do with how many visiting fans will be there, making a good atmosphere.
Is that competition (or “derby”)? Usually this is in line with distance, but not always. You will not think Brighton and Crystal Palace are rivals, but they are.
Where are the two teams at the table? If they are both high, this means high betting game. If they are both low, it’s a relegation memo!
Is this a potential “giant murder” trophy game? In other words, is a big club visiting a small one, or vice versa? It makes good actions – and maybe something historic like seeing Sunderland’s victory at Manchester United in front of their 9,000 fans:
How is the land?
I like the old grounds, so I always check Wikipedia for the club, to see if they are still in the old place (like Everton, until their new stadium is opened in a few years), if there is a lot of renovation (like Liverpool), or if it’s one New generic place (like reading).
What else should be done in the city?
Maybe your whole group doesn’t want to go, so what else will they do in the city? Or what will you do before and after?
Boil everything
This is my process, assuming I know my location, to choose the game:
Place the location planned to Google Maps.
Open the window with each league schedule, as well as every cup that is happening.
Among all the home team, find the closest club to my place, by connecting their names to maps and getting instructions.
Now check the distance between the home team and away; This No. 1 on my priority list. Love Derbies and fans leave!
See where each team is at the table.
For each combo that looks good, Wikipedia the home team to examine their land, and to see if visitors are rivals.
Wikipedia or get your guide city to see what else to do.
See how big the ticket hassle – for example, do I need to buy membership? Do I have to go with a hospitality package?
If you can find the closest game, with visitors who are also close by, with two pretty good teams, tickets available, cool old land, and something that can be done in the city … or a decent combination of all that … You have yourself a winner. Forward and enjoy.
I use footballityguide.com for instructions like how to get to the ground, which stands to sit (with a good view of away fans), and which pubs should be hit before and afterwards.
And remember to oversee the schedule for change!
