Simon Sparrowhawk - GS:UK Editor
As Arsenal relentlessly tore apart Cardiff City with a trademark display of incisive attacking football on Monday night a debate began to rage. Who are the 'biggest' clubs in this country?
It might sound simple, but as was very quickly proved, our innate ability to think for ourselves makes it virtually impossible to come to a definitive outcome.
However, at GS:UK we think we might have cracked it . . . possibly anyway!
After a lengthy, and feisty, discussion (argument is probably more accurate) we have decided on FOUR criteria that help define the size of a football club.
So, without further ado, here they are:
1) Tradition and history
2) Worldwide appeal and fan-base
3) Financial success
4) Recent silverware
So, let's look at these criteria in a little more detail...
Tradition and history - This surrounds the level of success the club enjoyed before the advent of the Premier League in 1992. However, this also takes into account the emotional pull of an individual club to people in England, and around the world.
Worldwide appeal and fan-base - Previously this would have been limited to just the UK but as a result of football's global appeal it became necessary to look at the clubs impact on the rest of the world too. The questions to answer here are; how popular is the club around the world? And, how 'big' is the brand?
Financial success - Exactly what it says on the tin, how rich is the club? However, some areas are afforded more importance. For instance, a club's turnover is considered more vital than the amount of money the owner of the club has in reserve. This is due to the false impression of financial success that can be created by mega-rich owners.
Recent silverware - Last, but by no means least, credence is given to the success of each club since the beginning of the Premier League. However, silverware attained since the turn of the century is considered more valuable than that achieved before the new millenium.
GS:UK's Top Ten
1) Manchester United
2) Liverpool
3) Chelsea
4) Arsenal
5) Tottenham Hotspur
6) Aston Villa
7) Everton
8) West Ham United
9) Newcastle United
10) Manchester City
What do you think? Have we got it right? Have we got it horribly wrong? Leave a comment to tell us your top ten!
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