To be a "big club"

[degsy]

We're miles off.

An utter midden of a club kidding itself all you need is a new stadium to hit the big time.

In Forrest Gump terms...
Big club is as Big club does...and we don't

 

[4737carlin]

To be abig club again we need to win stuff, next season all focus has to be on the cups, until we win something again we are only ever going to making up the numbers.

 

[Tramps_mate]

After watching city bottle it tonight, it got me thinking about what it takes to be a "big club" and how long, realistically, it would take Everton to regularly challenge, even with ancelotti?

This season, despite all the craziness of the league and being mostly crap, the rs and Chelsea somehow managed to get into the top 4 when it mattered. Leicester couldn't do what seemed a formality. Then there's us and spurs, who are becoming the epitome of bottling it.

City looked a certainty to win the champions League before tonight but despite pep's awful team selection, even their regulars looked out of their depth. I then looked at Chelsea and abramovic bought them in 2003, but they only won the champions League in 2012.

So, does it really take a decade of building to change a club's mentality?

How long did it take city and Chelsea from being bought to winning the premier League?

 

[GoodisonRoadSupperBarWool]

I look at Chelsea and remember them growing mid 90s, went from winning the FA cup to winning the the cup winners cup and constantly picking up trophies before they got bought out and constantly in Europe. I can’t even seeing us winning a trophy in the next few years as we’ve fallen off the pace so much and with the last 50 years worth of bad board decisions made it will be a life time before we could be anywhere near Chelsea or city’s level. I mean since we last won the title weve not even been in with a chance to win the league.

 

[Terrarian]

As long as FFP is in play, City have an advantage nobody else can replicate, it stinks.

 

[messymascot]

The definition of big club is difficult. Is it a team that's winning the league or historically great. Some would say having finished in the top 6 the last 2 seasons Leicester are now part of the big 6. I personally think we are still a big club however until we win trophies on a consistent basis we are also irrelevant to other teams. We were part of the original Football League and the original Premier League but our failure to be anything other than also rans has made us into a team no one considers any more. We still sit 4th on most leagues won but its been 34 years since our last one. City and Chelsea are now more significant to a neutral fan but I'm not convinced either is a bigger club.

 

[Terrarian]

The definition of big club is difficult. Is it a team that's winning the league or historically great. Some would say having finished in the top 6 the last 2 seasons Leicester are now part of the big 6. I personally think we are still a big club however until we win trophies on a consistent basis we are also irrelevant to other teams. We were part of the original Football League and the original Premier League but our failure to be anything other than also rans has made us into a team no one considers any more. We still sit 4th on most leagues won but its been 34 years since our last one. City and Chelsea are now more significant to a neutral fan but I'm not convinced either is a bigger club.

I think it's a mixture of everything. One thing I can't stand though is people glossing over a clubs history.

 

[Yid4life]

Big club these days means rich club.

 

[JLW]

 

[EverTheOptimist]

I look at Chelsea and remember them growing mid 90s, went from winning the FA cup to winning the the cup winners cup and constantly picking up trophies before they got bought out and constantly in Europe. I can’t even seeing us winning a trophy in the next few years as we’ve fallen off the pace so much and with the last 50 years worth of bad board decisions made it will be a life time before we could be anywhere near Chelsea or city’s level. I mean since we last won the title weve not even been in with a chance to win the league.

Depressing reading that but you nailed it.

 

[Deckard2049]

Really puts into context how horrible it is we never got our shot in Europe. It’s such a massive part of the legacy and history of a club.

Not sure FA Cups should carry the same weight as leagues though. I’m not having Spurs above us in any ranking; even if they have “technically” won more trophies. 7 more leagues is a big deal.

 

[Yid4life]

Really puts into context how horrible it is we never got our shot in Europe. It’s such a massive part of the legacy and history of a club.

Not sure FA Cups should carry the same weight as leagues though. I’m not having Spurs above us in any ranking; even if they have “technically” won more trophies. 7 more leagues is a big deal.

Trophies before 1992 don't count anyway. So that only gives us 2 to your 1.

Got to laugh really, 2 teams with 3 trophies between them in over a quarter of a century debating who is the bigger team.

 

[davek]

Trophies before 1992 don't count anyway. So that only gives us 2 to your 1.

Got to laugh really, 2 teams with 3 trophies between them in over a quarter of a century debating who is the bigger team.

There is no debate: we are the bigger team. By a country mile.

 

[Deckard2049]

Trophies before 1992 don't count anyway. So that only gives us 2 to your 1.

Got to laugh really, 2 teams with 3 trophies between them in over a quarter of a century debating who is the bigger team.

Hey, it’s all we’ve got at the moment...

Tbh I’m most surprised by Villa. Classic proof that I’m a 90’s kid and child of the PL era. I knew they’d won a European cup but figured they just sort of got lucky one year. Their haul is nothing to be sniffed at.

 

[messymascot]

This is how I see club sizes are perceived by others.

Top are Man United and RS people can argue which way round but they are the first 2 clubs most people associate with English football.

City and Chelsea are next when talking about the here and now they are both rich clubs that have won lots of recent trophies. Any youngsters growing up now will know these 2 as well as they know the 2 big reds.

Arsenal, Everton and Spurs are next. Arsenal are unlucky they have had such a lean few years or I would have put them with the other big reds. However they like us and Spurs are now just considered outside contenders. These clubs have got big pasts but ultimately aren't talked about in present day terms. Fans know who they are but not many people from outside their catchment area are likely to support them unless there is some connection.

Leeds, Newcastle, Villa are also big clubs with tradition but have not had as much an impact as the above 3. I know Villa have a European Cup but still feel they belong in this group.

There are other teams that could be argued for and against but I think the above 10 are the biggest if all different criteria is considered.