Suppose it depends on how you define a big club. How do you personally define a big club, and just who are the remaining big clubs left? In what catergory do you place SAFC, and which clubs are they compareable to? It certainly was, during it's heyday a big club, still has great support in numbers, is that enough to consider it a big club?
Man City are only a big club because of money. They were no bigger than us before the Sheik came in with his millions. Chelsea the same. They are massive now - world renowned. Go back to the pre Abramovic days and they were a lower mid-table side with little ambition. We are big in stature to ourselves - but sadly not to players etc. Unless a Sheik comes and buys us we never will be
For me we are top 10 in the country. We are top 6-7 for trophies won, attendances and Stadium size. Apart from gross miss management we are in a group along with Everton Villa Spurs and Newcastle. We are bigger than the next bracket clubs like West Brom, Norwich, Southampton, West Ham, Stoke)
I've just been reading that since the late 50's we have been relegated 9 times, maybe no.10 coming up, That's one relegation in under every 6 years. Marcus mentioned money and sheiks, that could apply to nearly every club, so is SAFC bigger than the likes of Leeds, Forest etc?
So you are saying that SAFC are bigger than both Leeds and Forest? Like i asked in the op, just how does each individual define a big club?
I'd agree - I think we're a similar size to those clubs - but again no-one is interested in also rans that were "big in their heyday" - Preston were a big side in the 30's... Look at them now.
We are a club big in history, tradition and fanbase We are small in recent history, and in this world that is all that matters, sadly. We are an OAP club grumbling at the lack of respect from Chelski, etc x
The big clubs are the ones with the ambition, infrastructure and, most importantly, finances to be fighting for European places, both Champions League & Europa Cup. Our ambition seems to be to avoid relegation only. Sadly, we aint a big club anymore.
Unfortunately under the new rules that would never happen, ES is a billionaire with enough money to buy top, top players if he wished, the rules don't allow that anymore and he wouldn't anyway. If you took into account the support we have, the stadium, the revenue through the door, then we're about mid table EPL. Unfortunately due to constant changing of useless managers and players, we are as big as our league position suggest and that's not very big.
No doubt we're a big club, lets not confuse that with successful. Crowds of 40k+ One of the biggest stadiums in the country Now a household name in the US, Asia and Africa A history that boasts success. Top rated facilities. Competitive in the corporate and hospitality sector (Events, Conferencing, banqueting and catering) Oh we're a big club, counts for nowt though.
If you look at history then we are bigger than Leeds & Forest. our fan base is bigger than both Leeds & Forest's to. I would have Leeds & Forest in the prem tho. too many small clubs in the prem what bring rubbish away following.
I would say we are around on par with Leeds and Forest! Teams with history, good support and potential but prone to giving their fans utter torment over recent years!
I would agree with all of this. I would go something like this (based on crowds, time at the top level) MU Arsenal Liverpool Spurs Everton Newcastle Sunderland Man City Chelsea Villa
what a crock of ****e. we all see safc as a big club, but are they? there are big clubs in the champioiship, no one wants o have a say, on the criteria. safc, big club? based on what?
We havnt been a genuine big club since the 30's or maybe since the 50's at a push!! You could argue that you are only as big as the league position that you occupy at present! Or at least over how well that you have done in the past 5-10 years! If the definition of a big club is based on support, ancient history, money earnt/spent and potential, then we are a reasonably big club! But if it is based on recent achievement, silverware, how well the club has been run, pulling power and geography, then I would say that we deserve to be where we are in the league at present!!
Based on you getting 40k even when you are having a poor season. If you go down, you will still be the biggest supported club in the Championship.
We been in the top league more times than Leeds & Forest, we won it more times & we get miles bigger crowds than both Leeds & Forest. We are a bigger end of.
