Big clubs

[Shaggy]

So what makes a club big?

Having a browse on the Coventry forum earlier the reason they were booing Maatsen was because he allegedly said he joined a bigger club ( us ) in stead of them.

Are Coventry a bigger club than us? For me in the modern era they aren’t

[superdimitri]

Fanbase, results and how rich you are.
Ajax for example would be a massive club compared to someone like Man City but they don't have the money so now people would consider Man City bigger.

Coventry were bigger than us when they had their spell in the top league but have had recent bad spells so are smaller.

[Cleveleys_claret]

do they even own their ground?

[Buxtonclaret]

Have they as much debt as us?

[Quicknick]

Coventry fans were ridiculing our support. P1ss poor home and away. I couldn't be bothered to log in and put them straight. They also reckoned that they [Coventry] were really loud yesterday. Were they?

[RammyClaret61]

$$$$$$ in the bank, or owners back pocket. Nothing to do with history, ground size, fan base or anything sporting…. Unfortunately.

[SouthamptonClaret]

Coventry fans were ridiculing our support. P1ss poor home and away. I couldn't be bothered to log in and put them straight. They also reckoned that they [Coventry] were really loud yesterday. Were they?

From the Clarets+ stream they seemed to pick up around 60 minutes with the 4 subs coming on and Phil Bird on comms mentioned a couple of times that they were doing good job getting behind their team. Didn't stand out as particularly louder than any other home crowd enjoying a spell on top.

[Buxtonclaret]

On my stream, early on Clarets were pretty loud. They've been prominent all season.
Cov fans seemed to "up" it a bit more 2nd half when they used 4 subs at once. Which seemed to cause us more problems.
They're no better, or worse, than any other sides fans.
Except for Clarets, of course.
Who are clearly the worlds greatest.

[claret2018]

Coventry are an absolute nothing of a team, one of those clubs that conjours up no memories or feelings whatsoever.

Prior to this season you could have told me they were in the National League and that would have seemed right. Had no idea they were in the Championship.

[timshorts]

Their old ground had a wierd feel to it. I watched games there on 3 different sides and it always felt very exposed like you were in a box where all the sides had been flattened outwards so that it felt like a very big ground. Now it's like the box has been shrunk and closed on top of you.
That's a bit like the club. It was once quite big with potential to be the biggest team in the south Midlands (as the others kept getting relegated) but now it feels like a crappy club with a disproportionately large fan base.

[jedi_master]

Coventry fans (and their drummer…) were loud for a 10-15 minute period after making their four subs and having a bit of the ball for the first time all game.

I didn’t think we were very loud yesterday though, it wasn’t our best performance - patchy. I’ll hold my hands up to that too as I shouldn’t be coming home without a hoarse voice, but I did.

No idea why really, but of a drab match.

[Garnerssoap]

1st page of football factory had it right

[LeadBelly]

do they even own their ground?

No they dont. They currently rent from Wasps Rugby Union Club who bought the ground c 2014 from the previous owners (who Coventry City had battles with over some years and then stopped playing at the ground).
Wasps RU Club are one of two current Premier League RU clubs in financial trouble. Worcester have gone into administration and banned from playing any matches + relegated; Wasps are desperately seeking a purchaser/investor before they themselves suffer the same fate.

It could well end up that Coventry City become itinerant again. (They have plans to build their own ground but still at the "drawing board stage" as far as I can discern).

[Devils_Advocate]

Burnley and Coventry fans arguing about whose club is the biggest is like two bald men fighting over a comb. At end of the day both are small clubs.

[jdrobbo]

The Ricoh (that will always be what I’ll call it) is an excellent ground for atmosphere when over 80% full. Anything less and the noise just doesn’t carry. Highfield Road was a cracking ground.

[Claretitus]

I remember going to Highfield Rd in around 1999 or 2000 for an FA cup tie. Their fans were giving it the big un “ We are Premier League “, and “ You’ll never sing that song “. etc etc. Of course at that time we were still on our journey up the leagues, but I remember thinking, “ this lot are having themselves on “. Bunch of delusional clowns, bit like their East Midland rivals, the happy clappers at Leicester. In the meantime, Cov nearly went bust, played home games at Northampton, and their “ supporters “ boycotted these matches, and actually only went to watch them play away!
Fair play to them, they’ve been in the bottom league and risen again, much like us. But bigger club? No chance.

[gandhisflipflop]

I never understood why they left highfield road

[dougcollins]

Coventry were always a respected top flight side back in the day. Like us.

[BurnleyFC]

They did have some good players and teams years ago but have been absolutely shite for almost as long as I can remember.

[LeadBelly]

Coventry City got to the top flight for the first time in 1967- so for those of us watching footy since mid 50s, they are a bit Johnny-come-lately. They did then spend c 34 consecutive years in the top flight (last season 2000/2001) - a very good spell but 7th was the best they managed and 13th-15th was much more typical.

When they were towards the end of that run in the top flight they had the plan to leave Highfield Road but by the time they moved (2005) they were on a downward slope performance wise and struggling to get in the top half of the second tier-then relegated again 2011/2.
They never fully owned the new stadium (though I think hey maybe had part ownership to begin with).
All gone a bit wrong for them with that stadium move; whether bad planning or bad luck.

[Stayingup]

Just shows how simple and stupid as well some fans are
Ludicrous subject. Whose bothered? We won and they are jealous and crying like babies. Coventry City has been a largely unstable club for a long time whilst we were in the Premier League. Coventry (like most places whose teams we compete against) has a population much greater than Burnley about 4.5 times and still can't manage to get into the Premier League. Tells me they are nothing much in the football world whereas Burnley is.
Maybe another woman riding round naked on a horse might raise the temperature and create some enthusiasm.

[Targetman]

Coventry were always a respected top flight side back in the day. Like us.

Coventry were never a top flight club until 1967.
Their first game at that level was at Turf Moor, Burnley won 2-1, Frank Casper made his debut that day and scored one of our goals.

[mybloodisclaret]

They were noisey in 2nd half tbf. Me and my mate commented about it.

[KRBFC]

Burnley and Coventry fans arguing about whose club is the biggest is like two bald men fighting over a comb. At end of the day both are small clubs.

I know you're trolling but I don't think we're a small club. Do Small clubs sell out away allocation every week? I think we've grown incredibly since I started watching with 8000-11000 fans at home games. We might be limited because we're a small town, I wouldn't consider us a small club though unless you were comparing us to Man Utd.

[Cooclaret]

I know you're trolling but I don't think we're a small club. Do Small clubs sell out away allocation every week? I think we've grown incredibly since I started watching with 8000-11000 fans at home games. We might be limited because we're a small town, I wouldn't consider us a small club though unless you were comparing us to Man Utd.

I think we’re growing off the pitch. All aspects commercially are developing new incomes, and the matchday experience is brilliant but we’re limited by the layout of Turf Moor.

The training ground is pulling players and youth, it truly is world class. That’s the true legacy of Dyche and Garlick.

We’re still a small club though, we don’t have the international or national pull or fan base to be anything but.

[KRBFC]

I think we’re growing off the pitch. All aspects commercially are developing new incomes, and the matchday experience is brilliant but we’re limited by the layout of Turf Moor.

The training ground is pulling players and youth, it truly is world class. That’s the true legacy of Dyche and Garlick.

We’re still a small club though, we don’t have the international or national pull or fan base to be anything but.

Well it depends what you're comparing it to, I think we're top 20-25 in this country. That alone wouldn't make us a small club. If you're comparing us to Accy, we're a big club, if you're comparing us to Man Utd we're a small club.

[jen1066]

Simple - it's down to opinion.

There is no benchmark.

[KRBFC]

In my opinion small clubs don't sell out away allocation every week and take 5,500 fans to a league away game on a Tues night.

[jen1066]

I had a conversation with a Sheff Weds fan - bit of a clown and his mate opposite wouldn't even sneeze twice without his permission, but even he was nodding his head agreeing with me when I said there was no official benchmark.

We could say we're bigger than Sheffield Wednesday because of the time we've spent in the Prem - they could say they are a city club which makes them bigger. Clearly, common sense has to intervene and say a club like Barcelona are bigger than Burnley, but most of the time in these disputes there is no bigger club. Only in the mind.

[BigChaCha]

KRBFC laughably argued with me that Norwich was a smaller club than us before the season started

Nearly 7k more average attendance than us so far this season says otherwise!...

I know attendances are not the whole story but they even have a season ticket waiting list FFS lol... If you asked any fan in the championship, they would say that Norwich is a far bigger club than us and rightly so.

[jen1066]

KRBFC laughably argued with me that Norwich was a smaller club than us before the season started

Nearly 7k more average attendance than us so far this season says otherwise!...

I know attendances are not the whole story but they even have a season ticket waiting list FFS lol... If you asked any fan in the championship, they would say that Norwich is a far bigger club than us and rightly so.

Norwich are certainly not a 'far bigger club' than us.

[Burnley1989]

Norwich are certainly not a 'far bigger club' than us.

Yup, I’m with you on that

[Cooclaret]

Well it depends what you're comparing it to, I think we're top 20-25 in this country. That alone wouldn't make us a small club. If you're comparing us to Accy, we're a big club, if you're comparing us to Man Utd we're a small club.

I think we’re slightly lower, but I take your point.

[DCWat]

Norwich are certainly not a 'far bigger club' than us.

I wouldn’t say far bigger - definitely bigger. So they should be too, they’re a City club in a location that’s hardly awash with other teams.

[jen1066]

Yup, I’m with you on that

Not even convinced they are bigger at all. I'd put them in the same category as us. A team who have Premier League experience and the Championship really isn't the division they should be in, but at the same time will fight to stay in the Prem.

[jen1066]

I wouldn’t say far bigger - definitely bigger. So they should be too, they’re a City club in a location that’s hardly awash with other teams.

A city club imo doesn't automatically make a team bigger. As I've said above, both clubs have Prem experience and have a good home support. In the same pot as us.

[DCWat]

A city club imo doesn't automatically make a team bigger. As I've said above, both clubs have Prem experience and have a good home support. In the same pot as us.

Fan base surely makes up a significant portion of what constitutes a big club, more so than trophies, I’d suggest.

[KRBFC]

KRBFC laughably argued with me that Norwich was a smaller club than us before the season started

Nearly 7k more average attendance than us so far this season says otherwise!...

I know attendances are not the whole story but they even have a season ticket waiting list FFS lol... If you asked any fan in the championship, they would say that Norwich is a far bigger club than us and rightly so.

I think it's a fair argument between Norwich and Burnley, I don't think the size of a club is entirely attendance based either. You have a City v Town. They should get more fans than us. Historically we trump them.

I think we're very similar in size, not a chance they're far bigger, they have never won the top division.

[Spijed]

Prior to the takeover in 2008 would Man City have been regarded as a bigger club than Villa, Wolves, Leicester, Derby, Forest etc.?

[jen1066]

I think it's a fair argument between Norwich and Burnley, I don't think the size of a club is entirely attendance based either. You have a City v Town. They should get more fans than us. Historically we trump them.

I think we're very similar in size, not a chance they're far bigger, they have never won the top division.

As I say, it's never based on one variable. And even if you take several variables into account, there is no benchmark.

[Devils_Advocate]

We've had this conversation before and the universal accepted benchmark for how big a club is in their respective country is dependant on when they last won a major trophy. For England that would be champions of the top division, FA Cup winner or League Cup winner.

Norwich won the League Cup in 1985 and so are a bigger club than Burnley whilst Coventry won the FA Cup in 1987 so are a bigger club than the both of us.

As for Spijed question then Prior to 2008 Man City would have been regarded a bigger club than Derby but not bigger than the others. Based on the universally accepted benchmark for comparing how big clubs are then Man City are easily bigger than the lot of them.

Sorry if that upsets anybody but Im just stating facts which Im sure Jen1066 appreciates or at least they did in their previous incarnation on this messageboard

[jen1066]

We've had this conversation before and the universal accepted benchmark for how big a club is in their respective country is dependant on when they last won a major trophy.

You lose the audience after that.

[Woodleyclaret]

Its down to opinions Coventry had been wrecked by a string of dodgy owners
This selling Highfield Rd then renting the Ricoh and sharing with a rugby club was always going to end in tears.We are a far bigger club .
It's my opinion and I am always right.

[Shaggy]

Fan base surely makes up a significant portion of what constitutes a big club, more so than trophies, I’d suggest.

20 years ago perhaps before the TV money and mega rich benefactors became the norm.

An example Celtic and Rangers.. both have massive fan bases, both have won mountains of trophies yet we make more money, have a better squad, a more prestigious manager and can pay more money to players than either of them.

If you’d asked me 20 years ago who was bigger rangers of Burnley it would have been a ridiculous question. Now not so much.

Same with Coventry, yes they potentially have a few more fans than us but that’s it. We are miles ahead of them in every other way.

[keith1879]

We're bigger than Stockport. Just in case any Stockport fans are watching.

[jen1066]

We're bigger than Stockport. Just in case any Stockport fans are watching.

Love that kind of stuff.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Using the resident trolls example Leicester, Wigan, Portsmouth, Swansea & Birmingham are all bigger clubs than Leeds

Why do people care if someone thinks 1 club is a big club or small club. It seems popular with kids, it is like when ever we won a game in the Prem and you would hear "thank god we don't have to watch that every week"

If you think we are a big club fine if you think we aren't that is equally fine.

[Cirrus_Minor]

Are we bigger than Accrington Stanley? Is Manchester United bigger than us? Trophies won, size of the ground, attendance, history, time in the highest leagues, money in the bank, suger daddy financed? Who cares? It's all my arse and Harry Tate.

It is a childish my dad is bigger than yours argument. If you support a club, no matter what, then all that matters to you is that yours the biggest club and always will be.

[claptrappers_union]

I hate threads like this. Totally meaningless. You think you support a ‘big club’… so what? No one gives a ****.

The thing with Burnley fans, we are a ‘big’ club when they want to be a big club, then in the next sentence with are proud to be ‘little ol’ Burnley’.

Make your mind up

[NottsClaret]

I hate threads like this. Totally meaningless. You think you support a ‘big club’… so what? No one gives a ****.

Exactly. As a general rule, if you're discussing whether you're a big club.. then you're not. It's just a comfort blanket for under achieving, historically successful also-rans.