Droitwich is a small town in Worcestershire, UK, with a population of just over 23,000 people. Due to the town’s tiny nature, it will come as no surprise that there aren’t any football league clubs around for the locals to support. As such, prospective football fans must look further afield, to cities such as Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Coventry, to get the football fix.
As we’re sure you’re aware, football is almost religion-like in England, and changing teams is considered sacrilege. However, if you have never committed to a team and are just a fan of good-quality football in general, then you’re in luck. We’re going to provide you with a few suggestions in order to broaden your footballing horizons. Here are six relatively local teams that you should consider pledging your support to ahead of the new football season.
Aston Villa
Villa Park, home of Premier League outfit Aston Villa, is located about 15 miles north of Droitwich. The team has a long history of success and is one of the few teams in the history of British football to have lifted the coveted European Cup, something that clubs such as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur haven’t been able to manage. Last season, former Arsenal and Villareal manager Unai Emery defied the betting odds when he secured a seventh-place finish for the Villains, securing a return to European competition for the first time in over a decade. That was good enough for a spot in next season’s UEFA Europa Conference League, the same competition that compatriots West Ham United won last season. Emery and his Villains will be hoping to follow in their footsteps next term by bringing European silverware back to the West Midlands.
Birmingham City
If you are from Droitwich and looking for a football team to support, then Birmingham City may just be the perfect option for you. Despite also being located in Birmingham, the club has a rich and unique history that extends far beyond the city limits. The Blues have a deep and passionate support base among football fans throughout the West Midlands, and they are no strangers to exciting and dramatic performances on the pitch. Their arch-rivals are the aforementioned Villains, and they are enjoying a better time in their club’s history in comparison to City. Birmingham are currently toiling away in the Championship, despite lifting the League Cup back in 2011.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Droitwich residents may find themselves torn between supporting Aston Villa or Birmingham City FC, both of which are located within reasonable travel distance. But why not consider a third option — Wolverhampton Wanderers? Not only are they one of the oldest football clubs in the country, with a rich history spanning back to 1877, but they also boast an impressive record of success. From winning the FA Cup four times to taking home the League Cup twice, Wolves have made their mark on English football. And with a talented squad including the likes of Pedro Neto and Raul Jimenez, there’s no doubt that the Molineux outfit is a team worth supporting.
Coventry City
As a proud resident of Droitwich, you may be thinking that one of those three relative giants that we have mentioned may be the club for you. However, it’s time to throw a spanner in the works and cast your gaze a little further afield to the dazzling lights and roar of the Coventry Building Society Arena. Supporting Coventry City not only sets you apart from the masses but also brings with it a sense of camaraderie and a bond with the team that is hard to come by with the bigger clubs.
With Coventry City, you’ll be supporting a team that has a rich, proud history and plays with a passion and drive that will have you hooked in no time. The Sky Blues were one game away from the Premier League last season, despite being in League Two barely five years ago. In the end, they were defeated in the cruelest of circumstances by Luton Town, by Mark Robins’ side will come again, and you can be a part of it.
