Arsenal – Arsenal Stadium (Highbury) – The Gunners
When workers at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich founded the team in 1886, they played their games in nearby Plumstead Common. Financial troubles led to a move in 1913 to North London, The official name of the stadium is Arsenal Stadium, but it had come to be known as Highbury because of its location. Arsenal moved to Emirates Stadium at the start of the 2007-07 season.
Aston Villa – Villa Park – The Villains
Members of the Villa Cross Wesleyan Chapel founded Aston Villa in 1874 as a way for members of the cricket team to keep in shape during the winter months. They first played in Aston Park from 1874 to 1876, and at Perry Barr from 1876-1897. In 1897 they moved into Aston Lower Grounds, and Athletic Stadium that was eventually dedicated solely to football, and renamed Villa Park.
Birmingham City (new 2009) – St Andrews Stadium – The Blues
Originally founded as the Small Heath Alliance in 1877, they played the first two years at Arthur Street before moving to Muntz Street. In 1905, as they prepared to move to the St. Andrews, they changed their name to Birmingham, adding the City in 1945.
Blackburn – Ewood Park – The Rovers
Rovers moved into Ewood Park in 1890, and have stayed there ever since. As one of the founding members of the Football League Rovers played at Oozehead from 1876-1877, at Alexandra Meadows from 1878-1881, and at Leamington Road from 1881-1890.
Bolton – Reebok Stadium – The Trotters
Originally named Christ Church F.C., Bolton Wanderers were formed in 1874, and were one of the founding members of the Football League. In 1895, they moved into Burnden Park, where they played for the next 102 years. In 1997 Bolton moved to the Reebok Stadium, named after their longtime sponsor. Selhurst Park is the ground of Crystal Palace.
Burnley (New 2009) – Turf Moor – The Clarets
Burnley were among the 12 founder members of The Football League in 1888 and ended their first campaign in ninth. Their first trophy arrived in 1890 with the Lancashire Cup after a 2-0 final triumph over local rivals Blackburn Rovers.
The Lancashire club are back in England’s top flight after an absence of 33 years but they have a glorious past with two league titles and an FA Cup among their trophy cabinet. They are one of the few clubs to have won the title in each of the four divisions.
Chelsea – Stamford Bridge – The Blues
While most football clubs are founded first, and then seek out a ground, Chelsea was founded for Stamford Bridge. Stamford Bridge was built in 1877 as an athletic ground, not a football stadium. It was acquired by Gus and JT Mears in 1904, who offered it to Fullham Football Club, who turned it down. The Mears brothers founded Chelsea in 1905, and chose blue since it was the racing color of Lord Chelsea. Glasgow Rangers play at Ibrox, and Portman Road is the ground for Ipswich.
Everton – Goodison Park – Toffees
The St. Domingo Methodist Church in the District of Everton founded St. Domingo F.C. in 1878. In 1879, when many people outside of the parish were interested in playing, the name was changed to Everton F.C. They first played in the Stanley Park area, before moving to land donated on Priory Road in 1882. Beginning in 1884 until a rent dispute ended the contract in 1892, Everton played their matches at Anfield, now the home of Liverpool. Everton moved into Goodison Park in 1892, and although there were talks about building a joint stadium with Liverpool in the Stanley Park area, the two rivals could not come to an agreement, and the idea was abandoned.
Fulham – Craven Cottage – Cottagers
Fulham St. Andrew’s Church Sunday School F.C. came into existence in 1879, and played their matches at Star Road. They shortened their name to just Fulham in 1888, and moved into Craven Cottage in 1896, and stayed their until a two year ground share with Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road in 2002 – 2004, while Craven Cottage was Renovated. The Valley is home to Charlton Athletic.
Hull City – Kingston Communication Stadium – The Tigers
Hull City Association Football Club was founded in 1904 after several attempts to establish a football club over the years. In the new surroundings of the KC Stadium, manager Peter Taylor, who had been appointed in late 2002, secured back-to-back promotions in the 2003/04 and 2004/05 seasons, and they found themselves in the Championship.
Their ascent from the bottom division of the football league to the top in just five seasons is the third fastest ever.
Liverpool – Anfield – The Reds
Anfield was originally Everton’s football ground, but a dispute over rent in 1894 saw Everton move to Goodison Park. John Houlding, the owner of Anfield, decided to form his own football club, which he named Liverpool F.C. Merseyside is a former Metropolitan County, of which Liverpool was a member. In 2004 Liverpool City Council gave the club permission to build a new stadium at nearby Stanley Park, but when Liverpool refused to share the stadium with rival Everton, financing fell through.
Manchester City – City of Manchester Stadium – The Citizens (City)
Founded in 1880 as West Gordon, then changed to Ardwick A.F.C. in 1887, they finally changed their name to Manchester City in 1894 when they moved into Hyde Road. Man City moved to Maine Road, which was built to emulate Hampden Park, the Scottish National Stadium, in 1923, where they played for the next 80 years. Following the Commonwealth Games in 2002, Man City signed a 250-year lease for the new City of Manchester Stadium.
Manchester United – Old Trafford – Red Devils
Opened in 1910, Old Trafford, given the nickname “The Theatre of Dreams” by Bobby Charlton, is probably the most famous Premier League Stadium. American Malcolm Glazer bought Man United in 2005, but contrary to fans fears, he did not rename the team or the stadium. The Oval is a cricket ground.
Portsmouth – Fratton Park – Pompey
Portsmouth was formed in 1898, and has called Fratton Park their home ground for their entire history. Pompey, as Portsmouth is known, are rivals with Southampton, who play their games at Saint Mary’s Stadium. Hillsborough Stadium belongs to Sheffield Wednesday.
Stoke City – The Britannia Stadium – The Potters
There is some doubt over when Stoke came into existence. It is reported that a club was formed in 1863 by former pupils of the Charterhouse School, but there is little evidence of matches being played. A report in The Field magazine on 1868 stated that a club had been formed in Stoke-on-Trent and that its founder member was ex-Charterhouse School pupil Henry Almond. It is possible that matches had been played over the previous five years but the first on record played by Almond’s team was in October 1868 and consisted mainly of railway employees. The team was called Stoke Ramblers.
Sunderland – Stadium of Light – Black Cats
Formed as the Sunderland and District Teachers Association in 1879 they played their first games in Blue Ho. Field. After a few years they began to recruit non-teachers and changed their name to Sunderland, as well as moving into Newcastle Road in 1868. This is slightly ironic since their main rival is Newcastle United. In 1898 they moved into Roker Park, where they stayed until 1995 when they moved into the newly built Stadium of Light.
Tottenham – White Hart Lane – Spurs
Members of a local grammar school and Hotspur Cricket Club founded Tottenham Hotspur in 1882. In 1888 they moved to Northumberland Park so that they could charge admission. They made their final move in 1899 to White Hart Lane, which happens to be bordered by Paxton Road.
West Ham – Upton Park – Hammers
Founded in 1895, the Hammers moved to the Memorial Ground in Plaistow in 1900. In 1904 they rented ground from the London District of Upton Park and moved again. The area was called Boleyn Castle because of an association with Anne Boleyn, who supposedly owned the house on the ground. Although it is commonly referred to as Upton Park, the official name of the ground is Boleyn Ground.
Wigan – JJB Stadium – The Latics
Wigan Athletic, “The Latics”, were formed in 1932, as the fifth attempt to establish a football team in the rugby town of Wigan. They purchased Springfield Park from the previous football failure, and played their games there until 1999. In 1995 Wigan was purchased by David Whelan, owner of JJB Sports, who, as part of his plan to take the team to the Premiership, built the JJB Stadium in 1999. Carrow Road is the home ground of Norwich City.
Wolverhampton Wanderers (New 2009) – Molineux Stadium – Wolves
Initially formed as St Luke’s FC in 1877, the club became a founder member of the Football League 11 years later. In 1889, the club moved to their Molineux ground and reached the FA Cup final, losing 3-0 to Preston North End. The first of four FA Cup wins came in 1893, when they beat Everton 1-0.
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