Ranked: 20 Most Hated Football Clubs In England
10. Manchester City
Founded in 1880 as St. Mark’s, it became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894. Manchester City entered the Football League in 1899, and won their first major honour with the FA Cup in 1904.
The club’s biggest rivals are Man Utd, Liverpool, and Tottenham. Manchester City is also disliked by the fans of these clubs. One of the reasons for the dislike could be the massive investment by the Abu Dhabi United Group, since the takeover in 2008. City has also been one of the best English teams domestically over the last decade, this has also made them a hate figure among the rival clubs.
9. Arsenal
Arsenal was the first club from the South of England to join The Football League, in 1893, and they reached the First Division in 1904. Relegated only once, in 1913, they continue the longest streak in the top division.
Tottenham fans loathe everything to do with Arsenal and vice-versa. West Ham fans also hate the red and white. Manchester United are not big fans either nor are Chelsea or Liverpool. Stoke and Manchester City also dislike the club. To their credit, they have a rich history. But no one wants to be reminded of their Invincibles team.
8. Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur, despite being one of the largest clubs in London, has always been a source of envy and hatred from rivals like Arsenal, West Ham, and Chelsea.
According to an annual survey by Football.London, the ‘League of Love and Hate’, which polls fans across the country, Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham, Leicester City, and Southampton all consider Tottenham as one of their main rivals. This makes Tottenham one of the most hated football clubs in England.
7. West Ham
West Ham United, founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks, was reformed in 1900 and moved to the Boleyn Ground in 1904. They now play at the London Stadium. West Ham has strong rivalries with other London clubs, particularly Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.
The rivalry between West Ham and Tottenham has been fueled by players like Michael Carrick, Martin Peters, Paul Allen, Jermain Defoe, and Scott Parker leaving the club. The oldest and fiercest rivalry is with Millwall, both local rivals formed around local companies and players living in the same localities.
6. Liverpool
Liverpool FC is one of the most hated clubs in England due to its historical success, passionate fanbase, and intense rivalries. Dominating English football in the 1970s and 1980s, they have amassed numerous titles, breeding envy and animosity. Their vocal and widespread supporters often amplify their triumphs, irritating rival fans.
The fierce rivalries with Manchester United and Everton heighten tensions, as local and national pride are fiercely contested. Additionally, controversies involving Liverpool, such as perceived referee favouritism or past hooliganism, contribute to their polarizing image, making them a lightning rod for criticism and dislike across the country.
5. MK Dons
With the gall of a tribute band claiming to be the original, MK Dons controversially seized Wimbledon’s history and league position. How fitting that this synthetic club moved to Milton Keynes, a new town where concrete cows were once erected to create atmosphere.
MK Dons won over some neutrals by being relegated in 2006 and handing the trophies back to AFC Wimbledon in 2007, but they’re still reviled. After all, such a move was merely an admission that MK Dons knew they weren’t really a continuation of the original Wimbledon all along.
4. Millwall
Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has maintained its name despite last playing in the Millwall area of the Isle of Dogs in 1910. The club has a long-standing rivalry with West Ham United, with the local derby contested almost a hundred times since 1899. Millwall also shares a rivalry with Leeds United and contests the South London derby with local rivals Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic.
The club’s supporters have a rap sheet as long as Al Capone’s, with offences including major riots at home and away, ambushing officials, breaking a visiting goalkeeper’s jaw, and lobbing a dummy hand grenade onto the pitch. Since the 1930s, directors have tried to improve the club’s image, but nothing has worked.
3. Leeds United
Another team famed for its dirtiness, the great shame about this Leeds side is that they were supremely talented, and should have been remembered as one of the best teams of the 1970s in Britain. The second league title for Don Revie’s Leeds reminded many how much they had despised ‘Super Leeds’. They were, George Best said, a shin-kicking “bloody nightmare”. The club’s famous family spirit was, Brian Clough snapped, more mafia than Mothercare.
Then there were the allegations of bribery – from Leeds keeper Gary Sprake, Wolves centre-half Frank Munro and manager Bob Stokoe. The revisionist case for Revie lauds him as a pioneer of tactics and dossiers, but he was equally innovative when it came to squad rotation (fielding second-string teams when it suited) and lofty moral lectures. Fair or not, the ‘Dirty Leeds’ tag has stuck.
2. Manchester United
United, despite being a highly successful team in English circles, and have Liverpool and Manchester City as their biggest rivals. They are often referred to as a fortunate side and have a mind-blowing character due to their high number of late goals, particularly during the 1990s.
The first trophy for Alex Ferguson was won in 1993 when Steve Bruce netted two stoppage-time goals to transform a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win against Sheffield Wednesday. The 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich saw United defeat all the way but score two goals in injury time to win the title. This hatred towards United is a result of their success and a bit of favouritism they allegedly received from referees in the past..
1. Chelsea
In 2019, a survey revealed that Chelsea was voted the most disliked club in the English Premier League. Many fans believe this is due to jealousy of their financial success and the investment of previous owner Roman Abramovich.
Arsenal, a fierce rival of the Blues, has a clear dislike for Chelsea. Apart from them, Leeds, Manchester United and Tottenham also share a strong dislike towards the club. Chelsea fans are notable for having an overwhelming hooligan factor and have as of late been blamed for racism.