Alongside watching the national team and domestic sides in action, Malta’s population of football lovers are also partial to the odd game of football in England. In fact, given its global appeal, competitions like the Premier League are followed everywhere. In Malta, there are some sides from England’s top flight that are followed religiously by Maltese nationals.
The biggest league on the planet, the Premier League serves up an irresistible product for many lovers of the beautiful game. Fans watch sides like Manchester City in full flow, there are world-class players like Mohamed Salah who continually turn it on, and the atmosphere on show is unlike anywhere else. Overall, when assessing the Premier League’s offering compared to other products, it’s easy to see why Maltese fans are indulging in it.
Additionally, alongside watching the action unfold on a Saturday, Maltese fans can engage in debates online with like-minded supporters, there are fantasy football squads to select, football betting opportunities to assess, and options like YouTube channels and a variety of podcasts to sample. Once you immerse yourself in English football, it’s impossible not to be captivated by it.
While the Premier League is the undoubted main attraction, it isn’t the only enticing competition in the country, though. A nation with a rich history in the sport, there are clubs up and down the English football pyramid system that require your support. So, if you’re keen to follow an English team, let’s take a brief look at five strong contenders below.
Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world
Officially the best English club in European competitions having won the European cup multiple times, Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world. If you’re refusing to sample football further down the pyramid, then this Premier League behemoth is worth adopting. Not only does the aforementioned Salah ply his trade for the club, but the Reds have a splendid history and one of the most passionate fanbases around. Playing at Anfield – one of the most atmospheric stadiums around – Jurgen Klopp’s side aren’t facing financial rule-break charges like Manchester City, they aren’t struggling to rebuild like Manchester United and Chelsea are, and they play all-action football that is a joy to watch under their likeable German manager. Klopp might be leaving at the end of the season, but Liverpool are still a great club to get behind.
Former Malta international Michael Mifsud used to play for Coventry
A club that just missed out on promotion to the Premier League last season, Coventry City are a team many football fans in Malta are aware of, largely because former Malta international Michael Mifsud used to play for the Sky Blues. Signed from Norwegian side Lillestrøm, Mifsud was a relative success at Coventry, scoring 16 goals in 86 appearances for the club. One of a few Maltese professionals to make it to England, Mifsud’s move hogged the headlines in Malta at the time and resulted in many football fans paying close attention to his time in the Championship, a competition Coventry are still trying to get out of. Managed by one of the most underrated coaches around in Mark Robins, the former 1986/87 FA Cup winners are steeped in history and play some of the most attractive football in the Championship at the time of writing. Throw in the Michael Mifsud connection and they’re a club many Maltese nationals are fond of.
AFC Wimbledon are a fan-owned club
(Image via https://twitter.com/NATTERFOOTBALL)
One reason why some fans aren’t captivated by Premier League football is due to the extortionate cost of watching it, coupled with the ridiculous transfer fees being paid and the professional players who don’t really care about the clubs they represent. As such, seeking football further down the pyramid appeals. Attracting fans of top-flight clubs who are priced out of the action at Stamford Bridge and Craven Cottage, AFC Wimbledon are a London-based club many football fans admire. After the original Wimbledon FC was pulled out from underneath them and moved 67 miles from south London to Milton Keynes to be renamed as MK Dons, Wimbledon’s fans refused to support a franchise that didn’t represent the town they’re from and formed AFC Wimbledon, a side that now plays in League Two after starting at the very bottom of the English football system. The Wombles are the most successful fan-owned team around after securing promotion back to the Football League in 2011, while also managing to build a stadium back home in Wimbledon in 2020. AFC Wimbledon are the embodiment of fan power, that’s for sure.
Preston are England’s first league champions
Like the aforementioned Coventry City, Preston North End are another side aiming to gain promotion from the Championship. While Preston’s chances aren’t as strong as Coventry’s, it’s a well-liked club that is steeped in history. Preston are, in fact, England’s first league champions, although they haven’t been in the top flight since 1961. A well-supported club that isn’t as big as many of its competitors, this historical institution is well worth getting behind.
Portsmouth are flying high in League One
Similar to Wimbledon, Portsmouth is a team that has been mismanaged by a number of unscrupulous owners which ultimately resulted in the club dropping down to League One. The 2008 FA Cup winners have a strong following, though, with many more senior fans watching Pompey since their two post-war league titles. Playing out of Fratton Park, one of the oldest stadiums in England, Portsmouth are aiming to earn promotion out of League One and return to a competition that was once known to them before three relegations in four years left the club in the doldrums.