No other city on the planet has more professional football clubs than London. We all know who the most popular capital city teams are but do you know which London club is the oldest? Which has been the most successful throughout history? Which have won the maiden European trophy? Stay tuned because we will provide the answers in our list of the top six biggest clubs in London, prepared by John Pentin, the editor in chief of popular betting tips site, BettingTips4You.com.
6 – Fulham
We will start with the oldest team in London as the Cottagers were founded in 1879. Fulham have gone back and forth from Premier League to Championship football in the last decade. They are currently a firm top-flight side after a stellar 2022/23 campaign. The team has been known for its white shirts and black shorts ever since 1903. The biggest result in Fulham’s history is the UEFA Europa League final from 2010 when they fell to Spanish La Liga heavyweights Atletico Madrid in extra time.
5 – Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace is the fifth-biggest London team and the best club in south London. The Glaziers are located in Selhurst and they play their home matches at Selhurst Park. Their greatest achievements include the two FA Cup finals as well as a third-place finish in the Premier League in the 1990/91 campaign. Unfortunately for their fans, the Eagles did not participate in European competitions after that season due to a ban imposed as a consequence of the Heysel Stadium catastrophe. Interestingly, both of their defeats in the FA Cup finals have come at the hands of Manchester United, the most recent being in 2016.
4 – West Ham United
West Ham United were originally formed as Thames Ironworks back in 1895. The team was renamed five years later and they proudly carry the current name since 1900. The Hammers have a European trophy thanks to a 1965 European Cup Winners’ Cup title. They have won the FA Cup three times, most recently in 1980. The Hammers gave birth to so many legendary footballers, including the likes of Geoff Hurst and Bobby Moore. They currently play home games at the recently built London Stadium, one of the most modern venues on the planet.
3 – Tottenham Hotspur
As surprising as it may sound to some of you, Tottenham became the inaugural British team with a European trophy back in 1963 when they won the European Cup Winners’ Cup. Less than a decade later, Spurs have added the maiden UEFA Cup silverware, thus becoming the maiden English team with two separate major European titles. However, the Premier League is still an unfulfilled dream for the North London fans who dislike the red color. Until today, Tottenham have eight FA Cup trophies, four EFL Cup titles, two UEFA Cup silverware, and one European Cup Winners’ Cup win.
2 – Chelsea
Many fans in England consider Chelsea as the biggest London club. If we only consider success in European competitions, this would be a true statement. However, when you sum up all the factors, the Blues can be happy with the second position. Chelsea were founded in 1905. They needed exactly half a decade to win the first League championship (1955) and 65 years to win the maiden FA Cup trophy (1970). One year later, the Blues have won their inaugural European silverware, winning the European Cup Winners’ Cup. They are the only London-based team with a Champions League trophy. They have six league trophies, eight FA Cups, five League Cups, and every single significant European trophy (at least twice) in their locker room.
1 – Arsenal
The Gunners still have the honor of being the most successful London-based team ever with 47 significant titles to their name. Arsenal were also the first London team to turn professional in 1891 under the name Royal Arsenal. The Gunners hold many records, including the one they completed in the 2003/04 Premier League campaign, going undefeated through the entire season (the legendary Invincibles led by Arsene Wenger). They also have the most FA Cup trophies to their name in the whole of England (14) and they are third in the country by the number of trophies in general, just behind the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool.
