A controversial list has emerged ranking the 30 ‘most hated’ football teams in Britain – and you may be surprised by some of the clubs included.
As football fans will know, each club has ‘hatred’ for their rivals. Whether that be a city rivalry like Manchester United and Manchester City, an intercity rivalry like Cardiff City and Swansea, or even a more far-fetched one such as the ‘M23 derby’ between Brighton and Crystal Palace - each team’s fanbase has its reasons for disliking another club.
It could even come down to footballing politics, like the resentment between MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon.
But some clubs seem to be hated more than others, with a seeming acceptance of their feat; fans even revel in the fact they are unpopular.
One of the teams in the list even sing a song glorifying the fact their fellow football clubs are not particularly fond of them.
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FourFourTwo has ranked each team from 30-1 in their most hated list.
Full list of most hated teams
30) Leeds United, 1996/97
29) Liverpool, 2013/14
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28) Scotland, 1978
27) Cardiff, 2000/01
26) West Ham, 1966/67
25) Notts County, 2009/10
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24) Chelsea, 2008/09
23) Arsenal, 1994/95
22) Sheffield United, 2006/07
21) Crawley Town, 2010/11
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20) Cambridge, 1990-92
19) Rangers, 1990/91
18) Stevenage, 2003-2006, 2008-2012, 2013-2015
17) Leicester, 2002/03
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16) England, 2010
15) Arsenal, 1937/38
14) Blackburn, 1994/95
13) Chelsea, 2004/05
12) Manchester United, 2009/1
11) Arsenal 2003/04
10) Wolves, 1937/38
9) Stoke 2009/10
8) Preston North End, 1888/89
7) Arsenal, 1919
6) Liverpool, 1974-89
5) Millwall, 1885-present
4) Wimbledon, 1987/88
Top three most hated teams
3) Manchester United 1998/99
For Leeds United, Manchester City and Liverpool fans, their hatred for the Red Devils is ongoing.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side had dominated domestic football since the Premier League began in 1992.
But in 1997/98, they failed to secure a single trophy, to the delight of opposition fans.
However, this quickly changed with United securing a historic treble by winning the Premier League, FA Cup and the Champions League with two last-gasp goals at the Camp Nou to defeat Bayern Munich.
Call it self-belief or just plain luck; United would muster results seemingly out of nothing, scoring eight equalisers or winners in the last five minutes of games that season
2) MK Dons, 2004/05
The Milton Keynes-based club were founded in 2004 following Wimbledon FC’s controversial relocation from south London to Buckinghamshire Town, some 56 miles from the original stadium, Plough Lane. Wimbledon’s name was changed to MK Dons following the conclusion of the 2003/04 season.
Earlier in 2002, a section of disaffected Wimbledon fans formed AFC Wimbledon.
As a result, both sets of fans claim to be the ‘real’ Wimbledon, which has fuelled a fierce rivalry between the League Two outfits ever since.
1) Leeds United, 1973/74
The Yorkshire-based side has a rich history, although currently playing in the Championship, the club has seen some iconic players put on the White shirt, namely the members of the 1973/74 title winning side.
Don Revie’s team were not to be messed with and often employed the ‘dark arts’ of football.
Due to their rough playing style, they were dubbed ‘Dirty Leeds’ by fans and media at the time – and the tag has stuck ever since.
The Sunday Times even referred to the side’s captain, Billy Bremner, as “ten stone of barbed wire”.
Topics: Football, Premier League, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Leeds United
Luke Davies