The 'Big Club' Debate Has Finally Been Answered

Manchester United are officially the biggest club in England, in fact they're twice as big Liverpool in second place...

The age old debate of whether your club is 'bigger' than a rival has finally been settled, with the Athletic using seven criteria to work it out.

The outlet scored clubs based on their crowds, weighting it so clubs with smaller stadiums aren't punished, global fanbase, based on social media, major trophies, based on their points system, trophies in the past 20 years, average league finishes, player quality and commercial revenue.

United, unsurprisingly, did well on every section, despite their loss of form in recent years, and ranked top two in all but player quality, where they ranked fourth.

In second place Liverpool actually suffered on crowds, mainly due to their best ever attendance, and finished in 10th on that section.

The biggest club table. Image: The Athletic

Clearly the 'big six' are named so for a reason, although many people would still be quite surprised to see Manchester City so far up.

There's been a lot of criticism of United's 'noisy neighbours' for being a nouveau riche club but they also have a great history.

Obviously City's success since being taken over by Sheikh Mansour in 2008 is a major part of their standing but things like having the second highest attendance at an English league game in the scoring, 84,569 at Maine Road in 1934, also helps.

City with some of their titles from the late 60s. Image: PA Images

It won't come as too much comfort to Sunderland to know they're the 14th biggest club in the country whilst remaining in the third tier, they'd probably prefer to be the 49th biggest team in the country and 14th in the Premier League...

Clearly being the biggest doesn't really mean anything as it can't even help United sign the players they want this transfer window and it certainly hasn't helped them be successful in recent years.

Liverpool in second might soon overtake their rivals, maybe even knock them off their perch.

Topics: Liverpool, League Two, Football News, Manchester United, English Football, League One, Premier League, championship

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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