I've been exchanging text messages today with a good friend of mine who is a season ticket holder at Ashton Gate and is currently on the coach up to Ewood Park and it got me thinking.
Although I wouldn't class Bristol City as a 'big' club per se, in fact after just checking, they were last in the top division in 1980, but I'd say that they must now be the biggest club never to have played in the Premier League.
Are there any other contenders?
Oh, and needless to say - come on you Robins!

PNE a contender with their history, but I guess it depends on how you define ‘big’.

Swizzlestick wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 12:45 pm

PNE a contender with their history, but I guess it depends on how you define ‘big’.

Good call that.
There can't be many more contenders - the only other club that's not what I'd think of as a 'small' club that comes to mind is Millwall.

Does being superior make you big?

Real Madrid?

https://www.wolfgangsport.com/the-7-big ... er-league/

The general consensus is PNE, followed by the likes of Millwall, Bristol City, Plymouth (due to size of city) and some others

Plymouth, definitely.

Buxtonclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 1:20 pm

Plymouth, definitely.

Easy….. Stockport County.

In terms of potential, Plymouth Argyle are absolutely the one. Surprised they haven't been taken over. Enormous catchment area. They could be the next Brighton. Carlisle United and Exeter City too to a lesser extent.

But yes, Bristol City is a shout. PNE, too.

I like thinking about the "best" clubs for a billionaire to take over. It's a bit Football Manager, I suppose. But not too unrealistic. These things happen. Look at Wrexham.

York City is the one I always come back to. City, history, tourism, one club in the city, close to Leeds but still enough of a catchment area.

You have to laugh about the superior chants after all our recent success. Really ironic and I’m sure they’ll still be singing their superior chant when we play them. Hopefully they never get to the prem and it’ll probably be a few lifetimes before they get anywhere near our record.

Surprised nobody has mentioned Doncaster yet. Bristol is number one on this list I’d say, but for the size of area and potential Doncaster must be up there, as well as Plymouth.

I agree and think the main 4 which spring to my mind have been covered. Plymouth has the potential to be absolutely huge when you look at the crowds they pull with only a modicum of success, as have Bristol C and Millwall. PNE to a lesser extent I'd say.

For history I think Notts County should be worthy of a mention

Some very interesting points made and as a slight aside, who is the 'bigger' club where local rivals are concerned is something that I find interesting.
There are the very obvious ones, Bristol City are bigger than Bristol Rovers and Stoke are bigger than Port Vale for example, but ones which must be pretty close are Ipswich/Norwich, Cardiff/Swansea, Sheff Utd/Sheff Wed and Wolves/West Brom.
There's another one closer to home too, but it's hard to be objective!

Edit: just spotted elwa's post - Nottingham Forest/Notts. County is also pretty obvious....

I’m going to throw in there the cheltenham/Gloucester area, as well as “Birmingham South” so perhaps Solihull? And what about Northampton?

United of Manchester

NRC wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 3:52 pm

I’m going to throw in there the cheltenham/Gloucester area, as well as “Birmingham South” so perhaps Solihull? And what about Northampton?

Not big clubs, mind, but big conurbations

I’ve just done some research and 50 clubs have now played Premier League football. It’s reaching the stage where it’s a poor do if you haven’t been in.
Over the years Oldham Athletic and Wimbledon have had the biggest fall from grace.

Birmingham City

bobinho wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 7:43 pm

Birmingham City

They were in for quite a while.

Ooops.

GodIsADeeJay81 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 1:02 pm

https://www.wolfgangsport.com/the-7-big ... er-league/

The general consensus is PNE, followed by the likes of Millwall, Bristol City, Plymouth (due to size of city) and some others

Milwall in the prem would be weekly carnage

Not a massive club but as founder members I think Wallsall deserves a mention

Notts County possibly ... they are possibly the oldest club never to have played in the EPL

Bradford is way up the big city list by population.

boatshed bill wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 8:54 pm

Bradford is way up the big city list by population.

they played in the PL

I'd agree with Plymouth

4midable wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 8:38 pm

Milwall in the prem would be weekly carnage

Their London based away games would provide the police with a lot to do

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 10:01 pm

they played in the PL

I'd agree with Plymouth

Wow, i'd forgotten that.

Preston by a landslide - Plymouth have never played
in the old topflight either or won anything of note ?

thehistorylecturer1 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 10:11 pm

Preston by a landslide - Plymouth have never played
in the old topflight either or won anything of note ?

Plymouth do hold a record of being runners up in div 3 six seasons in a row.
Millwall seem the odd one out of the four. I don't see them as being bigger than Swindon or Chesterfield or Carlisle.

boatshed bill wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 8:54 pm

Bradford is way up the big city list by population.

Played in the prem ... don't you remember Stuart McCall p!ssed falling off a car bonnet celebrating promotion to prem

https://youtu.be/ryKBnRP4Xlg

timshorts wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 10:45 pm

Plymouth do hold a record of being runners up in div 3 six seasons in a row.
Millwall seem the odd one out of the four. I don't see them as being bigger than Swindon or Chesterfield or Carlisle.

Swindon have been in the PL

Bosscat wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 8:45 pm

Notts County possibly ... they are possibly the oldest club never to have played in the EPL

Notts County were signatories to the formation of the Premier League, in July 1991, with the new League starting in the 1992-93 season.

However, they were relegated, together with West Ham United and Luton Town, and neither County or Luton have ever kicked a ball in the Premier League. When Brentford were promoted in 2021, they became the 50th Club to enjoy at least one season of Premier League Football.

boatshed bill wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 10:10 pm

Wow, i'd forgotten that.

I had to think long and hard about it !!