Why England?
Football was invented in England, and perhaps that’s why—or perhaps not—they simply do it best. And we don’t just mean the game itself. There are better leagues out there, no doubt. But everything surrounding the football—the way it's run, the tradition, the respect people have for the badge stitched on their shirt and for the game in general—it’s something you just can’t explain. Where else would you see hundreds of people drinking pints and singing at a midweek fixture in the fifth tier, two hours before kick-off, in freezing minus-two-degree weather? There is a very prominent sense of security in English football grounds. Ironically, because of its violent history, England is now one of the safest places to watch football. There are plenty of stewards and police at every match, and the crowd control is exemplary and highly respectable. When we told people in the know that we visited Millwall four years ago, they couldn't believe we made it out alive—that's how bad the club's reputation is. But when we were there, we didn't feel a thing. Quite the opposite. There were actually plenty of young kids and women in the stands—something you wouldn't necessarily see in our local leagues, for example.
Why the lower leagues?
It is a well-known fact that the lower leagues (and not just in England) provide the best drama and the most captivating matches. These leagues are mostly made up of local players, with hardly any foreigners. That makes the football authentic, passionate, and deeply rooted in the community—unlike the top flights, where money talks louder than tradition. The clubs in England are heavily involved in their local communities, which brings the fans incredibly close to the players, the club, and the badge. I don't know how much Chelsea donates to those in need, but I know for a fact that at Exeter, there is a computer room inside the club specifically for underprivileged kids. And that’s a beautiful thing. Beyond that, visiting these clubs is an experience you simply don't get every day. The people we meet along the way are lovely and absolutely love the idea of what we do. The places we visit—though often off the beaten tourist track—are stunning and fascinating.
What do you mean by "visiting a club"? What do you actually do there?
Every club visit is a truly unique experience. The visit essentially begins with our initial contact via phone or email with the club's Commercial Manager. In this conversation, we explain the purpose of our trip and ask to be hosted at the club, whether there's a match on the day of our visit or not. In almost every single case, we are blessed with a wonderfully warm and respectful reception from the club. On the day of the visit, we get a full tour of the club's facilities: the lounge, where fans spend time before and after the game, the changing rooms, and, of course, the absolute honour of walking out beside the pitch, finishing off with a browse in the club shop.
How much does it cost, and what does the price include?
The cost of the tour depends on a few factors: The time of the season, the duration of the trip, the number of participants, and the length of the itinerary.
The price includes:Flights, bed and breakfast accommodation, car hire costs, match tickets, and all the expenses involved in producing, organising, and planning the journey.
How often do these tours take place?
We are extremely flexible regarding our schedules and destinations. We’d be delighted to plan a bespoke tour for you to any region of the British Isles, visiting whichever clubs you prefer, on dates that suit you. But if you decide to join one of our pre-planned tours, you should know that they run twice a year: at the start of the season in September or October, and during the decisive end of the season in March.
How is the itinerary and schedule determined?
Every tour is planned meticulously and thoroughly so that everything runs like clockwork. Several months before each trip, we design an itinerary focused on visiting football clubs and build a schedule for the groundhops and matches. The schedule is structured to leave you with plenty of time to enjoy yourselves, explore, and even relax a bit. The club visits are arranged well in advance with the club staff, who know exactly when we'll be arriving. Because of the complex logistics involved, once the itinerary is published, we cannot make any changes to it, except for those forced upon us by postponed or cancelled fixtures.
What about the accommodation?
We ensure that the accommodation standards are as high as possible, staying in places that have plenty of positive reviews on various travel sites. It’s important to clarify that our standard accommodation consists of boutique guesthouses and B&Bs, not luxury hotels. Guesthouses in England, even the average ones, maintain a very high standard of cleanliness, comfort, and service! Nevertheless, should you be dissatisfied with a place, we will do everything we can to improve your stay. Moreover, this perfectly aligns with our guiding philosophy of "keeping things modest but delivering massive value". Our basic board at these places includes bed and breakfast.
What about the flights?
To leave you with enough spare cash for shopping and pints, we’ve decided to keep the flight costs down. Don't worry, we're not talking about flights with endless layovers! In most cases, these will be direct scheduled flights with low-cost airlines as possible.
What are the transport arrangements?
Your safety and comfort are our top priorities when booking the vehicle for your tour. The type and size of the vehicle will, of course, be tailored to the number of participants, but we always take into account your luggage—and the fact that you might return with an extra bag full of shirts, hats, and scarves! The vehicles are hired from reputable international car hire companies close to where we land. The tour guide, who has plenty of experience driving on the 'correct' side of the road, will do all the driving, leaving you free to marvel at England's breathtaking scenery. It's worth noting that not all tours require a car! On city-specific tours—such as London, Manchester, or Sheffield—we will use England's extensive and highly efficient public transport network.
Who are these tours for? / How many people?
These are small, intimate tours designed for a maximum of six to eight people (including the guide). It is crucial that the participants feel comfortable with one another and that a friendly atmosphere is formed, as the shared banter and camaraderie are a huge part of the overall experience. We simply couldn't guarantee that kind of vibe in larger groups. For example: some tours might be made up of one solid group of six mates, while others might be a mix of pairs, trios, or a group of four. And of course, we are more than happy to welcome solo travellers looking to hunt down those grassroots clubs with us!