A topic which usually causes arguements but perhaps a diversion from transfer rumours. The difficulty usually arises fro the different perceptions of what actually constiutes a" big club" I will set out my criteria which you are welcome to dispute provided you keep offensive remaarks within bounds. It is acceptable to call me "an old Fool" but not an Idiot. My criteria: 1 Success on the field .. This is deliberately vague as I will explain later. 2 A large domestic fan base. 3 A world wide fan base. 4 Consistently large attendance figures. 5 Top class facilities and Academy 6The ability to attract the World's best players. 7 The ability to attract sponsors. Returning to the first criteria ,,I would expand this to prolonged success in winning trophies both domestic and continental. Now for MY opinions ENGLAND 1 without question the club which most easily satisfies all 6 of the criteria is Manchester United. If anyone disputes this I can bore the ass off them with stats 2 close but my second would be Arsenal ...again they tick all the boxes despite no trophies for 8 years. Again a study of their history should convince sceptics 3 The team I despise most of all Liverpool. Well that is my English BIG CLUBS . Chelsea ... We are a work in progress our success started in the last 10 years we are still not nationally well supported but it is growing as is our world wide fan base as witnessed by the membership of our forum. Kenyon was widely derided and his talk of domination ill conceived but he did start to build us a name to be recognised on the global stage. We do need a larger stadium as do Liverpool. Summing up ...we are moving closer to matching my criteria ,,perhaps in another 10 years we will be there. And now north of the border ... A wonderful country inhabited by savages .. but two BIG CLUBS .. It is almost impossible to separate them ... certainly don't get between them on an Old Firms day. Celtic and Rangers ...Complete domination of the domestic scene .. now perhaps they lack the finance to attract the World's best but on their reputation and world wide fan base must be considered BIG and now to Italy ,,,a country and people I love ... I must admit to not being a fan of Italian football. Putting aside this antipathy 1 Juventus ... the most successful ,,best supported by far of the Italian clubs . Recent times they are in a slump but they are a giant both in Italy and beyond . 2 I will leave it to members to differentiate between the two Milan rivals . and that is my Italian BIG 3 we're off to visit sunny Spain ... Costa Brava in Summer Costa Del Sol in winter. an undisputed Number 1 Real Madrid .... 2 Their politcal and football rivals Barcelona again I could swamp you with stats..but will spare you that ... Now the floor is yours ...I am hoping that our overseas members will talk about their country and their biggest clubs . Obviously many couldnt match all the criteria but I would welcome imput about other leagues . My friend Kostas will I hope talk of Olympiakos and Panathanikos Kilimanjaro talk of Lyon and Marseilles . Im not sure if wir habe ein Deutche freund hier. Finally please Henrique describe the Big Brazillian clubs .. Look forward to hearin from you. oh forgot our Irish friends ,,,remiss of me ,,when the first overseas side I saw live was Shamrock Rovers