The similarities between lower league football in England and college sports in America

Be it in League One or in League Two, fans of clubs that operate at that level tend to feel disillusioned with Premier League football. Ultimately, as the huge English clubs continue to get richer, the gulf between teams like AFC Wimbledon and Arsenal continues to grow bigger and bigger.

Premier League transfer fees are crazy; wages are through the roof, ticket pricing is extortionate, fans simply can’t mix with the players they support on a weekly basis, unscrupulous owners are taking over, and more. Essentially, for lower league fans, while the Premier League is billed as the ultimate domestic football competition on Earth, it really doesn’t resonate with them anymore.

These same feelings can be felt across the pond in the United States of America, with there being many similarities between lower-league football in England and the college sports scene in the country. Just like football fans in the UK, college sports fans listen to podcasts; they occasionally have a bet after looking at the latest college football odds, while there are forums to engage in debates, and websites dedicated to the biggest college sports teams.

There are even more similarities between the two, though, particularly when assessing the sport in more detail compared to the Premier League and major competitions like the NFL. Both pastimes might have different structures and are completely different sports, but the rawness of grassroots sports felt by many EFL fans is also on show in America. Below is a brief look as to why.

Developmental focus

In both college sports and lower-league football, there is a real emphasis on developing talent. While Premier League sides also aim to develop their own future stars, not many academy players actually make it. In fact, many rarely get given minutes to impress in the first team fold and are sent out on loan, only to have their contracts terminated when they return.

Additionally, Premier League sides regularly poach youngsters from teams lower down the pyramid for a minuscule fee; they then hoard an array of them and essentially mishandle them. In contrast, lower league football and college sports act as a breeding ground for talent, and they’re nurtured carefully. Particularly for smaller football clubs, any emerging prospects need to be looked after, as selling them could fund a promotion push or a new stand.



Passionate fan bases on show

Fans in the NBA or the Premier League are passionate, but there is a strong argument to suggest that there is more passion on display in both college sports and lower-league football. After all, fans are a real part of their team. Instead of feeling like a customer in the Premier League, fans’ support and their investment in a match ticket essentially goes towards the team and it can genuinely make a difference. While these smaller sports teams might receive less coverage, the fan bases they attract aren’t holding selfie sticks, stadiums aren’t full of tourists witnessing their first-ever Ravens game, and they all feel part of it.

A real sense of community



College sports teams and football clubs lower down the pyramid are also deeply embedded in their communities. For example, clubs like the aforementioned AFC Wimbledon are fan-owned, they’re based in the community that they represent, and there is no unscrupulous owner calling the shots. These smaller clubs, both in the UK and America, are a massive part of the communities and the local universities they represent, and without them, local communities wouldn’t be the same. From educational and developmental opportunities to the local talent they bring through, they’re absolutely vital.