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The top English Premier League clubs draw thousands each year and impress with their stadiums, museums, trophy rooms and modern facilities – see them at least once!
With the English Premier League (EPL) season reaching its climax and soon its end, and the 2014 World Cup Finals closing in on
us, football mania will truly reach fever pitch come June.
The EPL, with its history and some of the biggest football stars on the planet, has a special attraction. Millions of followers are captivated by each weekend’s matches, some among whom are diehard fanatics.
At least once in your lifetime, you have to pay a visit to some of these hallowed turfs. We profile two of the biggest names in English football in the past three decades or more.
Manchester United FC – The Theatre of Dreams
While the great Manchester United may not be doing so well this season, it remains one of the hottest football clubs with one of the largest followings in the world. Its rich history and trophy hoard are reasons enough to visit the “Theatre of Dreams”.
Until the end of April, Manchester United is offering free admission to its museum. This is fantastic as you’ll get to see exhibits from United’s rich and colourful history, stories of the players, the famous trophies in the expansive collection, and many pieces of memorabilia from poignant moments.
For an extra £18, you can join the official Manchester United Stadium Tour. This includes a visit to the players’ dressing room, with their jerseys hanging in place.
How about sitting on the actual bench where the players received the famous “Hair Dryer Treatment” from former manager Sir Alex Ferguson? That alone promises to be a good social media post.
Get into the spirit of the Red Devils as you walk down the very same red tunnel the players take, right to the end of the turf on which the stars have tread. You may even get the chance to sit in the dugout and yell at ‘your players’ just like the manager.
The sheer collection of photos, trophies and memorabilia, together with the immense capacity of the Old Trafford stadium, make this an undoubtedly memorable trip.
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Liverpool FC – You’ll Never Walk Alone
Another famous football club in the EPL is Liverpool FC, with its 120 years of history. Liverpool is said to have among the best fans in the world, and countless hordes have streamed into Anfield for the ‘sacred’ tour or to try to catch a glimpse of their stars.
At the museum, you can explore the great club through exhibitions and stories. Take a tour through the Halls of Fame and see the areas dedicated to stars of the past and present.
See all of Liverpool’s European trophies and much more silverware accumulated over its illustrious history. The Anfield Stadium Tour takes an hour and includes touching the famous “This is Anfield” sign.
The tour costs about £16.50. Who knows? You might bump into one of the stars, like Luis Suarez.
Other Giants & Match Day
If you are looking at visiting other giants on the European continent, the must-visit stadiums and museums include those of FC Barcelona, Real Madrid CF, FC Bayern Muenchen (Munich), Ajax Amsterdam, Juventus FC and AC Milan.
An extra-special touch would be to attend a live match, getting to join in the singing of the terrace anthems, cheering on your favourite team, and even eating game grub like hot pies.
Experience first-hand the thunderous atmosphere of these colossal stadia.
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