The Premier League...Home Of The Beautiful Game?

Since it's establishment in 1992, the F.A Premier League has long been regarded as the best football (or soccer - depending on where you reside) league in the world. It is seen as the best stage for the professionals that play the game to ply their trade in front of millions watching across the globe. Backed by flocks of passionate fans, young and old alike, the Premier League boasts a support base unprecedented by any other competitive league across Europe. All this aside, the first tier of the English game holds so much more, and goes along way to justify it's crown; the home of the beautiful game.

From August to May, Saturday afternoons take the very highest of priority for many families up and down the country. Like a religion to some, 3 'clock simply can't come soon enough. It is commonly known as 'living for the weekend'. But just what exactly is it that draws the tens of thousands in every game, pouring their hard earned money into 90 minutes of pure adrenaline?

It would be easy to say that the greater part of the reason is due to the presence of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United. Four of the biggest and well known teams across the world, these clubs have firmly cemented themselves at the very top of the league. Their long and successful histories are very much entwined, throwing up more classic clashes between them every season. The press-room duels between the managers are often the subject of newspaper back pages and tension between fans can, with the use of a well known cliché, be cut with a knife. And the reason these teams are so successful? The world class talent that these teams boast. Highly paid world superstars, recognizable across the world, these finely tuned athletes capture the inspiration of budding footballers and the hearts of teenage girls.

The high-scoring games that these teams throw up adds spice to the encounters. It has become over the years almost impossible to predict the outcomes of such meetings. From dull draws to 6 nil romps, the appeal of such matches draws in literally tens of thousands of fans. This figure of course not counting the millions watching from their front rooms. For the teams outside of the 'big four', the visit of such world class talent to their home grounds can be special events. Suprise victories, incredible draws and heart-wrenching losses are all to be expected. Sell-outs are standard and carnival atmospheres are usual place.

Take a look outside of the 'elite' of the Premier League, and you will see that there are, at times, even fiercer battles between teams that many (outside the UK) would be unfamiliar with. Everton, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Tottenham and more recently Fulham all share a particular rivalry with each other. The battle for fifth, sixth and seventh place is a hotly contested battle. The unpredictability of these teams makes for a to-the-wire race every season. It is often the case that the UEFA Cup (now Europa League), places are settled at the death on the very last day of the season. Picking winners between these teams is no easy feat as their ever-present places often throw up suprise results at the top. For these teams however, they find themselves playing for bragging rights. Aston Villa aside, the others all have rivals within the big four. Chelsea better Fulham, Arsenal better Tottenham, Liverpool better Everton and Manchester United better City. The thought of their neighbours having the upper hand is for some too much to take and every part of them lives in such fixtures, making the Premier League 'Derby day' an event to treasure.

Below the 'battle for Europe' the gulf is huge. Relegation dog fights occupy the remaining places. Teams very scarcely find themselves as also-rans as in the Premier League, they are either there or on the way down. Many say that it is far more enthralling to watch the ensuing scraps of the 'battle for survival' than the race for the title. Like at the top, the same teams appear routinely down the bottom, namely Portsmouth, Wigan and Bolton. The last minute goals, dubious penalty's and harsh sending off's all contribute to such a magnificent display of hope, desperation and luck. Fans usually clasp their hands in prayer and jump with ecstasy; often in the same game. The emotional rollercoaster of the Premier League basement is undoubtedly an event that many wish to avoid but enjoy nonetheless.

Such an atmosphere is sustained by the players that share the same passion when on the pitch. Harshly criticized for sometimes not giving their all, crowds can make ninety minutes hell for those players that see game as below them. It is because of this flair that the heartbreaking moments of Premier League keep the droves coming back. Each season holds new high's and lows for the 20 teams that contest one of the most coveted titles in football, if not the title, simply a place in what can only be described as the true home of the beautiful game.