Soccer Team of the Decade

As we are in year 2009 and approaching the end of a decade, it would be appropriate to compile a list of football team of the decade. There have been some significant English football teams who helped define a particular decade by virtue of their amazing vice-like grip of the game during that time.

I thought it will be interesting to share these while we all wait for the weekend Premier League matches to get underway later.

1960s Team of the Decade (1961-1970)

Tottenham Hotspurs is the 1960s team of the decade by virtue of the following, 1 League, 3 FA Cup, 1 Charity Shield and 1 European Cup Winner's Cup. They also achieved the first-ever 20th century League and Cup double in 1960-61.

1970s Team of the Decade (1971-1980)

Liverpool stands out as the most dominant team in English and European football during the 70s era. Their trophy haul during that time was 5 League, 1 FA Cup, 2 European Cup, 2 UEFA Cup, 1 UEFA Super Cup and 5 Charity Shield trophies. Further to that, they achieved a League and European Cup double, cementing themselves as the best team of the 1970s.

1980s Team of the Decade (1981-1990)

Again, Liverpool were the football club that all other clubs look up and measure themselves against in the '80s. From 1981 to 1990, Liverpool won 6 League, 2 FA Cup, 4 League Cup, 2 European Cup and 5 Charity Shield trophies.

The Reds also achieved the unique treble of League, European and League Cup success in 1984 as well as a League and European double triumph. On the domestic front, the 1984 Liverpool team captured the League and Cup double.

The unfortunate events of Heysel stopped this all-conquering Liverpool team from adding to their trophy cabinets. Though a time of great celebration, it was also a time of great despair and sadness.

1990s Team of the Decade (1991-2000)

With Liverpool waning in the wake of Heysel and Hillsborough, Manchester United took over the mantle as the most feared team of the 1990s. This was the defining period and the start of sustained success for Manchester United and their fans. Their successes include 6 League, 1 Champions League, 3 FA Cup, 1 Carling Cup, 1 UEFA Cup, 1 UEFA Super Cup, 1 InterContinental Cup and 4 Community Shield titles.

The Red Devils made history with the unique treble of League, European and FA Cup triumphs in 1999. The Red Devils steamrollered through their domestic rivals, gaining 2 League and Cup double in the process.

2000s Team of the Decade (2001-present)

Albeit argumentative, Manchester United takes the plaudits for this decade. Even though, we have some way to go until the end of the decade, in my opinion, the Red Devils have already proven themselves as the best team of the decade. You cannot argue with 4 League, 1 Champions League, 1 Club World Cup, 1 FA Cup, 2 Carling Cup and 3 Community Shield titles.

At this stage, the club has amassed potentially its finest set of talented players with more players coming through every year from its Reserves and Youth Academy ranks. Considering that Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have substantially improved their fortunes in this decade, their achievements have not eclipsed the successes of Manchester United.

If United go on to win a third consecutive Premier League title and successfully retained the Champions League crown (which has never been done), surely there will be no disputing the greatness of this club.