The Untold Story Behind AFC Richmond: Exposing the Real Inspiration Behind Ted Lasso's Beloved Football Club

Is AFC Richmond an actual football club in real life?

AFC Richmond Is Inspired By Real Teams

Ted Lasso has impeccably crafted the illusion of a genuine football club with AFC Richmond, incorporating elements from Crystal Palace F.C., based in South London. AFC Richmond not only mirrors Crystal Palace's team, The Eagles, playing in the Premier League, but also represents the real area of Richmond in London. Despite being filmed at Crystal Palace's Selhurst Park football ground, AFC Richmond exists solely within the universe of the show. Furthermore, Ted Lasso has successfully established the authentic vibe of AFC Richmond by adopting the red and blue colors associated with Crystal Palace. To enhance this convincing portrayal, the show has produced a wide range of AFC Richmond merchandise, providing fans with the opportunity to don the team's colors. This merchandise includes personalized jerseys, along with the usual assortment of T-shirts, hats, mugs, and stickers. The ability of Ted Lasso to create a fictional club that feels as genuine as the biscuits Ted Lasso brings Rebecca every episode is truly captivating.

Ted Lasso's decision to film on Crystal Palace F.C.'s field adds a genuine touch to the overall authenticity of the series. To show their gratitude, the show creators allowed the Eagles to emerge victorious over AFC Richmond in an episode, serving as a form of compensation for using the stadium. This cleverly plays into the fact that many American fans are unfamiliar with the distinctions between English soccer clubs, and Ted Lasso himself embodies this lack of knowledge regarding the sport. AFC Richmond acts as the gateway for numerous Ted Lasso enthusiasts, introducing them to the world of soccer, or football as it is known internationally. Despite this, the show's portrayal remains remarkably believable and endearing.

Real Footballers & Real Teams Have Appeared On Ted Lasso

The Ted Lasso football team and reality were indistinguishable because AFC Richmond competed against real-world teams on the show. These opposing teams featured their actual players, who portrayed fictional versions of themselves. Additionally, Ted Lasso includes various real-world pundits who frequently satirize the manager and his approach to the game. Notably, Thierry Henry plays a prominent role as a pundit on the show, often drawing the ire of Coach Beard, who vehemently exclaims "Shut up Thierry Henry" repeatedly throughout the series. Notably, Gary Lineker, Chris Kamara, Jeff Stelling, and Arlo White also make appearances as themselves.

AFC Richmond competes against real clubs like Everton and Manchester City in the series. In addition, the series features fictional characters inspired by actual footballers, such as Roy Kent, who is based on Manchester United's midfielder Roy Keane. Notably, the arrival of Pep Guardiola, the highly regarded manager of Manchester City in real life, to the AFC Richmond game against Manchester City was a significant inclusion that established a genuine connection to the world of football. Guardiola's cameo is considered the standout moment of the show's three seasons and solidifies its authenticity.