money mainly
Like it or not , clubs are perceived by size throughout the whole pyramid. If money is the same then players will choose clubs on size as well. Lower leagues especially.
Some people hate this argument but I quite like it.
rather chequered history ?
pre 1960 their decade average attendances were 47k / 31k / 36k
They'd won 5 league titles and been in 2 FA cup finals
along with 50 + years in div 1
Nothing like us at all
Blackpool have won 1 cup , spent majority of their history in 2nd and 3rd divs but have some good history / crowds. Reasonable size but not quite big.
Bolton are a bigish club yes, 4 FA cup wins , most of their history in top league. Decent attendances. Bigger than us I'd say
https://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/englandcontent.htm
Good website.
Club size defined by historical crowds , historical league placings , trophies and current set up. A mixture of it all
No chance anywhere near the size of Leeds and Everton