What's Makes You Support Your Team And Why?

[Chelsea14Ian]

The reason I support Chelsea is because I was on a school trip in Yorkshire,on the lead up to Chelsea playing Leeds in the FA cup.At that time I liked football no team in general. The locals were pulling our leg because of our voices,so I was shocked much to the dismay of my uncle who was a big Chalton fan.Have supported Chelsea ever since.Many years ago my work mate at the time suggested we go to the pub to watch England play in the test match.I said yes to the pub not interested in the Cricket.How wrong could I be.Got shocked and have loved the game ever since.The same with Rugby union. My other long time love is Tennis have loved the game since a child.Sport is a great thing to watch and play.Whatever is your sport or team enjoy.

Chelsea Ian

[Jim]

Crystal Palace because I was born and raised in Thornton Heath and walked by Selhurst Park en route to my senior school.

[webntweb]

When I was about 10 or 11  my dad took me to see Man C a few times. Then a family friend took me to see Man U.

I think it was the fact that Man C had quite a few older players and Man U were a very young team that swayed me towards Man U.

[colino]

west ham my dad took me over when i was 5 season ticket holder now 70

[scaniaman]

Supported Oldham as a lad then broke me leg playing so took up refereeing. After 23 years of being called names,having car doors kicked in,having my parentage and colour doubted I decided to leave footy alone and took up supporting Leeds Rhinos.

[Guest]

I didn't have a dad, well not one who encouraged me anyway, so I ended up surrounded by people supporting Liverpool and my best friends dad took me to a game when I was about 5, I was hooked ever since.

The great big Liverbird on a picture I received as a young boy helped too, I loved it.

[Paul]

When I was very young my late uncle was chairman of the Leicestershire County Council Sport Committee. in 1974 he took me to Villa Park to watch an FA Cup replay versus Liverpool, it was my first ever match. Liverpool were awesome that day and beat Leicester 3-1 to reach the final. IIRC Liverpool scored right at the start of the second half but Leicester equalised quickly. Goal from Keegan and Toshack, Liverpool's golden boys secured the win. 

The Final, which in those days was just about the only live televised game was between Liverpool and Newcastle United. It was a very controversial year as in the quarter final Newcastle, playing Notts Forest at St James's Park had been three one down with a player sent off when the Newcastle Fans invaded the pitch. There were many injuries including to Forest players and lots of arrests. After the melee died down the referee restarted the match and Newcastle came from behind to win 4-3. An FA enquiry into the match was exepcted to disqualify Newcastle but instead "copped out" and ordered a replay at a neutral ground, which Newcastle won. 

For just about the only time in history the whole country was behind Liverpool in the final which they won 3-0 at Wembley in what would be Bill Shankly's last game in charge. Keegan scored twice, I think the other goal was Heighway. The final was always on the day of our school May Fair and I remember watching it on the TV in the school with lots of others, mostly Dads. After the final whistle Malcolm Macdonald broke down on the pitch in floods of tears, receiving little sympathy from the assembled crowd due to the dislike for Newcastle because of the earlier controversy. I joined in with the jeering and heckling and have been a Liverpool supporter ever since. 

After twelve years on the waiting list I finally got my season ticket in 1997, but that was the premier league era and saw Liverpool matches, like other top sides increasingly moved from Saturday afternoon to satisfy TV schedules. I surrendered it just four years later having managed to attend only six of the 19 home league games that year.

I remain an "avid". I have run with the Urchins. I was in Brussels in 1985 to watch the formality of the reigning champions brush aside Juventus in the European Cup Final, or so we expected and witnessed, or so I thought at the time the very worst of football until 4 years later I stood in the Leppings Lane end of Hillsborough. I didn't attend another football match Until 20th April 1994, the so called "Kop's Last Stand". I decided if I didn't get back on the horse then so to speak I never would. Norwich were the visitors to Anfield that day. They hadn't read the script and won 1 - 0 on a day charged with emotion. An error from "Calamity James" IIRC.

By that time Liverpool were in decline, unable to match the spending power of our East Lancs rivals. A string of hugely average signings further damaged our performances and in the words of Yoda ...."begun the wilderness years had". I watched Liverpool emerge from those wilderness years in Istanbul in 2005, mortgaging my left kidney to fund the trip. We thought that was the start of a new era, the Raffaloution, but alas the frailties of the clubs management structure kept us tethered. The Hicks and Gillette Years followed, the club was bankrupted by two men who were nothing more than fraudsters and crooks. We avoided administration by the skin of our teeth and finally ousted them. Gillette had been quoted as saying he would sell Liverpool "over his dead body". The Urchins made clear that they could arrange that. 

And so the FSG era began. The new stand promised by G&H never materialised but recent developments to Anfield at least give us a capacity to challenge the big spending clubs. FSG have had a lot to do to rebuild the club but finally our scouting looks more consistent.

But redemption will not truly arrive until we are Premier League winners. That will not be this year, unless the hand of fate decides to deal us a Leicester City style Joker. 

[troutman62]

1 hour ago, Paul said:

When I was very young my late uncle was chairman of the Leicestershire County Council Sport Committee. in 1974 he took me to Villa Park to watch an FA Cup replay versus Liverpool, it was my first ever match. Liverpool were awesome that day and beat Leicester 3-1 to reach the final. IIRC Liverpool scored right at the start of the second half but Leicester equalised quickly. Goal from Keegan and Toshack, Liverpool's golden boys secured the win. 

The Final, which in those days was just about the only live televised game was between Liverpool and Newcastle United. It was a very controversial year as in the quarter final Newcastle, playing Notts Forest at St James's Park had been three one down with a player sent off when the Newcastle Fans invaded the pitch. There were many injuries including to Forest players and lots of arrests. After the melee died down the referee restarted the match and Newcastle came from behind to win 4-3. An FA enquiry into the match was exepcted to disqualify Newcastle but instead "copped out" and ordered a replay at a neutral ground, which Newcastle won. 

For just about the only time in history the whole country was behind Liverpool in the final which they won 3-0 at Wembley in what would be Bill Shankly's last game in charge. Keegan scored twice, I think the other goal was Heighway. The final was always on the day of our school May Fair and I remember watching it on the TV in the school with lots of others, mostly Dads. After the final whistle Malcolm Macdonald broke down on the pitch in floods of tears, receiving little sympathy from the assembled crowd due to the dislike for Newcastle because of the earlier controversy. I joined in with the jeering and heckling and have been a Liverpool supporter ever since. 

After twelve years on the waiting list I finally got my season ticket in 1997, but that was the premier league era and saw Liverpool matches, like other top sides increasingly moved from Saturday afternoon to satisfy TV schedules. I surrendered it just four years later having managed to attend only six of the 19 home league games that year.

I remain an "avid". I have run with the Urchins. I was in Brussels in 1985 to watch the formality of the reigning champions brush aside Juventus in the European Cup Final, or so we expected and witnessed, or so I thought at the time the very worst of football until 4 years later I stood in the Leppings Lane end of Hillsborough. I didn't attend another football match Until 20th April 1994, the so called "Kop's Last Stand". I decided if I didn't get back on the horse then so to speak I never would. Norwich were the visitors to Anfield that day. They hadn't read the script and won 1 - 0 on a day charged with emotion. An error from "Calamity James" IIRC.

By that time Liverpool were in decline, unable to match the spending power of our East Lancs rivals. A string of hugely average signings further damaged our performances and in the words of Yoda ...."begun the wilderness years had". I watched Liverpool emerge from those wilderness years in Istanbul in 2005, mortgaging my left kidney to fund the trip. We thought that was the start of a new era, the Raffaloution, but alas the frailties of the clubs management structure kept us tethered. The Hicks and Gillette Years followed, the club was bankrupted by two men who were nothing more than fraudsters and crooks. We avoided administration by the skin of our teeth and finally ousted them. Gillette had been quoted as saying he would sell Liverpool "over his dead body". The Urchins made clear that they could arrange that. 

And so the FSG era began. The new stand promised by G&H never materialised but recent developments to Anfield at least give us a capacity to challenge the big spending clubs. FSG have had a lot to do to rebuild the club but finally our scouting looks more consistent.

But redemption will not truly arrive until we are Premier League winners. That will not be this year, unless the hand of fate decides to deal us a Leicester City style Joker. 

Personally I Can't stand football but each to their own.

My son in law says he "supports" Liverpool but never goes to a match.

If shouting at a telly screen defines supporting then surely the plot has been lost ?

[Guest]

It was 1963 and I was sat in front of a huge cabinet, with a tiny grey screen, our first television set and it was 'Cup final day'. I was eight years old and it was the first 'live' game I had ever seen. My Dad and me, sat watching as Manchester United won the F.A. Cup, beating Leicester City 3 - 1. I had a mop of blond hair in those days, that tiny 'black & white' TV must have had a dodgy contrast, because I distinctly remember the blond mane of Denis Law literally 'glowed' on the screen. I was transfixed by him and was an instant fan... It started a love of Manchester United that has been an amazing journey, some years ending in disappointment, others in unbelievably exciting triumph, but I'll always be blessed to have watched that first game, the game that made me a Manchester United supporter...

[Wyndham]

Whufc. 

Born and grew up within walking distance. (long walk mind) 

Uncle took me when I was 10

Followed them all over the country and only gave up my season ticket last year cos I hate that poxy stadium and all that goes with it.

COYI

[TheQ]

Not the slightest interest in 22 over paid men chasing around after a bit of leather on a plastic (partly)  pitch. Or however many men it is that fight over a strange shaped ball. 

I had never lived close  to a first division team and never could understand people getting attached to clubs to which they had no connection. The nearest I've lived to a top flight club is now, with Norwich City,  But after 60 years thing to avoid watching sport I'm not changing now. 

As for attending round ball sport   it's much more expensive  than sailing,  I'll stick to that. 

[Wyndham]

On ‎11‎/‎08‎/‎2018 at 17:50, TheQ said:

Not the slightest interest in 22 over paid men chasing around after a bit of leather on a plastic (partly)  pitch. Or however many men it is that fight over a strange shaped ball. 

I had never lived close  to a first division team and never could understand people getting attached to clubs to which they had no connection. The nearest I've lived to a top flight club is now, with Norwich City,  But after 60 years thing to avoid watching sport I'm not changing now. 

As for attending round ball sport   it's much more expensive  than sailing,  I'll stick to that. 

You know, this reply has me agreeing and disagreeing in equal quantities.

I too am fed up with 22 over paid men etc. but it wasn't like that 50 years ago. Back then going to the game on the weekend was the big thing of the week, a much more level playing field in terms of quality, hardly anyone local supporting Man. United or Liverpool, just local teams, WHU, Spurs, Woolwich, Charlton etc. Like most drugs it had you hooked. Football has changed over the years, some things for the better, some for the worse.

The advent of Sky has made the experience so much better for the armchair fan at the expense of the fans who attend the games, consequently we have "fans" who have never seen their team play and who "support" teams hundreds of miles away because they are successful.

It is now a media hyped product which draws in far more than it's really worth, but while the viewers will pay for it the players will get paid silly amounts. Remember, it wasn't always like this and when a drug hooks you it takes a lot of effort to kick it.

I miss going, miss the banter, mates, the songs, drunken chats with strangers on trains, the apprehension of expecting a slap, there's so much but the time was right to stop and I don't regret that decision.

Now Mr Q, let me say, Norwich is a great family club and Delilah has put in place some of the best food and drink facilities I have ever experienced as a visiting fan so can I suggest you go and try it without prejudice. Try and go to a local derby with Ipswich, you just might enjoy it.....Reason I say that....some 10 years Mrs W bought me a surprise long weekend on a boat, I can't say I was overly impressed but loved it and now own one....you just never know.

[TheQ]

Sadly 50 years ago there were no local, first flight teams near to me in Deepest Wiltshire, and even less when we moved to the Outer Hebridies.  So in Wiltshire it was the usual support of the Big name teams or in the Hebridies , it was Celtic or Rangers depending on your religious persuasion, So I avoided that..

 

 I have no intension of paying vast amounts of money into Rupert Murdochs pocket, However I have used Deliah's facilities but not in a football related matter...

[Matt]

West Ham season ticket when I was younger but now I regularly take the boys to see the mighty Southend United. 45 Min Drive and street parking with a 10min walk to the ground. £18 an adult, £4 for children and the players will come and sign autographs and have photos with the kids during the warmup- what’s not to like?

:-)


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[Regulo]

33 minutes ago, Matt said:

mighty Southend United. 45 Min Drive and street parking with a 10min walk to the ground. £18 an adult, £4 for children and the players will come and sign autographs and have photos with the kids during the warmup- what’s not to like?

Probably the fact they're not too good?  .

[Matt]

Give them time........


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[colino]

One had trouble with the law good is when you can`t take the dog

`

[Wonderwall]

I support Hibernian FC because they are the greatest club in the world. From the finest city.

Its in my blood and has been for generations.

I would struggle to keep the passion if the players were receiving per week , more than the average man earns in a year. How did that happen?

[BroadAmbition]

Donny Rovers for me 'The Vikings' Been going on and off ever since my Late Grandad took me as a nipper to Belle Vue in the early sixties.  (Since moved to the Keepmoat Stadium)  They are my local team, about 6 miles away.  I also know one of the 1st team players whom I sometimes shoot / socialise with.   I'm most definitely not a 'Glory Fan' you can't be supporting Donny Rovers.  Supporting Donny is easy as we never get high expectations so when we do win it's an added bonus.  We have had a great start to this season beating Southend at their place (Sorry Matt) and a win at home last Saturday too.  I am not a season ticket holder as I have to split mysen three ways between Shooting, Tiger Riding and 'B.A' of course.  Beside rarely are Donny at home ever sold out but it does happen now and again.  Most memorable matches that I have been to? - Gaining promotion back to professional  league two at Stokes ground, then winning the St Johnstone paint trophy at Cardiff.  But the real biggy was actually seeing Donny play at Wembley in a match that really mattered, - Promotion to the Championship against the 'Mighty' Leeds and Donny won!  I have been dining out on that one forever and if I live to a hundred will still do so (If I can remember)   Years ago in the Late 70's I got fed up with my mess mates onboard harping on about their teams (Most of which they had never actually seen) so on a weekend leave I went to the club shop at Belle Vue to purchase a tea/coffee  mug (This really happened)  Me to the lady behind the counter 'Have you got any mugs'?  Reply - 'Yes, we have eleven and they generally play on Saturdays' !

Griff

[finny]

Manchester City - why ? 

Because my dad said I had too 

finny

[Matt]

Griff- I was at the Southend V Doncaster match. Southend should have been 2 or 3 up in the first 30mins but our lack of a 20 goal a season stricken cost us once again!


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[Timbo]

Newcastle United. 'nuff said bonny lad! 

[quo vadis]

Why aye ya xxxxxx 

[BroadAmbition]

What's occurring then? Donny played their third game of this current season last night against the Iron (Scunthorpe) in a league cup game and managed a win.  That's three on the bounce now!  We currently sit second in the league table and will soon need oxygen and start suffering from nose bleeds.  Most Donny fans are scared of heights

Griff

[Paul]

10 hours ago, BroadAmbition said:

What's occurring then? Donny played their third game of this current season last night against the Iron (Scunthorpe) in a league cup game and managed a win.  That's three on the bounce now!  We currently sit second in the league table and will soon need oxygen and start suffering from nose bleeds.  Most Donny fans are scared of heights

Griff

you could always remind people that "Donny Rovers" have won the FA Cup six times ...... no need to mention it was the Belles.