Palace when I was a kid and we moved from Haringey to south London. But, Dulwich Hamlet was the one I’d go to watch most frequently.
I went to Springhill RC school, literally just across the road from The Dell. You can never entirely escape either your football team or your religion - some people do switch both, but who are they kidding? You can’t even give up and become agnostic, not completely.
I grew up supporting Liverpool primarily because of my older brother influencing (telling me) to support them as a child despite not being a Scouser. Once you're entrenched over years its difficult to come away. Round my way there are no big clubs to obviously come attached to which represent where you're from. Small town club I have been to a few times over my life but its a bit too small for me. However, like a lot of people, I've become disillusioned by the Premier League. I dislike how its a national league in England and detest its impact on our national team and the lack of will to manage that by the FA and Premier League. Growing up in the 90s there was always a bulk of English players you could relate to. Now its mercenaries, barely recognisable and the clubs are foreign owned and tend to be foreign managed. Are they really English clubs now? I don't like how the football has become continental - the classic slide tackle is out the window now and we have endless play acting and diving. They get paid far too much and are totally aloof from the supporters. Then there is the cost of a ticket. On top of the that, as an adult I've become more interested in supporting what is in my area - like Sussex County Cricket Club. Although my dads side of the family are northern I'm not a northerner! The Premier League is so global. Also, I get annoyed by a few United fan friends who actually put on Manc accents when the banter comes out. I can't be dealing with these wannabies but I also recognise I'm being a bit of a hypocrite and a lot of the criticisms put their way apply to me. As a result 4 or so years back I just wanted to watch some regular football and not have to travel too far and have actual links to a club. So I went down and watched Portsmouth which I have done a few times in the past. I know the city, spend time in it, have worked in it - I've played on Fratton Park a few times as a youngster - seemed logical to me. I just kept going and loved it. The atmosphere, the attitude, I love getting involved in all of that. The old school, die hard feel to it. No tourists when you're towards the bottom of League 2 and winless in months I can tell you! £20 a ticket for a prime spot! Yes please! Mainly British players - a couple of them local to me. At the time they were also close to oblivion an I wanted to contribute to keeping them going as I knew it would be devastating on the city and I also felt a silght sense of guilt that maybe I should have gone more regularly before. I also have a mate who is diehard pompey and he started getting me to go regularly and it just went from there. I still like Liverpool and I still getting angry if United or Chelsea win and pleased if Liverpool do. I still follow them but not like I used to. I like Liverpool and Pompey. A two teamer - a concept I detested growing up!
Haha. I actually did think of you when I wrote my comment! I'm not on the Portsmouth v Southampton bandwagon mind. I just like watching football.
Did you go to our Milk Cup semi games in mid 80s; and our Cup QF games in early 90s? Amazing atmospheres and great times.
Been to loads of the Chelsea matches. It was always fun and games. Right fiesty lot those Chelsea boys. Always game and didn't give a ****
Always liked Roker Park. Wish I had gone there before they chopped the Roker End in half in early 80s.
My hammer mate came up in the 90s, first game after bobby Moore died. He said it was the coldest place he'd ever been. But fell in love with the place and the people. We had a right laugh.
I'm glad you like long posts now .... usually trim mine for you given that you have the attention span of a gnat combined with irritation levels akin to freshly shaved testicles given a rub with stinging nettles and deep heat
Couldn't agree more. One of my favourite Watford games ever was when Sunderland smashed the Championship and we won 2-1 at the Vic. Their fans were great and Peter Reid turned round when we won the play offs and said we were the best team he faced all season. But more than that, every time they come down they're the best lads to chat to in the pub before the match.
