Maybe - But I do think you need to go to at least one derby to understand. I have not been to many games myself, but I don't think anyone who hasn't been to a derby game really appreciates the atmosphere like someone who has seen it first hand. I was lucky enough to go to an Arsenal -Spurs game once and it was an eye-opener.
Which was in response to District Line's post about SKY watering down the rivalry of the London Derbies. I said that if you go to games and you're in the capital on match days, you know all about London Rivalries - check that post #282 again, you might learn something. Your comment: Is laughable in it's utter crap. You are saying that because I go to the NLD, I don't understand the Arsenal v Spurs rivalry Feel free to carry on making a tit out of yourself HotHead
??? Oh dear. Don't try and change it. The argument had fully been that unless you live in the area you won't fully understand the extent of the rivalry. District Line added that SKY are partly responsible for watering down the rivalry. You made no reference to Sky watering down any rivalry. In fact - you QUOTED what you were responding to which was: You said they still are for fans that go to the games. You can argue as much as you want, you nailed your own coffin shut. Clown.
Thread Title: Anyone else now a little worried about Chelsea? Current Arguments: Whether you need to be at the stadium at the NLD to bfeel its excitement, PISKIE vs Hothead Seems Legit
For the record. I started going to Arsenal in 1984. The first NLD I went to was in 1985 at Highbury when we lost 1-2. I was there at WHL in 1987 for the Littlewoods cup semi 2nd leg when the tannoy announcer was talking about how Spurs fans could go about getting their Wembley tickets and then Rocky fired in a last minute winner. I've went to WHL through the late 80's and 90's. Anyone who was there would understand how annoying it was being locked in the ground by the police until the Spurs fans had dispersed. I stood on the North Bank through the 90's at the NLDs, before the days of 'capacity' crowds and I would often have to stand on the metal steps right at the back of the North Bank to get a good view. I fell down them once and sprained my ankle when we scored against Spurs and had to get taken in a wheelchair up Avenell Rd to the the old St John's ambulance room behind the old shop outside the clock end, giving the spurs fans **** from my wheelchair as they were leaving the ground. I was also there to see Henry's amazing run and finish against Spurs when he ran the length of the pitch and slid in front of the Spurs fans in the clock end. I was also there at the NLD just after Rocky died and the whole crowd, even the Spurs fans sang his name and most recently I was there to see us come back from 0-2 down to see us destroy Spurs 5-2. And all this from a 'plastic fake fan' who only goes to games because it's the 'in thing' to do to look 'fashionable' - Clearly I 'know nothing about the rivalry' -
I made my point for all to see, I will hand the thread back to you all. One thing that's for sure, this season will have an epic ending, I mean Chelsea and Newcastle only being 5 points behind mean that Arsenal and spurs cannot afford to slip up. I expect Chelsea to beat Benfica at home, hopefully Barcelona will beat Milan tonight, that adds 2 more games to Chelsea schedule and chasing the ball for 180 minutes against Barcelona can only work in our favour Newcastle could very well pip them for 5th.
You made a tit of yourself, that's clear for anyone to see if they can be bothered to read this thread from page 15 onwards __________________________________________________________ Chelsea's CL participation is a double edged sword for us, the longer they are in it, the more likely it is to affect their league games with games in between weekend matches. However, if they win it, then it puts massive pressure on us to finish 3rd. Ideal scenario is that we finish 3rd, Spurs 4th and Chelsea win the CL, thereby denying the Spuds a CL spot
Accurate comment. At the heart of it all is the fact that a club IS all about the community. ALL ABOUT IT. Nothing else matters. That is why clubs arent traditional businesses, they belong to the community...end of story. Can you be a fan who was born and raised 200 miles away? Yes Can you ever be a "part" of the club? No Somethings matter more than winning 3-0 at home on a saturday. Clubs need to be part of the communities in which they exist. You can travel 900 miles every week down from scotland and you would be one hell of a fan and follower of arsenal. But you will never be the same as someone whose "home" in the community of which arsenal is a part.
I agree, to an extent. But there are plenty of people who live in Holloway, Highbury, Tufnell Park, Stoke Newington, Stamford Hill, Finsbury Park, Tottenham, Edmonton and all over Islington and Haringey who couldn't give a **** about football. Also, anyone who grew up in London, will know that you have fans of all the London clubs scattered all over the capital. The boundaries don't start and end with the postcodes, that's a over simplified view that just doesn't exist. And, as for the Arsenal v Spurs rivalry - there was a time when people who lived in 'da manor' would go to both WHL and Highbury to watch both teams !
i will not be popular for this BUT - so many on this forum thrust their badge of honour (most games watched, years supported, taken in nappies to their first game, daubed with the mud of the sacred turf) in your face as a sign that they are true members of the 'gang or tribe'. This gang mentality provides strength and a purpose for being - a raison d'etre if you prefer the french. I often wonder whether some have anything else important in their lives, its more than born locally, its more than just loving the beautiful game, its about a need to belong. What else do you fans follow so passionately? Sport, music, drama, family, occupation?? It cannot be only Arsenal surely. If so I feel sorry for you. I'll risk abuse by adding 'get a life'. I may desperately want us to win, but hold the view that I'd rather be entertained and hope to see improvement and ambition. No I don't want to see us win easily against poor sides, I want us to apply craft in beating, or even drawing against a classy side. If you like I want to see the 'best man win' not win at any cost, cheating, fouling, conning the ref ... etc. You have to hold your head up and not win by sly tactics - thats for losers. That brings me on to the money in the game. Clubs just buy success a lot of the time - us included, its the way the game has been allowed to develop. The players are on a King's ransom - mostly undeserved.
Well seeing as this is a football forum, it's natural that people will talk about football. That said, I understand where you're coming from. There was a time in my life that all that mattered was Arsenal FC, to the detriment of my education, friendships and hobbies. There was a time that I thought I could never leave London as I wouldn't be able to watch Arsenal each week. But inevitably, I grew up and realised that what happens on a football pitch is largely inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. Nowdays, Arsenal are still a big part of my life and although I live over 300 miles away, I still try to get to at least a few games each season, but football is a small part of my life compared to how it used to be. Nowdays, I have lots of other interests and commitments that take up my time. I'm a fairly high achiever in my professional life and responsible for shaping local policy in the NHS in my field, so that takes up a fair chunk of time. I also make surfboards for a living and I compete in the sport (at a fairly low level) I also play semi professionally in an afro/latin/funk band and in a 10 piece Ska band. I'm a potter too, so I make all of my own crockery and tableware. I have a wife, a home to look after and a house to renovate - so my life is pretty full. The only reason this 'badge of honour' debacle went on for so long was because HotHead was making a tit out of himself when he couldn't back up his claims that I was a 'fake plastic fan' who only goes to games because it's 'fashionable' to do so and that I know nothing about the NLD rivalry because I'm not from 'Da Manor'. When the reality is that I grew up in London and spent plenty of time in Islington, Camden and Hackney. I've been to enough NLDs over the years to know exactly what I'm talking about when it comes to the Arsenal v Spurs rivalry.
Piskie - why do you have to keep claiming that hothead is making a tit of himself? It sounds like you want to keep repeating it to give yourself some reassurance that you haven't lost an argument. Even if he were wrong, it doesn't make him a tit. The key point he was making - whether you agree with it or not - is an interesting one. That is people who grew up around Highbury have a special insight into the NLD, more so than people who didn't, but go to the games. As a general point this must have some substance. How many 'fans' do you see at the game who really couldn't give a toss? There are many, thousands in fact. They go to games because it is fashionable to do so and a bit of fun - no other reason. Of course there will be some fans who are not from North London who are very very passionate, but even then, can they really know what it is like to grow up as a kid 'in the heart of the battle' and have that additional context??? No they can't. But, it doesn't make them any less of a fan.
Now, I should hold you to the same standard as everyone else. Please give your reasoning as to why he is a tit. (only joking - best not.)
We don't have to, why is it a common consensus amongst football fans that teams have to beat United or City to have played "anyone of note"? Beating Villa is 3 points as is beating Arsenal, why does it matter? City have beaten more teams in the top half of the table than United yet United in all probability will walk out winners.
I agree with you on this but also share HotHead's view. I currently live right next to Villa Park, I often get discount on Villa games because of my postcode and proximity to the ground. Villa are part of my community, when Birmingham City visit it affects me, partly due to the violence and banter etc. I am automatically involved despite having no affinity towards either club. It's a really complicated issue which you free to join us on the Chelsea board if you like where we have a thread dedicated to it.
