The recent tragedy prompted me to donate, without a second thought, and also put in a call to B&W relatives. I have to say it's a great rivalry only spoiled by the infantile antics of some on here and on derby day. When I look at the likes of Boro, Hull, Palace etc who don't have a 'local rival', to spice things up, I realise how lucky we are. Boro are so desperate to gain our attention they throw bricks at the coaches and Hull are generally ignored by Leeds. Palace couldn't find anyone in London, who would take them seriously, and had to search the south coast until they found Brighton. Brighton were at a bit of a loose end as Portsmouth were already locked into an agreement with Southampton. So I reckon we're quite lucky to have a proper, long standing, rivalry with a similar club who are often in the same division. I'm a lifelong expat, from the NE, but I'd imagine there has been some quite decent conversations between rival workmates etc this week. I doubt it, tbh, but I hope it leads to a bit more respect and civility in the next derby matches.
Smug, the problem is that we are (stupidly) taught from an early age to dislike each other. The fact that neither club has (shockingly) won nowt for years means the two derbies are the be-all-and-end-all for both sets of fans and this intensifies feelings further. Myself, I've had enough of it and have started following my home-town Gateshead (I can't tell you how refreshing it is). The Tyne Wear rivalry is now like two irrelevant old bald men fighting over a comb.
The rivalry is one of things that makes the clubs so great. Biggest rivalry in English football without doubt. It's because the rivalry pre-dates football, generations passing the rivalry down has made it stronger. Football gave it a modern arena which has developed the rivalry. I'm Sunderland till I die fella. I eat, drink, breath and sleep Sunderland, I'd never abandon my club because of a regime, Something I learnt from my dad. He never missed a home game through the Cowie era. If the club suffered a massive fall from grace, administrators came in and dissolved us, that's it, no more. No new club. I'm no turncoat.
I've stopped being a slave to football. I'll count England as part of that as well, I'm sick of false dawns, false promises. I've cancelled my Sky Sports subscription, the premier league (or whatever it is called these days) bores me. I've joined the ranks of the many who are looking at non-league and thinking it has so much to offer. I'd rather spend my cash and give my support where it is appreciated. As it happens, there are fans of the red and white and black and white persuasions who follow Gateshead together. How healthy does that sound? But, I will repeat, the Tyne Wear rivalry is like two old irrelevant bald men fighting over a comb.
Not with me head of hair believe me fella. Such a shame, It's your club not Mike's. Nowt wrong with following The Heed like, but not as a replacement. Really hope you have a change of heart fella. You're all better than Fat Mike.
Bri, of course I will still look out for the toon's results (especially December when you beat us again) but watching the Heed isn't really a replacement. The atmosphere and camaraderie at matches is great and I really got the bug last season. I just feel that NE fans are the best in the world and yet we've had so much disappointment over the years....both our clubs. We've been let down badly.
Cheers Billy, you are good craic as well mate If ever you fancy a couple of pints at a Heed game, give me a shout mate.
I've never thought about it to be honest, Bri. I go on the official heed army forum, sometimes that can be very slow though. I have to say that when I went to watch them at Wembley it was a great day out (despite the score). Excitement on the way down, a few pints beforehand and a good singsong. And absolutely no trouble at all.
The derbies are the highlight of the season for most fans and are always missed by both sets of fans when we are in different divisions. Im happy we are starting to redress the issue of us being behind in results in derbies throughout my lifetime. Most my mates are mags and we have a lot of banter but thats all it should ever be. I don't understand the idiots who both sets of fams have who just seem to want to fight people because of the football team they support. We all love our clubs but weve all got more important things going on in our lives and the tragic event of the plane crash has brought all of that into perspective. Its a game we all love so emotions do often boil over but at the end of the day a game is all it is and north east fans are the best in the world.
I remember years ago, someone said you can change your house, car, street, country, wife !, job but you will never change your football team. I would like to us both in the 2015 F A cup final, so one of us will finally win a trophy.
