Only Sunderland for me never cared about any other club in the slightest and never will. Not even that arsed about England unless I can watch a Sunderland player play for them and I am only interested in how they perform. Don't mind watching them at a world cup or at a push the Euros but generally couldn't care less about qualifying or friendlies.
Mine has always been, NUFC But over the years my enthusiasm, such as it was, has waned to a passing interest. It all comes from watching them on TV in their Cup Final wins in the mid 50's. The whole family gathered round a 12 ins set an Uncle had. It was The North East agaist the rest, so supporting any North East Side was natural. And while the rivalry was at least as strong as it is today, there didn't used to be any of the animosity that now seems obligitory. I prefered the way it was back then. HOWEVER, I would most definately fail your Wembley test
Santiago Wanderers - I know "glory hunter" they are currenly bottom of the Chilean Premier League. Its a bit of a trek to home games but I usually get to see them play when we visit the inlaws. The better half's family are all "Wanderinos" so there was no option really. Sadly I can't see us being allowed to travel there for a good while yet.
Not so much a second team, but I always look out for Brightons result. I worked in a hotel there in the mid 80's, and worked split shifts....9.30am to 2.30pm, then back in again 6.00pm till 10.00pm. On a Saturday I would go along to the Goldstone just to get my "football fix" as I used to call it. Went back down a couple of times for our away games in 86 and 87 i think it was. Lost 3 - 1 (Venison scored an OG) and won 3 - 1 iirc. Can't believe they are two divisions above us now.
Sunderland first and foremost. Soft spot for Tottenham after seeing Jimmy Greaves and Pat Jennings. Also Rangers after seeing John Greig, Jim Baxter and Wee Willie Henderson then Ally Mcoist
Dad was from Newcastle, and Mam from Thornaby, so no second team for me from parental reasons. The nearest big club to where I live now is the Baggies, but I've never taken any interest in them. I do get emails all the time from Wolves because I bought tickets to the Jody Craddock testimonial, so they seem to think I'm a fan of theirs. That's about the closest I've got to a second side.
Chester. Had a season ticket from 1968 when I was six to 1974. Also Elche in Spain. Got a little flat on the Costa Blanca and they're the nearest team. Canny club and a canny city.
AC Milan, from watching James Richardson on Football Italia. Zvonimir Boban, Rui Costa, Maldini, Costacurta, Donadoni, Albertini, Baggio, Weah......the lost goes on. (glory supporter I know! ) And the intro was class....
Patrick Thistle for me lived in Maryhill near the ground for a good few years in the 80s Couldn't be arsed with all the sectarian ****e of the old firm Developed a real love for the club and fans Think it was all the relegations bit like Sunderland. Us against the world
Yes Man Utd. Born 1981 and Big Ron was in charge. Grandad and mother always had Man Utd as 2nd team. No idea why, haven’t asked to be honest, grandad passed away now and barely on speaking terms with mother, but that is another story. Anyway I’m sure it was Liverpool always riding high and when I got Man Utd kits I was ridiculed. But Grandad told me how they were called Newton Heath etc and it always stuck with me. So when they started winning and I showed lads I grew up with my older tops before even Fergie was manager they couldn’t believe I had chosen Man Utd as a 2nd team. Think I may ask my sister to ask her actually as got me thinking why now.
George Weah was a hell of a player, he's the president of Liberia now. Do you remember Alen Boksic? Used to like him a lot.
As a kid I had spurs posters all over my bedroom walls. Nicky Barmby, Vinny Samways, Darren Anderton & Justin Edinburgh are the ones that I remember. I still have a soft spot for them, but I wouldn't say I support them. A few years ago I lived in Nottingham, and attended a few of their games. As a result I always watch out for them too.
They've had some great players, used to love Juninho and Ravanelli too. They were a second team of sorts for me at that time.
