We northeast footy fans talk about our history of rivalry with each other and at the extremes of both Sunderland and Newcastle fans we have those who actually hate each other. Well I have just spent some time reading through some exchanges on the general chat forum between some at the extreme end of the Old Firm and I can tell you that we in the northeast are in the middle of an enduring love affair compared to Rangers and Celtic. I know first hand about the old firm, my lady is from Glasgow and a hoop along with all her family. She is not a big sports fan but mention Celtic and Rangers and she changes into a demon who is incapable of talking about Rangers or their fans without lots of swearing, mention of rejects and anger. Following the last old firm game, not the cup but the league, we heard lots about secterism, bigotry, alcohol and what needed doing to stop the trouble. Seeing it first hand Iââ¬â¢m not sure it will ever stop and we can only hope that each generation will spawn less of the extreme element, wouldnââ¬â¢t hold my breath mind. All that said and for all its wrongs I watched that old firm game and it was riveting viewing, and there lies the paradox, we deplore it, complain about it, condemn it but cant help watch it and enjoy the spectical of it. No real point to this thread apart from throwing things into the mix to prompt debate.
When I was a kid in the 1940's life was a bit stark without all the "entertainment" that is available today and we looked forward to the Saturday football match. So much so in fact that before I settled on Sunderland as THE team (I'm a Sand dancer so I had a pick) we used to go to alternate games, then as now each team played at home on alternate weekends. I don't remember any of the bile and vitriol that we experience today. Being only youngsters we were treated really well by the older ones. Maybe it was a hangover from all the heartache of the war but if memory serves at least as far as football went they were happier times. In those days Sunderland was the bigger club never ever having been out of the top division. There was the odd banter in our local street but nothing bad like today. Of course we never went to a ground wearing the others colours (even though my mother had knitted me a red and white scarf) I don't think you could buy club scarves in those days. As an afterthought there was no fan segregation like today, everyone was all mixed up (in a good way) Even today I have no ill feelings towards those from up the road unless they go out of their way to upset me. At the end of the day we're all football supporters who appreciate the skills of the game. I just wish things could go back to the way they were.
It's a sad fact in this world we live in, that religion is at the route of the vast majority of war and hatred that is portrayed: I wish I knew the answer in solving this problem, but I don't...
I agree with you both nd can also remeber the days when I stood at Roker next to Newcastle fans, we argued from start to finish but at the end of the game smiled and looked forward to the next game. I also remember the knitted red and white scarf and the red and white hat, bloody hell. I was raised in a pit village and lived along side catholics, my best mate was one and the only reason I did not want to become one was because of Sundays. His church going ****ed up our playing out time every week and he moaned like hell about it. When you came of age and joined the club you would join the WMC, Ladour Club, Conservitive club and Catholic Club, nothing to do with politics or religion all about good beer and the annual free pint tokens. We lived in a very sheltered world with no idea of the problems of religion, never had a problem with politics because we had no option, it was labour and that was the end of it.
Always has been so mate. I honestly believe religion should not be taught in schools. Don't get me wrong I'm an Atheist but still think people should be allowed their beliefs, Moslem Christian whatever. It's their choice, I just don't think it belongs in mainstream classrooms. In the 60 and 70s I got more Religious Education lessons than I did Science. I was also ejected from most of those RE lessons for having the effrontery to question basic errors we were being taught as fact! The RE teacher was also the most violent when caning the "non believers". Whilst people whoever they are, put their beliefs before another human beings feelings or safety, nothings ever going to change.
As for the scarves thing. My dear old Mum's knitting was never up to much, my scarf and hat looked more like they had been crocheted. All out of shape with rather large holes. My Aunty who belonged Houghton saw me in them once and made me some brilliant ones, as good as the shop bought ones now. Religion couldn't cause more problems than them scarves did, took months for the resentment to die down. Me I couldn't care less as everyone was jealous of my ensemble. The hatred of all things Newcastle as I have said before, has always been there with me, from the 60s onwards going to the match only intensified those feelings.
did anyone have the thrill, like me of the knitted balaclava, long before the bad guys claimed them mine kept me warm on that long winter walk to school. The problem was that my mum would never buy wool special to knit them, it was down to what wool she had left over so some very odd colours could be seen.
and we think sunderland -newcastle is bad? na its alright till you get to that thing that looks like a run down copy of the sydney harbour bridge, then its bad, no sorry then its ****e, especially that thing that sits on council land that looks like a lopsided prison
