Of course there is nothing wrong with Portsmouth the City. It has many qualities that Southampton actually doesn't. However, it is true that our dislike for one another does seem to go deeper than football itself. It never used to be that way. It only really seemed to start after Saints got on top in the mid sixties. Before that Pompey were the top team and I don't think their fans liked the reversal. One thing I would say is that, because Portsmouth is basically an island, there may be a bit of "inward looking", although I'm not sure I mean the same as gomarchingin when I say that.
Don't get me wrong, I was born in Southampton 64 years ago and am proud of my City, but there is a lot that has gone wrong in recent years, the Royal Pier, the situation with the heritage/Museums, Ocean Village, Town Quay, all should have been part of a glorious history, but all have been ruined by mismanagement. We have a long way to go to catch up with the coverage of our history, Portsmouth are light years ahead. It is a pity that PFC could soon be a part of the history unless a miracle happens.
I think you will find I am quite fair , Southampton is certainly no prize winner when it cones to it's looks either , the people are far friendlier though and far more open minded , like the continentals and us Islanders as well I suppose . Living on an Island is always going to make people be more inward looking than people on the mainland .
I think you should go and talk to the average Portsmouth resident, without fear or bigotry, cynicism or baggage. They are similar to everyone else in the UK, but with their own regional and local differences, just as Southampton is locally different from the rest of its part of leafy Hampshire. Sure, you can make a case that they are inward looking, as Portsea Island keeps a natural barrier to the otherwise continuous residential development. The M27 motorway does the rest. You certainly aren't the first, the view has been made many times before, and taken up by people as if they are two-headed and speak Swahili. The view is thoroughly overplayed.
Portsmouth's waterfront is lovely, they've done an excellent job with it and have made it an attractive place to visit. The Spinnaker Tower is a nice addition to their waterfront, particularly at night when it is illuminated. I wish Southampton would do something with their waterfront as the burnt-out and partly-collapsed Royal Pier is a disgrace and an eyesore, and Town Quay with its unsightly fence and crops of ragwort on one end isn't exactly picturesque either. There use to be a nice pub, Around the World, on Town Quay just behind the Red Jet terminal, that's gone and the place appears to be disused, likewise a restaurant next to it. If - and I don't think it's going to happen, as what is being played out now at PFC is a game of brinkmanship in an attempt to force the players to back down, and there may be a last-minute deal of some sort - Portsmouth FC is liquididated, then I don't think that the levels of hatred from an element of their support is going to die down. If anything, I think it might get worse - they may lose their club but, for some of them, we 'faacking scumma caants' will always be hated and maybe this'll intensify, through jealousy and resentment.
You might want to have a look at this thread and decide whether you are a decnt fan. http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/158296-Article-What-is-a-decent-fan-Football-Southampton/page2
I don't need to read a self righteous journal telling me what a good fan constitutes , I have already stated if they go out of business I will feel for the fans , they will always hate us regardless of a football club , I believe this is the point I an trying to get across . It will not make a jot of difference about a football club , the history of the two cities are there animosity goes well before football , I suggest some take a few history lessons concerning this before sanctimonious posts about real fans etc etc .
I love Southampton purely cos i'm born and bred and therefore I have my fond memories of youth and friends and all the mischief and first loves etc etc... BUT, if I take an objective stance, hard though it is to admit, Portsmouth is a better city. Quite a bit better. Southampton is crap. It has nothing to offer, except for its proximity to the stunningly beautiful New Forest. Pompey has loads more. The ships, the history, the seafront. Pompey is a really good day out, and a good night out as well, and anyone too stubborn to even try it is a complete moron. Simple.
Southampton Company Union Men and all that! I like the city too. Let's face it, us Sotonians and those Pompeyites are pretty similar.
Come for a day out, gomarchingin and you will see for yourself, what Blacky said is true. If you don't want to well, there you are. Blacky, I think you are being harsh on Southampton. There are some lovely spots and shops, I love Forbidden planet! Last time I was there I wanted to see the Titanic museum but ran out of time. Is it worth the entrance fee?
I like both cities and have fond memories of each of them. However, I grew up in an era of vitriol and spite directed towards my club by denizens of the blue city. This was only enhanced by their brief period of dominance. Consequently, despite the efforts of some of their decent fans, I have a very jaundiced attitude towards PFC. Still love the city!
There are three groups, one slags of their own city, the other slags of their nighbours. I'm in the third group i see each city has their merits. That being said I have been to Pompey it's ok, kinda enjoyed it until I got rushed to hospital
I have worked in both , been out in both and lived just outside Southampton , both are crap or used to be 15 years ago for a night out with. Bournemouth and Brighton being the only real places for a belting night out , that said it all depends on what you want . Meowth I hope you are well , Barry Sanchez here . As I said earlier Hampshire has kore than it's fair share of **** nights out on fact in there a crapper county in the UK that can boast such **** nightspots as Gosport Farnborough Basingstoke Fareham Eastleigh Havant And Andover ? Anyway my point was if you fold Meowth most of your citizens will hate us football or not .
Trouble is Portsmouth have opened up more access to the sea front and the ships while Southampton has moved the ships down River where access is limited other than the Mayflower park area. It is true you can go down the town quay area and see some ships including those I guess in the Ocean terminal. Somehow though it all has been closed down and feels claustrophobic. As for the history of both cities........Saints can match Portsmouth as far as documented history goes and actually has a longer History even concerning the fighting ships although not so well known. Pompey's naval History didn't really get off the ground until really in the 17th century maybe a shade earlier Where as Southamptons goes back to around the 7th-8th century in both military and commercial links.
Southampton has stitched itself up by not investing in restaurants , things to do , nightspots and the like , now I argue with the scousers about nicking the cruiseliners and I strongly disagree with them , but comparing liverpool to Southampton in terms of things to do , nights out , culture and museums is like oil and water , infect it's further apart than that ! If I was a tourist where would I go ? Well Southampton would not be on the to see list , what is there ? See pompey fans I am honest , and I love and miss where I am from strangely .
I should have guessed from the Falcone signature! I've said many times, that unless you are Pompey born and bred, it's very difficult to crack the code. Seeing as it's you Bazza, I would venture that, of the close friends I have here, maybe one in five absolutely abhor anything pertaining to Southampton. Which depending, on what circles you perceive that I move in, is a fair reflection. I think most of the City have a sort of cheek by jowl tolerance about it all. You move your jowls and I'll supply the cheek.
Whats wrong with West Quay? Although I'm a Saints fan until a couple of years ago I was an outsider from Ringwood and would generally go to Bournemouth if I wanted to go shopping. Frankly I find West Quay better than anything they have their, including Castle Point... Sometimes I think people just hate things for the sake of hating them, i'm sure you have your reasons but that doesn't mean we all have to share them. If anything I'd say its some of the suburbs which are the worst part of Southampton, that and the tower blocks built in the 60's.
