Can't include Spurs on this thread but their sensible posters are free to contribute. In what was probably the most feeble and effortless display by a Chelsea team I have seen in my lifetime for a derby you have to wonder if the magic is gone. When you see video's of the atmosphere and passion generated at London Derbies in general in the past it seems it just isn't there anymore. For older Chelsea fans, Spurs is the standout fixture closely followed by West Ham and Arsenal. In my near 18 years supporting Chelsea I can't quite remember seeing a game like it, I can't help but feel since Sky and the inception of the PL a lot of the tradition and magic in football has been lost. Sky consistently put huge emphasis on top of the table clashes and are very elitist in that aspect, plus since football has gone global and mainstream you also get different fans from different areas, where I currently live in the West Midlands I see more Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd shirts than I do Aston Villa. I know it's controversial but I have always maintained that unless you live local to the club you support a local derby cannot mean anything to you, it is no different from any other game. Being a South-West Londoner, where I live is mostly Chelsea with a few Arsenal and Fulham. I know loads of Arsenal fans and all bar one hate Chelsea (and United) more than Spurs. In fact I remember having a conversation with a few of my cousins (Gooners) who said they didn't even mind Spurs and quite liked their style of play (although this was when Spurs were midtable). I felt a sense of disbelief and I can't help but feel that because of the way football has gone totally mainstream a lot of the magic has been lost, these days fans of clubs like Arsenal, United, Liverpool and even nowadays Chelsea don't go to matches yet if you asked a fan of QPR, Fulham or Charlton the reverse is true, simply because they aren't on TV every week so the only way they can follow their teams is by going to the matches. I must admit it does upset me when I see Chelsea fans claiming United/City are their biggest rivals, same with Arsenal fans ala Chelsea/United. I don't think London Derbies are the same anymore, even the big ones like the North London Derby. For me the sooner Sky go bust the better PLEASE DON'T TURN THIS INTO A SLANGING MATCH GUYS OR IT WILL GET CLOSED, I'D LIKE A GENUINE DISCUSSION ON THIS AND TO HEAR VIEWS FROM FANS OF ALL LONDON CLUBS
Sadly true District but tbf Spurs haven't been anybodies rivals since 1961 have they. please log in to view this image
I have never felt Chelsea had London "arch rivals" in the same way Spurs/ Arsenal, Millwall/West Ham or even QPR/Brentford have. I know Fulham are our close neighbours--but we always seem to have a friendly disposition towards them. Arsenal and Chelsea have historically always pulled the big crowds, but we cant say there's been bad blood between us! Perhaps its because Blues have more class!!!!
This game was different, it took a long time to get going as both sides were on a downer going into the game and the closest thing we got to a goal was when Walker hit the side netting and Spurs fans thought it was in. If a side had taken the lead the game would've exploded, a loss to either side would've been hugely damaging and victory a huge boost but I think at the end of the day neither set of fans was particularly disheartened with a draw. The game at the Lane was much more exciting and the atmosphere much better, no one was fretting about the result's effect on the league and attacked more freely, even if it did end in a draw as well. I always look forward to the next derby match. I can't wait for Tottenham to settle the score with Arsenal next season and I look forward to a potential semi final against you guys too. Sometimes the atmosphere lacks but that's happening across all matches with the high prices forcing out some of the real supporters.
Spurs have also pulled some big crowds as well, albeit not nowadays. Agree with you on Fulham, I quite like them and want them to do well, I was gutted when they lost the EL Final. I find Fulham fans the most affable you are likely to come across. Arsenal is purely a rivalry not a hatred as such as there is with Spurs or West Ham
Bit difficult to get more people into WHL! Actually Chelsea have only ever had bigger crowds than Spurs when you've been close to the top of the league, which has been rarely until recently. I like your OP though. But I think it's the pressure to get into the CL and share in the riches that takes the edge off the derbies. There is so much more than local bragging rights and 3 points at stake now.
Chelsea and Arsenal with their high density of nouveau fans have a lack passion compared to real clubs. Look at the manufactured atmosphere at Chelsea with the silly huge flags scattered around by the Russian , just hoping to create a pound shop ultra feel. Arsenal grounds have not been called library's for no reason over the years . The Fast show sketch in the 90s summed it up. On crowds take the league cup between Spurs and Chelsea a few years ago, in the ground there were around 60% Spurs to Chelsea 40%. Yes Chelsea had bigger fish to fry but it stills says clubs like Spurs have a larger hardcore base. I agree that football has lost its soul over recent years but also add mega rich owners who have unbalanced competition. Suffocating the home town clubs, we will never see the likes of Forest, Derby being champions again. It has always seemed to me that Chelsea fans have always hated Spurs far more than the over way.
Typical Spud bull****. http://european-football-statistics.co.uk/attn/england/aveeng1911.htm http://european-football-statistics.co.uk/attn/england/aveeng1908.htm http://european-football-statistics.co.uk/attn/england/aveeng1920.htm http://european-football-statistics.co.uk/attn/england/aveeng1931.htm Before we had ever won a trophy Our away support in the 70s and 80s was 3rd largest - behind only United and Liverpool - despite being in the 2nd division for large spells and being rubbish for most of it. Can we talk facts next time please please log in to view this image
I have to say that I've supported Chelsea since 1967 and have despised the Islington /Woolwich filth since the days of Bertie Mee/Don Howe but the thing I most despise about the arrogant tossers is the way they go on & on about History and Chelsea being bought for £1 by Bates or how corrupt Abramovich is but mention Sir Henry Norris & they all say either WHO or why bring up something that happened that long ago!
I hate Arsenal because of their repugnant fans, most of my family are Gooners. The most fickle and arrogant bunch of fans you are likely to encounter. The ones on Not606 are a good bunch though
This. I hate their fans mentality. I agree with you about them losing magic at the top of english football, many young chelsea fans will hate man u more than anyone else for example. You are also right about the lower leagues, e.g the magic is still there, as a QPR fan, we hate Chelsea far more than any other team, but even though we don't normally hate their teams, matches with Millwall, Palace, Brentford (who hate us), Charlton (kind of) always have a bit more of an intensity than most matches bar Cardiff, Luton etc
