As a big football fan in general, I'm quite happy going along to watch any game of football. Now of course, it's not the same if saints aren't playing, that's a given. However, I still find it pleasurable wherever I go, and this weekend I'm off to see walsall v preston (I'm a student up in bham and a preston friend is dragging me along). It'll be my third visit to the Bescott in as many years and I'm eagerly awaiting heading back! So I wondered, would you ever go and watch other teams play as a neutral? If so, care to share any good past experiences?
Only done it when on an away trip and the Saints game was called off after we set off (used to happen quite a lot in the "old days"). So would divert to other nearby games and wasn't generally a problem getting tickets back then as most places, even Highbury were pay on the gate. Flirted with watching Eastleigh, Sholing and Salisbury when Lowe was ruining Saints and found it too painful to go to St Mary's, but just didn't feel right and was surprised how relatively expensive it was to watch non-league. Only team I want to see as a neutral is Barcelona. Aim to go there for a game before the season is out.
I've seen Bournemouth play a couple of times as my uncle and cousin support Bournemouth. Also been to Stamford Bridge to see Chelsea demolish Stoke 7-0 and also seen Cambridge play as my aunt is a doctor for the club - got to sit in VIP area (sounds better than it actually was!)
I saw Bayern Munich v Nantes while I was in Germany about 8 years ago. Was a Champions League match - the ticket price was peanuts and you could sit anywhere you wanted. The hardcore Bayern Munich fans were an entertaining bunch aswell and the olympic stadium was fantastic (sadly it is now a largely forgotten venue, it wasn't used for the 2006 World Cup and the two Munich clubs now play at the modern Allianz Arena). I've also been to the Nou Camp for a tour but sadly not for a match - i'd love to watch some of the big European derbies in their stadiums like AC Milan v Inter (San Siro), Barca v Real Madrid (Nou Camp and Bernabeu), Roma v Lazio (Stadio Olimpico) etc
Have seen Newcastle play several different teams at St James - always a great atmosphere, love the passion of the fans and makes for a good start to a night out there with mates
When I was in the army I used to watch Colchester many years ago, it was usually a Friday evening game at Layer Road. I would often go along to watch Ipswich on Saturday's if I was unable to get to a Saints game. While based in Germany I would go to watch Dortmund. Always a good atmosphere in that stadium and easy to get tickets on the day.
A Watford supporting housemate dragged me along to Cardiff vs. Watford last season as we're up in Cardiff for Uni. Sat in the away end where I was made to feel very welcome on the condition I got involved in all the chants (I did opt out of the "Dave Jones just touched me, I want to go home" chant however). Great game aswell, even though Watford lost.
Me neither. Growing up, I always watched Saints, but that was the only sport I went to see, except a bit of Speedway and Cricket. My Mum was a great watcher, and never actually did anything [apart from being a great Mum, of course]. That affected my siblings, and they were very stay-at-home too, so I made a conscious effort to do things, rather than watch others have all the fun. It's nearly always more fun to do than watch others do.
When I was younger I did have the idea to go to all 92 league grounds. Saw some truly awful games and didn't get very far through the list. Last game I went to as a neutral was probably Wimbledon v Leicester at Selhurst Park. I lived nearby at the time and my family of Leicester fans were visiting. Probably the worst game of football I haver ever witnessed. 0-0 and both teams were dreadful.
I love football so I'd happily see anybody play (if you remove stupid suggestions like Stoke vs Wigan, anyway). Going to see Arsenal this weekend, actually.
I am quite happy just watching a bunch of kids kicking a ball around in a park. It is a bit like music I will listen to anything if it is live.
I've been to Ninian Park on a few occasions relatively recently, and the Vetch a few years back. Even been to the public convenience along the coast several times(with my Pompey chums). All good fun - didn't care too much who won(even Portsmouth, as their efforts to overcome Div 4 opposition were amusing and not relevant to us)
I'll watch Southend United if Saints are on international break, or if Southend play on a different day to Saints.
Basingstoke are my second team and I occasionally go and watch them when Saints aren't playing. Saw Reading 5 times last season.
I went to see Aldershot V Oxford United in the JPT 2nd round last week. Cost me £6.55 from Surbiton on the train and it was only a tenner for a ticket, gave me a chance to tick off a new ground and revisit the JPT. Good night, although the football was terrible. Hopefully going to see Oxford at home in a few weeks, just gives me chance to visit grounds I usually wouldn't.
Go to about 6-7 arsenal games a season and a couple Tottenham games. But only because alot of my mates have season tickets there, Was in the tottenham for the northlondon derby when danny rose scored that screamer, was amazing.
Seen barnet stay up on the last day two years running now aswell ( i chose to see barnet instead of the walsall game)
I seem to see Arsenal a lot when they play big teams like City/United which is great when I don't have to pay £60 a ticket but even better when I see them suffer and lose; especially with my subtle fist pumps if Arsenal miss or opp. score. Also quiet like to see how Walcott gets on as I still admire him even if Wenger has killed him but now Chamberlain is there I have more interest in watching both of them.
Spent a year on degree work placement in High Wycombe so managed to get to loads of their games that season (2001?), which was when they got to the fa cup semi final, Roy Essandoh etc etc. quite an entertaining season, and good VFM considering it was something like £3 in for students at the time. Also more recently went to leyton orient v leicester (in away end) due to some mates being around for it, think it was the season they went up and we went down. was quite amusing banter but i could never really get into it properly. just like sitting in the home fans end when you're playing away, it's one of the hardest things to do.
