Following on from the article about if one of our clubs folded what does everyone think about people who still go to both grounds. I use my dad as an example, he is a Rugby fan and plays and watches rugby every weekend. But he also enjoys watching football. He is from Newcastle and so follows Newcastle, he goes to a few games a season with my brother who is more a die hard fan. But my dad also comes occasionally with me and my mum to the SOL. He enjoys the games and wants Sunderland to win (when their not playing Newcastle). Being from a Rugby background he does not really understand the rivalry and thinks everyone should just sit together like at the rugby. I am sure their are other fans like this, people who are never going to buy a season ticket but enjoy a good game so will go if the oppotunity is there. Back in the day my Grandad watched both clubs play, I wonder if we will ever see a return to that??
Each to their own I suppose. I personally wouldn't go to watch Sunderland, and I'm not the only one around here who would rather them lose more often than they win, although I have wanted them to win once (against Spurs years ago where Murphy scored in the 89th minute.) My Grandad was happy enough listening to any team on the radio, but particularly Newcastle and Sunderland. What I disagree with is people immediately assuming they know everything they need to know about someone based on what football team they support.
i know it's not the same but i go to any football game when i can for example i watched Ipswich the other day.
I enjoy a bit of banter with the Mackems, and I don't begrudge them a win against a team that I despise more than them (Man Citeh, Chelsea, Stoke!) But I would never choose to go and watch them play. If people want to support both teams, that's fine with me, but I personally can't comprehend it
My Granda watched both clubs play, Newcastle were his team but his first wife who died in her early twenties supported Sunderland,she'd always went to the games with her brothers. She and my Granda went to as many games together as they could, he continued to go to Roker Park throughout his life, he took us to both grounds as children, he was a huge sports fan, it seemed really important to him that we also shared his enthusiasm.
My Grandad used to go to both, He likes to see both teams do well, but in general he is just a huge football fan! He's in his late 80's now but has as much enthusiasm for the game as anyone I know.
Good on gramps. When I first started work, the company I worked for was about 50/50 with Newcastle and Sunderland supporters and they quite often had coaches on for the away games for both teams and I went to quite few of them. Got a story or two to tell about some of them, especially one about a Leeds game. I played myself in those days but the secretary of the team went to the games too and always arranged for our games to be rescheduled. Came back minus a passenger or two on more than one occasion, didn't know what made them miss the coach but I've got a better idea now that I'm older and wiser.
Uncle used to watch both as late as the 80's. My first game was a Sunderland game and i've been to a couple before with mates but wouldn't choose to go to a Sunderland game although I could just about bear it.
I don't know if we'll ever see that back, though I'd like it. In those days, a miner from Ashington or Blyth was in the same boat as one from Silksworth or Birtley. Likewise, guys who worked on the Wear and the Tyne built ships and marine engines - again, they were all in the same boat. The N.E. was an integrated community in those days, and we all wanted the N.E. clubs to do well - though, of course, we had our preference. Since the demise of heavy industry, that hasn't been the case. There will still be an odd few who do it and I have great respect for them. They're true north-east football fans to me.
Each to their own - My Grandad and I were attacked in Sunderland many years ago after a match at Roker Park. I was very young and it terrified me - My Grandad was very bitter and angry about it for years afterwards. From that day I vowed never to support the Mackems in any capacity.
Watching both teams is a concept which is toatally alien to me...If the Mags were playing in my back garden, I would shut the curtains..
Seems like dual support is mainly a generational thing that's largely died out, but there are still some who support both teams. I remember my grandad, from Consett, telling me when I was younger that while his loyalties leant towards Newcastle in the derbies, he would also go and watch Sunderland. My uncle, his son, still genuinely supports both teams in equal capacity and wants the NE to do well, apart from Boro, as "the people of Middlesbrough are too miserable to deserve anything".
I have no problem with people who do this. My lass is from Newcastle & a very rough part of it although she couldn't give a flying **** about football. Her brothers however are all diehard mags & have completely accepted me & I feel totally at ease in their company as nee one would want to **** with them. One time I was off work poorly & sick of being stuck in the house. Her brothers invited be over to watch mags v Portsmouth in the pub. At half time someone said that there was a mackem in the bar. All her brothers stood up & said it's ok, the mackem's with us, now **** off. I got no more bother & it cost me nowt that night. I judge folk by their personality not who they support but will fight my corner if the piss is being taken. Wherever you go from the smallest village to the biggest city there will be tosspots, I'd dump them all in Helmand to see how they get on.
I suppose I envy the people with the capacity to rise above the antipathy although I could never bring myself to do it. Most of us (from both clubs) will have stories about why the other club's supporters are miserable bitter narrow minded sods and I doubt that many of us would be able to put aside our own personal bias even if we really wanted to. Also I'm pretty sure that forums like this exacerbate the situation as they are the natural stomping grounds for trolls and keyboard warriors... as a percentage I think the number of dick-heads is much higher than you would find in real life... or at least in real life most people have the social skills to behave in a less dick-head like way. Besides who could not failed to be disgusted by the terrible behavior of the Earl of Newcastle's royalist whitecoats during the Civil War
I am a Sunderland fan but always watch the Newcastle games on TV and no, not to see them lose but to enjoy the game. I have never undertood the hate thing and I have even been to watch the Boro a few times, one of my x brother in laws is a big Boro fan. I love to see us win and pray for the day we beat Newcastle but thats because I'm a Sunderland fan not a Newcastle hater.
