What's The Game?

[Spurf]

Two teams, a ball, a couple of goal posts and a referee, familiar to anyone? Could be Rugby, could be be Hockey but in this case I am talking Football. Just a reminder for the posters who seem to have lost sight of what the games is about.

To enjoy the game you need to support somebody, you need to care about the result. In my case that team is Tottenham Hotspur. I like their philosophy, I like the location, it means something to me, but most of all I like the game of football itself.

I don't have to HATE the opposition because without them I wouldn't have a game to enjoy. I don't want them to win of course but I can admire them if they play good football. I can also thank them for their good football because it improves the game I am there to enjoy.

That's me; but there is a different kind of Football supporter, we have some on here. Their enjoyment appears to be centred around 'bragging rights' about hating some teams with a vengeance. They seem to invest their self respect in the achievements of their team. Win and they strut about giving stick to the opposition, loose and they bleat and moan and even attack their own team for 'letting them down'. If you want a definition of 'sad' they are it for me. You could understand it if they were out there on the pitch actually playing but they are not they are just watching.

As a watcher I don't believe I am stronger, greater, and even better looking just because my team wins. Likewise I don't believe I am a failure, a dickhead or a lesser being just because they lose.

So! can we get back to the game now? You know, Football, two teams, a couple of goalposts and a referee. The Game! In between games you could actually do something of your own, something you COULD actually be proud of, something YOU have done.

 

[KingHotspur]

for Spurf.

 

[Inda]

Tribalism is also part of the game.

But none of my friends are yiddos and we don't kick each others heads in after we lose.

 

[vimhawk]

What Spurf said.

 

[totsfan]

like spurf i don't hate the opposition,i only respond to people who critcise my team unfairly or come on our board to wum us when they beat us,i feel that i can do that to them to and expect reaction to it. to me it's abit if harmless fun,but it seems to some people it's an afront.i feel sorry for those people who's only life is their team winning trophys

 

[Spurf]

Tribalism is also part of the game.

But none of my friends are yiddos and we don't kick each others heads in after we lose.

Tribalism is not part of the game it is attached to the game by some people, it's also akin to racism and needs to be confronted in the same way.

 

[No Kane No Gain]

Football benefits from healthy rivalry but I agree that arguing who's the bigger club is boring and stupid.

 

[NSIS]

Yes, it's become tribalistic. And, like most tribalism in the world, it breeds mindless bigotry. Save your hate for those who really deserve it. I have mates who are Gooners & Chavs. We both want our team to win, and there may be some mild piss taking after the game is over. But am I going to hate somebody just because they support another football team? Of course not. I simply believe that they are brainless morons for not supporting Spurs?

 

[PleaseNotPoll]

I don't hate Arsenal, exactly, but I dislike the club with a passion!

Banter's an enjoyable part of the whole sport, for me, though I must admit that I kind of gave up on it for most of this season.
The Goons seemed to have had their spirit broken and there was no fun in it.
It appears that they've forgotten this instantly after one result, but that's what you get with that lot, I guess!

Tribalism is a bit of a vague description, for me.
I like the level that our rivalry is at with Arsenal.
It's largely sensible and passionate, without overspilling into bile and violence.
We're the right side of the divide, with the Rangers/Celtic, West Ham/Millwall types going too far, in many (though not all) cases.

It must be less interesting to support a club without a natural rival or with an artificial one.

 

[redwhiteandermblue]

I'm not stronger or greater after Spurs win, but I am better looking, since I haven't been beating my head against a wall or tearing my hear out...

It's a fine line between enjoyable banter, exchanges of insults and disturbing tribalism, and to each his or her own. I'm definitely on the non-confrontational end of things. I watch football because I enjoy it, and enjoy following my team. I'm on this board because I like talking about both with people who have often taught me about them. I tend not to throw much flack, or get much back, which suits me fine. Though I have to admit I'm a little nostalgic for the old 606, when I could be baited occasionally into making ringing condemnations of posters, teams, nations and continents. At least I thought they were ringing.

"As a watcher I don't believe I am stronger, greater, and even better looking just because my team wins"

 

[notsosmartspur]

Well I'm going to be honest, I hate Arsenal, but will refrain from elaborating which could derail the thread. Suffice to say its nothing to do with their PL era success and our lack of it, it stems from school days, in other words, I've never been any different. I must be unique in that all the people I see on a regular basis at work and at home with family and friends, not one is a gooner, so there has to be a reason for that! After that, I can count on one hand what I'd call casual acquaintances that do....nobs!

I also admit to perhaps getting too embroiled in some petty **** now again....don't we all? no!,...just me then! , but at the end of the day it is just words. As someone said it would never extend to real anger on a forum or violence outside it.

I like to think I'm honest, what you see is what you get, I'm often wrong, but I'm not fickle or 2 faced, and as posters who know me well have seen I've had difficulty this week getting over last Sunday....so you'd better all hope the Mancs don't trash us! otherwise I'll be a right !!

COYS!

 

[notsosmartspur]

Oh dear, Smart. I'll keep a low profile on Monday then

You might have to either way!