Victory and enjoyment are what they are struggling for, but sometimes hates lights from their eyes. This makes the battles even harder outside the stadiums than on the football grounds.
Liverpool - Manchester United (England)
Here we go, here we go
, You`ll never walk alone
. In the northern part of England these two teams are definitely the rivals. No city derby can come near this.
The hate is strong, I can confirm that from a league match on Old Trafford I watched for many years ago. The brilliant and nice Danish midfielder Jan Molby on Liverpool become serious injured late in the match after a hard tackle. The player rolls around on the pitch and shouted out in pain. The United supporters rose up from their seats and laughed wildly to mob the poor Liverpool player. The hate lighted out from their eyes. I never forget that sight!
Earlier in English soccer my impression was that the supporters were better to support their own team than mobbing other's team. In the end of the 80s I heard the Chelsea support applauded for Liverpool`s brilliant play on Anfied Road. These supporters really loved good football. Maybe it has something to do with changes in the social conditions and lifestyle? The supporters are now more than ever like cat and dog. That is why these matches are arranged early on Saturdays or Sundays. The police get a better control!
Since Manchester United has dominated English soccer for 10-15 years now, fans all over love to hate this club. When they sing "Stand up if you hate Man United", everybody rise up from their seats.
Photo: The famous gate You`ll never walk alone, Anfield Road, Liverpool FC.
Glasgow Rangers - Celtic (Scotland)
This is a breathtaking Old Firm. Both teams are from the capital Glasgow in Scotland and they also the best teams in the country. Rangers and Celtic is definitely the big clash of the season here. More important than any other match for these teams, even more important than playing matches against teams on the continent. Regarding the quality of play on these matches they live seldom up to its rumour to be one of the greatest local derbies in the world. But few places around in the world more life and feelings are involved here. Over 60.000 - 70.000 crazy people attend these matches on the teams' respective stadiums.
The rich Protestants support Glasgow Rangers and the working class Catholics support Celtic. They know their football, but also their religion. So as you can understand the tension is high on these matches. Supporters can stay at the stadiums for hours after the matches are finished. Many persons have died during these derbies. To stop the fighting between the supporters the Celtic managers have arranged social meetings for all supporters undependable of religious and social heritage.
Hooliganism
Soccer hooliganism has often been considered as '"the British disease'", but this phenomena is not unique for England. Supporters of England's national team draw attention more than any others after their violent behaviour around the world. But in contrast with Hooligans in the rest of Europe, they usually fight their battles at home between rivalries.
First they warm up together in pubs with drinking bear and other alcoholic drinks, and so they look for trouble. Local police forces are watching the area around intensively. The media stands fully ready to cover any action.
Photo: English soccer fans in action - mass suggestion.
Photo: The pub was later almost smashed before the police chased the supporters out.
Violence and arresting
Unfortunately there are many serious incidents of violence. In connection with all the mentioned matches many supporters usual become arrested. Most of them become charged with minor disorder offences and have to meet later in the court. The feelings drive the supporters totally crazy on these matches. The hate is so strong that it is extremely frightening.
Sometimes kids are learned to hate since they were small. They become dressed up with the team's suit and learn their first words to express "bad things" about the parent's favourite hate object. Brainwashing is probably the right word here. This is not a good game to play for they who let it goes so far. When children grow older its starts to be serious. You can see small kids' plays rough matches in the streets, backyards, on the beaches and just anywhere else. Football is already their way of life!
Loosing or winning the battle
Loosing against the main enemy it is the end of the world. When their favourite team looses thousands cries out on the streets and mass depression grippes the club for many weeks, maybe months. Football is the perfect arena also for taking out all aggregations about other things in life.
Supporters adore their heroes and abuse their scapegoats. The football supporters are crazy, but they know their game. Each good play is applauded with great enthusiasm. A spectacular shot, hard tackling or a dribble past an opponent receives a Spanish bullfight Olè! Goals result in delirium and the supporters continue with celebrating the great victory for many weeks.
Even in smaller districts hate matches occurs, and the tradition goes on with the same rituals. If you not support one of the teams there, it can be understood that you are against them! Soccer violence is an international problem. This is about more than football.
Be careful! It is not an innocent game people play. For many people it is their life style, and you don't joke about that. Football is more than just a game; and it includes all aspects of social, religious and political life.
Go for the suspense thrill of a match included more. You don't have to be particular interested in football to enjoy the big happening, or shall I say battle. It is an intense spectacle for everyone with good nerves.
Stein Morten Lund, 8 September 2000
Additional information
Read more about the atmosphere on the football matches here:
Argentinean football: life or death? Read more (click here
)
"Pilgrims" travelling to holy grounds in England! Read more (click here
)
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