Discuss : Writing to the "enemy"

[thehornets]

As most of us on here are football supporters, I am curious how people feel about writing to players who featured for local rivals who are possibly hated by most supporters of your team?

I have always disliked the pure hatred between sets of supporters. Have never understood why people hate so blindly when there is so much in life that is so much more important.

I joke about them up the motorway, and may write L**n T**n, but I do not hate them. I love footy banter, but hate has no place in it. Rivalry is good as it makes for competitive football, but hate has to stay out of it.

The last day of the 1982/83 season - Luton needed to win at Manchester City to stay up. When the result came through at Vicarage Road, Watford fans throughout the stadium applauded Luton's survival. The tethered rivalry and competition was worth more than any hatred. Likewise, when Matthew Spring (later had a successful spell at Watford, now at Wycombe) scored an amazing 40 yard winner for Luton in a league cup match at Vicarage Road about 10 years ago, there were many from Watford who applauded the goal.

I hope they get back in the league soon, and can climb to revive the rivalries between our clubs once more. It is an edge both clubs need at times.

I found a beautiful condition book about Luton's history this week, and am going to turn it into a ttm project as books like this are often hard to find.

[short380]

I am a rugby league supporter Nigel and I despise our enemies Whitehaven.  I have lots of friends at the Whitehaven club and where I work in Whitehaven who support Haven but I would not want anything more from them!!  No signatures, no tops, no nothing buddy and I am sure the feeling is mutual!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Very interesting topic Nigel..For me I personally don't mind writing to My team Bolton's Rival clubs for autographs or getting them in person as Im a person who will collect most football autographs being a huge football fan so anyone I can get will enhance my collection plus its nice to meet other players and teams as opposed to the same lot..Quite similar to you I enjoy the banter we have with the likes of Burnley and Wigan mainly and occasionally Blackburn too, and dont have pure hatred for them I just dislike them but its nothing too extreme..Also have a lot of united fan mates who regularly IP Man.City with me so guess they are in the same boat as me in the fact that they will collect whoever

[rallison470]

Good discussion Nigel. Can be a passionate subject for a lot of people. I’m a Wednesday supporter, therefore anti – Blunts (to tell the truth I don’t know why everyone gives the other team a joke name – adds to the banter I suppose) But I agree – hate is a strong word. I know that a lot of Wednesday supporters like having the other Sheffield team in the same league as there is nothing like the atmosphere of a derby game. I think a good player is a good player, even if they play for your rivals. Some times they swap teams – what do fans do then? I know some England supporters don’t give their support to some players because of the club they play for. I don’t agree with this. There are some also that say that you are somehow not a true supporter if you don’t HATE the other team and everything they have touched – I don’t agree with this either. I like rivalry; it’s an integral part of sport. I also like it when we beat them, but I still think there is nothing wrong with showing respect where it’s due. I decided I was going to support Melbourne Heart when they announced they were creating a new team in this very young league. They then chose to play in red and white stripes. I had a problem with it at first, but after thinking about it I decided I was being stupid – it was a team on the other side of the world from Yorkshire – and they had Gerald Sibon playing for them. I am sure others will disagree with me, but we are all different – doesn’t mean you support your team less. One thing I do like over here is that when I go to the Melbourne derbies (Heart v Victory) I sit with friends in the Heart end and some of them are Victory supporters – in fact the supporters are mixed in most of the stadium. There is always good banter and little trouble. No less passion and a refreshing change to be honest. I got three Victory players sigs last season (Kewell, Covic, Thompson)

[rcsmg1]

Argyle's biggest/closest rivals are Exeter followed by Torquay (when we were in a higher division than them it was Portsmouth -often classed as 'Battle of the Ports'-not exactly local rivalry but the closest we could get down here!)

I've got no problem getting their players IP and have in the past watched them-I went to Torquay on Monday as they played Stoke in a friendly-and also went to support Torquay at Wembley in the Leyland Daf Cup Final (or whatever it was called at the time) I was also disappointed when both went out of the league but pleased they are both back in.

You can't beat some friendly local rivalry-I don't understand when some people are so blinkered they cannot see anything past their own club or have to be insulting or violent towards other supporters.

[thehornets]

Thanks to those of you who replied. Being honest, I was surprised to see the majority so far think like me. That may change if more answer, but it is nice to see.

[obree]

Good topic Nigel , I have sent some of my cards to some ex Rangers players but I have given them away as a present to a mate of mine I have also sent some Scotland items and I have sent Celtic cards to the two ex Rangers players who also played for Rangers . The only Rangers item I have in my collection is the signed European cup winners cup team sheet given to me by Willy Mathieson who played in that team . I din't think I will be adding to my Rangers collection at any time Its not that I hate them I just don't like them very much .