True fans
As an Ipswich fan I was curious to see the reaction on your board to Saturdays scores. As a result I would like to say something about Clacton White’s comment about not liking Ipswich because so many of the people who live near him have decided to be “Ipswich fans” due to the team's success, rather than supporting their local side (Col U).
I have considerable sympathy.
As a kid growing up in Woodbridge in the late sixties I was brought up (properly) to support my local team. My mates were the same except for one. Who supported Leeds. Was his family from there? No, they were Woodbridgeans too. He supported Leeds because “they’re better than Ipswich” which at the time was very true. Of course over the next few years the tables turned dramatically- and suddenly he was an Ipswich fan. I was more amused than irritated I have to say.
Fast forward a couple of decades and living in Stockport. Our daughter was brought up (properly) to support her local team, who my wife and I had started watching. Despite the stick from her friends who all followed City (never going to games mind) she kept with them through thin and thinner. I know you guys have been in the third tier - but try part time in division 6 (NLN) - for six seasons. She went to places so obscure the locals had to bribe cartographers to get on ordinance survey maps (where the hell is North Ferriby?). She watched County at Guiseley and Brackley. Watched them lose too.
Finally it turned and at Nuneaton five years ago County started the comeback. I remember standing with her on the pitch celebrating promotion with tears in her eyes. At Nuneaton for goodness sake.
I tell this story because she has, and I have, and all you good people on this board have, something which the “success adopters” as I call them will never have. We have our teams in our souls. They will never have that. They will never feel it like we do. And they are much the lesser because of that.
I have considerable sympathy.
As a kid growing up in Woodbridge in the late sixties I was brought up (properly) to support my local team. My mates were the same except for one. Who supported Leeds. Was his family from there? No, they were Woodbridgeans too. He supported Leeds because “they’re better than Ipswich” which at the time was very true. Of course over the next few years the tables turned dramatically- and suddenly he was an Ipswich fan. I was more amused than irritated I have to say.
Fast forward a couple of decades and living in Stockport. Our daughter was brought up (properly) to support her local team, who my wife and I had started watching. Despite the stick from her friends who all followed City (never going to games mind) she kept with them through thin and thinner. I know you guys have been in the third tier - but try part time in division 6 (NLN) - for six seasons. She went to places so obscure the locals had to bribe cartographers to get on ordinance survey maps (where the hell is North Ferriby?). She watched County at Guiseley and Brackley. Watched them lose too.
Finally it turned and at Nuneaton five years ago County started the comeback. I remember standing with her on the pitch celebrating promotion with tears in her eyes. At Nuneaton for goodness sake.
I tell this story because she has, and I have, and all you good people on this board have, something which the “success adopters” as I call them will never have. We have our teams in our souls. They will never have that. They will never feel it like we do. And they are much the lesser because of that.