>> Fascinating, thank you, though I cannot imagine feeling that way about anything.
>>
>> I can see how the supporters become obsessed and dedicated.
>>
>> However, something that causes them to wreck the property and physically attack others cannot be
>> a good thing.
Err no, that's not the case. when you run with one of the firms or crews, the game, the club and even the result mean not much. There is no dedication or obsession to or with the club, merely the name and the facilities and environment provides the backdrop for gang tribal warfare. All about territory and face. Yup gladiatorial it is (or was)
On the other hand if you are a fan at a big club on match day there is no atmosphere like it, and the humour can be delightfully spontaneous and sometimes hysterically funny.
I'll try and tell a tale to explain
Back int he 70's I was in the big West Stand at Upton Park for the Hammers against Man City (when they were carp and poor) City had a traveling female fan who carried a school playground hand bell, and she was a few rows from me.
City were losing, and the bell was doing overtime, DING DING. DING DING and it was really getting on everyone tits.
Finally the Hammers fan in the seat behind her tires of this row, and snatches the bell from her hand and hurls it towards the pitch, describing a long slow arc, with a pathetic weak tinkling noise, whereby it hits the pitch 7 yards in, nearly hitting a city player (sumerbee I think) and the handle falls off and the bell is in pieces
Everyone in the West Stand applauds this magnificent throw, whereby the Northbank (all 9 thousand of them) erupts into the famous church bell peal "DING DONG DING DONG - DING DONG DING DONG. whereby the whole ground erupts with laughter.
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