The problem with Sheffield football.........

[LouTheBlade]

is that both sides spend far too much time looking at what the other club is doing. Concentrating on yourselves is a lot better. Its worked for other two club cities!

I couldn't give a shit about Wednesday until we play them, after that I couldn't give a shit about them again. Can someone explain to me why people have to compare the two clubs constantly?

 

[TopBoy]

Lou, if you need to ask then you won't understand.


TB.

 

[Micalijo]

I think I know what you're getting and Sheffield football should be so much better but a couple of points from me.

What other two club cities are you referring to? Liverpool and Manchester have bigger clubs than Sheffield (although Liverpool only became huge when Shankley turned up). Agree that Everton have had success during early 70s and mid 80's when Liverpool were very good and I guess this what youa re getting at?

I think it's natural for fans to compare themselves with local rivals. When I was a kid at school in the 1980s Wendy seemed to be on a different planet to us and I still cannot believe we have finished above them in league rankings for last 8 seasons or whatever it is, soon to be 9 (or 10). Finishing above Wendy is still an achievement for me, even in last 3 seasons (including this one) when it was/is almost impossible not to do so.

Whether the owners of the clubs do think like this is debatable but I'm sure they keep an eye on things as they are competing for marketing and fans etc.

 

[Latters]

is that both sides spend far too much time looking at what the other club is doing. Concentrating on yourselves is a lot better. Its worked for other two club cities!

I couldn't give a shit about Wednesday until we play them, after that I couldn't give a shit about them again. Can someone explain to me why people have to compare the two clubs constantly?

The main reason fans of say Man U and Liverpool aren't too fussed about their local "rivals" is that a good proportion of their fans don't come from Liverpool or Manchester and therefore rarely encounter fans of their traditional enemy. I would say that the majority of Blades and scummers come from Sheffield or surrounding areas. We see pigs at work/college/school every day so what we're doing in comparison to them is very relevant.

I'd take our healthy hatred of the scum any day of the week than some crap rivalry like Man U/City or Liverpool/Everton.

 

[SBSP]

I think it is partly because we all know we aren't going to do much league or cup wise so we have to set something up more important so there is something to look forward to.

Also there is nothing better than walking into work the day after winnng a derby knowing you can take the piss out of them scum fie at least a few months with no come hack.

On the flipside there is nothing more soul destroying that losing one.

 

[Latters]

I think it is partly because we all know we aren't going to do much league or cup wise so we have to set something up more important so there is something to look forward to.

Also there is nothing better than walking into work the day after winnng a derby knowing you can take the piss out of them scum fie at least a few months with no come hack.

On the flipside there is nothing more soul destroying that losing one.

I agree. Taking this season as an example. On the whole it's been Tommy Tit but we beat the scum so until the return fixture I'm quite content in that. Winning a derby match makes up for a lot. I imagine if Robbo had taken the derby match a bit more seriously he'd have been given far more patience by fans.

 

[Vistoma]

Its great having a local rivalry especially when families are divided as are groups of friends, the piss taking is superb when you win.

Its a shame that there are 2 clubs because if the city had one club we could be huge and we would have nothing to moan about.... hang on a minute...........f**k that ....Come on you red and white wizzarrrrrrds. :thumbup:

 

[sitwell]

Because we fucking hate the blue and white wankers.

 

[RIP Niftos]

Because we fucking hate the blue and white wankers.

That pretty much sums it up perfectly!

Most wendy fans I can abide by, but the ones who think they are anything better than a shit championship side need taking to one side and euthenasing to relieve my ears from having to hear the words 'big club' and 'europe in 5 seasons'. Same goes for Leeds fans, yes you might have been in a champions league semi final fucking years ago but a) you lost and b) you're fucking shite now.

Wankers the lot of them

 

[Blade]

I like how most of the time when you meet a pig fan even without knowing their allegiance you seem to take an instant dislike to them. Then when you discover the truth it all makes sense. This has happened far too many times to me to be a coincidence.

I've always thought a book about how supporting the team you support moulds/affects the person you tend to be/become would be a damn good read.

 

[BladeFisher]

Oh dear. That explains why I am somewhat Meldrewesque, waking up hoping for a good day only to be disappointed yet again when some lesser mortals seem to achieve more.

As a child I achieved some success amongst my peers, but in the intervening years it has been hope dashed by reality. Just a solitary refuse operative of the year award in the late 1980's and occaisonally getting to final selection at interviews but then rejection again. Still doing better than my brother Willy at the moment . .

 

[Blade]

yes, that all sounds familiar

 

[Linz]

Because it's fun.

Like the others have said, the rivalry probably doesn't matter to the Chairman, Manager or Players... but for us, it's something that galvanises our support.

We all know Pig fans and kind of put up with them, I really wouldn't wish any harm on them just because they're a pig. Bit of banter, a mutual agreement of actually how crap both teams are and a bit of a laugh.

But for 180 minutes a season, I can't fucking stand them.

We're also in competition, not just for the league, but for the floating fans in Sheffield who will go and watch whichever team is most successful. So they're a useful yardstick of where we are as a club.

Am I right in saying you don't live in Sheffield Lou? It is easier when you haven't got the Sheffield Star ramming them down your throat every day

 

[Revolution]

I think the main reasons why the rivalry is so important to both sets of fans are well identified above:

- most fans are brought up in the area so have grown up with the rivalry
- a lack of domestic success leads you to try and claim any bragging rights you can.
- we are in competition for fans and money
- it's great fun to crow when you're the better team

I would add these reasons:

- the two clubs are of similar size and have similar histories (ie it's not like, say, the Nottingham clubs)
- Sheffield is a more inward looking city than say, Manchester or Liverpool.

Sheffield football's greatest tragedy is that we have 2 teams and not one. They sap each others' strength. Accordingly, as long as I've been aware of Wednesday's existence I've hoped for their destruction.

I might add that misguided though they may be, I have no problem with dealing with Pig fans on a daily basis. I dislike them collectively when they are at a game, however.

 

[broomhillblade]

I like how most of the time when you meet a pig fan even without knowing their allegiance you seem to take an instant dislike to them. Then when you discover the truth it all makes sense. This has happened far too many times to me to be a coincidence.

What utter bollocks!

 

[LouTheBlade]

I think one or two people are misinterpreting what I meant in my original post. What i'm saying is that both sides spend far too much time talking about eachother amongst their own side........

For instance you get Lee strafford making sly remarks about us when he can't even run his own club properly. Then I see things on this forum saying "their season tickets cost this much.......," "their chairman has said this" etc etc. I DONT CARE! Theyre another club, just one that happens to be our 'local rival.'

Please don't misinterpret me. I enjoy the banter with my piggy mates and do sometimes have a light hearted joke at their expense. Yes of course, I like to beat them on derby day. But that's as far as it goes. The pathetic little jabs from each side and the comparisons made to promote superiority is just infantile. We're neither in close proximity in the league table, nor are we playing eachother in the next few weeks!

Once we've played them, I all but forget about them until we play them again. I dont see the point in focusing on what they're doing. I think some supporters would rather see the other side lose a game than their own side win one. Very odd mentality. As for the second post that suggests I don't understand it, I fully understand it actually. I'm sheffield born and bred with a family full of Blades so I recognise the importance of the rivalry - but that doesn't make it right to be obsessed with them!

 

[Houso]

I think one or two people are misinterpreting what I meant in my original post. What i'm saying is that both sides spend far too much time talking about eachother amongst their own side........

For instance you get Lee strafford making sly remarks about us when he can't even run his own club properly. Then I see things on this forum saying "their season tickets cost this much.......," "their chairman has said this" etc etc. I DONT CARE! Theyre another club, just one that happens to be our 'local rival.'

Please don't misinterpret me. I enjoy the banter with my piggy mates and do sometimes have a light hearted joke at their expense. Yes of course, I like to beat them on derby day. But that's as far as it goes. The pathetic little jabs from each side and the comparisons made to promote superiority is just infantile. We're neither in close proximity in the league table, nor are we playing eachother in the next few weeks!

Once we've played them, I all but forget about them until we play them again. I dont see the point in focusing on what they're doing. I think some supporters would rather see the other side lose a game than their own side win one. Very odd mentality. As for the second post that suggests I don't understand it, I fully understand it actually. I'm sheffield born and bred with a family full of Blades so I recognise the importance of the rivalry - but that doesn't make it right to be obsessed with them!

Unless it's a meaningless win for us, and a loss for them that means them getting relegated/not promoted/not winning a cup, I don't think any Blade would want a loss for them over a win for us.

And give over with the 'infantile' behaviour jibe. Rivalry is a key facet of any sport. Whether it's between England and Australia in cricket, USA and Canada in Ice Hockey or Egypt and Algeria in football.

It's impossible to turn it off (for me anyway) even when there's no direct influence on each other's prospects. I want to see Wednesday lose, to disappear into nothing and to leave their supporters leaking tears down their little porcine faces.

Does this mean that I pay any less attention to SUFC? Of course not. And that goes the same for Kevin McCabe, Neil Warnock and... yes... even Lee Strafford.

You're a different type of individual, and fair enough for that.

 

[LouTheBlade]

Unless it's a meaningless win for us, and a loss for them that means them getting relegated/not promoted/not winning a cup, I don't think any Blade would want a loss for them over a win for us.

And give over with the 'infantile' behaviour jibe. Rivalry is a key facet of any sport. Whether it's between England and Australia in cricket, USA and Canada in Ice Hockey or Egypt and Algeria in football.

It's impossible to turn it off (for me anyway) even when there's no direct influence on each other's prospects. I want to see Wednesday lose, to disappear into nothing and to leave their supporters leaking tears down their little porcine faces.

Does this mean that I pay any less attention to SUFC? Of course not. And that goes the same for Kevin McCabe, Neil Warnock and... yes... even Lee Strafford.

You're a different type of individual, and fair enough for that.

If that happened you would lose that precious rivalry though?!

You can call it an 'jibe' if you wish. To wish misery upon someone else is a demonstration of lack fulfilment at your own club. They can fade into nothing as far as I'm concerned as well, but for a different reason all together - I simply don't care whether they do or not!

 

[yorkshirecoast]

Obviously the Blades doing well is more important than the Pigs doing shite - but it's great when both of these happen. Blades win/Pigs lose doubles are great. And if we lose or draw then them losing does generally soften the blow to some extent. To be honest, I'd settle now for us finishing 7th (or lower) this season and the Pigs getting relegated.

 

[Linz]

I do love a Sheffield double.

United win and Wednesday lose.

Does make a victory that much sweeter, particularly after a home match when you know they'll be travelling back from whatever godforsaken whole they've played in this week with the mardies on.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

There is no problem with football in Sheffield. One of the the great things about our city is that we have two clubs supported by the locals. We all know and have piggy friends and baiting them is great. At least both clubs don't have thousands of hanger-ons or glory hunters. Fuck me it must be easy to support Man U but Sheffield football fans are great, [even the misguided unwashed].

It would be shit living some where like Leeds where you have to try and tie yourself to someone like Man U.

It would be a disaster if the pigs went out of business but wouldn't it be great if they fell to the Blue Sq. Having a dream like that is what having rivals is all about.

 

[Bramley]

I hate Wednesday, always have and always will. It's not a problem, it's an integral part of being a Blade and will never, ever go away.

UTB FTP

 

[Kenilworth]

There is no problem with football in Sheffield. One of the the great things about our city is that we have two clubs supported by the locals. We all know and have piggy friends and baiting them is great. At least both clubs don't have thousands of hanger-ons or glory hunters. Fuck me it must be easy to support Man U but Sheffield football fans are great, [even the misguided unwashed].

It would be shit living some where like Leeds where you have to try and tie yourself to someone like Man U.

It would be a disaster if the pigs went out of business but wouldn't it be great if they fell to the Blue Sq. Having a dream like that is what having rivals is all about.

The reason why we have no hangers on is because both clubs are shit.
No success = no one cares

Unless, like us poor sods, you weren't born there or it's not in your genes why the hell would anyone support one of the two failing Sheffield clubs? It's like questioning someone from London why they don't support one of the Bristol clubs.

It's not a choice. It's a sense of identity. I have passed this Blades obsession on to my Son, who was not born in Sheffield, but is as passionate as I am - only thing is he gets very little Piggy baiting here in the Midlands.

 

[Geordie Blade]

is that both sides spend far too much time looking at what the other club is doing. Concentrating on yourselves is a lot better. Its worked for other two club cities!

I really can't think how "looking at what the other club is doing" has had a detrimental impact on either club. Usually competition and rivalry acts as an incentive to outperform the other. As such, I would expect that the Blades-Pigs rivalry actually enhances the achievements of the clubs.

You could argue that it is difficult to support two teams in one city, but that is simply a case of halving the resources, not due to each club "looking at what the other club is doing". Do you really believe that anyone at the club (players, manager, chaiman, groundstaff, kit men, sales team, cleaners, etc.) are doing a poorer job because they actually spend time concentrating on the other side?

 

[JohnDenver]

Do you really believe that anyone at the club (players, manager, chaiman, groundstaff, kit men, sales team, cleaners, etc.) are doing a poorer job because they actually spend time concentrating on the other side?

One thing occurs to me... Without the Sheffield derby adrenaline boost, Wendy wouldn't have beaten us as often as they have recently.

Their XI has been far worse than ours, but we've been trampled on a couple of times. And that has cost us points.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Thats what makes the rivalry so special. Remember our wins in the prem?

No doubt we will have more off days in the future and the pigs will one day take a few beatings.

Long may it last although it would be great if we could only play them in the FA each year because they were 4/5 divisions below us!