broomhillblade
On the move
It has often been said that a city of the size of Sheffield deserves to have two strong football teams, playing at the highest level (like Liverpool, Manchester, or Birmingham for example). As our grandfathers, or fathers told us, this is how it used to be in the ‘good old days’.
I’ve looked at the records and the seasons when this was so were: (dates refer to season ending) 1894–1899; 1901–1920; 1927–1934; 1954–1955; 1962–1968; 1992-1994.
So apart from three seasons in the 1990s, the two Sheffield clubs have not been in the top division together for more than 40 years. In my lifetime (71 years so far) it’s only happened on 12 occasions.
Let’s face it, it’s not going to happen in the foreseeable future, so should we care if Wednesday go into oblivion?
If you’re an Owl, it matters, of course. Whether we are Blades or Owls largely depends on an accident of birth, or as a child being taken along by a relative or friend to Bramall Lane or Hillsborough, so it could be any one of us slashing our wrists right now.
The rivalry between the two clubs is good for the city, some say. But is it? It may have been friendly sporting rivalry in the old days, before crowds were segregated, but it certainly isn’t now. Apart from calling each other ‘pigs’ or ‘scum’ some of the rivalry has gone well beyond the point of friendly banter – it is dangerously unpleasant.
Local derbies in recent years have not been games to look forward to. For many fans, the fear of losing has been paramount. Derbies have been games to be endured, not enjoyed – apart from a few notable exceptions.
We live in a very different world from the so-called ‘good old days’. Players are not working class heroes on a modest wage – they’re overpaid celebrities who will play for anyone who will offer them the biggest buck. Money has ruined the once-beautiful game. Many clubs are owned by foreign consortiums and some of the top teams hardly have any British players in their team. How can the ordinary fan identify with that?
So should we worry if Wednesday are in terminal decline? If they do go under, there will be others to follow no doubt. Maybe football itself is in terminal decline.
It’s time to forget the myth and face reality. And that is keeping the Blades alive and well and – hopefully – successful.
I’ve looked at the records and the seasons when this was so were: (dates refer to season ending) 1894–1899; 1901–1920; 1927–1934; 1954–1955; 1962–1968; 1992-1994.
So apart from three seasons in the 1990s, the two Sheffield clubs have not been in the top division together for more than 40 years. In my lifetime (71 years so far) it’s only happened on 12 occasions.
Let’s face it, it’s not going to happen in the foreseeable future, so should we care if Wednesday go into oblivion?
If you’re an Owl, it matters, of course. Whether we are Blades or Owls largely depends on an accident of birth, or as a child being taken along by a relative or friend to Bramall Lane or Hillsborough, so it could be any one of us slashing our wrists right now.
The rivalry between the two clubs is good for the city, some say. But is it? It may have been friendly sporting rivalry in the old days, before crowds were segregated, but it certainly isn’t now. Apart from calling each other ‘pigs’ or ‘scum’ some of the rivalry has gone well beyond the point of friendly banter – it is dangerously unpleasant.
Local derbies in recent years have not been games to look forward to. For many fans, the fear of losing has been paramount. Derbies have been games to be endured, not enjoyed – apart from a few notable exceptions.
We live in a very different world from the so-called ‘good old days’. Players are not working class heroes on a modest wage – they’re overpaid celebrities who will play for anyone who will offer them the biggest buck. Money has ruined the once-beautiful game. Many clubs are owned by foreign consortiums and some of the top teams hardly have any British players in their team. How can the ordinary fan identify with that?
So should we worry if Wednesday are in terminal decline? If they do go under, there will be others to follow no doubt. Maybe football itself is in terminal decline.
It’s time to forget the myth and face reality. And that is keeping the Blades alive and well and – hopefully – successful.
