Superstitions

[frechyblade]

The football fraternity are often portrayed as a superstitious lot. You only have to watch M o t D to see players hopping onto the pitch, coming out in a particular order, crossing themselves (don't get me started on that though!) etc.

As a youngster I always thought that I had a lucky scarf, that I had to bring to the match. As I have got older (A lot older!) these superstitions have abated, with the exception of having to go in The Standard before every home game!

What, if any, superstitions/rituals do you have before a game. We could do with all the help we can for Sunday.

UTB

 

[SheepdipBlade]

Green socks. I wore my old school rugby team socks till they fell apart - but still wear long green socks to matches.

And I have a lucky shirt - red and white halves (Slavia Prague) - though after Wembley it was retired for a long time!!

 

[LouTheBlade]

An old superstition I had when going to the lane was wearing my "Oh Lord, Michael Brown" T-shirt underneath my United shirt. For a 25 game streak (in games where I wore it) we never lost and won about 22 of them. It got to a point where I was so convinced by it, I used to go mad at me mam if it was only just out of the washing machine!!! I even wore it slightly damp once as I recall. That superstition ended after a home defeat. I never wore it to a game again after that.

My current superstition is wearing my red socks. Ive worn them to 5 matches so far and in each one we havent lost. Might try it sunday. I'm not superstitious with anything other than United, which is quite strange really!

A mate of mine would have to play a game of FIFA on his X-Box every morning before a game, pitting United against the day's opposition. He wouldn't leave the house until he had won with United! That one I find quite sad, but I suppose its no different from the two above really

 

[Cheshire Cat]

If the game kicks off whilst GCB is still being sung I know we'll win. Pretty straightforward.

It dates from early in Warnock's days, when it used to be possible to set off from The Sidings in Dronfield 20 minutes before kick-off, park by SWD depot and come up the steps in the South Stand in time to shout "na-na-na-naaa-na - OOOOH!". If the game had started, job done.

Not seen it for a while until the Blackpool game - sat in my seat 10 minutes before kick-off and thinking we were in for a drubbing, only for the ref to kick off in the middle of the first verse. I think we'd only just said "OOOOH!" when Cressy scored.

It doesn't work away from home - we usually shoot our bolt early doors with the singing. Consequently I don't think I've seen United win away since the last time we played Stockport (hence why I don't go very often - either we can't get the singing right or I'm a Jonah).

 

[Billyblade]

Never been one for superstitions myself but my Brother went through a stage where he insisted on entering the Kop through turnstile 63. When we played Liverpool in the cup semi a few years ago we went to a mate of mines house to watch the match and my Brother fetched a piece of paper on which he had written "63" and stuck it at the side of my mates front door before he went in the house.

Before the Play-off final against Palace we stopped at a service station South of London (travelled up from a weekend on the South coast). One Blade was particularly pleased to see us and started talking to us. He then told us about his superstition which was he always took one particular item to the match with him. He then pulled it out of his pocket to show us. It was a cheap nasty red and white striped carrier bag (the kind that wanky supermarkets and take aways have). He told us it was his lucky bag. Personally I found it a bit strange. Sorry if you're on here!

 

[Linz]

Me and Mouse have one.

We initiate a count-down to big games, like the start of the season or derby matches, via text message. We'll text each other at random times and with exact precision starting a couple of days before the game. This has been going on about 10 years now.

It isn't lucky so much... just something we do

The 48 hour notice has just been sent to Brazil.

 

[frechyblade]

Me and Mouse have one.

We initiate a count-down to big games, like the start of the season or derby matches, via text message. We'll text each other at random times and with exact precision starting a couple of days before the game. This has been going on about 10 years now.

It isn't lucky so much... just something we do

The 48 hour notice has just been sent to Brazil.

I guess that is the difference between supstition and ritual. The green socks or red and white carrier bag is superstition hoping that they will have an impact. The txt to mouse is more of a ritual I guess you do it because you always have.

My 18 yr old son passed away 17mths ago, I always take his season card and wallet to the games. I don't expect it to have any impact other than me thinking he is there with us.

UTB

 

[Linz]

My 18 yr old son passed away 17mths ago, I always take his season card and wallet to the games. I don't expect it to have any impact other than me thinking he is there with us.

Sorry to hear of your loss frechy. Sounds too young to have gone to the great big Kop in the sky.