Having to defend the club I support, I had to go into a long speech and a lot of issues on my mind poured forth into the keyboard. So I'd like to share with you what it means to me to be a Manchester United fan. I know I'm probably gonna get flamed like a Burger King whopper but I'm past caring as this issue is one I feel so strongly about and is in fact undermining the enjoyment that I get from this great game of ours.
It starts a little abruptly I'm afraid as it was origionally a reply to another post.
[Well the chant's of "stand up if you hate Man U" echoing round Wembley that I still remember (and various other grounds) prove me correct also add to that the treatment David Beckham recieved in 1998. And I recognise that currently Chelsea are the "best" team in England right now. But let me tell you that Man Utd's success stretched over seven Premiership titles, (including three doubles and a treble) and that I also recognise that Man Utd are hated for reasons other than jealousy. And a lot of that is down to the reputation that Fergie (sometimes justifiably) has brought with him. Things like blaming grey strips for awful performances and constant arrogance have not helped. Also Man Utd's use and misuse of the media is a joke. The BBC are not even allowed to interview our players for goodness sake. And yes the "Glory boy" phenomenon has not helped our cause though the sudden emergence of anyone under the age of 10 wearing blue shirts has suddenly shot through the roof. You are welcome to them Chelsea. I have been a Man Utd supporter since 1984, I've spent thousands of pounds of my own money on merchandise and replica strips since then (well my mum and dad bought me stuff when I was little) I have stayed with my Red Devils most of my life (I'm 26 now) and God forbid I actually go to Old Trafford occasionally! I have immersed myself in my club's history I stay reflective for a minute on Feb 6th every year, and I wear the badge with pride. I may not be Mancunian - in fact I live closer to London than Manchester, but I made a choice and a commitment to my club. And I get just a little sick and tired of justifying myself and my faith, just because of glory boys. I have nothing but respect for what Chelsea have done (and having a Mother who is a Chelsea fan you can imagine the stick I get) but I see the occasional arrogance and I realise why United are so hated. Most of the country had a soft spot for United after the tragedy of Munich, but since the 80's United fans like myself have to put up with all this abuse. And it's because of that simple fact that I have decided to say "screw the ABU's" I'm a Red Devil and I'm damn proud of it. I can't be hypocrytical and wish for the NT's success because so many of the England fans would rather concentrate on booing a player representing our country, just because he happens to play for Man Utd. Oh but that's okay because it's the thing to hate Manchester United and our supporters. I long for the day when I can say I'm a Man Utd supporter and I'm accepted into the football community. Even magazines like 4-4-2 are anti United. Just look at all the abuse we got when Glazer took over. People were wishing my club out of business - well I'm sorry, but I take that a little personally. That to me goes beyond rivalry. Seeing Arsenal fans cheering for Bayern Munich in 99 has done this to me - putting up with constant abuse and having to defend myself day after day has done this to me. Going in to work and taking the same old flack about United, and Fergie's watch and no atmosophere at Old Trafford So I apologise if I appear sad and bitter, but that's what it means to me to support Manchester United - a constant fight to justify myself. I care about my country and I wish England well in the World Cup - but I would never ever put England's team before Man Utd. That is my overriding passion in this great sport and that will never change. I'm a red devil now and I will die one. It just seems that being a United fan has to be a constant battle. And let me tell you something, when you find yourself justifying your choice of team all day every day then you can tell me that you know how it feels. And then you can tell me Chelsea are the most hated team in England.
I said I am going to enjoy the World Cup, hell I might even cheer England on but I meant if I want to see the best team play, I'll watch Brazil. I would love to be able to cheer England on, but I can't do it while the majority of English fans cannot cut Man Utd and it's players some slack. To me that is hyppocrytical.
To say I wish United were the most hated team - no I wish we weren't!
Mike
It starts a little abruptly I'm afraid as it was origionally a reply to another post.
[Well the chant's of "stand up if you hate Man U" echoing round Wembley that I still remember (and various other grounds) prove me correct also add to that the treatment David Beckham recieved in 1998. And I recognise that currently Chelsea are the "best" team in England right now. But let me tell you that Man Utd's success stretched over seven Premiership titles, (including three doubles and a treble) and that I also recognise that Man Utd are hated for reasons other than jealousy. And a lot of that is down to the reputation that Fergie (sometimes justifiably) has brought with him. Things like blaming grey strips for awful performances and constant arrogance have not helped. Also Man Utd's use and misuse of the media is a joke. The BBC are not even allowed to interview our players for goodness sake. And yes the "Glory boy" phenomenon has not helped our cause though the sudden emergence of anyone under the age of 10 wearing blue shirts has suddenly shot through the roof. You are welcome to them Chelsea. I have been a Man Utd supporter since 1984, I've spent thousands of pounds of my own money on merchandise and replica strips since then (well my mum and dad bought me stuff when I was little) I have stayed with my Red Devils most of my life (I'm 26 now) and God forbid I actually go to Old Trafford occasionally! I have immersed myself in my club's history I stay reflective for a minute on Feb 6th every year, and I wear the badge with pride. I may not be Mancunian - in fact I live closer to London than Manchester, but I made a choice and a commitment to my club. And I get just a little sick and tired of justifying myself and my faith, just because of glory boys. I have nothing but respect for what Chelsea have done (and having a Mother who is a Chelsea fan you can imagine the stick I get) but I see the occasional arrogance and I realise why United are so hated. Most of the country had a soft spot for United after the tragedy of Munich, but since the 80's United fans like myself have to put up with all this abuse. And it's because of that simple fact that I have decided to say "screw the ABU's" I'm a Red Devil and I'm damn proud of it. I can't be hypocrytical and wish for the NT's success because so many of the England fans would rather concentrate on booing a player representing our country, just because he happens to play for Man Utd. Oh but that's okay because it's the thing to hate Manchester United and our supporters. I long for the day when I can say I'm a Man Utd supporter and I'm accepted into the football community. Even magazines like 4-4-2 are anti United. Just look at all the abuse we got when Glazer took over. People were wishing my club out of business - well I'm sorry, but I take that a little personally. That to me goes beyond rivalry. Seeing Arsenal fans cheering for Bayern Munich in 99 has done this to me - putting up with constant abuse and having to defend myself day after day has done this to me. Going in to work and taking the same old flack about United, and Fergie's watch and no atmosophere at Old Trafford So I apologise if I appear sad and bitter, but that's what it means to me to support Manchester United - a constant fight to justify myself. I care about my country and I wish England well in the World Cup - but I would never ever put England's team before Man Utd. That is my overriding passion in this great sport and that will never change. I'm a red devil now and I will die one. It just seems that being a United fan has to be a constant battle. And let me tell you something, when you find yourself justifying your choice of team all day every day then you can tell me that you know how it feels. And then you can tell me Chelsea are the most hated team in England.
I said I am going to enjoy the World Cup, hell I might even cheer England on but I meant if I want to see the best team play, I'll watch Brazil. I would love to be able to cheer England on, but I can't do it while the majority of English fans cannot cut Man Utd and it's players some slack. To me that is hyppocrytical.
To say I wish United were the most hated team - no I wish we weren't!
Mike
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