Union or League?

[needles 1,013]

One for Rob really. Nothing to do with simming.

I was a union player at school and sundays after leaving school but I watched an excellent game of Rugby today where Leeds Rhino's stuffed Hull. Very good game indeed.

Just been on facebook and some numpty rellies living in and around Manchester are all blaspheming at each other as they tend to support one or the other of the mancunian football teams.

It's nice that, even at national and international level, fans are often able to mix in the stands and enjoy them game. Pity football fans can't do that.

Never been into footy. Can't bear the way hatred creeps around the stands.

Now however, I live in the Highlands and have the great joy of watching the local Shinty team play. Very frenetic and exciting also.

OK! Rant over. Just wanted to share with Rob my thoughts on the game today.

[rob16584 42]

Thanks Brian!

It is good to be able to mingle with other fans at matches, that said the Hull fans are notoriously the worst in the game. The Hull club to their credit have worked hard to get rid of the trouble causers to improve the image of the club. It is nice though to be able to go to a match and be able to stand with the opposition fans and mix with them before and after the game around the ground.

Such a shame that other sports can't follow suit as it makes for a really good atmosphere, especially on cup final days.

My Fiancee isn't too happy that Leeds won, the cup final is the day before our wedding and i'm planning on making the trip if Leeds get there

[wisemanp 0]

I agree totally. I regularly go to watch Gloucester Rugby in the union form of the game, and every week there are plenty of opposition fans, even in the notoriously noisy 'Shed Terrace' that I stand in. It makes for a good atmosphere and you can often have some good banter, a laugh and a good chat about rugby with their fans. Yes, the odd abusive word may be shouted at an annoying opposing player or the referee, but nothing intended at fans.

In contrast, when I go to watch Cheltenham Town, battling relegation from the Football League at the moment, every third word is a swear word, everything any opposing player does is deemed foul by the home fans, and there is the constant baiting and shouting between fans. (And this is in a crowd of 3500, imagine what it's like in Old Trafford with 76 000 or whatever it is these days...)

It filters onto the pitch as well. In football, there's diving, there's shouting at the ref, there's arguing between players. In rugby, once a decision is made they just retreat the 10m and carry on. Sometimes it can spill over into a fist fight but it's all part of the game, they all have a beer and shake hands afterwards!

[Aircraft Aviation 2]

i watched Bath V Newscastle once, and mixed with the Bath fans. They are mental!

[needles 1,013]

It filters onto the pitch as well. In football, there's diving, there's shouting at the ref, there's arguing between players. In rugby, once a decision is made they just retreat the 10m and carry on. Sometimes it can spill over into a fist fight but it's all part of the game, they all have a beer and shake hands afterwards!

It's more like handbags at ten paces really and as you say, it's all forgotten after the bath. All friends again in the bar. Brillaint. I miss playing.

[needles 1,013]

Thanks Brian!

My Fiancee isn't too happy that Leeds won, the cup final is the day before our wedding and i'm planning on making the trip if Leeds get there

Divorced before you're married! There's a first. :nea: