Football, to me, is the NFL and CFL. But I understand your passion. Your point about the corporate soullessness of the team rings true for me with hockey. Despite living in Toronto my entire adult life and growing up in a family of Leafs fans, I could never love that team. I only understood why as an adult: first Harold Ballard, and then the corporate, soulless entity that they have become. Blechhh. So, from 9 years old and going forward, I am a diehard New York Islanders fan (NHL) and Philadelphia Eagles fan (NFL) -- and of course I am, being from Cape Breton Island (ahem, "Islanders") and having the family name Eagles. :)
But, truly, I am an Islanders fan because of one legendary player: Denis Potvin. When the Isles drafted him, that made my decision for me.
All the best, John. I hope your team is once again able to imbue you with hope and joy in the near future.
A lifelong Spurs supporter (I first went to White Hart Lane as an eight-year-old in 1960) I especially relished their win over ManU in the Europa League cup final. It was Tottenham’s first trophy in seventeen years and it came at the end of a particularly disappointing league season; we actually finished below United!
But I also often yearn for those far off days when the top-level players were still nonetheless relatable to the average fan. Today’s pampered millionaires sometimes make it difficult to cheer for them. The world moves on . . .
Hockey for me is the same. It’s local. I do enjoy watching the Edmonton Oilers play. But,my dad was around for Bobby Orr,Hull,Esposito and the rest. The original 6 teams. Took him to see Gretzky and teammates against Chicago Blackhawk while they still had Allan Secord from his hometown. I watch the Oilers now because Kulak played with my son in the minors. Local
Oh my ..... First the Leafs, then Man U .... we have reached out politically to the UK; in sport, now there are sister sad sacks reaching out to tie the two countries together in what, despair? lol
Sad what has happened at United. McTommney is the cherry on top. I began a love affair with club football at 9yo while visiting family in Glasgow. My uncle Jim took me to a Rangers match. I remember everything from that day. Hiding my scarf inside my jacket on the bus incase Celtic supporters saw it. Walking & chanting with fans walking towards Ibrox stadium. Halftime pie & bag of sweets but it was the roar when Rangers scored that hooked me for life. Almost fell out when they were relegated to the lowest level of Scottish football for financial cheating now they might be bought by Americans who own San Francisco 49ers. They have a Gordon Ramsey restaurant in the stadium & their stadium reno got delayed last year because the steel coming from China was delayed. Big $$$ always seems to destroy the romance of sports.
I hope the 49ers don't take over the Rangers. Rangers are perennially in Europe and with the 49ers owning Leeds, there are chances of a EUFA league conflict. Not that Leeds are expected to be top-6 anytime soon. But then again, no one elected Forest to be in the Champions League next year either and look at their season.
I am a West Ham supporter, still mourning the loss of our proper grounds (Boylen Grounds). My eldest son is a Manchester United supporter. I take small comfort that my team finished above Manchester United this season. It is small though. I prefer teams having strong results. A strong MUFC helps make competition tougher and pushes all teams to try better. This is missing. I also am a Livingston supporter and celebrating my team's win over Ross County to get promoted back to the Scottish Prem. So there are some positives. No where to go but up I guess.
I went to the Boylen stadium with my son some years back to watch the Hammers versus Sunderland. There were no prawn sandwiches or corporate boxes to be see in the East End!
Great article Jock. Reading this on a ferry from Sydney on a Friday night back to Manly (highlighting not only your global reach but also that of football and its connection to family). Even if I’m on the other side of the world from my football loving Dad. Keep on keeping on mate…….
Football, to me, is the NFL and CFL. But I understand your passion. Your point about the corporate soullessness of the team rings true for me with hockey. Despite living in Toronto my entire adult life and growing up in a family of Leafs fans, I could never love that team. I only understood why as an adult: first Harold Ballard, and then the corporate, soulless entity that they have become. Blechhh. So, from 9 years old and going forward, I am a diehard New York Islanders fan (NHL) and Philadelphia Eagles fan (NFL) -- and of course I am, being from Cape Breton Island (ahem, "Islanders") and having the family name Eagles. :)
But, truly, I am an Islanders fan because of one legendary player: Denis Potvin. When the Isles drafted him, that made my decision for me.
All the best, John. I hope your team is once again able to imbue you with hope and joy in the near future.
I remember seeing Potvin dominate an Ottawa 67's game. I watched and cheered for him from that moment on.
A lifelong Spurs supporter (I first went to White Hart Lane as an eight-year-old in 1960) I especially relished their win over ManU in the Europa League cup final. It was Tottenham’s first trophy in seventeen years and it came at the end of a particularly disappointing league season; we actually finished below United!
But I also often yearn for those far off days when the top-level players were still nonetheless relatable to the average fan. Today’s pampered millionaires sometimes make it difficult to cheer for them. The world moves on . . .
Agreed. Thanks for that - and your support over the past weeks and months. I have far more faith in Ange than Amorim.
Hockey for me is the same. It’s local. I do enjoy watching the Edmonton Oilers play. But,my dad was around for Bobby Orr,Hull,Esposito and the rest. The original 6 teams. Took him to see Gretzky and teammates against Chicago Blackhawk while they still had Allan Secord from his hometown. I watch the Oilers now because Kulak played with my son in the minors. Local
Oh my ..... First the Leafs, then Man U .... we have reached out politically to the UK; in sport, now there are sister sad sacks reaching out to tie the two countries together in what, despair? lol
Sad what has happened at United. McTommney is the cherry on top. I began a love affair with club football at 9yo while visiting family in Glasgow. My uncle Jim took me to a Rangers match. I remember everything from that day. Hiding my scarf inside my jacket on the bus incase Celtic supporters saw it. Walking & chanting with fans walking towards Ibrox stadium. Halftime pie & bag of sweets but it was the roar when Rangers scored that hooked me for life. Almost fell out when they were relegated to the lowest level of Scottish football for financial cheating now they might be bought by Americans who own San Francisco 49ers. They have a Gordon Ramsey restaurant in the stadium & their stadium reno got delayed last year because the steel coming from China was delayed. Big $$$ always seems to destroy the romance of sports.
I hope the 49ers don't take over the Rangers. Rangers are perennially in Europe and with the 49ers owning Leeds, there are chances of a EUFA league conflict. Not that Leeds are expected to be top-6 anytime soon. But then again, no one elected Forest to be in the Champions League next year either and look at their season.
Phillip
I believe it's one or 2 of the owners of the 49ers not the company itself so maybe that is how they get around the Leeds issue
I am a West Ham supporter, still mourning the loss of our proper grounds (Boylen Grounds). My eldest son is a Manchester United supporter. I take small comfort that my team finished above Manchester United this season. It is small though. I prefer teams having strong results. A strong MUFC helps make competition tougher and pushes all teams to try better. This is missing. I also am a Livingston supporter and celebrating my team's win over Ross County to get promoted back to the Scottish Prem. So there are some positives. No where to go but up I guess.
I went to the Boylen stadium with my son some years back to watch the Hammers versus Sunderland. There were no prawn sandwiches or corporate boxes to be see in the East End!
I've tried to quit two things in my life. Smoking, and the Toronto Maple Leafs. All I'll say is, I haven't had a cigarette in 4 years...
Great article Jock. Reading this on a ferry from Sydney on a Friday night back to Manly (highlighting not only your global reach but also that of football and its connection to family). Even if I’m on the other side of the world from my football loving Dad. Keep on keeping on mate…….
Thank my friend. Fathers, sons, football and the place where you’re from. Powerful and universal.