Which sport has the best set of fans?
Football or rugby? Which are more passionate, more loyal, more knowledgeable and which generate the more infectious atmospheres?
There is only one answer as far as I am concerned and it’s not the group of egg-chasing enthusiasts.
Yet I recently got into a heated discussion about the merits and flaws of each set of fans and which I would rather sit amongst.
Ignoring the fact football is a vastly superior sport I did not have to think for very long before coming up with several reasons to back up my stance.
Indeed soon after playing what I thought was the aces of all trumps I was rocking back in my chair and rejoicing in the kind of satisfaction which only comes when you know you’re right.
Surely the chilling half-time rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone which saw Liverpool come back from the dead in the 2005 Champions League final was an unquestionable and unprecedented example of how footie fans are clearly better?
My learned adversary on the other hand was not in the least bit convinced.
“Hasn’t the very presence of football’s innate tribalism provoked an environment of conflict which damages what is so often called the ‘beautiful game’?
“Isn’t it a sad reflection on the game that fans are still divided by class and can’t even sit side-by-side?”
After some form of expression had returned to my face I stepped back in the ring and engaged in another round of verbal warfare.
I pointed out that the segregation of fans in football stadiums is what makes the mood so enjoyable. It creates a feeling of togetherness and unity which just doesn’t exist when fans are sat apart.
He pointed to the darker episodes of football fandom and the fact beer is increasingly banned from stadiums – something which does not happen in rugby.
He even had the cheek to refer to Nottingham Forest’s pioneering attempt to open up part of the Brian Clough stand at the City Ground to families from home and away fans.
“The fact Forest’s trial with Doncaster fans was described as historic, brave and commendable just goes to show how far behind rugby fans they are,” he said.
“Playing happy families for one afternoon does not hide the fact football fans cannot always be trusted to enjoy the game in the right spirit – just look at the West Ham Millwall game earlier this season.”
At this I point I admitted being a football fan offered more lows than rugby but I maintained that it also offered more highs.
It may not be feasible in modern day football to allow fans to mingle in the stands but that is not a bad thing.
Tribalism may be innate but it’s what generates the passion, fervour and support which makes being a fan of any sort worthwhile.
He was still not convinced. On this occasion we had to agree to disagree.
