Daft ( strictly friendly !) rivalries

Bazza

I remember when I was a child the boat race was a really big deal and you were either for Oxford or Cambridge. We were all Cambridge and wore a bale blue ribbon. Difficult to believe now when it’s such a non event!

My ex and I went to Oxford while his dad and brother both went to Cambridge so it was a big deal if we spent boat race day with my in-laws. I don't even bother to watch now.

Plymouth Argyle here, the only team in Devon you Exeter fans!!

And in the derby game today …. Man. City 3 Man. Utd 1.

Jaxjacky

Saints supporter her, yes, a fierce rivalry with Portsmouth, scummers v skates, some of the chants are rather ribald.

As I said Faireynan I used to have a season ticket, nothing remotely friendly!

Spurs v Arsenal conflict here.
I think it happens in lots of sports. Mercedes v Ferrari.
And even in the Arts. DD's friend was a dancer with the Royal Ballet. Apparently there was a lot of rivalry with the English National Ballet.
Competition is good in some ways

I have a season ticket for Northampton Saints rugby, no-one dare mention Leicester Tigers!

My Mum was a Manchester City fan she lived on Maine Road and used to keep bikes in the backyard for 1 penny 1920’s . My brother supported City too, but then George Best arrived at Manchester United I became a red, 1964 , my son and daughter both supported United had season tickets, until my daughter met a City fan, she married him and had 3 boys who all supported City. It’s very difficult on days like today when City play United.

My Uncle was a Man City fan all his life, so of course my Dad supported Man United. The family base was Firswood so not far from either.

Then we moved to Brighton and followed the Seagulls through ups and downs. A not-so-friendly rivalry with Crystal Palace is still going strong.

My own dilemma is definitely with the 6 nations when England and Scotland play. I know I should support England but my heart is with Scotland after happy days in the Highlands. I would never dare own up to my Mum!

Oopsadaisy1: Are you sure Southampton v. Portsmouth have friendly rivalry. I thought they were sworn enemies.

Pale blue!! And I thought I’d read it through.

Daughter in law and her mum support POSH (Peterborough United). Old rivals Cambridge were promoted up to the same division this season. They had to dust off the old insults!
My family are English and Irish so torn rugby loyalties .

I have been a Canaries fan since I was small, as I was a Norfolk girl. I was in exile in Suffolk for many years and the local team was the Tractor Boys. The two teams are very similar in ethos and for many years it was a friendly rivalry. Sadly, this is not so much the case these days, even on local radio there has been a goading element of being pleased when the rival team is going through a losing streak (which is not unusual for either somewhat unfashionable side). I have always been happy for Ipswich Town to do well, but on derby days the green and yellow blood which runs through my veins is firmly in favour of Norwich City.

Bazza

I remember when I was a child the boat race was a really big deal and you were either for Oxford or Cambridge. We were all Cambridge and wore a bale blue ribbon. Difficult to believe now when it’s such a non event!

Oxford!! 😁

When the rugby's on I have four favourites: England, Wales, Australia, New Zealand but it's difficult if they play one another.

flappergirl

Bristol City and Bristol Rovers here. I don't like football but my late DH was a City fan. In Bristol we also have a sort of rivalry with Newport (and South Wales in general) which is just over the boarder from us, although I think this is fading with the younger generation many of whom have come to live in Bristol from London.

Cardiff City beat Bristol City yesterday 😯
Yes, I know I live in Wales but some of the men in the family support Bristol City. One, however, supports Rovers ☹

I’m welsh all my sons born in England to English dad …… support England but I’ve never bought them English rugby shirts

Saints supporter her, yes, a fierce rivalry with Portsmouth, scummers v skates, some of the chants are rather ribald.

Going further afield (brexit notwithstanding) Krakow and Warsaw. Alive and kicking I believe

My mother lived in Highbury so all her family supported Arsenal, her eight brothers meeting up for every home game, thus I support them.
My son was taken by a friend to see Liverpool at the age of eight and has supported them ever since, is now a season ticket holder and his life is arranged around matches. At the moment he and I crow or not as they both fight for the lead of the premiership league. DH supports Spurs (just to annoy me I am sure!).

The other day someone got the towns of Rochdale and Rotherham mixed up on a post here. I really wanted to let rip about how different these places are, especially as they are either side of the Pennines! This Yorks/Lancs rivalry is pretty tongue in cheek whether it's food, sport or culture. Of course, I enjoy making out Yorkshire is God's own county!

I remember when I was a child the boat race was a really big deal and you were either for Oxford or Cambridge. We were all Cambridge and wore a bale blue ribbon. Difficult to believe now when it’s such a non event!

Just to make you giggle …. This was 1970 and my dad’s car … was a pale blue Robin Reliant! 🤣

Himself supports Man. Utd. Always has - his house growing up was a ten minute walk from the ground - so man and boy! Dennis Law, Nobby Stiles and George Best played in those days.

His second favourite team is Nottingham Forest because he so admired Brian Cough’s way of management.

When I first took Himself home to meet my parents, he and my dad had some lively discussions! My dad was a season ticket holder with Man. City (at Maine Road back in the day) with Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee etc! Local kids in the terraced houses near that ground used to tout for business “look after yer car mister?” while the game was played. “I’ll pay you when I get back to my car!” was always his reply.

I was allowed to go with him to the reserve team games which were held every other week (remember those days when football was a working man’s sport - kick off at 3pm every Saturday afternoon?). He’d make up a thermos flask of beef OXO for us to share at half time. Happy Days!

Living as I do in the West of Scotland football rivalry that I witness is definitely not friendly but certainly in mhp daft

My rugby fanatic husband is English (as am I) but we used to live in Wales.
Whilst there we became firm friends (and still are) with another couple: he is South African and her brother lives in New Zealand.

Don't talk to me about the Six Nations .................................