Following more than one club?

[Mac_Howard]

I understand watching more than one team, sure. I am talking about supporting though i.e putting your heart and soul into a club.

Why, DS, do you assume that you can't feel this way about two or more clubs? The same is true of club and national commitment which you also seem not to understand.

The emotions you feel towards Utd can be directed towards other entities - the English cricket team causes me no end of pain ;)

[Dark Savante]

Why, DS, do you assume that you can't feel this way about two or more clubs? The same is true of club and national commitment which you also seem not to understand.

The emotions you feel towards Utd can be directed towards other entities - the English cricket team causes me no end of pain ;)

club>country

but that's a bit different as I'm talking about club = club

Which, to me, makes no sense at all.

I'm also talking about footy exclusively.

Your club is with you 365 days a year...every year from the day you follow till the day you die.. country isn't even a month of games in a non major year...country majors also take place when the club season ends...because if it were to boil down to club vs. country the majors would be full of empty stadia.. ;)

[johno]

club>country

but that's a bit different as I'm talking about club = club

Which, to me, makes no sense at all.

I'm also talking about footy exclusively.

Your club is with you 365 days a year.. country isn't even a month of games in a non major year...country majors also take place when the club season ends...because if it were to boil down to club vs. country the majors would be full of empty stadia.. ;)

Well, maybe for YOU club>country. However, for me the land that gave me life the place that I call home is special. I've been to Old Trafford and I thoroughly enjoyed that experience and its been the best experience of my life. I'd give it away to have been at the world cup.

[Mac_Howard]

club>country

but that's a bit different as I'm talking about club = club

Which, to me, makes no sense at all.

I'm also talking about footy exclusively.

Your club is with you 365 days a year...every year from the day you follow till the day you die.. country isn't even a month of games in a non major year...country majors also take place when the club season ends...because if it were to boil down to club vs. country the majors would be full of empty stadia.. ;)

What I'm pointing out, DS, is that the emotions that you describe do not exclude similar emotions about other entities. The fact that you can feel these emotions about a national team or cricket team etc in addition to a club illustrates that they are not exclusive and you can also feel them about another club particularly when there is no clash between clubs. Your assumption that feeling them for one club prevents you feeling them for another just isn't so - at least not for others. It's a characteristic of your particular psychology but not necessarily that of others.

Some of us are polygamous if we can get away with it ;)

[Dark Savante]

Well, maybe for YOU club>country. However, for me the land that gave me life the place that I call home is special. I've been to Old Trafford and I thoroughly enjoyed that experience and its been the best experience of my life. I'd give it away to have been at the world cup.

Obviously for you it is different, as I was talking to howard, I wasn't looking for your interjection as you've already made your feelings known.

I also think that for overseas United supporters television completely governed how most would have gained access to even watching the club most likely by which time you already had a national identity well and truly formed. It's a natural conclusion that for many country comes before club then because you were exposed to country before you sampled club.

If you're from England following an English team, the answer will vary wildly. I don't expect it would for many overseas for reasons of exposure. Whatever you're exposed to first will determine where initial loyalties lie.

And as I said to howard, this thread is about club - club not country - club.

[Dark Savante]

What I'm pointing out, DS, is that the emotions that you describe do not exclude similar emotions about other entities. The fact that you can feel these emotions about a national team or cricket team etc in addition to a club illustrates that you can also feel them about another club particularly when there is no clash between clubs. Your assumption that feeling them for one club prevents you feeling them for another just isn't so - at least not for others. It's a characteristic of your particular psychology but not necessarily that of others.

You're contradicting your inital post then... as you've stated one club is your heart already.

And national teams, other sports and so on are not the same as having two club sides held in equal regard, I don't think. If forced to make a decision, one club will always take precedence over another, imo. Just as you demonstrated in your opening post.

I'm not closed minded about this subject though. I did post the poser to try and understand it in more detail actually, and not to chastize. I think Sirmanc is probably the most ardent dual-watcher/supporter I know of on here, but still, I think he still puts United over Bayern (correct me if I'm wrong SirManc) I've yet to read a response that lends itself to the notion both clubs are held in equal regard.

[phishy]

You're contradicting your inital post then... as you've stated one club is your heart already.

And national teams, other sports and so on are not the same as having two club sides held in equal regard, I don't think. If forced to make a decision, one club will always take precedence over another, imo. Just as you demonstrated in your opening post.

I'm not closed minded about this subject though. I did post the poser to try and understand it in more detail actually, and not to chastize. I think Sirmanc is probably the most ardent dual-watcher/supporter I know of on here, but still, I think he still puts United over Bayern (correct me if I'm wrong SirManc) I've yet to read a response that lends itself to the notion both clubs are held in equal regard.

but it doesnt have to be club = club does it?
you can feel passionate about YOUR club... but follow another team and hope they compete for trophies (in other leagues/etc).

[billyho96]

I understand watching more than one team, sure. I am talking about supporting though i.e putting your heart and soul into a club.



I think this is the best explanation. (clever, I couldn't have worded it as well) You really have to at least enjoy one club in a league to even pay attention to the domestic table. I enjoy watching Celtic, because they have a great atmosphere in the stadium at their games and I just find they whole thing intersting, but I don't get upset when they lose. I enjoy Roma, but I think its more a tangible way of rooting against Inter, Milan, and Juve. Still though, I don't really care how they do unless they are playing someone I actively hate.

Its like becoming a fan of Middlesboro for a day if they take points off Chelsea.

[SirManchester]

A few years back I was in Austria on business for four weeks, I had no access to Manchester United news or games and I swear, after one week I was going up the walls...if you've ever seen Trainspotting you'll get the idea, lol. I couldn't get my fix and it felt like I was going cold turkey. I ended up watching FC Telfs and had access to Die Bundesliga, but it was all so meaningless. That's the most surreal experience I've ever had in regards to supporting this club. I can only imagine what it used to be like for emmigrants who left England and went to the other side of the world where their club was not the centre of the universe.


This is funny because it was in Austria that I found and started supporting United.

As for the rest of your post, I agree, all the turmoil a fan goes through with on club; the ups, the downs, the emotional attachment - for me, it's only with United and personally I can't see how anyone can devote themselves this way to two club teams. I understand if one goes through this with club and country but I never felt this way about two clubs.

There are levels of attachment so to speak and for the most part it has to do with the way one grew up and his/her personality. I for one love Manchester United Football Club and always will. I give everything for this club, shed tears and have enormous pride in its history. Then there's German football, which I grew up with, and the surprising thing is that I don't follow any German club (Bayern just happens to be the club I was introduced to first for those of you questioning this statement) in particular with the same emotion I follow United but rather German football as a whole, its league, and history. There are numerous psychological reasons for why that is and I believe that ultimately determines the modern day football fan (and I mean the true fans, not various glory hunters or those who just watch for entertainment).

EDIT: Let me just add to this after reading DS' last post. I know posters here have come to know me as a dual supporter but I'm anything but. Regarding the initial thread question, I don't believe one can truly support two clubs given the criteria you have set up (which I think is pretty universal in fanship) I will always find myself rooting more for German footbal as a whole rather than for only one club. In the Champions League for example, I will always root more for all German teams to make it through instead of rooting for just one to make it through and the rest I'm indifferent about. In a similar sense I also don't want Bayern to win another title this year.

Moving around, growing up, being exposed to a number of things combined with whatever amount I chose to accept I find myself supporting one club and one country, and the rest such as my hometeam, home country, other country of residence, I find myself supporting them but it's simply not the same level of devotion.

I don't know if any of this made sense.

[Dark Savante]

but it doesnt have to be club = club does it?
you can feel passionate about YOUR club... but follow another team and hope they compete for trophies (in other leagues/etc).

billyho actually quoted my initial thougts on this in the post below yours.

[Mac_Howard]

You're contradicting your inital post then... as you've stated one club is your heart already.

Not at all. Both "have my heart" - I feel bad when either loses a game. But if push comes to shove, which fortunately it never does, then I would choose Utd because my commitment to Utd has been lifelong but for the Glory only 10 years or so.

But that doesn't mean I don't support the Glory with some considerable commitment.

And national teams, other sports and so on are not the same as having two club sides held in equal regard, I don't think.They are providing your definition of "regard" does not exclude equal regard for others. And, if it doesn't, just as you can have regard for another nation/sport team then you can for another club.

If forced to make a decision, one club will always take precedence over another, imo. Just as you demonstrated in your opening post.Hence the advantage if the clubs' interests don't clash.

I'm not closed minded about this subject though. I did post the poser to try and understand it in more detail actually, and not to chastize.But you are trying to ignore those who explain to you why they can support two or more clubs.

It's a question of psychology. I do not feel that support for Utd requires me to deny support for any other club. It's not part of my commitment. Just as I can commit support for two or more different players. It's not necessary to deny others to support one.

Apparently for you, it is. No problem with that. Our names are different too :)

[Dark Savante]

Not at all. Both "have my heart" - I feel bad when either loses a game. But if push comes to shove, which fortunately it never does, then I would choose Utd because my commitment to Utd has been lifelong but for the Glory only 10 years or so.

But that doesn't mean I don't support the Glory with some considerable commitment.
But you are still saying one club 'has you' over another, which is what I am getting at. It's perfectly feasible to follow more than one league and even have a vested interest in a particular team, but in the end, your true loyalties lay elsewhere... no?


They are providing your definition of "regard" does not exclude equal regard for others. And, if it doesn't, just as you can have regard for another nation/sport team then you can for another club.
Sorry, but that doesn't make sense nor is it comparable. As I've said already, the club season and the country season do not intertwine, they barely intermingle except for meaningless friendlies and qualifers. Outside of that, the majors take place when the club season is over. It is not hard, then, to be able to particpate in a month long haze of following ones country... before going back to reality, which is the league and your club...at which time you'll spend nearly every waking day of the entire year/season following your club.

And, even when it comes to other sports, if push came to shove, you'd soon find where your #1 alligience lay be it at United or for something else.. if they were screened at the same time or you had tickets to both major events in a calender season...you'd soon make up your mind where you want to be.

But I'm trying not to muddy the waters. Club - club is what I asked about and I don't think your answers resolve anything in that regard, in fact, to make your point you drifted away from club - club, which kind of proves my point, not yours.


Hence the advantage if the clubs' interests don't clash.
This is fair enough and I understand that, but at the same time I don't see how one doesn't have precedence over the other... if they were to clash...you'd soon know where your loyalties were..


But you are trying to ignore those who explain to you why they can support two or more clubs.
That's just not true. I haven't ignored anything. I wrote a lengthy reply to llcc airing my views and taking his points on board. And, I don't see how it's possible to 'support' two clubs. tbh.

If you have a club in your locale that is close and convenient you go and watch them, most likely, but if your overseas club (utd in this instance) were in that same vicinity...you'd not struggle to make your mind up. And that's the jest of what you and others who follow two clubs have said, for the most part.


It's a question of psychology. I do not feel that support for Utd requires me to deny support for any other club. It's not part of my commitment. Just as I can commit support for two or more different players. It's not necessary to deny others to support one.

Apparently for you, it is. No problem with that. Our names are different too :)
That's not a strong analogy. Your choice of player comes down to whims, moods and how they capture you at a certain time. Your club is your identity, it doesn't change.

[jmartin1966]

There are other teams that I admire and would like to do well but I only support Man Utd.

[The Jitty Slitter]

part of what goes on is that you need to understand all the stories and drama and personalities connected with a team before you are feel anything more than the usual emotions watching ANYTHING.

for instance you can get quite worked up watching the characters in a film. but you won't worry about them week to week.

can people have two girlfriends? yes. so i don't see why someone can't avidly follow two football clubs.

[R1234]

In the US club and country schedules often intertwine, MLS ran during the world cup. However you can still support both. As far as following two clubs it is possible when the two clubs never play at the same time and will never play each other in meaningful competition. When the Revs and Utd are playing on the same day Utd are always in the morning and the Revs at night. It is possible to invest in two clubs. However, I think fans always think what they do is best. For example, I think it is entirely possible to support an MLS and European team, while I think it would be impossible to completely love two European teams that might play each other in Champions League.


Also I think the club vs. country mindset is different in the US, as supporting the national team is like supporting the growth of soccer in this country, and you can’t just take a month off and enjoy your national team as all their meaningful tournaments are during the summer when MLS is running.

[Ruud v.Nistelrooy 10]

i like other teams like Inter,Werder,River Plate but only United is in my heart

if any of them face each other United always

[JC7rox]

can people have two girlfriends? yes. so i don't see why someone can't avidly follow two football clubs.

I like this analogy, but it doesn't completely work your way.
Yes, a person can have two girlfriends, but they don't necessarily feel the same thing for both girlfriends. It is seemingly normal to have more feelings for one, unless you don't really have any feelings for either of them.
But, can you really LOVE two girlfriends at the same time? When all the chips fall, you always have to make one choice. ONE choice. You have to decide. So I guess your analogy doesn't work, or it does, but not the way you presented it.

ONE LOVE. ONE UNITED.;)

[FIFARay007]

Personally I follow 3 clubs, mainly since they will probably never play each other.

Manchester United - Duh. Definitely at the top of my list.

NY Red Bulls - My local team, kind of a diet soccer team. Yes it's MLS, but the league can only get better as more money comes into it. Plus it's a great excuse to tailgate.

US Nats - Gotta love your country's team, no matter how mediocre they may be.

While these are my favs, I still root for others, because I love the game and there are some very enjoyable teams out there worth watching. I think if you love the game, you can root for whoever you like, but in your heart, there's only gonna be room for a limited few.

[FIFARay007]

I like this analogy, but it doesn't completely work your way.
Yes, a person can have two girlfriends, but they don't necessarily feel the same thing for both girlfriends. It is seemingly normal to have more feelings for one.
But, can you really LOVE two girlfriends at the same time? When all the chips fall, you always have to make one choice. ONE choice. You have to decide. So I guess your analogy doesn't work, or it does, but not the way you presented it.

ONE LOVE. ONE UNITED.;)

You CAN have 2 girlfriends, and as long as they never meet, then everything is kosher. Once they meet, that's when it's decision time. Of course, when you choose one team over another, there's much less pain to the genitals. :p

[bestbecks]

The thing with a thread like this is that it stirs up the passion and fuel within people and how they feel about their supported club and/or country. Just by reading this thread it is evident how passionate people get when talking about their club. But alas I will talk about my personal stance as to what I believe in this whole "Following more than one club" business.

For me growing up I was always a hockey kid. I lived, breathed, dreamed hockey and for a good 13 years that was my main sport. I knew Manchester United, I followed Manchester United to a much, much lesser degree, and I knew what football was more importantly. However, I found myself watching more and more Manchester United games which was sparked while I was at the dentist (really random place but they had a game showing on the tv in the office) and I remember watching David Beckham scoring with little to no time left against Charlton I think, the team eludes me, and I remember myself thinking "my god, what is this? Why have I not been paying more attention to this?" The passion and fire I saw from Manchester United and their supporters was like nothing I had ever witnessed prior. The Manchester United way of playing the game really struck me and I knew they were my team then and forever. I started watching more games and soon enough reading up on everything I could find about them. I followed them daily checking for as many updates as possible. I knew I was hooked when I would be out with my friends and would leave early from hanging out with them because Man Utd played an early games the next morning (Eastern Standard Time).

The thrill and enjoyment I get from Manchester United is like no other feeling. I have never worn another club's badge and asides from Toronto FC I will never wear another one. I place Man Utd above any other football team and always will. They introduced me to football and the beautiful game that it is and I am ever greatful for that and I know where my heart lies in respect to support.