With multiple teams in cities in England, how does one choose their favorite? Like does the part of London you come from determain what team you root for? Or is it a class thing? Age? When I recently began to follow the sport, I took a liking to Arsenal because they were the team that seemed to be on TV the most. They are an easy team to follow on TV from here in the states.
I grew up in Islington so I was influenced by everyone around me.. But now I live in Barnet I also like Barnet FC too Even though we're in the conference, I always try to keep up..
Arsenal on TV the most? Jesus, I'm stunned. Maybe hell really is about to freeze over. Next stop CL Final.
For me, it was a roundabout path. I first went to London for work in April/May of 2001. While there, I decided to choose my team, eventually settling on Chelsea. I even visited Stanford Bridge. While there, I picked up Nick Hornby's FEVER PITCH. I read it on the trains, and fell in love with his account of being an Arsenal fan. For what was to be my first match as a Chelsea fan, I watched Chelsea and Arsenal in the FA Cup final at the home of a friend (a West Ham supporter), and was blown away by the Gunners. Beautiful football. Between that match and Hornby's text, I was hooked. And I've never looked back.
I had recently taken a liking to the Gunners from the FSW coverage, and when my brother in law recommended Fever Pitch, I read it and I've been a gooner ever since.
Ground share with Enfield these days right (my town). Arsenal are due at Barnet in July for a charity friendly accoring to the official website.
Easy I became an arsenal fan cos they wins all the time innit. I used to be a Man U fan in the 90's and a Liverpool fan in the 80's. Im also thinking of giving Germany my full support in Euro 2004, as they always seem to do rather well, or maybe France? I'll shout "come on football, lets have another goal now please"
I frist started to support the Gunners after I read Fever Pitch. I was just starting to follow footie when I read it, and I have been an Arsenal fan ever since. Also just because you are from Northern London doesn't mean you're automatically an Arsenal fan, it depends on lots of things like who your parents support, where you're from, if there is a local team in your area, lots of things.
Are the fans of the London area teams mostly from the part of town they play in? I've never had the chance to visit, so I don't know where in the city each stadium is.
This just in....I'm Ken Brockman! Hell has just frozen over! That's right people, you better believe it. Arsenal FC is on TV the most, causing a massive climate shift in the underworld.
DOH! Thanks buddy. Gary, are you heading to Ginger's for England vs. France? And who are you cheering for?
We have really really close family friends that live in England (some of you guys that live there may know them Im not sure- Zoe and Norman) and I'll be over there visiting them soon and I think i've decided to just go around and talk to people and visit the stadiums and just see whats its like at each one. I know that Henry is my favorite player after watching clips and videos of him play so that gives Arsenal an edge
I've been on stadium tours of Highbury, White Hart Lane, Stamford Brdige, Upton Park and Parkhead. A lot of fun, although sometimes it's ear bleeding to hear someone your age ask "who's the black guy wearing Freddie's number?" ...
After reading about Fever Pitch over and over I finally bought it today since my local library doesnt have it. Im a good ways in and I must say it is truly a GREAT book so far .
for some reason, it sorta beats me when i hear people follow the arsenal cuz they read some book... thats just my opinion of course.. but it seems really fone and false... *sigh*
Hey, I started following NASCAR because my (ex) wife's grandfather was a racer. http://www.racing-reference.com/driver?id=searsjo01 However you get there isn't all that important, i.e., the ends justfy the means.
For the US fans, though, that's how it's going to happen. It's not like most US fans have a neighborhood or familial connection with the team. People aren't being phony, they just don't honestly have a better reason.
Zoe & Norman, huh? Is that THE Zoe & Norman, as in Zoe Ball & Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim)? If so, you'll be getting a brainwashing to follow Brighton... Norman Cook is to Brighton as Spike Lee is to the NY Knicks. He's a minority owner of the club, and his record label (Skint) is the shirt sponsor. And as for the original question of how'd I become a fan of the Arsenal, it's was all down to Ian Wright. I followed the EPL from afar (while living in Hong Kong) without ever supporting a club. However, one trip to London and seeing some interviews with Ian WWW and I became addicted to his passion & energy, on and off the pitch.
I stayed with a group of Irish bike messengers in N. London in the early summer of '98 (mannor house was the stop). They gave f*** all about football but there was this English girl was went on and on day and night about the Arsenal (who she'd supported since birth) winning the double. Watched the world cup at Coach and Horses (think that was the name) in Stoke Newington. Came back to the states when my money ran out and started watching, fell in love with Arsenal and the EPL. Thanks Kath.
While I lived in London at Middlesex University I followed Spurs because we were close to White Hart Lane. However, I watched a few Arsenal matches live at the Beef and Barrel. Then I was at the Seven Sisters bus stop the day Arsenal won the double in '98 and all the partying was too much to keep me following the Spurs exclusivly.