They smell of fish don’t they dad?

On the 18th of December all Saints fans travelling to Fratton Park for the derby match with Pompey must board special coaches.  In a new initiative, fans will only receive their match tickets once they are on board.

Supported by Hampshire Constabulary, the two football clubs have agreed to force all away fans to travel to their opponents’ grounds in a ‘bubble.’  This decision has not been well received by supporters.  Some even doubt the lawfulness of such a move.

During the week, men and women from both cities make the same trip down the M27 be it for work or for leisure, without the need for a ‘special’ bubble.  Several of my work colleagues and family are Pompey fans and the banter is great.  Neither of us take it too seriously and there is genuine concern for each other’s teams.  So what has happened to necessitate these ‘bubbles’? 

The rivalry between Saints and Pompey is a strange one.  These two clubs have been playing against each other for more than 100 years and each team has experienced its fair share of high and low points in that time.  Some point to the dock strikes but there is very little evidence to support this theory, as explored by Kevin Mitcell in the Observer 2004.  More recent theory suggests that the hatred has grown through ignorance and misunderstandings.  Aside from a few minor incidents there is little justification for these two clubs being quite so intolerable of each other.

Supporters of other teams look on like naughty school kids hoping to witness a playground brawl, egging the two sets of fans on, in search of trouble.  ‘He called you a Skate!’  ‘She called you a scummer!’ Even the BBC have got in on the act.  They will broadcast the match live and one could question what their motive for this really is?

To be honest, I couldn’t care less.  I will watch the match on television and be more concerned about the performance and result than anything else.  A point away from home would be good and yes all three would be fantastic.  But whatever way it goes on the 18th, both sets of fans must begin to understand that this petty hatred is becoming ridiculous, almost laughable.  Grown men tell their kids that Pompey fans smell of fish or that Southampton’s fans are scum.  What rubbish!

In the school that I work in, I have heard many reasons for why a fight has started.  They most often begin with ‘he called me a…’

Next time I am asked about either sets of fans, by a child or otherwise, I will tell them this.  Most fans understand and enjoy the banter.  On the day of the match some will hurl abuse and make up hateful songs to sing about the other, but the very next day they will share an office or work together on the same building project.  Sure they may tease and taunt one another over the result, but it will be mostly good natured. 

On the other hand, there are a few who will go too far.  They are simple people with little intelligence who think it is right to hate and physically hurt people because of the football team they support.  They are neither scummers nor skates. I have a ‘new’ word that fits neatly.  They are ‘SKUM’!