Football Fans: Why Do You Hate?

Vital Manchester City regular, BlueWolfie sent us the following.

Football fans are people, and as such will bring to the table their personalities, their prejudices, their fears and loves, and a thousand and one other emotions that collectively make an individual unique. Add to this the passion that they have for their club and colours, and it is surprising that we can all remain relatively sane and calm.

Of course, this is not true for everyone or indeed for every particular case, as is self-evident when players who are loved swap teams for example. The same can also be said for the inherent hatred some can have for other clubs, for reasons that are many and varied, but usually consist of local rivalry, being defeated in an immensely important game, or the actions of certain individuals from said club. Happily for the most part, it is normally a case of light-hearted banter, or winding-up, and it has become part and parcel of the game.

Sure, occasionally events can take place that do annoy others greatly, and as fans we feel we need to either set the record straight, or defend ourselves or our club, but every-now-and-then, some sections take it too far.

So why do they do it?

Why do a select few deem it necessary to go completely over-board irrespective of the circumstances, and spout vile abuse? Do they believe it is expected of them by their peers? Or perhaps because they may fear their victims in some way; after all, you do not hear of Chelsea fans going over the top with say, Hull, such is the gulf between them. Maybe it is because that is the sort of person that they truly are, or perhaps they simply cannot distinguish between funny and abhorrent behaviour for whatever reason.

The old adage of 'if you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all', may apply in regular life, but isn't really applicable in football due to banter and winding-up. But as I said, there is a huge gulf between taking the pi** and being down-right nasty. By all means keep the banter going, it can be highly amusing, particularly when a rival fails (maybe not for them though), but if all you want to do is give out vile hatred, then might I suggest you go find something better to do with your time.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.