[Football] Is it OK to support more than one team?

[Berty23]

I support Brighton and Brackley town. Brackley play in the national league north and only half and hour from home (whereas Brighton is 2.5-3 hours). I started following Brackley when my mate was involved in the management and even though they eventually sacked him (after the most successful season in the club’s history) we have stayed supporting them. I got friendly with a few of the players and we still go to Cheltenham races every year. My lad started going every week when he was about 7 or 8 and he is now 16 so it is in his blood. We only get to a few Brighton home games every year and the odd away game in the cup so it gives a football fix.

When we were crap in my uni days of late 90s I lived with a couple of Liverpool fans, a Leeds fan and a manc so I took it upon myself to cheer on Arsenal in the premier league. That stopped about 2010 I reckon. I was never a fan as such, just to have a team in the house nonsense.

 

[Justice]

Hmm timing’s convenient here did you also like Chelsea for a bit to?

 

[Berty23]

Hmm timing’s convenient here did you also like Chelsea for a bit to?

lol. No. It was merely just a case of “I might as well have some skin in the game” didn’t change my mood. Never bought any merchandise and never actually went to game unless one of my other mates had a spare ticket.

I missed Torquay United from my list too. I grew up in south Devon in the 90s so had a season in 94/95 where I went to pretty much every home game.

This was the issue with being a long distance Brighton fan.

As a very young kid I supported Liverpool for a couple of years but then my dad told me “either Torquay as local or Brighton like me. That’s the choice” so I picked Brighton but went to some Torquay matches.

 

[sussex_guy2k2]

I grew up in the 90s in Sussex, albeit not in Brighton. At the time, because I disliked Man Utd so much because everyone I knew at school supported them because they were winning everything, I picked a big club to support who were challenging them.

Because I was playing football to a decent standard most weekends and away with things like uni and work, I didn’t really go to live football much.

This changed in my early 20s when I came home and went to an Albion game with my dad for the first time. I was instantly hooked and, to be honest, pretty much haven’t thought about the big club’s results in the preceding 17-18 years.

The way I see it is that I was a kid before. I’m not sure I’d call it a mistake supporting said big team, rather that my head wasn’t really in the game as to who I supported as I was too busy playing football and enjoying life to worry about my loyalty or allegiances to a specific football team, as I wasn’t emotionally or financially invested in any of them. I’m sure many would see me as a bad fan, but quite frankly I don’t really care.

Ultimately, my feeling on this topic is that I love our club, I don’t see myself supporting anyone else now as I’m far too emotionally involved, but that I think people old or young can support who the hell they want. It’s their lives. No one is going to write on their grave “switched sides so he’s a scum bag”.

 

[Uh_huh_him]

"Support" needs definition really.
The true meaning of the word is to assist either financially, or to encourage
In this sense, I don't see anything wrong with supporting a professional team and your local non-league team.

I also find it diifficult to be neutral when watching any match, and will arbitrarily pick a team to "support".

Most football fans only have one team that they follow keenly.
Having more than one set of results that truly matter, is a bit odd, IMO.

A lot of people have a favourite team in other countries/leagues, but I wouldn't consider that to be "supporting".

 

[Frutos]

I follow loads of teams, mostly ones I've enjoyed managing on Football Manager.

Notts County, Energie Cottbus (Germany), Scunthorpe, Millonarios (Colombia) to name a few.

But I only support Brighton.

I follow Valencia and Köln for the same reason, but were either ever to play Brighton I'd be supporting us without question.

 

[Frutos]

I also find it diifficult to be neutral when watching any match, and will arbitrarily pick a team to "support".

This - usually whoever is the underdog.

 

[Driver8]

My local team is Wrexham. I don’t support them but did go a see them play a couple of times before Hollywood got involved.

 

[Insel affe]

I follow loads of teams, mostly ones I've enjoyed managing on Football Manager.

Notts County, Energie Cottbus (Germany), Scunthorpe, Millonarios (Colombia) to name a few.

But I only support Brighton.

This is very much allowed, I follow several teams, mostly from places I’ve either been too or have a connection.
i don’t actively support them as such, i have been to some of them and supported them on the day. I certainly do not lose my rag, or let it spoil my day if one them loses, I check the score, and like to see how they are doing.

There is no wild exhilaration like watching thee Albion.

teams followed: St Pauli, Frankfurt, Melbourne Victory, Caen, Detroit City, FC Hansa Rostock, Lewes, Plymouth Argyle.

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

Yep, I'm guilty but I've prepared a statement I would like my lawyer to read out on my behalf

"Picture the scene. It was the summer of 1995 and my client was 9 years old. His knowledge of football was minor at this stage. He had been given a Brighton shirt and, by default, 'supported' them but had not been to see them play. Football was only really now becoming an interest. For context, all he remembers of the 94 world cup is the football-based happy meals at McDonalds.

That summer, as part of his 'i like football now' decision, he also jumped into the world of football stickers. However this was met with 'who do you support'. My young client was embarrassed that all his school friends could join in chat about 'their' PL teams. Man Utd and Liverpool everywhere you could see. But no one wanted to talk about little old Brighton. My client felt left out. Alone. In hindsight he admits he should have been stronger but peer pressure got to him. He looked at the teams available. He didn't want to just pick the best team that season so he went mid table. 12th. 'Who's that? Arsenal. I know them. I like their kit and they have a GUN. Fine. I'll pick them. It's impossible Brighton and Arsenal will ever play each other so that's not something I have to worry about'

He is 38 now. He still wants arsenal to win. He wants arsenal to win the league this year. He wishes he didn't care, but he does. However, 20 years of season ticket holding at Brighton obviously means that's the number 1."

Think of it as an affair. Brighton is the wife. Arsenal is the naughty secret that I have to blank when the two bump into each other.

 

[jcdenton08]

He is 38 now. He still wants arsenal to win. He wants arsenal to win the league this year. He wishes he didn't care, but he does. However, 20 years of season ticket holding at Brighton obviously means that's the number 1."

Think of it as an affair. Brighton is the wife. Arsenal is the naughty secret that I have to blank when the two bump into each other.

You’ve given yourself away there!

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

You’ve given yourself away there!

We've all done it.

 

[Zeberdi]

Only ever supported Brighton but since moving to Norfolk, although Brighton will always be the team I support, I do follow the Canaries somewhat because I love football and most of my neighbours and local mates support them - it is also only a 25-30 journey on PT to get to Carrow Road whereas it takes me 3-4 hours to get to the Amex.

I find it impossible personally to be loyal to more than one team and for me it will always be Brighton.

 

[Cordwainer]

Cobbler by heart and by breeding..Seagull by family and 3 plus decades of life. Great times when they both win (admittedly a rarity at the moment) sh1t times when they both lose.

 

[sussex_guy2k2]

Yep, I'm guilty but I've prepared a statement I would like my lawyer to read out on my behalf

"Picture the scene. It was the summer of 1995 and my client was 9 years old. His knowledge of football was minor at this stage. He had been given a Brighton shirt and, by default, 'supported' them but had not been to see them play. Football was only really now becoming an interest. For context, all he remembers of the 94 world cup is the football-based happy meals at McDonalds.

That summer, as part of his 'i like football now' decision, he also jumped into the world of football stickers. However this was met with 'who do you support'. My young client was embarrassed that all his school friends could join in chat about 'their' PL teams. Man Utd and Liverpool everywhere you could see. But no one wanted to talk about little old Brighton. My client felt left out. Alone. In hindsight he admits he should have been stronger but peer pressure got to him. He looked at the teams available. He didn't want to just pick the best team that season so he went mid table. 12th. 'Who's that? Arsenal. I know them. I like their kit and they have a GUN. Fine. I'll pick them. It's impossible Brighton and Arsenal will ever play each other so that's not something I have to worry about'

He is 38 now. He still wants arsenal to win. He wants arsenal to win the league this year. He wishes he didn't care, but he does. However, 20 years of season ticket holding at Brighton obviously means that's the number 1."

Think of it as an affair. Brighton is the wife. Arsenal is the naughty secret that I have to blank when the two bump into each other.

Amazing how many our age have this story.

For me, the big team was like my first fumble. It happened, but my heart wasn’t really in it, although I did give it a good go, often with the beer goggles on.

 

[Hometownglory]

Anyone who supports a 'big 6' side and has the Albion as their second team, can do one IMO. Especially if they taking a season ticket up.

Support you're local non-league side by all means.

 

[Doonhamer7]

Yes