Hi, i just recently started getting into the English League after the World Cup 06 and i'm just wondering how people pick the teams they like? Is it because of the certain players in that team? I live in the US and i cant watch any of the games since soccer is literally obliderated in my city. I'm fairley new and seem to not figure out how you have a favorite team unless your from that area. I usually just watch clips and highlights on youtube other then that i dont have the privilege to watch the games. Any tips, information for a newbie on football is appreciated. And how do rivalry work? Is it from past games or does it go way back? Though i barley seen any of their games, i grew fond of Manchester United, Reading, & West Ham. though i dunno why . Might have just been thoes inspirational videos on youtube of the teams.
If you live in the US tune in Fox Sports World or Fox Soccer channel... Rivalries have a lot to do with history and/or closeness of the two teams. eg: Tottenham hates Arsenal, Arsenal hate chelsea, man utd hates man city, liverpool hates united, etc... imo City vs United is still the strongest english rivalry. Realistically people from other countries (the non bandwagon jumpers) are going to watch teams and fall in love with a particular team (most likely in the top league of a country since, let's face it, you're not going to see a lot of conference north/south on the tv).
Usually it's from the area you're from. But that's not always the case. I live in North London, lived at Highbury for half my life, yet I'm a Liverpool fan because I like the way they play, and the passion of their players.
Man Utd Vs Liverpool is my favourite Rivally of the North West or whatever Celtic Vs Rangers is my favourite altogether [but thats Scottish] Arsenal Vs Chelsea the two best teams from London
Rivalries are most common when the teams are from the same area, no doubt much the same with any of the typically American sports I imagine. You'll find plenty of London derbies in the Premiership, and plenty of North West derbies. The likes of Blackburn, Bolton, Man City, Wigan, Liverpool, Everton and Man United are all North West/Lancashire clubs (the home of football Don't let anyone tell you otherwise). In picking a club to support, just take one and make it your own. You could jump on the glory band wagon and support Chelsea, or you could support and up and coming club such as Reading, Portsmouth etc. Or you could just do the right thing and support Blackburn, because we need all the fans we can get lol. Seriously, we must have the smallest population for a town in the Prem - 104k I beleive but we do pretty well considering.
