To say that the North West of England is full of football fans is a wild understatement. For many people in the region, their identity is tied up in their fandom and football rivalry to some extent.
You should bear in mind: I once thought that football was for thugs and fighters. Now I know how beautiful and exciting the game can be!
In the past, being a football fan had a bad reputation. Nowadays, it is just another facet of human behaviour, but old rivalries lie under the surface.
How Does Football Rivalry Work?
Football affiliation or fandom is normally a family legacy. Grandad took Dad to a game, and then Dad took son or daughter to a game. Children become part of the tribe; the end.
For non-football fans, it is probably easier to imagine that football is like a soap opera. There are heroes and villains, romantic underdog stories, and nobody really knows what is going to happen in a season.
Football rivalry in Manchester and Liverpool just means different people have different heroes and perspectives.
One team came out of nowhere one season, won the league and then disappeared again. It was VERY Hollywood!
On days when teams from the same city or town play each other (a derby), these games are generally more intense. The teams are playing not just for points in the league, but also for bragging rights for their fans.
Animosity begins and ends with the referee’s whistle, and the atmosphere of a derby makes the games much more exciting. For anyone who wants to know more about football rivalry in the North West, this guide should prove useful.
You should bear in mind: I once thought that football was for thugs and fighters. Now I know how beautiful and exciting the game can be! The women’s game has also become successful in its own right. New generations of girls are following the women’s national team and the club counterparts.
First, let’s look at the big teams in the North West. I am doing this alphabetically to prevent bias (and to stop my friends complaining!). This part is going to get complicated because, well, it is…
Everton
Everton is the name of a district of Liverpool, and the name of Liverpool’s second most successful footballing export. The Blues play in blue and white for home games, and their biggest rival is… Liverpool F.C.! No prizes for guessing that, though.
Everton F.C. has the reputation of being perennial underdogs. This means their fans take pride in supporting their club even when the trophies aren’t coming. They have recently moved to a new stadium, the swish, new Hill Dickinson Stadium, so good times may be coming.
Liverpool
Even if you live under a rock, there is a medium-to-large chance you have heard about Liverpool. Liverpool are incredibly successful and well-known as a top team in European football.
With success, however, comes high expectations; blips in their fortunes are treated as successes in the Blue half of the city.
The Reds play in – you have guessed it – red shirts and shorts. Families in Liverpool can consist of Blues and Reds fans, so the results of a derby victory can be controversial.
The strongest rivalry Liverpool has, after the derby, is with Manchester United. These two teams have historically been the most successful in the region.
With Manchester United and Liverpool only 50 miles (80 km) apart, there is a spirited competition between them. This competition goes back as far as the Industrial Revolution, so it is unlikely to go away soon.
Games played at Anfield (Liverpool) or Old Trafford (Manchester United) between them can be feisty affairs! Both teams usually try harder in derbies so results can be unpredictable, even if one team is dominant that season.
The Kop (an historic stand at Anfield) in full song is a thing to behold. Hearing the entire ground sing the club’s anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ can give you goosebumps!
Manchester City
Manchester City play in sky blue and are currently the most successful team in the North West (and the league). Their ascent to the top of the game has been assisted with foreign investment and they are perceived as Johnny-Come-Latelies.
The accusation goes that they bought their glory, and their fans are ‘plastic’. Plastic fans refers to fans who are not authentic fans but follow the best teams, when they succeed.
How much of this is jealousy is unclear, as Manchester City have been far and away the best club over the last decade. The investors have created a state-of-the-art academy for upcoming stars. T
he Spanish manager, Pep Guardiola, is arguably this generation’s most influential football tactician. Their biggest football rivalry is with…
Manchester United
Manchester United is a club with one of the biggest reputations in world football. Unfortunately, they are currently relying on a rapidly diminishing reputation to keep them in the limelight.
Fans of Liverpool, Manchester City, (and most of the Premier League) regard them as yesterday’s men. The management is a revolving door of enthusiastic talented innovators on the way in, and broken men on the way out.
Their stadium, Old Trafford, is shabby, like the club’s current fortunes. A new dawn seems to arrive every day only to be snuffed out by indifferent performances from the team.
Fan groups protest about the owners, eager for the club to be less debt-ridden. One thing that has not changed is that the atmosphere at Old Trafford can still be hair-raisingly exciting!
The noise from the Stretford End can be very threatening, passionate, or life-affirming, depending on who you support.
Other Important Clubs
The four clubs listed above tend to get all the attention and media coverage in the region due to their football rivalry. But if you find yourself in any town or city in the North West, there is probably a team worth watching near you. Shout-outs go to:
Burnley F.C.
Recently promoted to the Premier League, Burnley are not doing too well at the moment, despite passionate supporters. They are in the relegation vortex. It might be a good idea to lend them your voice if you are in the area.
Find out more here.
FC United of Manchester
This club was created by disgruntled former fans of Manchester United. FC United of Manchester is a club that put its money where its mouth is.
Many fans talk the talk about how they want a more democratic club. This club walked the walk and is the third-largest football club owned by fans in the U.K. by membership.
Find out more here.
Preston North End
Preston has a special place in my heart as they are in the history books for a 26-0 game against Hyde. Was the goalkeeper at home having a bath?!
Admittedly, they are not posting those kind of numbers these days, but it would be nice to see Preston back in the top flight of English football.
Find out more here.
Final Thoughts on Football Rivalry
When you think back to Roman times and the gladiatorial battles that people watched for fun, modern football seems kind. Although the crowds can seem scary, they are a place for people to belong and share drama together.
You will also find that some of the kindest people you meet are at football grounds. It is a community, a passion, and an outlet. For some people it is their lifeline to shared enjoyment.
If you are on the fence, check out a lower league game, and you should pick up the rules fairly quickly. I hope you enjoy it!
