It Is Now

Well that’s that: Manchester United 0 – Arsenal 0.   

After securing the single point needed to clinch their third league title in a row, all it leaves me to do is to offer my hearty congratul…..no, sorry, I just can’t bring myself to finish that sentence.

I pride myself at being a pretty magnanimous when it comes to football, but, when push comes to shove, I’m still a biased, over-emotional, tribal football fan.  For instance, I will admit, here in print, that over the last decade Manchester United have been the best football team in the country.   Yes, I’ll admit that, but it causes me actual physical pain to do so.   Sadly, the evidence is so overwhelmingly in support of it being true, that to dispute it would make you an absolute idiot.   And,when you’re an idiot you immediately lose the moral high ground.  

Over the last few weeks, I’ve heard the jibes from United fans on Liverpool’s rapidly evaporating chances of winning the league.   But, in making these petty remarks, they’ve actually revealed their weakness: they’re genuinely worried about us (and by us, I of course mean Liverpool FC).   Put it this way, if you were in a position where only a statistically unlikely slip-up was to stop you winning your third consecutive title, and your 11th in 16 years, what do you have to gain by having a go at supporters of a team who haven’t won the title in 20 years? OK, I understand there is a bitter rivalry and that ‘banter’ is part and parcel of football support, but if you’re in the dominant position and you gloat, aren’t you just dragging yourself right back down with the rest of the also-rans?  It looks suspiciously like a love of your own club isn’t quite enough.

This might sound like sour grapes, but I can say that hand on heart, if the positions were reversed (or even just reversed for this season) that I wouldn’t gloat.  It’s impossible for me to prove, so you’ll just have to trust me.  I’m also aware that if positions were reversed there would be plenty of scouse gloaters.  If I had to guess, I’d say the percentage of gloaters would be lower, but then don’t trust me, I am very biased.  

Meanwhile, over in the merry band of Liverpool fans that I work with, we’ve been basking in the glimmer of hope that results will go our way, and revelling in being involved in a title race after so long.  Yes, I’m gutted that the race is over, and the circumstances of ‘them’ equalling our 18 titles makes it a much bitterer pill to swallow, but ultimately it reveals a truth that is often ignored: being a fan isn’t about your team winning, it’s about being a fan. 

Contrary to current evidence, I’m the sort of supporter that concentrates mainly on his own team, so next time I write about football, I’ll make sure it’s more about Liverpool.. YNWA.