The Loneliness of the Long Distance Fan

[William the White]

Where were you sat at Wembley William?

Only, as I recall (and I'm desperately trying not to) we sat next to a chap, with his Wanderers supporting "mates" who, I think, was a Fulham fan. May have been Charlton though. Which was quite funny, as he was sat next to my City supporting mate. They all repress it, but deep down, they know who they'd really like to support....

If you look on the front page, LK, you will find that me and three fellow Trots were misplaced in Amsterdam that day...

For which I am now grateful...

[Lord Kangana]

Oh yeah.

He didn't go anyway did he?

[William the White]

Oh yeah.

He didn't go anyway did he?

No, afraid not... Though daughter and her mum and fella did... I bought her the tickets for her birthday...

she sent me a text later asking if she could exchange them for a B & Q voucher...

[Lord Kangana]

Well theres bloody loads of 'em then!

[Armchair Wanderer]

I grew up not far from Crystal Palace. Am I Owen's Eleven's cousin???

From the other perspective I have a southern accent so people often think it's strange for me to support Bolton.

[Zulus Thousand of em]

You should have told your Munich dad to fúck off then follow it up by singing Munich air disaster songs.

A warning, surely?

No, he can have a one month holiday. Even better.

People should realise by now that this not that kind of site.

[seanworth]

Guess he's none too sharp.

[Gooner Girl]

Can't say I will miss having my sexuality questioned every other post I make...

[Lennon'sEleven]

Thanks for all the feedback - glad it's sparked a bit of chat. Shame about the slight diversion in the middle - a well-earned month off, I'd say.

Armchair Wanderer- do you have two brothers? If so, you could well be my cousin. There have been a couple of people on here that I didn't realise I knew until later!

[HMX]

We grew up in a little town called Boothstown - not far from Salford or the Reebok actually - so I used to say we lived between Manchester and Bolton. Dad and his family were all Bolton fans so I got taken to a few games when I was young. My mum went to the odd Unit*d game, but we've slowly converted her. Sister followed suit and we all (well, sometimes) - like W*mbley - go to the odd away match together.

Now I'm living in Oxford and could see myself spending a decent amount of my life down here - or back home nr. Exeter, anyway. I'd still be Bolton, though see the odd Oxford game perhaps. If/ when I have a son/daughter, I'd ensure Bolton were their first team, regardless of distance from the 'Bok. There are away matches, right!

[TANGODANCER]

Only time I've ever lived away from Bolton and district was two years in Yorkshire, with the nearest team with a recognisable football name being Burnley. Surrounded by natives of Hebden Bridge, Todmorden, Mytholmroyd and other such alien places with wierd accents, supporting Bolton was my only link with reality. Nice Wuthering Heights type views and all that, but coming home was a real joy. Supporting Burnley was just never an option even had I been stretched on a rack and flogged with burning faggots. "They can take my life but they'll never take my BOLTONNNNNN!"

[Dujon]

Like a few others who populate this site I'm ex-Bolton, although I left at the age of eleven. Even though I had to suffer a drought of information about the team (I didn't know we'd sunk to div. 4 until we were back in div. 3) I didn't forget them (or it). Over the years football (soccer here, which differentiates it from the other 'football' codes) gained some sort of credence in the press and short snippets of information began to filter through. Then came the WWW and that dam burst. Wonderful.

My children I have not even attempted to influence, whether it be in sport in general or football in particular - never mind a specific team. It was their decision and not their dad's. As it happens my daughter became involved in netball (her team won the local competition) whilst my son concentrated on social rather than organised team competition (he loved(s) mountain bike riding although now he's married I think he's sold off his bikes). Why on Earth would they follow Bolton? They have no connection with the town other than by me being from the area - likewise with England. I suspect that they think that I'm a bit dotty still following Bolton and, to be honest, I probably am. Old alleigances die hard.

Whilst to some of you that might seem extreme I believe that letting your children choose their own teams, if they so wish, then let them do so. 'Grooming' them to follow Bolton could well result in disappointment any road.

O's 11 I thank you for the article.

[Puskas]

You should have told your Munich dad to fúck off then follow it up by singing Munich air disaster songs.

A warning, surely?

No, he can have a one month holiday. Even better.

People should realise by now that this not that kind of site.

Jesus cunting christ. Political correctness gone mad.

Or is it just rampant hypocrisy? I noticed the following post:

How did they get on against Torpedo Belgrano?

So we can all happily laugh at the deaths of a couple of hundred Argentian teenage consrcipts, but if anyone says anything about the air-crash which occurred 50-odd years ago, and which Manchester United PLC ruthlessly exploited to make their current fortune, they get banned?

A genuine question. I wouldn't like to fall foul of these rules. Which deaths are we allowed to mock/laugh at/ridicule, and which must we doff our caps to. and promise to tiptoe around very solemnly indeed?

Could someone let me know?

Thanks
XXX.

[BwfcDan]

Can't say I will miss having my sexuality questioned every other post I make...

Those pots wont wash themselves...

[General Mannerheim]

You should have told your Munich dad to fúck off then follow it up by singing Munich air disaster songs.

[BwfcDan]

You should have told your Munich dad to fúck off then follow it up by singing Munich air disaster songs.

A warning, surely?

No, he can have a one month holiday. Even better.

People should realise by now that this not that kind of site.

Knew he'd get a ban. As soon as he posted the comment I thought he'd be on thin ice..

[Horza]

channeling 2399:

Am going to get our snazzy away kit and give it large to more Anfield United Chelsenal plastics.

[Gaz Tomorrow]

I'm a strange case. Mum is from Little Hulton, Dad from Cannock near Wolverhampton. They moved down here to Devon 25ish years ago and I've lived here all my life. My dad is a keen football follower but has no allegiance to any particular club, other than our local one - Exeter City. I got into football at around 10 or 11 and dabbled with a few plastics before settling with Wanderers (much influence from my Mum and Gran about how their side of the family support Bolton, How my great Uncle had trials for the club and how my Grandad spent almost a weeks wages to get to Wembley in '58). Being down here I don't see as many matches as i would want to, but I am undoubtedly a Wanderer. I have however, since i was maybe 7 or 8 gone to see Exeter City play. Partly through my Dad but also just to see some regular competitive football. I have a lot of time for Exeter City and the club and fans but it doesn't in anyway affect my Bolton loyalty or stop me knowing who the one true club is. I'd say that it has worked out pretty well for me and is a good solution to anyone who lives a decent distance from the Reebok. I still know I'm a Wanderer, I know where my roots are, but I have something local to me too.

[thebish]

I'm a strange case. Mum is from Little Hulton, Dad from Cannock near Wolverhampton.

my mother's family was from round there - Rugeley - then they moved to Wolverhampton...

[a1]

Jesus cunting christ. Political correctness gone mad.

Or is it just rampant hypocrisy? I noticed the following post:

How did they get on against Torpedo Belgrano?

So we can all happily laugh at the deaths of a couple of hundred Argentian teenage consrcipts, but if anyone says anything about the air-crash which occurred 50-odd years ago, and which Manchester United PLC ruthlessly exploited to make their current fortune, they get banned?

A genuine question. I wouldn't like to fall foul of these rules. Which deaths are we allowed to mock/laugh at/ridicule, and which must we doff our caps to. and promise to tiptoe around very solemnly indeed?

Could someone let me know?

Thanks
XXX.

it is pretty clever... its a reference to the team that beat river plate to relgate them.

the boat and the football team are named after the same person.