Watching other teams as a neutral.

Comments on another thread started me thinking about all the matches I've been to over the years which didn't involve the Wanderers.

As a student, I watched Villa quite a bit (because I couldn't get back home every second weekend).

I had mates from all over the UK, so I wound up watching Barnsley, Roath Ravers (only once), Shrewsbury, Watford and a couple of Coventry matches, as well as a League Cup Semi replay between Liverpool and Arsenal at Villa Park.

When I moved back up here, I lived in Padiham for a few years so I went to quite a few Burnley games with the lads from work, as well as the odd match at Ewood with the one Blackburn fan who was brave enough to admit it in Burnley.

Subsequently, having moved around a bit through work, I've seen Chesterfield, Carlisle, Oxford, Peterborough and Colchester games, largely because there's only so much porn you can watch in your hotel room.

It was all ok but none of it felt like watching the Wanderers because I didn't really have anything invested in it.

(Apart from one trip to Elland Rd to see Blackburn destroy Dirty Leeds when I went mental every time they scored. But that had more to do with hating Leeds than it had with wanting Blackburn to do well - obviously.)

Anybody been to any games as a neutral and really enjoyed it?

Been to one, years back when city played Blackburn at Ewood. It was shit and I hated every minute

i've only been to a few non Bolton games

Altrincham - years ago with a friend who's a big fan.

City - my son supports them and wanted to go to a game (Capital one cup this season against Palace)

United - my in laws were trying to turn my son to the red side so i had to go with him and my sister in law to a champions league against PSV that was utterly dreadful.

England game at Old Trafford against Poland a few years ago, must have been when Wembley was being rebuilt

The City game was at least entertaining but its weird when you have no connection to the team you're watching and you just can't get excited even when they score (they won 5-1). I was more entertained listening to the city fans slagging off Bony to be honest

When I lived in London, on the weekends that I couldn't get back home to Bolton, I used to go to Fulham when they were at home because their ground was just a short walk across the river from Putney where I lived. I always enjoyed Craven Cottage.

I also had a spell of going to Stamford Bridge with my Chelsea supporting flatmate which was far less enjoyable. It was around the time Hoddle was playing for them and I was happy to get to see him play. Never really liked going there though because their fans were a nasty lot in those days.

Everton and Scunthorpe a few times with friends and family too.

I now go to see the New York Red Bulls occasionally but that's more for my boys to experience and hope that they'll eventually get into the game. The football is of a pretty poor standard although they were quite impressive at times last season - especially Bradley Wright-Phillips.

Nothing compares to seeing Bolton although it is probably only once or twice a year I get back to see a game. I was lucky enough to witness us defeat Blackburn over Christmas though which was a treat.

I miss it. A lot.

Watching other teams bores me honestly.

no emotional engagement. 

I did go and watch the Umbro cup at Villa park years ago, think a young Ronaldo was playing IIRC.

I have been to watch Morecambe a few times. Mainly in the summer when the weather was nice and Wanderers were away somewhere and I couldn't go. Morecambe have never been a threat to us Wanderers so it never bothered me watching another team.

Reebok Trotter wrote:I have been to watch Morecambe a few times. Mainly in the summer when the weather was nice and Wanderers were away somewhere and I couldn't go. Morecambe have never been a threat to us Wanderers so it never bothered me watching another team.

RT - you might have to reconsider this statement soon 

Alf Hooker wrote:

Reebok Trotter wrote:I have been to watch Morecambe a few times. Mainly in the summer when the weather was nice and Wanderers were away somewhere and I couldn't go. Morecambe have never been a threat to us Wanderers so it never bothered me watching another team.

RT - you might have to reconsider this statement soon 

I think you might be right Alf! 

Dad dragged me off to watch City a few times,when Summerbee and Bell were in their pomp,but I felt like a fish out of water.

I prefer to watch other teams, decent football and dont get worked up about winning or losing.

I'll be watching Liverpool tonight,but not as a neutral.

I went to elland road and sat in the home end against leicester. My sperm donor was a leeds fan.

What got me was the absolute vile filth directed at robbie savage. Im not on about calling him a wanker etc, he probably expected that but this was a lot worse.

The worst thing i saw that day though was a leeds fan sat a couple of rows in front who had a red t-shirt on like a generic one from next or something, get abused so badly he left 10 minutes after the start of the game. He had a leeds hat or scarf on i cant remember which but a plain red tshirt. And that was enough to set the 'orrible wankstain thick sheep shagging cunts right off. Sorry for the foul language. I fucking detest leeds.

boltonbonce wrote:I'll be watching Liverpool tonight,but not as a neutral.

I wanted Liverpool to win tonight and the goal by Coutinho was pure quality.

I've only ever been to one game that hasn't involved Burnley or England and that was PSV v Newcastle in the UEFA cup.

I was with two Forest fans, a Plymouth fan, several Geordies, a Liverpool fan and a Cardiff fan.

I was pelted with coins in the home end because the home fans took exception to my Burnley hat.

Bloody cheese eating cloggies.

Bury did some weird "£5 for all season ticket holders of north west clubs" offer for a match against Accrington about six years ago. I think it was 3-0 Bury, and thoroughly enjoyed it even though they are basically bastards.

I nearly bought a ticket for el classico (Bury v Rochdale) in October which was the worst 0-0 ever played out apparently, so quite an escape.

Watched Chorley a couple of times, at Burnden when they stuffed the Woolufs in the FA cup and at Victory Park on non league days. Been to Old Scumford on a jolly from work and have been with mates to Rochdale, Oldham and City away v Blackburn, I remember that as it took me two days to defrost it was that cold.

Love football always enjoyed the games, it's very different (more relaxing) when it's not you team.

Went to watch Liverpool play a FA Cup match in the early 70's against a lower league team, because I'd always wanted to stand on The Kop, great experience, although I think it finished in a goaless draw.

I've been to quite a few over the years.

Been to Watford and Leeds and QPR games with work colleagues who supported the respective teams, done Portsmouth, York and Scarborough games when visiting friends in the area and once did a Spurs match when a friend wanted to see a game in London once.

Not the same enjoyment as watching your own team though.

What on earth is this "enjoyment when watching your own team" stuff of which you speak?

Breadman wrote:What on earth is this "enjoyment when watching your own team" stuff of which you speak?

I'm old enough to remember when we used to win games.

Joking aside, for me it simply isn't the same feeling as watching just any old game and watching a Bolton game despite how crappy they may be and I've watched sides right back to the mid 1960's and seen all sorts of shite over the years in Bolton shirts.

Just part of being part of a tribe I guess.