Stereotypes

Not looking to antagonise anyone but time to ponder a few likes and dislikes from my time as a football supporter. 

Likes: 

Of course, ignoring in the main the obvious “Stockport County”; 

1. Behaviour and attitude of Northern Ireland fans in welcoming Turkish team and its’ supporters immediately post the 1999 earthquake in Izmit, Turkey.
2. Found friendliest away grounds, in terms of courtesy of staff to be Rochdale AFC and Huddersfield Town AFC.
3. Nicest player met, David Ginola (ex-Tottenham etc) or Brad Friedel (ex-Galatasaray).
4. Success of our first Conference in Turkey this Year.
5. “County’s” Argentina kit 1979-1980.
6. Going to Stockport fixtures with my Grandad, Bill and Grandma, Marion (R.I.P).
7. Away games.
8. The hymn “Scarf my father wore”.
9. Rapport with Alex Kotler, CEO of Football Partnerships.
10. The Events related to my Book “B&B: Friendship and Football beyond frontiers”. 

Dislikes: 

1. Admission price paid for me and 4 years old son, Kaya, to visit Elland Road and watch a League One match.
2. Aggression by Millwall fan – the only time received a ‘blow’ at any game.
3. Losing so often at Wembley.
4. When “Vernon Bear” was replaced by “Harry the Hatter” as mascot.
5. Fearing loss of life when uncontrolled surge of fans after Kocaelispor versus Erzurumspor match.
6. Waiting for England winning the World Cup again.
7. Chorus of “Delilah” from Stoke City AFC supporters.
8. Sticking out like a sore thumb as the only Englishman in a hardcore area of Fenerbache terracing.
9. Challenge by a fellow ‘County’ fan for my assisting saving Oldham Athletic AFC (2004).  That’s my job and what I do for a living!
10. Fan who sang for 90 minutes at Chesterfield (away) “I’ve got a song that’ll get on your nerves” (repeated over and over and over again).