Can you Support Other Clubs in Europe? Not anymore.....

I'm not sure when it actually happened, if it took place at a specific moment rather than a gradual process over the years, but it is much harder now to have any sort of positive support for another English (or from whichever country you come from) in Europe. In the dim and distant past (which to me is sort of the 70s) I remember being, if not a supporter for the day, pleased if English sides did well in Europe. Teams like Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Ipswich Town played decent football and it always seemed good that these teams did well in European competition. There was begrudging appreciation for Liverpool at the time because they just seemed to win everything and it's always harder to cheer on the perennial winners. There was one obvious exception to the rule and unlike today it wasn't the red half of Manchester but the bleeding Lilywhites from up the road. I remember vividly the 1984 UEFA Cup final when I was a student and the whole hall seemed to want Spurs to win, being the English side. That was all except me and my mate, Adrian, who as a Northampton fan had a rabid hatred of all things Spurs - which can only be good in anybody!

However, in recent years watching the Champions League games involving other English teams I cannot cheer them on, even when the play attractive football (so that leaves out Liverpool, last night was an aberration in Europe for them, and Chelsea). I was trying to work out why the difference nowadays and there a number of reasons. The most simplistic explanation is the fact the "Big Four" have developed rivalries that were once the domain of just your local neighbours, there are after all Arsenal fans who seem to hate United more than Spurs (strange people). Could it be that in the most modern era these sides now are our chief rivals for the Cup? 

I think one of the major reasons for me is the attitude of the media in all its guises. English TV coverage is still broadcast with the perception that all the viewers want the English side to do well and I do think (my perception - no facts as such) that they only really want Liverpool or United to win it - more viewers they believe (though watching Liverpool normally that's not likely). The commentators make such biased comments about the game, every Italian or Spanish side is dirtier, dives more or cons the ref constantly (which considering the players in the PL is a joke). References must be made to previous success and great play by opposition sides is acknowledged only grudgingly. It never used to be the case, yes commentators wanted the English club to do well but the Brian Moores' and Peter Jones' were so much more balanced.

Is it the same in other European countries (I'm sure Madrid fans would love to see Barcelona win the CL!!!!) and what about general football fans who maybe follow clubs in League 1 or the Championship. Do you watch the games? Do you give a f##k?