TheMachFight, fight! wherever you may be . . .
June 24th 2011 18:48
Disgruntled British Columbians following Stanley Cup heartbreak
We all know that there is a dark side to sport. Regardless of the sport, whether it is played with bat, ball, hands or feet, it still calls on the inner emotions of it's most ardent supporters. Sadly, it is becoming a recurring theme throughout the North Americas.
Oddly it doesn't seem to matter whether their team have won or lost, when the natives are restless they gloves are off and it's no holds barred.
The only pattern that has unfolded through the years and the milestones that have toppled, is the methods and behaviours of the supporters. It is common place to destroy nearby shopping malls and store windows is a general practice, whilst overturning and/or burning police cars is another favourite past time of the American sports fan.
As was afformentioned, the carnage is not always as you would think, born out of frustration and disappointment. The Detroit Tiger's faithful took to the streets in 1984 and wreaked havoc... shortly after winning the World Series.
Similar scenes occurred in Colorado; thousands of dollars worth of damage, fires, explosions, fighting and public disturbance was the result of the Bronco's back to back Superbowl wins. . .
With this in mind, in a twisted way it almost justifies the reaction of the Vancouver Canucks fans a few weeks ago. Presidents Trophy winners, statistically the best team in the NFL over the regular season and for most of the playoff campaign, they were edged out in the tie breaking final game of the Stanley Cup final at home to the Boston Bruins.
It could have been. Moreover, it should have been. This was the closest the Canucks have come to prestigious trophy in their history, and to the people of Vancouver whom ice hockey means so much, this last gasp injustice was all too much to take. Unlike the Lakers, Tigers, Broncos et al fans, the Canucks followers took to the streets in anger and acted out according to the sporting riot script.
As a native Brit, news of the Vancouver riots and similar past occurances really put things into perspective.
As a season ticket holder with a team in the Barclays Premier League or the EPL as it has been suitably coined in the States, I go through the agony and ecstasy rollercoaster of emotions year on year. The patriotism that comes with backing a team of essentially overpaid and underworked guys that represent everything you stand for and your local pride is undescribable.
The money you personally invest to sit helpless in the stands seems ridiculous when put into perspective. Yet, the buzz you receive after victory, no matter how rare an occasion is what keeps you coming back year on year. It is essentially thrill seeking, Sharing a common goal with thousands of others in one place, and the jubilation of celebrating with 25,000 of your closest friends is the main attraction.
More often than not, unless you happen to have been branded with Manchester United or Chelsea as a nipper, the misery far outweighs the joy.
Of course these are the times that you count the cost of your teams misfortunes. Hundreds if not thousands of pounds seemingly wasted, not to mention having your time and efforts unlawfully stolen from you.
But whether it is last minute heartbreak, shocking official's decisions, mind boggling tactical errors or just plain lack of passion and desire, the most passionate football/soccer fans on this planet, have never taken it out on the surroundings! Hooliganism may be rife, and English soccer fans have a dark reputation when it comes to national tournaments, but never have I seen one particular community come to terms with it's teams failure by smashing up the town and putting lives in danger.
There have been times when we are driven to madness of such extent that we could happily slaughter and pillage our way to some form of inner peace, but it's just not the done thing. Perhaps a seat in the stands might get a good kicking, the odd pint glass get smashed or an unsuspecting fool might take a pot shot at the nearest wall, but this is as far as it goes. Minor offenses compared to the huge scale tear-ups in the cities of The United States and Canada.
Trust me when I say, if the Wolverhampton Wanderers fans rioted at the end of every disappointing season there would be little to choose between Britain's newest city and the Gaza strip. So I guess we have much to be thankful for really.
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