What does the North London Derby mean to you?

by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 22, 2012 1:31 PM EST

Hi I'm writing a speech about the North London Derby and the North London rivalry for my speech class and I'd like some input from you guys about what the NLD means to you and how you feel about the rivalry. If have any memories you'd like to share of great or sad NLD moments I'd really like to read them and maybe quote you for my speech. Or if you think there's a particular moment I should get a video clip of, I'm allowed to use only one so you see my dilemma.

Thanks.

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I have been to two North London derbies in my life

and not to oversimplify it, but they – and any other serious derby – pretty much defines what sports is (sports are?) all about. It’s love for your team, it’s hate for the other team, it’s bonding together with an unknown seat neighbor against a common enemy. It’s booing Teddy Goddamn Sheringham. It’s the sound of all the chairs in the North Bank at Highbury clacking at once as everyone in the stand rises when play gets down to that end of the pitch. It’s serenading the visitors with ONE NIL TO THE ARSENAL after the first goal.

Rivalries are great, but derbies are special.

by pdb on Feb 22, 2012 1:47 PM EST reply actions

That's very helpful thank you!

I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH

by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 22, 2012 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

More than any other game (except the Red Bulls against DC), I hate the NLD.

It scares me. I really, really hate it when we lose. It’s the worst game to lose. It makes me feel sick (almost). When we lost 2-1 at the Lane two seasons ago, with an absolutely shit performance for most of the match, I had to go and lie down in my bed for about an hour to calm down. Oddly, I saw the 3-2 last year coming from a mile away and didn’t care one bit about the result (I still forget that game actually happened very frequently — not even active denial, I genuinely forget that it happened a lot).

Managing Editor, OnceAMetro.com

by Ben Schneider on Feb 22, 2012 5:59 PM EST reply actions

Thanks :c)

I don't even know what to put in here knowing Steve can just change it anytime he wants (the jerk) :cP also something about trolling CFC and WAGNH

by Sabrina Dessipe on Feb 22, 2012 7:57 PM EST up reply actions

The North London Derby

It means who pays for the long distance call: me or my dad. Usually takes about 30 seconds following final whistle for the phone to ring if the result is pro-Tottenham. Sadly, that once meant a tie… now… not so much.

So, apparently I can now be followed.. but no stalking. @alsonamedphil

by Learn2Leaf on Feb 23, 2012 10:19 AM EST reply actions

wait...you're dad is a spurs fan??

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by silverace99 on Feb 23, 2012 12:22 PM EST up reply actions

Haven't I mentioned this before?

So, apparently I can now be followed.. but no stalking. @alsonamedphil

by Learn2Leaf on Feb 23, 2012 4:57 PM EST up reply actions

OK, quick story time:

My father was born and raised in North London before moving to Canada as a young man with an engineering degree. He began as a Manchester United fan during the Busby Babes era. Then the tragedy of Munich happened and two of his favourite players died (forget which they were), leaving Charlton as probably the only real reason to cheer Man Utd. Based on money and location, he switched allegiance (don’t judge, he was 9) to a closer club. His elder brother was an Arsenal man, his father Chelsea (he died long before he could witness what the club would become). For whatever reason, my father chose Tottenham and created a lovely little in family rivalry – made worse when my Uncle married a Man Utd fan, even though that was purely a family thing and she doesn’t care beyond giving him a rough time. She likes golf a whole lot more.

Anyway, fast forward to me in the late 90s when EPL was finally making it on the airwaves. My father talked about it with me, was genuinely happy to gain access again after being so isolated (he still doesn’t get the internet beyond apps that do all the work for you). And yeah, at that time, Man Utd and Arsenal were the bigger clubs (along with wherever Shearer was). It took just a game of watching Denis Berkamp and a trip to England where I picked out my very first jersey for me to choose my camp.

I never asked if my dad was disappointed, because we both know that sport is entertainment and doesn’t mean anything in lieu of family, but I honestly think he was almost more in favour of my Gooner-ship to provide him with the old fun rivalry between family that he grew up with. He does say often that as long as it doesn’t affect Tottenham, he wishes no ill will on their neighbours… but hoots a good laugh when they get pounded by the likes of AC Milan.

So, apparently I can now be followed.. but no stalking. @alsonamedphil

by Learn2Leaf on Feb 23, 2012 5:07 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs

I've always said that sports fans are not defined by who they like but by who they hate.

The most passionate fans are almost always the ones who wish for their rivals to lose but to be utterly humiliated and destroyed. Ironically, in more lucid moments they will also tell you that these matches and such are best when both teams are good. Playoff matches, title games, etc.. As much as we want Spurts to never win another game, it would always be so much sweeter if we were the ones to beat them in a cup final, or be the ones to cost them the points that prevent them from for gaining 4th place or even (not they would ever be in this situation) winning the league.

For me, the NLD has taken on a new meaning this past year ‘cause I now work and have become friends with a Spurts fan. Fortunately, he’s the same age as I am and understands how this year fits in to the history. This is probably why we are also friends. He’s coming over to my house to watch the game as he did in October. This time, though, I’m making him bring the food.

Good luck with the speech!

Captain, there are doubt''s...

by Match Day 5 on Feb 23, 2012 1:11 PM EST reply actions