The Independent - 'glorious, gleeful pettiness'

[Legion]

Read me

[Risso]

One of our number with a BTL comment:

"Son_Lyme
14 hours ago
Has Ian Danter started writing for the Indy?  Of all the things one could say about this particular unpleasant derby Mr Liew fails to note the most pertinent.  This derby is fuelled by hatred, anger, and envy. 
The two sets of fans are the same everyday people - from all over the city - not from set areas of it, and this supposed rivalry doesn't exist.
The two clubs are on different planets even when sharing a league - true rivalry requires competition - but the only area where BCFC have excelled is in having dubious owners.  Repeatedly.
What does exist is a seething jealous loathing that exhibits itself in moronic acts of random violence.  Of all the derby games I have ever attended (and I include Liverpool and Glasgow in this) this is the nastiest, none of them match this one for petty hatred and total irrelevance."

[PeterWithe]

Any SHA fan criticising our attendances may find himself on something of a sticky wicket.

[LeeB]

Any SHA fan criticising our attendances may find himself on something of a sticky wicket.

It's like throwing stones from the doorway of the original Crystal Palace.

[The Edge]

Any SHA fan criticising our attendances may find himself on something of a sticky wicket.

It's like throwing stones from the doorway of the original Crystal Palace.

Ha ha. Well put.

[clash city rocker]

The noses have never quite got the hang of how football works. They  think that 2 games against one team is more important than getting more points than anyone else in the division. I suppose there in lies their problem.

[Hookeysmith]

What a load of condecending horse shit

[dave.woodhall]

Is there a Manchester Media Unit that scours the world's media for favourable mentions of Birmingham?

[The Man With A Stick]

The March 2003 encounter at Villa Park was one of the all-time great Premier League fixtures

Depends what you mean by great really, doesn't it.

[villa `cross the mersey]

Is there a Manchester Media Unit that scours the world's media for favourable mentions of Birmingham?

That made me chuckle Dave .......having lived or worked in Brum,Manchester and Liverpool I've come to the conclusion on the "chip on the shoulder" stakes that Scousers come first, Brummies second and Mancs third
The whole " second city" thing makes me smile also - on what criteria should it be based? Population, geographical area, economy, airport size, football teams, proximity to the centre of the universe ( aka London), history, music, exports/ industry motorway links ?
Maybe I should ask Dr Carl Chinn

[KevinGage]

The March 2003 encounter at Villa Park was one of the all-time great Premier League fixtures

And you can stop right there.

I'm not sure there was barely even a shot in anger until Enkleman phucked us again, both sides were more worried about making the first mistake.

Which we invariably did. And then added a few more for good measure.

If I was a neutral, I'm sure I would have thought it was stoneage stuff.

[Damo70]

The March 2003 encounter at Villa Park was one of the all-time great Premier League fixtures

Depends what you mean by great really, doesn't it.

It was memorable and I would imagine in a slightly perverse way it was great viewing for the neutral. I can't deny I enjoy watching other local derbies and Liverpool/United live, mainly for the needle/aggro on the pitch.

[Percy McCarthy]

The March 2003 encounter at Villa Park was one of the all-time great Premier League fixtures

Depends what you mean by great really, doesn't it.

It was memorable and I would imagine in a slightly perverse way it was great viewing for the neutral. I can't deny I enjoy watching other local derbies and Liverpool/United live, mainly for the needle/aggro on the pitch.

My mate, a Brummie West Brom fan, was in the navy at the time and watched it on a submarine with people from all over the country. He said all the neutrals were transfixed by the intensity and atmosphere. Apparently the hatred really came across through the TV.

It dissipates a lot the more we play though.

[Legion]

That match would have done. Nasty, horrible atmosphere from before the start to after the finish.

[tomd2103]

That match would have done. Nasty, horrible atmosphere from before the start to after the finish.

Yep, there was an atmosphere at Villa Park that night that I haven't experienced before or since.