Nov 7, 2014
Butler: The face of football past outwitted by MLS banter
As English football wrestles and agonizes over the reappearance of the face of football past, the beautiful games new frontier is slowly but surely building its own unique culture and identity. TSN Soccer Analyst Noel Butler has more.
By Noel Butler
About an hour or so after the final whistle of last Sunday's Manchester derby and as the talk shows debated Manchester United's worst start to a league campaign in almost three decades - away from the huge police and security presence in and around the Etihad, a mass brawl broke out involving approximately a hundred supporters of the blue and red half of Manchester.
No surprise the backdrop was a pub.
According to reports, it was those claiming allegiance to Manchester United who took it upon themselves post-match to confront City supporters as they savoured yet another derby victory at one of their favourite match day watering holes.
The running battle up and down the street involved chairs, sticks and flares. Those not taking part formed a disorderly queue in the garden outside the pub encouraging those who felt compelled to take part in the street battle. It was 4:30pm on a Sunday afternoon.
As the battle grew more intense and savage - from those who had ringside seats the very audible familiar sounds of grunts, groans and chants one would normally associate with a crowd as a match was in progress could clearly be heard and seen on video shot from a mobile phone.
Not too sure Sheik Mansour bought into Manchester City to witness one such, very dishevelled looking fellow, with a half empty pint of beer in hand repeatedly and obsessively barked out, "Come On City."
He seemed to be pleading for 'his team' to get back into the contest (There goes my thinking Manchester City had won the match).
Quite frightening was the fact the person in question looked more middle aged than he did resemble teenage rampage.
Then all we have to do is remember that when he actually was a teenager the so termed English Disease had reached saturation point during the early to mid-1980's.
Like father, like son I would not be shocked to learn his very own child was taking part.
Although not widely reported in the media in recent years incidents of hooliganism occurring well away from football grounds and preying eyes of police forces has crept back into all levels of football in the nation that gave birth to the world's game.
Commenting on the incident, Manchester's Police Commissioner referred to it as, 'the face of football past.'
Up and down the country police forces have the latest mod cons and technology at their disposal to identify and round up the ring leaders and trouble makers after the violence has occurred.
Greater Manchester Police were only made aware of Sunday's incident after they were contacted by a local newspaper which had been provided with that mobile phone footage.
When they did arrive on the scene, the mob which had bought shame on their clubs and their city had long gone.
The only person in the vicinity was a man lying in the street suffering from severe head injuries and a broken nose. Back to that like father, like son reference, the person in question was identified as 48-years of age.
Unsurprisingly, he refused the police offer of calling an ambulance. His reason likely down to the fact he didn't much feel like, 'helping the police with their enquiries.'
To date, five arrests have been made but no one as yet charged with any criminal offence.
As all this was occurring, thousands of miles away DC United supporters were making their way to Harrison, New Jersey to take in the first leg of last Sunday afternoon's Eastern Conference Semi-final against the Red Bulls.
The league estimated their number to be 350 with the preferred mode of transport a four hour journey by road.
Going through the security and bag check process prior to entering Red Bull Arena, the DC United supporters were advised of what, and what they couldn't bring inside the stadium.
Three of their numbers must have had smiles as wide as the New Jersey Turnpike as they made their way through the crowd to take their allocated seats in the upper tier. Once there they unfurled a banner advising Red Bull supporters of what phone number to call for ordering their 2015 season tickets.
Problem was the crest displayed was that of New York City FC whilst the banner also referenced title sponsor, Etihad.
Although midway through the first half Red Bull Arena security instructed the rather cheeky chaps from DC to take down their banner their point had been most effectively made. Images appeared on social media platforms and with it legendary status affirmed.
Football banter as good as anything you will have heard or seen at any Barclays Premier League stadium this season was now in full effect for a league and its supporters that have been derided and mocked for years.
As English football wrestles and agonizes over the reappearance of the face of football past, the beautiful games new frontier is slowly but surely building its own unique culture and identity.
Noel.Butler@BellMedia.ca
@TheSoccerNoel on Twitter