Sitting amongst the Manchester United fans at Old Trafford when Newcastle United visited – Interesting | OneFootball

There’s been hints that there may be away fans in the home end at Craven Cottage on Saturday, and that got me thinking of my own boring, incident-free [and therefore forum-friendly] forays into home ends in the past.

By and large, knowing how to behave [and being able to stick to it] in the home end has meant I was always OK.

Wor Mate Stevie Mac lived in Watford for a few years, so his was a good stop-off for trips to Wembley, and so forth. We had a few pleasant, well-received visits among the home fans at Vicarage Road. [Not so much in Watford after the game. I remember a Man United fan in Stevie’s local being less than friendly].

Speaking of Man U, I sat in the singing section in the centre of the Stretford End with my mate [using his Da’s season ticket] for our January 2004 0-0 draw. There were a few mumbles and grumbles among those Manchester United fans nearby when they realised there was an interloper [especially from one big lump behind], I just grinned and said not to worry, I knew the rules, I’d not celebrate too wildly when we scored.

Now, as you may remember, Tim Howard fouled Shearer for a nailed-on penalty. Durkin didn’t give it [for which he later apologised]. I didn’t say anything but threw my arms up in a ‘nothing ever changes’ gesture. There were laughs from the home fans and a pat on the head from my new giant mate sat behind. All nice and just about friendly.

At the end of the match, me and my Manchester pal were heading into the city on the lash and the home fans were crossing our route on their way to the coaches. It was kicking off big-style and the police were stood watching. I was worried that I’d end up getting lamped by a Geordie, never mind from any of the Manchester United fans. Interesting few minutes, that.

I was staying in Nottingham at a mate’s in the late 90s and he took me to the City Ground to watch Solskjaer come off the bench and score four in a 1-8 Man United victory. There weren’t many Forest fans left at the end, which may have been a good thing, as I couldn’t keep the laughter in.

I lived in Islington and Camden for most of the 2000s and it was always fun remonstrating with the police after leaving Highbury/The Emirates for them to let me walk the 5-15 minutes home rather than have me forced onto the tube with the rest of the away fans.