It started in Sweden as a very middle class sport and at Örgryte it was expected that the spectators should support both teams on the pitch. Sadly Malmö Djurgården and AIK especially have some very nasty ultras who got more than a handful of games abandoned last season – TWO at Malmö. A collection of racist thugs does not make for “passion”.

Matthew will tell you that the huge change in Millwall has been from racist thugs to retarded thugs. Millwall had the worst racists in the country in the late 60s and 70s …. when half your “beloved” team is non-Aryan you have a choice – join the civilised world or support the fascists. The terraces were a breeding ground for the National Front in the 70s and marches were regularly planned to pass/meet at grounds. All hell broke out at Bradford where the Valley Parade ground is in the centre of a huge immigrant community. After the dubious pleasure of a police horse trampling all over me, I never even got to the game! The nearest I ever got to seeing a guy killed was at Charlton where the fascists were trying to sell their rags. Some very brave/stupid skinheads were outnumbered 200/300 to 1 and one fascist was kicked senseless for what seemed like 5 minutes before the police could get to him. He was being tossed around like a rag-doll.

This was right next to a cue to what was the biggest kop in England. Hundreds of women and children were terrified of what was going on.

As you can imagine I had little sympathy – never saw them at The Valley again. That is NOT what I call passion!

There then followed what I can only describe as the most bizarre thing I think I have ever seen at a ground. Old guy in front of me in the queue – perhaps 60/65 – walked over to the forgotten newspapers – mainly ripped and damaged – and promptly urinated all over them in broad daylight. Police came charging over and he started screaming that he’d spent 6 years fighting the nazis including time in a POW camp and he had not helped the UK win just to let them start up in his own country. Huge applause, clapping etc. An older police officer, let him off with a caution and the police were then clapped etc. All totally bizarre!

Last season average price in La Liga was 52 euros?!?!?!? Well above “richer” England, Germany and Scandinavia.

Next week I am being asked to promote tickets for Málaga v Everton in a pre-season friendly ……if Málaga have a team. Guess how much?

RESPECT for los chés – trying to fill Mestalla

http://www.insidespanishfootball.com.customers.tigertech.net/valencia-to-offer-financing-to-season-ticket-holders/#more-16752

Maybe a blog for you?

UD Fuengirola ….. 10 euros for the whole season in 1a andaluza

Why?

Estimados amigos, seguidores, simpatizantes y colaboradores, una vez ha despegado el tren de la nueva temporada, os informamos que ya estan al cobro los carnets de abonados para la temporada 2012/2013. Para esta temporada, conocedores de la situación económica por la que atraviesa la gran mayoría de las familias fuengiroleñas, hemos decidido optar por una nueva estrategia a la hora de obtener los carnets. Hemos puesto a la venta el denominado CARNET ORO destinado a aquellos quienes quieran aportar una mayor colaboración al club, cuyo importe es de 30,00 euros. Pero lo más interesante son los CARNETS ABONADOS cuyo coste será de 10,00 euros. Pensad que para poder mantener estos precios, sólo esperamos que haya una mayor colaboración con el Club. Esperamos vuestra colaboración para la gran familia que es el ATHLETIC CLUB FUENGIROLA.

FC Torrevieja ….90 euros for the season/10 euros per game in La tercera

I remember a similar midweek game against Valencia when Villa had much the same problem. 11oclock at night, soaked to the skin the Málaka Hinchas just did not stop screaming.

Who can forget the incredible support the Athletic fans give the Basque club? Impressive.

I just don’t think that would happen in England. The other differentiator is passion compared with violence. Sure, we have had isolated incidents, sadly, and Sevilla, Atletí, Rayo and a few others have a collection of undesirables but I would happily go to any stadium as an away supporter without too much thought. (Exclude Sevilla for a Málaga fan, of course!) As a Man Utd fan – most games are potential flashpoints and I’d seriously question whether I’d take a friend’s daughter to Millwall. As a Gillingham fan, Fulham, Palace, Brighton, Millwall, Swansea, Exeter and Brentford are all grounds where I would prefer to go as a neutral. (Hereford, Grimsby and Torquay could make life “fun” too!)

Please do NOT get me started on seating…..the Germans are correct.