It was much more common to be less tribal about your football club before the 1960’s. I use Scotland as an example.
My late father supported both Motherwell and Hamilton Academical in the 40’s and 50’s because they played in different divisions and would set up there home fixtures to be on alternate Saturday’s. He and his grandfather loved the game so much they wanted to go every week and away fixtures were not always possible on their budget.
I’m a Hibernian supporter and it was also common for football fans to go and watch both Edinburgh clubs on alternate weeks at that time. You would support either Hearts or Hibs but often would follow the other club so you could watch football every week without travelling far.
The only time this would never happen was in Glasgow because of the deep sectarian divide between Rangers and Celtic.
From what my dad told me this was also common with English towns and cities with more than one club at the time.
Once hooliganism really kicked off from mid 60’s is when it all changed.
It was much more common to be less tribal about your football club before the 1960’s. I use Scotland as an example.
My late father supported both Motherwell and Hamilton Academical in the 40’s and 50’s because they played in different divisions and would set up there home fixtures to be on alternate Saturday’s. He and his grandfather loved the game so much they wanted to go every week and away fixtures were not always possible on their budget.
I’m a Hibernian supporter and it was also common for football fans to go and watch both Edinburgh clubs on alternate weeks at that time. You would support either Hearts or Hibs but often would follow the other club so you could watch football every week without travelling far.
The only time this would never happen was in Glasgow because of the deep sectarian divide between Rangers and Celtic.
From what my dad told me this was also common with English towns and cities with more than one club at the time.
Once hooliganism really kicked off from mid 60’s is when it all changed.