I totally understand the atmosphere argument, however I enjoy going to international rugby union matches and there has always been a terrific but friendly atmosphere without the need for segregation. Being partisan and passionate doesn’t mean you have to fight though.
Football fans are treated appallingly by the authorities, all tarred with the same brush, just saying we could maybe help ourselves a little.
So what if a few Sunderland fans are nearby, I won’t feel the need to start a fight regardless of whether we win or lose
I dont think the need to start a fight if away fans are close by (in home areas) - breaching terms of entry, specifically clause 18 of ground regs, is what's at issue
@Didcotox ?( Im sometimes in home areas at some OUFC away games myself ) ...its if said clusters of away fans in home areas choose not to respect the fact they are in a home area( and in breach of clause 18 ,ground regs) and start winding up home fans in the vicinity by their behaviour, invariably thats when the situation can deteriorate and very quickly .
Egg chasing of either discipline doesnt n never has appealed. As an outsider, Union seems to be the chosen sport for middle/upper class public school types,( whereas Leauge has more of a working-class following?).... football is traditionally working class spectator sport - though the gentrification is something I cant fathom. Football supporters and rugger types are culturally very different (granted there are a few sports fans, like your good self, who embrace most sport equally), hence the authorities have insited on ground regulations being used as a condition of entry.
Personally I think there should be dedicated home and away only stands , as well as stands where supporters of either team can mix - eg members of the same family with split allegiances should be able to watch a live match together, an extention to the principle of family areas / stands at football grounds today.. Currently that option is not officially available to football supporters..... more because football supporters en masse are perceived to be a bunch of not to be trusted thugs, wheras supporters of any other sport are not restricted in the way football supporters are. I believe FSF are campaigning against some of the restrictions imposed on football supporters, but not supporters of other spectactaor sports
I hope its a trouble free encounter this Saturday,( with an OUFC win!!), but, it all depends how any of the away fans in home enclosures behave towards and level of or lack of respect towards home fans in their close vicinity transpires I suppose. oh well, we'll find out this time in 2 days time