Matches Fake rivalry (wycombe)

[ljs]

I did in the Wembley final.

A one off yes.

 

[SteMerritt]

Yes, my point was that but you picked one game, the boxing day home game, to compare too which is always one of the biggest home crowds. It is best to look at other games to make a good comparison. Looking at the other games that season, given some of the other teams which would have sold out the away end, your Sunderlands, Ipswich's etc the Wycombe game was easily one of the biggest attendences for home fans! Around 8200 home fans for the Wycombe game which was bigger than most league home attendences that season!

You've chosen 1 game, when they were top, when we were in form...

Previous attendances in the league, reverse order: 9250, 11815, 7552, 7100, 6777, 9309, 6364 (although that is under Talbot, so think we can stop there). Taking out the last game, and the one where we needed to win to go up (the 11815) as we would have sold the ground out that day whoever we were playing, it's quite an average run of attendances. And this is when you consider they always travel here in decent numbers.

Now if we look at Swindon in the same timeframe, we have: 11042, 9013 (in the FLT), 7745 (in the FLT), 11825, 11655 (FA Cup). Not played them as much due to either us or them being crap, but the attendances are noticeably higher.

The Wycombe attendances are around what we've been getting for Luton, and slightly above Bristol Rovers. Which is about what I would expect.

Now, there does seem to be an upward trend in the Wycombe attendances, which I would put down to the fact that that as be alluded to on this thread that there are more fans who have grown up with Wycombe being a league side, and for the most part above us in the league structure. The more this happens, and we get games such as the Play-Off final, Akinfenwa sending off here, us beating them to go up, them putting 4 past us at home, then I wouldn't be surprised if it did become a classic 'Football Derby', but I just don't think it's there yet. The atmosphere in the ground is vastly different to a Swindon game, which is edgy, nervy, borderline agressive and intimidating.

 

[Essexyellows]

one of the 'lad' mags run a short series some years ago, about intense football rivalries in England ( or maybe Britain) .... Oxford Swindon was included as one of them .... cant remember which one of the lads mags it was , Nuts maybe?

Was 442 wasn`t it? Di Canio and all that... got a copy somewhere.

 

[Wandering Yellow]

London rivalries are an interesting one, I've lived in areas which are traditionally Chelsea and traditionally Millwall/Palace but it's changed a bit since most of the old populations moved out of London. Here is my "pwopa nawty" guide to london rivalries from my personal experience

Tottenham
As correctly identified on here the big "football" rivalry is with Arsenal, but many of their fans hate chelsea and West Ham more and its a more tense atmosphere outside for both of the games.

West Ham
The big one is with 'Wall but doesn't seem to happen much at the moment. They don't like Spurs or Chelsea. Unbothered by anyone else as far as I know. Weirdly apparently Orient don't like West Ham, but obviously given the huge gulf between the clubs I really doubt Spam fans care.

Millwall
No one likes em, and they have quite a well known song about that. They will probably kick off anywhere they go in London, particularly in recent seasons it always seem to kick off when they go to the Bush to play QPR. Biggest rival is West 'Am, and they're not keen on Palace "stripey nigels" either, Charlton is like a little brother thing.

Palace
They have the whole Brighton thing which started in the 70s which I've always found a bit weird. They also don't like Millwall, Charlton don't like Palace but Palace view them as clowns really.

Chelsea
Have big footballing rivalries with a lot of teams but the big one for their supporters seems to be Spurs, they have a derogatory nickname for west ham I won't mention on here as some view it as racist, I've been to that game a few times and it can be spicier than a vindaloo on a friday night.

QPR/Brentford/Fulham
The West London triangle is a weird one. Fulham and QPR would view Chelsea as big rivals but Chelsea have bigger fish to fry so they sort of have to settle for each other. As Brentford have gone up the leagues they're probably starting to get more rivalry with Fulham and QPR. According to a Fulham fan I know (they are like an endangered species, barely meet any!) they have a rivalry with Gillingham of all teams!

I think back on the Wycombe front they should start a rivalry with teams of a similar stature, Amersham Town could be a good option but they already probably have a proper rivalry with Chesham. Maybe Marlow would be a good one for them?

 

[Followtheox1]

You've chosen 1 game, when they were top, when we were in form...

Previous attendances in the league, reverse order: 9250, 11815, 7552, 7100, 6777, 9309, 6364 (although that is under Talbot, so think we can stop there). Taking out the last game, and the one where we needed to win to go up (the 11815) as we would have sold the ground out that day whoever we were playing, it's quite an average run of attendances. And this is when you consider they always travel here in decent numbers.

Now if we look at Swindon in the same timeframe, we have: 11042, 9013 (in the FLT), 7745 (in the FLT), 11825, 11655 (FA Cup). Not played them as much due to either us or them being crap, but the attendances are noticeably higher.

The Wycombe attendances are around what we've been getting for Luton, and slightly above Bristol Rovers. Which is about what I would expect.

Now, there does seem to be an upward trend in the Wycombe attendances, which I would put down to the fact that that as be alluded to on this thread that there are more fans who have grown up with Wycombe being a league side, and for the most part above us in the league structure. The more this happens, and we get games such as the Play-Off final, Akinfenwa sending off here, us beating them to go up, them putting 4 past us at home, then I wouldn't be surprised if it did become a classic 'Football Derby', but I just don't think it's there yet. The atmosphere in the ground is vastly different to a Swindon game, which is edgy, nervy, borderline agressive and intimidating.

I haven't chosen one game you did, you are the one who picked it. I'm not comparing to Swindon. I think the rising attendence figures, which as you have pointed out, are above Rovers who pretty much always sell out the away end tells you that for some fans this is a bigger game than your usual league fixtures. That doesn't mean it is up there with Swindon, I'm not sure anyone would say that, it doesn't mean it's nearly up there with Swindon either but for some there is a rivalry. Like you I'm from Thame originally and know a lot of Wycombe fans so it's good banter but I don't mind seeing them do well, just not against us!

 

[SteMerritt]

I haven't chosen one game you did, you are the one who picked it. I'm not comparing to Swindon. I think the rising attendence figures, which as you have pointed out, are above Rovers who pretty much always sell out the away end tells you that for some fans this is a bigger game than your usual league fixtures. That doesn't mean it is up there with Swindon, I'm not sure anyone would say that, it doesn't mean it's nearly up there with Swindon either but for some there is a rivalry. Like you I'm from Thame originally and know a lot of Wycombe fans so it's good banter but I don't mind seeing them do well, just not against us!

Last sentence is pretty much what I think. Thanks for the discussion, kept me entertained this afternoon, let's just hope we put one over them, I'll wear yellow on my scheduled run around Thame next week if we do.

 

[Marked Ox]

That was a long time ago

Double meaning as can be read for on the pitch and off the pitch.

 

[Coffin dodger]

Sorry but using the definition of the word rival, all teams we are competing against this season are rivals and Wycombe are our closest rivals. And unless we get drawn against Swindon in the cup they are not currently rivals.

 

[bazzer9461]

Double meaning as can be read for on the pitch and off the pitch.

Exactly a long time ago

 

[bazzer9461]

Sorry but using the definition of the word rival, all teams we are competing against this season are rivals and Wycombe are our closest rivals. And unless we get drawn against Swindon in the cup they are not currently rivals.

Wycombe aren’t rivals in the way you’re mentioning as closet rivals, they’re just another team. They may class us as rivals but not as most of us look at them

 

[Eaststanding]

And here we are, 6 pages later, giving them the very oxygen needed to keep this pointless thread alive. Every f*****g time we play them this comes up. I think we’ve established that the older fan base only consider Swindon and even Reading as rivals.
Irritating neighbours, that’s about the sum of it.

 

[Coffin dodger]

Wycombe aren’t rivals in the way you’re mentioning as closet rivals, they’re just another team. They may class us as rivals but not as most of us look at them

the definition of rival is 'anybody you compete against'

 

[oufc1991]

On topics of rivalry if ox city ever got to the football league who would be there rivals I don’t wish to be ignorant but don’t really follow ox city but surely they don’t see us as rivals

 

[Marked Ox]

Exactly a long time ago

We beat them last season and bar a draw/defeat have beat them for a lot of games before.

 

[Cass63]

On topics of rivalry if ox city ever got to the football league who would be there rivals I don’t wish to be ignorant but don’t really follow ox city but surely they don’t see us as rivals

I like seeing oxford city doing well but I know windmill’s got a bit of a grudge about them, but then he is ancient.

 

[werthersoriginal]

Was your point not they are rivals due to us having bigger crowds for the games? I simply selected the following home game in the fixture list, against an average opponent.

There are big crowds because they bring best part of 1800 with them, not because any perceived local Derby. I'd also suggest that because they aren't derby matches, it's a more relaxed game for families to attend than a game against Swindon would be.

Hmmm, it’s a match with a nearby team who we’ve played lots of important and close matches with, that attracts a big crowd and and engenders a long discussion. Sounds like a derby!

 

[Mellowyellow]

As a Wycombe fan, I don't really understand how you don't consider this a rivalry. Admittedly it is not the most heated or passionate of rivalries, and it doesn't have a hundred years of history or whatever. But you can't deny either that:

1) We are very local
And
2) Our teams have played each other in a lot of significant games since we entered the football league (almost three decades ago now), particularly in recent years

And there is also the major clash of styles at the moment which adds to the contrast!

Maybe I'm biased because I'm a Wycombe fan who lives in Oxford, but (apart from Premier League teams) I knew more Oxford fans than fans of any other team, even before I moved here. So there's always that back-and-forth going on in schools and offices too.

I understand the psychological coping mechanism behind why you guys still look down on us as "plucky non-leaguers" (we were playing in the Isthmian League when you won your famous Milk Cup) and dismiss any thoughts of a rivalry, but to say that we are the equivalent of Stevenage or Northampton is clearly not right. No doubt this post will be greeted with derision, but it is true

So nicey and nicey! Is this also you slating Oxford fans on your own forum?

"Having the misfortune to live amongst the muppets I just hope we put out our strongest side of the season. Maybe the anti football shite they spout at us can finally end. Yes we are strong at set pieces but we have a more attacking football style we are due to give someone a drubbing let’s hope it’s them. Chatting to an oxford fan the other day not confident they will be up there at the end of the season." - OX66

If it is then bye. Get the message, there is no local derby tomorrow. A derby has history, passion, just like you and Slough.

 

[South London]

The fact that you lot have this conversation every time that we are about to play each other is quite embarrassing to be honest.

It’s a local game, end of.

 

[Mellowyellow]

Only one derby in London for me, that's Arsenal v Spurs. I know they tried to get some sort of Chelsea v Fulham thing going, but not sure how the fans feel with regards to that fixture. Anyone know who Chelsea regard their main rivals to be? Or do they just hate everyone?

Tottenham, hate them with vengeance, certainly was previously.

 

[Wandering Yellow]

The fact that you lot have this conversation every time that we are about to play each other is quite embarrassing to be honest.

It’s a local game, end of.

Not as embarrassing as your gaffers haircut though to be fair.