i originally put this one the official site, but people are just not getting it.
i havent written this in the hope of starting some stupid scousers versus oot debate. basically, before you start going on at me, im gonna explain my stand point n that bit b4 my tale.
I respect liverpools oot's, i mean anyone whos willing to travel that little bit further than us liverpool based folk, deserves credit. basically, and i think its been said b4, its not the oot's that everyone gets wound up with, its the day trippers.
the difference is obvious, yet seemingly confusing.
Day Trippers = people who only come to 1 or 2 games a season (those that only do this due to money restrictions or problems need not start winging at me, i appreciate that) the games they generally come too are "big" games, that they get the tickets from a mate of a mate. they then proceed to come to the match, buy a load of souveniers from the shop, take photos of everything, and then boo, and shout abuse at players. i obviously understand that just cos you take pictures, or buy stuff, that doesnt automatically mean your a DT, but if you do all of the above, then i think you are.
OOT's = people who supprt lfc, and travel as often as money, and limitations allow ( i know you may say how do you differentiate between them, if they all say they do that) well the OOT's go that extra mile to arrange tickets and travel, rather than leaving it to someone else. they take it upon themselves to learn the traditions of the club, and intergrate themselves as a "reds fan".
alot of OOT's are former scoucers moved elsewhere, others are people who's love afair started when they saw us on the the tele when we were broadcast worldwide as the best team in the land, others may have more in depth reasons, but one thing underlies everything. they love the club. and the way to spot the difference is really simple. people who are simply OOT's who read this will understand what im saying, they may not neccessarily agree 100%, but they may be able to add their own little bit of individualism to my points, to make it apply to them. Day trippers will know it applies to them, and get annoyed, and want to argue.
no doubt there is something i have over looked, that will be picked up on, but ultimately, i wasnt writing this to offend anyone, or create a mass argument. if im wrong, and someone makes a valid point, ill hold me hand up, and apologise.
anyway, as the topic title says "i was a day tripper recently"...not here with my beloved liverpool, cos im lucky enough to be able to go pretty much every week. but it was at the bernabeau, which as most of you will know is the home of real madrid.
i, like quite alot of people have always dreamed of going to madrid to see the great team, in the all white. i was lucky to get my opportunity last month when my girlfriends sister, who lives in madrid, got me a ticket, from a mate of a mate, (see my points above). the game...Real Madrid versus Valencia. we got there 30 mins b4 kick off, and took up our seats, the stadium was awsome, in fact i could feel the emotion building up inside, just from being there. the hairs on my neck stood up, and my throat was tight for a good 10 mins. i was in awe of it all. there i was, sat 10 rows from the touchline, in the bernabeau, to watch one of la ligas biggest games, looking at zidane, carlos, figo, raul, and hierro warming up. i couldnt believe it. i took more pictures, (see above again), and put my bag full of souveniers (again) on the floor infront of me.
and there i sat, looking on with a big smile on my face for the full 90 mins. the game finished 1-0 to madrid, morientes, sencond half goal. and i saw macca come on, even if it was just for 2 minutes.
i left the ground, and thought, i was doing then what lots of people have been taking the **** about on the liverpoolfc.tv webiste. and do ya know what, i wasnt bothered. for one night i was a real Real Madrid fan, i was fulfiling a dream, and it felt god. but the one thing i thought that justified it for me was that, i had gone that extra mile to get there, i had paid the £140 flight price, i had paid to stay in the hotel. i had made the effort to mingle in, and talk to a few fans b4 the game in the local bars. i had cheered through the game. i had taken the initiative upon myself to get there and fulfil my dream, i was not embarrassed for being a day tripper, cos i had done the best i could. and i had, and still have every intention of going back there again. and it didnt feel like i was robbing madrid fans cos i later found out that the ground holds 90,000+, and had about 5,000 empty seats.
and just to make it 100 times better, i did all that wearing my liverpool shirt. (the madrid fans loved it).
if that all sounds a bit contradictory, then either im crap at writing it, or your misunderstanding me. but thats my little tale.
Roper
(p.s when i sat down in my seat, i said "ola" to the 2 fella's next to me, only for the reply to be "ya alright man"...two ******** geordies!!!! me head was chokka, the chances of that!!!)
