I remember getting the service trains to Lime Street from Victoria for away games at Liverpool and Everton in the 80s particularly. Bricks and bottles would be showered on the trains by the barbarians, then there was the much less than warm welcome from Merseyside's finest en arrival at Lime Street.
Let's call it as it was - outright abuse - unless throwing the odd expletive around the word "Manckh" is a term of endearment.
The send off via darkened railway yards were unforgettable experiences too. Returning through crowded Greek island airports with 6 or other plane loads full, complete with squawking infants, is a doddle compared to being pushed up against the wall, in the dark, like sardines by Merseyside constabulary. I was one of the lucky ones as I didn't get to see or feel a truncheon at close quarters. Some weren't so lucky...
Every club and Police force has its knobheads, incuding our own. Knobheads will attack innocents and some are just racists (I've dealt with those) . Some clubs are worse than others. I've no issue with those who want to fight other like minded oppos. That's their business. I'm glad the Guvnors sorted out the racists at City back in days of yore. They did the club a great service, making Maine Road a place where I felt safe.
Liverpool FC have had a lawless, dangerous cult following for decades. It doesn't get reported because whatever they do, they will always come up smelling of roses. Just like the Stretford shower. The major difference being the actions of Liverpool fans is off the scale and not checked by any law, or authority. Still no arrests for the mass attack on the City coach - what a surprise. They went on the rampage in Liverpool last summer attacking the club offices of their neighbours and desecrated a statue to Dixie Dean near Goodison.
For all the current knobhead behaviour of some Everton fans and their club over the last couple of days because City had to ask for postponement of the game to prevent spread of a deadly virus to their club, Everton's whining keyboard warriors are amateurs compared to their neighbours, but they don't half like to play the victim... just like their brothers across the park. Something that we need to keep an eye on.
I've got a long standing friend who's an Evertonian. There's plenty of honesty in our relationship about each others club. Plenty of give and take, and I like that. No love lost but no hatred. I've got other Evertonian mates too. No issue there either.
For all the similarities - like it or not - between Everton and Manchester City, we're still very different. The classless statement released by Everton last night being a good example. What do Everton want? Do they want City to spread this horrible deadly virus to them? Do they care for the wellbeing of their players and staff?
It would appear that playing the victim is still not the sole domain of Liverpool FC.
Surely it's better for Everton to be Everton than Liverpool-Lite?
amp.theguardian.com