London Vol
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2015
- Messages
- 1,007
- Likes
- 8,715
As promised, I am happy to outline the journey I have been on from a 9 year old and Blackpool to a 61 year old and Tennessee
1969
In 1969 my wonderful parents took my brother and I to my first league football match, it was at Blackpool who were playing Birmingham City. I still remember this vividly because Blackpool played in Tangerine (otherwise known as Orange) shirts and White shorts (otherwise known as pants). Now in England we have 92 league teams and Blackpool are the only one who have these colors as their primary kit. Even though I have also supported Leeds, during the years Blackpool has always been special to me, It is also a club with really passionate fans. what do they say about your first love.
1982
Fast forward to 1982, American Football is now on British television but only as a 1 hour highlights show with Frank Gifford. I must admit whilst I enjoyed the action, I simply couldn’t understand some of the important points like what was these 4 downs and pass interference? Then the only game that season shown live was the Super Bowl between Washington and Miami. I decided the best way to learn was to watch the game in its entirety. Anyway, although enjoying the game and slowly understanding a bit we got to half-time and the Dolphins were 17 – 10 ahead. The commentator then said that in all the previous Super Bowls the team leading at the half almost always won. So, as it was 2am in England I decided that the Dolphins had won and I’m off to bed. When I found out in the morning that it was the Redskins who were the champions, I decided that Miami was going to be my team. Although Miami have still to win the Super Bowl since (good preparation for supporting Tennessee) my first American Football hero was drafted in 1983 and 15 years later my daughter was named Marino.
2009
27 years later British television is now showing a College game live. Now I knew absolutely nothing about the College teams so put on the TV and the game showing was from Tuscaloosa, Alabama (7–0) against Tennessee (3-3). The commentors went on and on how good the team in funny red shirts were and the team in Orange and White had no chance. Well once I saw the uniforms I was only going to support one side. As the match progressed this Orange lot hung on bravely thoughout the game and even managed to only need a field goal with the last kick to WIN !!. Yep, you know what happened next, you probably know the names “Mount” Cody and Daniel Lincoln (poor chap, he will always be remembered for this game). It finished Alabama 12 Tennessee 10, how could I not support such a brave heroic loser playing in Orange and White
.
Yes, I have managed to support the Vols though their worst period in over 100 years but I care not. Trust me I suffer with you all even though there are more than 4,000 miles between us. I’ve lost count the number of times my blood pressure has been tested and how many times I’ve gone to bed at around 5am (we are 5 hours ahead of you) but then I can’t wait for the next game. I wish there were 24 matches a season and not 12 or 13.
Finally, I thought I would list the 3 things that prove I have chosen the best team to support bar none.
1) When the poor boy was bullied for his homemade sign for his T-Shirt you the fans rallied so spectacularly, in fact I think you purchased something like 100,000 replicas. So special.
2) The hiring/not hiring of Greg Schiano, now I will not get into the details of Penn State but some Colleges would hire Genghis Khan or even Pol Pot just to win a Natty. Well sometimes you do need to have some standards and values. Well, done and thanks, it was down to your stance and protests.
3) All the people who have read my views and sent many kind messages. Of course, "the likes" are nice but I have always been careful not to lecture or imply I know more than anybody else it is just my observations and opinions that I see, I’m very happy for you to disagree. What I’m really trying to say is how welcome I have been made to feel, almost like an Honorary Tennessean.
GO VOLS
1969
In 1969 my wonderful parents took my brother and I to my first league football match, it was at Blackpool who were playing Birmingham City. I still remember this vividly because Blackpool played in Tangerine (otherwise known as Orange) shirts and White shorts (otherwise known as pants). Now in England we have 92 league teams and Blackpool are the only one who have these colors as their primary kit. Even though I have also supported Leeds, during the years Blackpool has always been special to me, It is also a club with really passionate fans. what do they say about your first love.
1982
Fast forward to 1982, American Football is now on British television but only as a 1 hour highlights show with Frank Gifford. I must admit whilst I enjoyed the action, I simply couldn’t understand some of the important points like what was these 4 downs and pass interference? Then the only game that season shown live was the Super Bowl between Washington and Miami. I decided the best way to learn was to watch the game in its entirety. Anyway, although enjoying the game and slowly understanding a bit we got to half-time and the Dolphins were 17 – 10 ahead. The commentator then said that in all the previous Super Bowls the team leading at the half almost always won. So, as it was 2am in England I decided that the Dolphins had won and I’m off to bed. When I found out in the morning that it was the Redskins who were the champions, I decided that Miami was going to be my team. Although Miami have still to win the Super Bowl since (good preparation for supporting Tennessee) my first American Football hero was drafted in 1983 and 15 years later my daughter was named Marino.
2009
27 years later British television is now showing a College game live. Now I knew absolutely nothing about the College teams so put on the TV and the game showing was from Tuscaloosa, Alabama (7–0) against Tennessee (3-3). The commentors went on and on how good the team in funny red shirts were and the team in Orange and White had no chance. Well once I saw the uniforms I was only going to support one side. As the match progressed this Orange lot hung on bravely thoughout the game and even managed to only need a field goal with the last kick to WIN !!. Yep, you know what happened next, you probably know the names “Mount” Cody and Daniel Lincoln (poor chap, he will always be remembered for this game). It finished Alabama 12 Tennessee 10, how could I not support such a brave heroic loser playing in Orange and White
.Yes, I have managed to support the Vols though their worst period in over 100 years but I care not. Trust me I suffer with you all even though there are more than 4,000 miles between us. I’ve lost count the number of times my blood pressure has been tested and how many times I’ve gone to bed at around 5am (we are 5 hours ahead of you) but then I can’t wait for the next game. I wish there were 24 matches a season and not 12 or 13.
Finally, I thought I would list the 3 things that prove I have chosen the best team to support bar none.
1) When the poor boy was bullied for his homemade sign for his T-Shirt you the fans rallied so spectacularly, in fact I think you purchased something like 100,000 replicas. So special.
2) The hiring/not hiring of Greg Schiano, now I will not get into the details of Penn State but some Colleges would hire Genghis Khan or even Pol Pot just to win a Natty. Well sometimes you do need to have some standards and values. Well, done and thanks, it was down to your stance and protests.
3) All the people who have read my views and sent many kind messages. Of course, "the likes" are nice but I have always been careful not to lecture or imply I know more than anybody else it is just my observations and opinions that I see, I’m very happy for you to disagree. What I’m really trying to say is how welcome I have been made to feel, almost like an Honorary Tennessean.
GO VOLS
Last edited:
. By the way, I'm a HUGE Tottenham Hotspur fan. So I know about being let down in English Futbol also 
. Although, we just hired a helluva a manager in Conte. I just want us to get to the top 4 and the Champions League.
.
