For Every Dark Cloud…

The timeless question of “who do you support?” has broken down social barriers for what seems like an eternity. It is a way of finding a mutual interest and so often what was an awkward conversation can flow with a sort of relief in the knowledge that common ground has been found. As a child of the 90’s, it was uncanny how often I would hear the response of “Man United” to the question, which inevitably resulted in my exhaling with disappointment at the news. Another Red Devil, another glory supporter. The fact I was a Chelsea fan, a mediocre entity in those days known for being partial to the odd cup run but never challenging the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United realistically, was always considered a little left-field but inoffensive nonetheless.

Since the Abramovich takeover of 2004, Chelsea have arguably surpassed Manchester United as the team people love to loath. It is a role that Jose Mourinho relishes and with his air of arrogance he makes it so easy for so many to wish his team the worst. The Russian oligarch’s billions also brought on a nouveaux riche reaction in many, an irritation that such a prestigious part of the country suddenly had Rubles rolling in as well as the wealth already prominent in the streets of Kensington and Chelsea. There was success near guaranteed where it was not necessarily earned.

This season however, the Blues are stumbling through their worst start to a top-flight campaign in 29 years. They were played off the park against the already champions-elect of Manchester City (another team now universally disliked for the same reasons as the Londoners – a businessman’s billions), lost the Community Shield to bitter rivals Arsenal, commemorated Mourinho’s 100th home game in charge by losing another London derby (just the second loss of the Portuguese’s century), and having returned from the International break early September, immediately lost again to find themselves sitting 17th in the Premier League table. It has been a monumental collapse for such a formidable footballing outfit.

Somewhat perversely, I find myself enjoying it. It is the return of that wonderfully British desire to, if not cheer on the underdog, then at least respect them for their lowlier status. Chelsea are by no means one of the least fortunate in the Premier League, far from it in fact. But having played the part of England’s most hated football club for over a decade, that is an accolade that appears to be travelling back up to Manchester, albeit to the blue side of the city this time around.

Manchester United experienced exactly the same as they came to terms with life after Sir Alex Ferguson. Conquering everything that was put in front of them under the Scot, the nineties and “noughties” saw the club achieve incredible feats on both the domestic and European stages, but socially it came at a cost. They say that life at the top can be lonely. Well for a football fan not lonely perhaps, but it can be considerably less comfortable. Everyone enjoys success, but in football there are always the overtones of envy that accompany it.

After the disastrous appointment of David Moyes and a similarly stuttering start from the Dutchman Louis Van Gaal, the football community appeared to warm a little to the fallen giant. This varied of course depending on region, Liverpool fans are never going to like a team from Manchester no matter who wears the jersey or where the club happens to be in the standings. Likewise in Leeds. But these reasonings (if one can call them such), are purely geographical. However, the blanket hatred of the club began to be diluted by just a hint of sympathy at how the mighty had fallen.

The same at present, can definitely be said about Chelsea. There are those across London and plenty in Manchester that are relishing the demise of Mourinho’s men and areas of the media baying for blood, in some cases Mourinho’s resignation. But as an everyday fan when asked who I support, I feel a warmth that was definitely not there before. I have been guilty of grimacing in the past when answering the question, knowing I am about to disappoint a complete stranger. But during the hard times, you are enthused by a pride and belief that things can get better. The human reaction to turmoil is one of hope and stoicism, and it is significantly more rewarding than the vulgarity of gloating as a result of success.

Searching for acceptance from fellow football fans as opposed to being driven by a desire for success may appear a little unambitious, weak even. Perhaps it is the Yorkshireman in me (for those of you familiar with Monty Python’s sketch about the tougher times) that feels a little more comfortable to be striving against hardship rather than bathing in the bragging rights brought about by constant glory. Football is after all for so many, simply an outlet to channel any rage and frustration built up during the working week. What would there be to shout about if your team were always successful?

When Chelsea host Maccabi Tel-Aviv on Wednesday night, I will be pleading with my television screen to give the Blues the three points their season so desperately needs, if I wasn’t then I wouldn’t be a fan. But no matter what the score, I shall be wearing the club colours with a new sense of pride and defiance I have not had the pleasure of displaying since my childhood. The sense that by showing solidarity, the club can overcome this wobble (of ever-growing epic proportion) and build their own credibility through adversity. As the saying goes, “For every dark cloud there is a silver lining”.