Doesn't matter what sport but why do you support that team or even individual sportsman? When did this obession start for you?

For me and the Tigers in the Rugby Leaue comp here it started at birth really. I grew up in the country but Mum and Dad were both from the area in Sydney that the Tigers were based and were fanatical and we kids really didn't have a choice. We were told that they'd buy us things todo with the Tigers but wouldn't stoop to buy anything other teams stuff and they'd take us to Tiger's games when we could travel down. We even had to say 'up the Tigers' before breakfast during the season. Brainwashed.

My name is Ren and I support... Ipswich Town.
I have never lived anywhere near Ipswich, which is in East Anglia, but my Maternal Gran was born there and always supported them. In fact before they were in any sort of league, she used to wash their shirts!
They had a wonderful moment when they beat Arsenal in the FA cup. My husband supported Arsenal, and he cried. It was a wonderful time for the Tractor Boys, never repeated, unfortunately. They are in the league championships now and at least will not go down this year, being in the middle . Maybe if we were richer and could afford some top players , things would improve.
However, I am proud of them , they are not called the 'elegant gentlemen of East Anglia' for nothing. We also are the only totally green club. I will find the article about this as it is a great example to other clubs.So there you have it
Tractor Boys for ever!
(edited to add the link to the green idea. Green news from Ipswich town )

I imprinted on the Dodgers the first year I followed baseball. I was 11, and Fernando was a rookie.

I am a passionate life long supporter of Leicester Tigers rugby club. I started playing rugby at around 14, and coming form Leicester, ther was only one team to follow. The Tigers are, arguably, the best club side in the World. And if you do want to argue, send me a message.

I started loving the Detroit Lions (American Football) because I am from the Detroit area and Barry Sanders was the running back when I was a kid. That guy was so amazing, but if he hadn't been here maybe I wouldn't have the constant frustration of being a Lions fan.

Im a life long fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs(National Hockey League).I had no other option my Grandfather was the very first Leafs great goaltender He won a Stanley cup with them in 1932.The last cup victory was in 1967.Which also corresponds to the year of my birth.I've waited my whole life to see my beloved Leafs hoist the cup again.Dear Lord please let them do it before I'm too old to fully enjoy it!

Wow, great story, Donbo!

Quote:

---

I wouldn't have the constant frustration of being a Lions fan.

---

You know what annoys me? Is when your team is playing and you lose and you're devastated but your players are congratulating the other team and laughing and smiling like nothing has happened. It just doesn't seem that the players have the same level of passion as the supporters!

Well I've never supported another team in the Rugby League aside from the mighty St George Dragons . . . I don't really know why tho', my Grandad played first grade for another team, I wasn't born in the area but I've never even considered following another team . . . maybe it's because they are 'The Dragons', as I love those mythical creatures . . .

I started supporting United in the summer of 1998, just before the treble season . I got stuck with them really, as my brother is a huge Manchester United fan as seeing as he was the one getting me into football it only seemed right that I support them too.

I support the Toronto Maple Leafs. I don't know why or when I started.

I watch them play and become more and more depressed. It's sad really. But I can't bring myself to jump off this bandwagon. I don't know what it is about the team. I guess I'm just not as interested in other teams or something. If only Nova Scotia had an NHL team.

Carolina Hurricanes. I've supported them from the beginning and especially became a fan when they acquired star center Rod Brind'Amour form Philadelphia for Keith Primeau and when they acquired Arturs Irbe from free agency. They made me happy when they won the cup in 2006, but disappointed greatly in the 2006-07 season.

I started supporting the St Kilda Saints (Aussie Rules football) in 1964, when I was just a kid, I think the main reason was the cool colours- they had a vertical panels of red, white and black, and a very macho shield-shaped emblem on the right chest.

In 1966, they won their first ever premiership in 80 years, and they have not won one since! I think they have the most wooden spoons, though. Sometimes I wonder where my masochistic streak came from. Hopefully 2007 will be the year of the Saint!

With my father coming from Manchester (nowhere near me) I simply inherited supporting United as soon as I became interested in watching football. Had his uncle still worked for City (he made all their formal clothes) I would have supported them instead as he changed teams and we followed. In 1992 or so my local team Barnet were promoted to the football league, and a few years later I started going there and are now my other team. I've seen United play 5 times, once at Old Trafford, but Barnet many more. And it's just as good watching games in the lowest division as the highest, just different.

I supported (still do) Manchester United since the 1950s. Partly because there was always a major Irish connection - players, managers, staff etc. Also because I idolised the legendary Duncan Edwards. Then came new of the Munich disaster. I was 9 or 10 and simpy could not eat for days afterwards I was so sick and so upset. Ever since it's been up and down - but such is life and such is football

Well, I've barracked for the Essendon Bombers (Aussie Rules) since I was tiny. It's in my blood...my grandfather and his family were all supporters, and it's been handed down from my dad and his brothers The last premiership Essendon won was in 2000, and before that it was 1993, so I'm hoping the boys can pick up their act this season and get into the finals!

in baseball, I'm an Atlanta Braves girl. Always have been. Always will be. My mom was gone to night school and my dad was home with me. The Braves were on tv and I was SCREAMING (I was a little over 5 months old) and poor guy, he just wanted to watch the game in some peace and quiet. He was holding me and he said "shhhh, let's see what Murphy does" and he pointed me to the tv. The Murph hit a homerun, I stopped screaming, and here we are 29 years later and I still luv 'em.

Oklahoma Sooners football (American college football), I admit, I jumped on the bandwagon in 2000. It was the week of the OU/Texas (our big rivalry game) game, and my mom wanted someone to go watch it with her. Well, that game hooked me!

Dallas Cowboys (American pro football).... Troy Aikman hooked me! Again, I admit jumping on the bandwagon, but I stayed on the wagon when the wheels fell off and the wagon tipped over!

Hockey: Toronto Maple Leafs, since I was five and won $25 in a hockey pool (my Dad put my name in)

Baseball: Toronto Blue Jays, from their first game in 1977.

Canadian Football: Toronto Argonauts, since I was little

American Football: Pittsburgh Steelers, from the time of Bradshaw, Lynn Swann and those guys (and because Pittsburgh is the only city in the States I have ever visited)

Football (Soccer): Real Madrid, starting when I lived in Spain

Formula 1: Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, and anyone not named Schumacher, other than Ralf (been a fan of the sport since the 'seventies)

I follow the Brisbane Broncos. I can't remember how old I was. I just know that I started following the team around the same time that I started watching the State Of Origin. I think I was about 13... but don't hold me to that lol. Although, I am going to have to change my favourite team to the Gold Coast Titans now. Seeing as how I am a born and bred Gold Coaster.

And in the V8's.... I am a Holden fan all the way.... Go the Kelly Boys!!!!!

The New England Patriots, because that's where I live and they epitomize teamwork.

I would say that it's because Tom Brady is hot, but the sad truth is I've been watching football since before he was born. :-(

I support the Brisbane Broncos. When I was a kid I would always chop and change which Rugby League teams that I would go for but had supported Queensland in the State of Origin.

I have never lived in Queensland but when the Broncos came into the competition it was only natural that I would start following them and I have ever since!

Plus they had some pretty good looking players in their lineup

Quote:

---

Plus they had some pretty good looking players in their lineup

---

That's always important, I feel. I think a lot depends on their knees and the shortness of their shorts. You only have to watch the AllBlacks for instance...grrrh(down girl!)

Oakland Raiders.

Grew up in Los Angeles with a lot of family up north in the Bay Area, just indoctrinated, I guess. I simply can not remember a moment when I did rooted or even followed another team.

Last few years have been tough. But it does like things are coming together. Got an intact and actually improved defense coming back (#3 in the NFL last year) and quite a few new players on offense along with a new coaching staff. Will see how it goes.

But first and foremost:

No More Tom Walsh!!!

You can bet Dom Perignon stock went up a few points when THAT announcement was made!

The first ever game of American Football was in 1999. New England was playing somebody but I just stuck with them because I liked their uniform the best. Its just good to see that they have turned into one of the most consistent and successful teams in the NFL since then.

I support the Indianapolis Colts (NFL), the Utah Jazz (NBA), the Kansas Jayhawks (NCAA), and the Atlanta Braves (MLB). I've always liked these teams. I've been following them for just over 10 years now. I don't really know how I chose them, but I'm glad I did. My dad is the one that got me into sports and I've been following them ever since.