Why should you support your local side?

   In the modern age of football, you will walk through your town, and see people wearing Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid shirts even though they’ve probably not even been in the country those teams play in.

Coming from North London, I’ve grown up with my local side being Tottenham Hotspur who have faced the Real Madrid’s of the world and I have seen them win major trophies and I see them play in the Premier League week in week out. Tottenham maybe the big local side for me but I also have a special place for Enfield Town who play in the Isthmian Premier League, they may not have the largest fan base and the players don’t even get their own names on the back but those who follow Enfield up and down the country and even abroad shows that football can bring a local community together.

Enfield can boast the fact that they are the first completely fan owned in the country which shows that the community do care about the lowly Isthmian side not just the Premier League powerhouse club. Supporting your local team is important for a multitude of reasons, but the most important one in my opinion is that it can bring the community together who may be divided on other more everyday subjects but will join together as one to either support Tottenham or Enfield Town.

Speaking to fans of both Tottenham and Enfield, they will say that it was their parents or their peer group who influenced the team that they support but as they reach the age they become more independent thinkers they’ll branch off and support a team that appeals to them. I have the privilege of not only supporting my local team but working for them on a match day. Having to get to the ground a few hours before kick-off you will see fans walking around admiring the stadium both new and old, gathering in the little square just off of Tottenham High Street and the general feeling of excitement building ahead of kick off, which makes me feel proud to support a team that might not be in the most thriving of areas but nonetheless brings people together to support their local side

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Money has made Tottenham less of the local side and more the global brand, so I will go along to Enfield Town, I’ll support the side, speak to players and staff and see the passion they have for a club that may not be of the highest of standards but they feel having Enfield makes them feel a part of the community which they feel is a great honour.