Recently, Roy Keane (ex Manchester United player, current Sunderland FC manager and living legend) launched a tirade against certain footballers, who refuse to move to Sunderland because their wives want to live in London.
“If they don’t want to come because their wife wants to go shopping in London, it’s a sad state of affairs.”
Photo © Peadar O’Sullivan, used with permission
Personally, I have to agree with him. Why would you choose to play for Watford, Crystal Palace, Luton, Millwall, or Charlton (teams in lower divisions) over Sunderland? I mean, they love their football up in Tyne and Wear, which is more than be said for the geographically illterate Prawn Sandwich Brigade that seem to occupy the stands in a number of London clubs*.
But I really want to talk about the perceived North South divide.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t really notice it on my frequent trips to London - not least to begin with. I mean, it didn’t seem that much more expensive down there, certainly compared to Liverpool or Manchester. But I suppose I was drinking beer, rather than buying a house.
However, I did notice a few changes over time, the fact that people are always in such a rush to get to places. I also noticed how packed it was, how people didn’t make eye contact and just assumed you were some nutcase because you were talking on the Tube (usually with Han).
For that reason, I don’t think I could live in London. Even Manchester seems a lot friendlier and nicer, plus it’s a little cheaper, and despite what certain bloggers say - I have yet to be raped.
So I’m prepared to give up that extra £25,000 a year, as I’m happy at waking up at 8am, getting out of work at 5pm, and having evenings to relax or work on this awesome blog.
But the question I want to ask you is - Brits: do you feel there is a North/South divide (and if so, which do you prefer)? Non-Brits: Is there a similar divide in your country?
Right, this weekend’s activities involves sitting on a coach for 8 hours on Saturday to watch Colwyn Bay play Middle of Nowhere FC. The journey will be grim, the result may not go our way, and I’d probably be ill on Sunday. It’ll be a long trip.
I cannot wait.
* Huge generalisation I know, but a conversation had with a massive Arsenal fan from the South East once “Who do you support?” “Colwyn Bay” “Where are they based?” “Wales” “Where’s Wales?”.
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Rhys Wynne, the author of this blog, is a 20 something web designer from Colwyn Bay.
I haven’t spent enough time up north to be able to comment on the north/south divide but I do have to say there is a big east/west one.
I am originally from Bristol and I moved across to Kent for uni and for me people are less friendly and more likely to think you are a nutjob if you are smiling. Everytime I go back home I am always surprised when people say hello and smile for no reason other than they passed you in the street.
kudos to you sir!
only a true football fan goes to that length! i hope ya win!
as for north south - there is a definate difference, both have good and bad points but i have to be honest, i like living in the south - i’m sure you could get the same kinda place where i live up north but its where ive grown up so im biased
You may want to have a trip to see Millwall, I get a feeling that they might not be big on their Prawn Sandwiches at the Den.
But having lived in both the North and South, I’ve noticed a few differences. Mainly people in the North are far more likely to start a conversation with a stranger than in the South. People in the South are mainly more reserved and will keep themselves to themselves but most seem to be friendly if you do approach them. The tube is a different ballpark though!
In Scotland it’s different. More of a East/West divide going on.
Debbie: Interesting you should say that as a “North South Divide” map floating aroudn the interweb includes Devon, Cornwall and that neck of the woods as “Northern”.
Guy: Yeah, please tell me why we don’t play manchester teams as “They are too far away”.
I think certain phrases I don’t hear up north, such like at your house party where that guy said “I can’t watch Chelsea tomorrow, my horse is running in a race.”. Almost spit out my Rebellion
Peter: Don’t get me started on Scotland. Whole different ball game!
I agree with Debbie, I reckon it’s a SE of England vs everywhere else divide. Having lived (in the last 5 years) in Colwyn Bay, Nottingham, and now Bath, I can safely say that there isn’t a great deal of a difference, except maybe prices are a little higher for Beer / renting houses here in Bath. People seem the same though.
Credit too you for the journey, does look to be going the long way round to get onto the main roads, just cut across. Wish I was watching the bay this weekend.
Know what Guy means, as he does live in a lovely place, both have good and bad points - like price in the south thats pretty bad.
I dunno, lets go back to talking about FM but 2008!
I think the north south thing is a bit of fun! You’ve got to have some rivalry to make life more exciting!
I love london - I think its great! No amount of bad press will stop me loving it!
You’ll get raped eventually, just you wait! I’d steer clear of the dark alleys if I were you!
We have a similar thing here in Boston regarding baseball and the New York Yankees - Boston Red Sox divide.
Here’s our map
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/08/18/sports/18Fans.Map.jpg
Hmm..I had no idea there was a divide like that over on your side. We don’t really have a divide here in the states, but the remenents of the Civil War divide of the 1800s still still exist on some form or another today unfortunately.
You already know my feelings on this one - I’m a token Northern Monkey!
I have to say, I really don’t like London at all; it’s overpriced, overhyped and plain depressing.
And I disagree that everyone’s in such a rush to get to places, every time I’m there people seem hell-bent on dawdling and getting in my way
Manchester is by far the better city, and as an added bonus it’s almost within commuting distance of Colwyn Bay. I’m told Leeds is awesome as well, but it’s one of the (very) few places I haven’t spent any serious amounts of time in.
I’m surprised having Keane as a manager wouldn’t overule all the money your lovelywife is spending on useless crap from trendy London shops.
PS - Totaly irrelevant question here - I was looking for a beach up near Colwyn Bay last weekend its a little cove with large cliffs surrounding it; I think the beach was both sandy and stoney; and every time I have been there there is always loads of starfish washed up on the beach. There are also some big rocks that are good to dive off. I went there as a kid, but couldn’t find it
@Mutiny: That was probably by the little Orme between Llandudno and Colwyn Bay
Yep - there’s a huge north-south divide I think.
And the north is much better! But then again, as I’m from Manchester I’m bound to say that.
I think the key is where the dividing line is drawn? For instance I lived in Newcastle for 4 years and up there you were a southerner if you came from south of the river!!
Personally I find the north friendlier and more relaxed. London especially is too crowded, too expensive and full of people whose daily mantra on the Tube is “don’t talk to anyone”!
Having lived in Shropshire, Lancashire, Berkshire & London, I can definitely say that it’s a SE of England v everywhere else.
Enjoyed my time in every part of England but the SE is great for young professionals, with enough energy for the Rat Race.
There’s a bit of a divide in Ireland too, (Not NI v ROI), where it’s a case of Dublin v “the country”.
Not nearly as prevalent as the divide in England though.
When it comes to football, I think a lot has to do with the fact that clubs in the NE are muck & never win anything.