CROWD behaviour is a funny thing.
Events on the sporting field naturally have a bearing but thankfully hooliganism is a rarity nowadays and the authorities are trying to stamp out racist chanting.
I was struck though last week by the different attitude of soccer and rugby league supporters.
As crowds drift away from soccer matches there is a buzz, a constant chattering, an analysis of performance both collective and individual, and at the larger stadiums a bit of pushing and jostling as people seek an inch of space.
At rugby league games there is a discernible respect for one another, almost a desire to pat one another on the back for just being there to share the joy of a sport.
At Swinton on Sunday home supporters may have been glum at seeing a 24-10 half-time lead turn into a 34-36 defeat by local rivals Rochdale Hornets yet the loudspeaker boomed out, “Hard luck Swinton, well played Rochdale,” and there was spontaneous applause all around.
There’s enough physical confrontation on the pitch to excite anyone, yet somehow that never spreads to the spectators who are just happy to see a good game and then share a pint and a chat afterwards.
Soccer can still command camaraderie among supporters but perhaps there isn’t as much respect on the pitch as there is in rugby.
