The joys of being a neutral fan

I've always enjoyed football, I find it seems to bring the nation closer together, especially during major tournaments like the World Cup and it's what gets everyone talking. But this weekend saw Manchester City crowned Premier League champions and from a neutral point of view, it was one of the best footballing moments I have ever witnessed.

The blue side of Manchester will have something to cherish for the rest of their lives after they won the Premier League for the first time since 1968. They won the title over their bitter rivals Manchester United on goal difference, and if that wasn't enough, they claimed the trophy within the dying minutes courtesy of Sergio Aguero. I have never found myself so hooked on a football match since the World Cup Final in 2006, when Italy were crowned champions. But Man City v QPR had everything and it kept me on tenterhooks from start to finish.

The best part of being a neutral fan is you never get emotionally involved. Seeing some of the Man City fans crying was unbelievable, you can't imagine how passionate they are about their team. Okay I admit I cried when Italy lost in the Euro 2000 final, but I was nine, so that's to be expected. But grown men crying in the stands is ridiculous, you cry when your cat dies, not when some team loses or wins a match. I suspect that a lot of these "fans" have probably only started supporting their team since 2008, when some billionaire Arab bought them. Fair enough I could be wrong, but you can't help but feel that more "glory supporters" will jump on the bandwagon and be supporting Man City next season. Why would you support a team with no history?

For the red side of Manchester, it's probably the hardest defeat they have ever had to face. Losing to your arch rivals is a real kick in the face and something they will probably find very hard to get over. But with 19 league titles to their name, would you really be that fussed. If Italy never win the World Cup again, it wouldn't bother me, they've won it in my lifetime and that's all that matters.

From a neutral perspective though, perhaps I'm not one to question peoples loyalties and passion, but I know what it's like, I've got to go through it at the Euro's this year. But you won't find me crying.