An english view on the league
After our interview on Schwatzgelb.com before the Hamburg game (It pains me to write the ‘H' word after the lucky offside goal which cost us our dream of a Europa League spot), the interest and wonderful comments received from fellow BVB supporters towards myself, Neil, Justin and Robert really did confirm what a fantastic football club Borussia Dortmund is.
I have been kindly asked to write a few words, from your friends in England. To do so is an absolute pleasure.
I have been a fan of football since being a small boy, with my early days spent supporting Arsenal (long before the Premier League was launched), and at a time when they used to give away free tickets to their young supporters. Not something that clubs would consider in these days. However, my faith in the game at the highest level diminished in the early 90s due to exorbitant prices and a sterile atmosphere. My formative years, therefore, have been spent supporting Dover Athletic (www.doveratheletic.com) my hometown club, where a great deal of friendships have grown and developed from my time spent there. Dover Athletic is an amateur side, placed five levels below the English Premier league. However, it may surprise you to know that it is still cheaper to stand on the mighty Sud Tribune, than it is to watch Dover. Put simply, the cost of football in England is expensive, whatever level you watch, which makes the game even more difficult for the working man to attend and enjoy. This has been noticed by the players, too. There was a famous statement by former Manchester United captain Roy Keane, who criticised the supporters at Old Trafford for being the ‘Prawn Sandwich Brigade'. Essentially, a dig at the fans attending as corporate supporters, with little or no interest in supporting th
e team.
The Bundesliga is a league that the Premier League should aim to be, as it has the supporters at its core. We all know that it is the real supporters that are the lifeblood of football; owners, managers, players all come and go, but supporters are there for life. Against this backdrop there is much debate in England about the cost of the game being prohibitive for families to attend (the average season ticket is approx 520 Euros). Indeed, the respected English media is suggesting that the English game should follow the path of the Bundesliga. The popularity and appreciation of the Bundesliga is growing strong with many respected commentators and I am not so sure that this is obvious in Germany. I only hope that this renewed focus on the Bundesliga doesn't result in higher prices for you all. Having experienced at first hand the hospitality of you the BVB supporters, I am quick to praise the club, league and country to anybody who will listen when they ask why do you go to Germany to get your fix of top-flight football.
My faith in football at that level had gone until my love for the Black and Yellows came to the fore, as for me this is what football is all about the collectiveness of the supporters and the love they have for their club through thick and thin. I can't think of another club, who after the bitter disappointment of seeing their team miss out on Europe, have a party the next day. Not only that, but a party that can attract 80000 supporters singing and dancing and praising their heroes, the spirit of those supporters is amazing and the English translation to the lyrics to the song which the Sud Tribune sing after a victory sums that up.
Ballspiel-verein Borussia From Dortmund, We Follow You Wherever You Might Go, Even In Not So Good Times, We'll Always 
Follow, Borussia We're Here For You Forever, Shalalalalala, Shalalshalalala
The club and the Bundesliga has become part of my heart, with the constant check of websites to check club news as well as debates on fans forums about the merits of keeping Alex Frei plus the need to bring in a 20 goal striker which I believe will take us to the next level. This will allow me to achieve my dream of watching BVB in my home country, this will show the English sides how to support their side as there are very few sides who have support as passionate as BVB.
The season is over for another year and what a season it has been and though heartbreak was the eventual outcome, praise to Kloppo and the boys has to be given for sixth place and for finishing above Blue Scum, whose failure brings a smile everyday back in England.
Keep the faith and I for one cannot wait for August when Neil, Justin, Robert and I will get in the car and drive across France, Belgium, Holland and Germany to sing our hearts out in support of the best club in the world - Ballspiel-Verein Borussia Dortmund.
Yours in football,
Matthew, Neil, Justin and Robert, 30.05.2009
