I suppose i ‘hated’ the rugby since being a kid when my primary school was RIGHT next door to central park. Separated only by a brick wall. Every PE & games lesson – we had to play rugby. Throughout school, i was the only latics fan & the stick i got was unbearable at times – & that was just from the teachers. Then, around 1980 (as i left in ’82 to start high school), we merged with st johns & one of the teachers was a staunch latics fan. I can remember a fantastic conversation with him the following day after we had played man city in the ’81 league cup, when they were awarded a dodgy penalty. I still see said teacher occassionally at games today.
However, fast forward to today & i don’t seem to have the same hatred i once had. Yes, when they play another team, i do want that other team to win. But, i just tend to leave them be now & let them go their way, whilst i go mine.