It's unimaginable that a large part of the conversation in a pub like the Rovers, full of men the age of Curly and Kevin, wouldn't be about Manchester United and Manchester City Football Clubs and their latest triumphs and disasters. There's a deep and never-ending rivalry between the supporters of both teams. Football (soccer) is a HUGE part of Mancunian culture, and it's hardly ever mentioned these days.
It wasn't always so however. According to corrie.net's Graham Allsopp (Man City fan), "There were Stockport County (in the 60's) and Manchester City (in the 70's) fixture lists displayed in the Rovers for many years. Annie Walker went with a group of Rovers regulars to Maine Road (home of Man City) in the 1960's - and got arrested! For many years the local football team was Weatherfield County, and in reality that was Stockport County (the Hatters). You may remember Wayne Farrell, one of Raquel's boyfriends, played for them in the early 90's. A few scenes were filmed at Edgeley Park."
There have been a two or three football-related scenes in the recent past that do stick out in my memory. The first was an argument between Curly and Raquel, during the time that she was looking for a job as a massage therapist. Curly is a die-hard Man City fan, as is Kevin Kennedy, the actor who portrays him. Raquel had just gotten an appointment for a job interview from Manchester United and Curly seemed very upset. Raquel wanted to know what the problem was, she had no idea. "Fine," he said, "Go for the interview. But if you get this job, no child of mine is ever going to go and visit you at work!"
The second was a touching little scene featuring Steve MacDonald babysitting Fiona's newborn son Morgan. He sat the baby down beside him and asked him softly, "So, are you going to be a Red (Man Utd fan) or a Blue (Man City fan)? It's a very important decision and it's for the rest of your life. Don't worry, when you get older, I'll take you to see both clubs and you can decide for yourself."
And just recently, there was a very cute scene in Weatherfield General with little David Platt proffessing his love for Man United to Rebecca.
But really, except for the last World Cup, that's been about it. The only other times that professional football has been seen or mentioned on The Street is when a marital fight is about to break out. Kevin or Martin would be sitting in front of the TV watching a match when Sally or Gail would come in, turn it off, and start yelling at them. If there's footie on the telly, there's going to be trouble!
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