"like a conference side"?

[Davy07]

howdy

play like a conference side? what does this mean?
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Only the Paranoid Survive

[Skrej]

I can't fully answer your question, but it's a reference to soccer. I can tell you that conference is a term for the collection of European soccer teams, and I would guess that a side is a minor or inferior team. Maybe it's related to the idea of being on the side(lines), out of the main game?

I think that Ferguson is saying that his team played like some inferior second rate league team, instead of the quality team he fells that his team is.

However, my knowledge of soccer is sketchy at best (what can I say, I'm American) so perhaps others can offer a better explanation?
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[MrPedantic]

The English Football League consists of the Premier League (where Sir Alex chews his gum), the Championship, and the First and Second Divisions.

Below these, there are innumerable "non-league" divisions, the top three of which are the Blue Square Premier and Blue Square North/South divisions. These three were previously called "the Conference"; their member clubs are known for their vigorous but sometimes unsophisticated brand of football.

MrP