Calling teams from abroad 'we' and 'us'

18-03-2018 11:49PM #1

Do you do this?

Do you refer to Manchester United/Liverpool/Celtic/any other team from Britain as 'us' or 'we'. If so, why? Are you ever pulled up on it or is it the norm among the people you socialise and work with? Would you raise an eyebrow at someone who does it? How about if someone did for the likes of Barcelona or Juventus? Would that be different? Not judging (yet!) but curious to see how many folks on here do this.

Yes I know there's a football forum but this is moreso a social question so asking it here.

Mahony0509 · 18-03-2018 11:50PM

I don't, personally. In terms of soccer I'd refer to Cork City as we, as I support the league of Ireland first and foremost. A lot of Irish people seem to have this imaginary connection to foreign teams, so much so that they feel as if they represent that team, by saying 'we'.

18-03-2018 11:54PM

Mahony0509 wrote: »

A lot of Irish people seem to have this imaginary connection to foreign teams, so much so that they feel as if they represent that team, by saying 'we'.

It's usually the historically succesful ones too. You get the reasoning that a lot of Irish went to Manchester, London and Liverpool but it's rare you see many Crystal Palace or Oldham Athletic fans around. Funny that.

endacl · 18-03-2018 11:55PM

A team I haven’t played for will always be ‘them’.

Mahony0509 · 18-03-2018 11:56PM

Omackeral wrote: »

It's usually the historically succesful ones too. You get the reasoning that a lot of Irish went to Manchester, London and Liverpool but it's rare you see many Crystal Palace or Oldham Athletic fans around. Funny that.

I'm not sure about you but I'd rather watch Cork City than that tripe that is Manchester United.

dfx- · 18-03-2018 11:59PM

I don't have a huge problem with it, it's a conversational tick moreso than anything else

Kermit.de.frog · 19-03-2018 12:01AM

A guy I know is one of those arm chair Irish Republican Brits Out types.

He supported Manchester United and always referred to them as "we".

I think with the Irish it is an inbuilt inferiority complex with England in particular. This has a funny way of manifesting itself with soccer. Many will automatically say "we" when referring to a premier league team. I don't think they realise it - just instinctive.

Skylinehead · 19-03-2018 12:05AM

I do. Anyone that cares has little to be at.

Tom Mann Centuria · 19-03-2018 12:09AM

When I'm talking with like minded fans I do, it's just short hand, easier than constantly saying Barnestoneworth United.

shaunr68 · 19-03-2018 12:10AM

Voted yes. I was born in Liverpool and occasionally refer to Liverpool FC as "we" despite having about as much individual connection to Fenway Sports Group Liverpool Football Club as I have to Clare County Council or the Battersea Dogs' Home.

Don't see it as a big deal to be honest, but would like to ask the OP's permission to use "we" in this context.

Ninjini · 19-03-2018 12:15AM

If you didn’t play on the pitch with the team, you shouldn’t say “we” won/lost.

bucketybuck · 19-03-2018 12:19AM

Its shorthand. Simple as that.

Its really stupid to think that people are wrong to use shorthand during conversations.

mzungu · 19-03-2018 12:24AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN1WN0YMWZU

Alf Veedersane · 19-03-2018 12:26AM

On January 1st 1989, I saw my first live football game. It was Man Utd vs Liverpool. Utd won, my eldest brother liked United so they became 'my team. I loved playing football and having a team was central to that.

As someone that loved football and watching United, they became inextricably linked to my love of football.

I'm older now and I don't say 'we' but I imagine many of my vintage do. I don't see it as a big deal.

Allinall · 19-03-2018 12:28AM

Omackeral wrote: »

It's usually the historically succesful ones too. You get the reasoning that a lot of Irish went to Manchester, London and Liverpool but it's rare you see many Crystal Palace or Oldham Athletic fans around. Funny that.

You do realise that Crystal Palace is in London , and Oldham is a suburb of Manchester ?

Ken. · 19-03-2018 12:29AM

You can thank me now for improving your poll.

8-10 · 19-03-2018 12:29AM

The football teams mentioned by the OP are pretty global in nature. I would think the majority of United and Liverpool fans are not from the UK for example

So it's not a big deal at all.

bobbysands81 · 19-03-2018 12:29AM

I own shares in Celtic so, as a part owner, I feel I deserve the right to use “we” and “us” etc...

bobbysands81 · 19-03-2018 12:31AM

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

A guy I know is one of those arm chair Irish Republican Brits Out types.

He supported Manchester United and always referred to them as "we".

Never got why people have an issue with Irish Republicans supporting English soccer teams.

Losty Dublin · 19-03-2018 12:32AM

Allinall wrote: »

You do realise that Crystal Palace is in London , and Oldham is a suburb of Manchester ?

Oddly enough, that may be his actual point here

harry Bailey esq · 19-03-2018 12:33AM

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

When I'm talking with like minded fans I do, it's just short hand, easier than constantly saying Barnestoneworth United.

They got off to a flying start, but just nosedived after Christmas.

dd972 · 19-03-2018 12:33AM

Mahony0509 wrote: »

I don't, personally. In terms of soccer I'd refer to Cork City as we, as I support the league of Ireland first and foremost. A lot of Irish people seem to have this imaginary connection to foreign teams, so much so that they feel as if they represent that team, by saying 'we'.

Ah yes, that strange, foreign, alien entity across the water, I'm thinking of popping over there to see what it's like, any tips on the language or the food, have they got pubs over there?

19-03-2018 12:37AM

Allinall wrote: »

You do realise that Crystal Palace is in London , and Oldham is a suburb of Manchester ?

Eh yes, which is why I included them.

yesto24 · 19-03-2018 12:50AM

Don't know how to post a YouTube link and too drunk to be told tonight how to do it.
But check out Mitchell and Webb football.
They have done this thread and it was funnier than any post and it was ten years ago.
And it's not just an Irish thing for those of you who just love to put themselves down.
Ah I see I am 28 minutes too late.
Ah well point still stands

harry Bailey esq · 19-03-2018 01:28AM

Like the poster mahony the Cork City man, I too am first and foremost LOI, I follow my local team, which in my case is Bohs. We won or we lost would never be uttered by me about anyone else unless it was in reference to the Irish team in a crucial game. With that being said, nothing wrong with having a pint and watching a decent premiership game, but while the guy who goes to Old Trafford thrice a year is considered a superfan, the likes of meself and mahony that go to Dalyer and Turners Cross respectively and pay our fifteen quid every second Friday evening be it under sun, rain, hail, or snow are deemed to be stuck in the past and know nothing of football. One clown that posted even suggested LOI supporters are armchair republicans, although the same clown would probably call Irish league football 'garrison games'.

darkdubh · 19-03-2018 01:34AM

I find these guys funny the way they go on like they think they're on the team board of management.

Arghus · 19-03-2018 01:40AM

In some ways it is a bit silly, but if you follow a team for a while you do begin to identify with them, it's understandable - so I'm prepared to allow it.

19-03-2018 01:45AM

Arghus wrote: »

In some ways it is a bit silly, but if you follow a team for a while you do begin to identify with them, it's understandable - so I'm prepared to allow it.

I think if a fella from here called Barcelona or Bayern Munich 'us' they'd be laughed at or deemed weird.

Robsweezie · 19-03-2018 01:57AM

on first glance it seems a bit naff, but football does help develop a sense of belonging and bonding in men, so the inclusive 'we' can be a good thing for them. brings people together.

Lyle Lanley · 19-03-2018 04:47AM

Ninjini wrote: »

If you didn’t play on the pitch with the team, you shouldn’t say “we” won/lost.

Bollocks to that. Maybe if you're talking about the general Irish football supporter, to whom football is nothing more than a reason to be in the pub in the afternoon you might have a point. But when you follow your team home and away, when you give up hours every week to help out (be it as a board member, matchday steward, selling raffle tickets, whatever) you're more part of your club than some player that comes in for a season or two.

dreamers75 · 19-03-2018 04:57AM

I "help" "my" team so I think I can call them "we".

They are irish and quite close to my house.

I laugh at lads in work calling each other manc scum or scouse scum.......they all from ballyer...

Calling teams from abroad 'we' and 'us'

Do you use the terms 'us' or 'we' when referring to teams from the UK 143 votes

Comments