Are LOI Fans West Brits?

Like the muppets that go to the darts and chant the same thing over and over again, i don't think they are west brits, just intellectually challenged.

The Shamrock rovers fans aren't using English accents in the Lizzys in a box chant.

The American MLS supporters have been known to do the same. ‘Who are ya’ in faux English accents. You only have to watch NBC sports and their EPL fan parks to witness this. Are those Americans West Brits or East Brits in your view? 🤔

For a small minority of American soccer fans this can take nastier edge, as they Ape English football hooligan ‘firms’ complete with fake English accents.

But It is also well known that a very small minority of Bohs and Rovers fans call themselves firms. Another hangover of aping the worst of English soccer.

In my view all this symptomatic of EPL marketing, and a disenfranchised youth just looking to belong to something so they can lash out. And similar to the way Irish country Music stars put on a fake Nashville Nasal drawl. Some soccer fans seem to think fake English accents are a prerequisite of the culture.

But to give the large majority of LOI fans credit most have much more sense. Last Rovers v Dundalk match (in Tallaght) I was at about three years ago was an enjoyable pleasant experience. And I would recommend anyone to go if they want to hear passionate fans and live affordable competitive soccer.

LOI Much better than sitting at home / in pub watching SKY. And having Irish people born and bred call each other Manc’s or Scouse. Many Irish people say ‘We’ when referring to an British/English team which I find odd. But this happens the world over, in Africa/Asia/America.

Those who watch EPL are watching many overpaid footballers from all over the world kissing badges. It is a marketing giant. Which is bound to seep over to other leagues as fans copy chants and mannerisms.

I would argue such people who only support an EPL are more consumers of EPL than actual soccer fans.

Which is OK, but there is no sense of local community you would get if you support a local team. Also the smaller domestic leagues suffer in the long term. A vicious cycle.

The marketing people of the EPL know how to play to each demographic.

The UK Barclay’s EPL advert :

‘The overseas’ Barclay’s EPL advert :

Both adverts are contradictory when viewed together. But Barclay’s know perfectly well how to create a sense of loyalty/belonging to the EPL

Don't go to games any more, but certainly an element of Galway fans used to affect an accent for abusive chants. Not even the accent, but the singing about Athlone and Sligo was childish and obviously copying what people do in the UK.

All that said, I used to enjoy the games a lot and the atmosphere was often very good. The only reason I don't go now is that I can't, but if I was anywhere near Terryland and a match was on I'd still love to attend. Tbf, it's only an element of fans who go on with that sh!t, most are very genuine fans. There's no real glamour attached to the LOI, so the people attending tend to have a far greater appreciation than those who only watch soccer on TV.

Very true tbf, obviously the ones who attend games reguarly are more hardcore fans of the sport than people who only watch it on TV. There can really be no doubt about that.

LOI guy here. I've never really noticed the accent thing, but I support a smaller more rural club, and would be in the away section at other grounds most of the time, I dunno if it's a thing, people will be influenced by the media they consume!

This is a bizarre thread but I'll try and make a case for the LOI anyway, I'm procrastinating from work. There definitely feels like many replying have never been to a game, or are basing their entire knowledge of the LOI off one or two experiences/incidents, some hearsay or just trying to sneer, whatever. There's certianly a lot of classism flying about, maybe have a look at yourself if that's you.

Every club will be supported by eejits who cause trouble, that's the same in every sport, every layer of society, the world is on fire, everyone is angry and arguing about everything, football is a microcosm of all that is good and bad in humanity it's too simplistic to tar everyone with the same brush.

The LOI has been seen as a problem child as JD called it, did not exist according to Trapattoni. It's been neglected and underfunded for decades. but it's ours. Every week hundreds and thousands of people within the community go out and support it, they work in their communities, they fundraise, they coach kids, they make friends and memories for life, it's the fabric towns like Dundalk and Sligo are built upon. People sneer at Bohs but the club is trying to use it's profile to do some good in the world, it may be selfish altruism, but it's still a net positive. Both they and Pats have done volunteer work within the prisons as far as I'm aware. Every LOI club is out there trying to improve their communities, for the most part volunteer driven and on a shoestring, like most clubs from most sports in the country. The women's game and underage structures are finally beginning to get more of the resources and attention they deserve

Also, I think in terms of who people support, there's some LOI snobs who hate British football, some that support a club at home and abroad, I don't think it's a big deal, I'd probably draw a distinction between the notion of supporting a club vs following another, going to a game/buying a jersey/programme is far more effective in supporting a club vs watching a foreign entity on sky or whatever.

I think it's cool that we have a league that gives Irish people a pathway in to professional football, things are improving albeit at a glacial pace, the last administration has set the sport back decades but progress is being made and the last two seasons have seen the best combined results Irish clubs have ever had in Europe for instance, we'll only go so far without significant funding from government, but I'm hopeful and look forward to seeing where things will be in the future.

They are real football fans, watching a team on tv each week is all that's required to fit the definition of a football fan. A rugby fan is someone who watches rugby often. A tennis fan is someone who watches tennis often. Is their a rule somewhere that your only allowed support a local team? Is their a law which outlaws getting emotionally invested in a foreign team?

I dunno, are you really a sports fan or just a TV fan if you don't go to matches? Like, people who only watch Man Utd or whoever would seem to me to have more in common with people who watch the Late Late show faithfully than they would have with people who go to matches all the time.

English football has a really toxic culture, nasty chants, fans having to be segregated very carefully, gangs arranging fights.

it’s a real shame that some Irish fans think this is cool and have imported that side of it.

I know lads who play 5 a side and they are in their 50's.

not really.

Also the Derry GAA fans caused a lot of trouble in Dublin after the Galway game this year, its not just soccer fans who cause trouble.

When I hear the term West Brit I think upper middle class, tea set in the cupboard, faux posh accent, my son the doctor etc.

That's not exactly the typical LOI fan.