Why do Irish people support English teams?

The Moldy Gowl wrote: »

Hopefully a few from here watched last night's game and enjoyed it.

Well it's made waves across the water... no not the UK, the US. Featured as #1 on ESPN's Top 10 Plays on the Day. Mad carry on. Some exposure that is.

The Moldy Gowl wrote: »

Hopefully a few from here watched last night's game and enjoyed it.

Yeah I did, first full Airtricity league match I've watched this year and I enjoyed it

This piece from Pundit Arena is good.

If Someone Tells You They Wouldn’t Go To A League Of Ireland Game, Show Them This

The Dublin derby was the best match in the city this week, yet it won’t have made an impression on some football fans in the country.
Over 36,000 attended the Republic of Ireland’s limp 2-0 victory over Gibraltar on Monday evening. Yes, it was an important Euro 2020 qualifier, a game that will go some way towards deciding whether Ireland reach a tournament they will part host 12 months from now. However, as a spectacle, it was devoid of any moments of interest, excitement or entertainment.



The atmosphere was flat and understandably so – it was a June game against the side ranked 195th in the world. However, a few days later on the other side of the city, at Dalymout Park, the home of Irish football, a game was taking place that several thousand spectators from the Aviva Stadium would turn their noses up at.

Ironically, there are many Irish football supporters who would consider a League of Ireland game to be “****e” and overlook it because of the so-called poor standard.

Yet, the Dublin derby between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers was everything the Ireland match wasn’t – a dramatic, exciting game, full of incidents and moments of excellence played out in front of a packed house invested in every kick of the ball, every tackle and save.

Before a ball was kicked in the match – which was won by Bohs 2-1 as they maintained their hoodoo over their rivals – Dalymount was rocking. As the rain pelted down, both sets of supporters let off flares that coloured a corner of the ground a mixture of green and red, making it difficult to see the pitch.

Luke Kelly’s “the auld triangle” played over the PA system and a roar ripped through the smoke as the players made their way onto the pitch. The match started at a breakneck pace and rarely let up.



Jack Byrne and Danny Mandroiu stood out. The Shamrock Rovers midfielder was brilliant in the first half, showing the form that has made him arguably the best player in Ireland over the last few months. Mandroiu was on the fringes of the match but ultimately settled it with two goals, one of which was a moment of skill beyond anything seen at the Aviva Stadium over the last while.
That strike sent the Jodi Stand into raptures. Limbs were flying everywhere, flares were set off again and Derek Pender, the Bohs captain, reminded the home support that Mandroiu had scored the goal with his weaker left foot as the player celebrated in front of the far corner of the stadium.

The Rovers fans behind the goal had seen the strike fly towards them, and were left deflated. Bohs fans chanted, “Shamrock Rovers, it’s happening again” and it was. This is Bohemians seventh victory against their city rivals in the last eight meetings between the pair – the other ended in a draw.

Rovers pushed for another opening, another chance to draw level, but it wasn’t to be as the Bohs players made several timely blocks, clearances and interceptions. They also should have had another penalty, as Roberto Lopes appeared to clear the ball off the line with his hand, but ultimately it didn’t matter. Bohs had won the Dublin derby again, and once again it was a fantastic spectacle. You will struggle to get a better Friday night’s entertainment for just €15, despite what some Irish football fans may think.

Why do Irish people follow English golfers like Rory Mcbottler?


See it can be said for all sports?

Mickeroo wrote: »

Why do Irish people follow English Formula 1 drivers like Sebastian Vettel?

****in hell you're right!!

See!

Can be said across the board! For all sport.

Bonniedog wrote: »

Fair enough, if you travel to see them physically, that's your thing.

More referring to people who just watch sport on TV.

You obviously know yourself, there is no comparison.

Anyone at the Dubs/Galway or Bohs/Rovers games were not just passive consumers. They were part of something. If no one went, then we might as well all be watching video games!

There's no comparison between watching your own team live and watching them on TV.

Same with watching a team I don't support. I'd much rather do that live than on TV.

But I'd still prefer to watch my team on TV than a team I don't support live.

Sometimes I do both. But I disagree that a local live game is automatically better than something you can watch on TV. It comes down to personal preference and I'd prefer to watch the team I support on TV

Dublin Spur wrote: »

So what have we actually got here in this thread?
Some folk criticising other folk based on their sports team choices.
It was never going to go well was it?

People will like what they like, for their own reasons and and some other people will not understand - happens all the time across the board.

For what its worth I've renewed my Tottenham Hotspur season ticket

How much does that cost?

Greyfox wrote: »

A fan is a person who supports a particular football team, if you look in the dictionary there's nothing in there about it having to be a local team or that your required to go to a certain number of matches each year. Because you prefer live football you think everyone should but some people prefer watching football on tv, people enjoy different things. You cant expect everyone to pay to watch live football as not every football fan is going to think it offers value for money. To some football fans supporting your community isnt that important to them.

I started supporting my team simply because they played lovely football and they had players that could do amazing things and yes having some sort of success is a requirement as to get enjoyment from football, you need highs to get you through the lows. I don't particularly like De Bruyne but he can do things LOI players cant do, when he plays well its worth paying money to watch him play, when you get use to watching football at the highest level its becomes hard to know wheter or not a LOI match is worth the admission price. The number 1 reason to watch football is enjoyment and lots of EPL fans dont know wheter or not they would enjoy LOI football. Barstoolers are not brainwashed, there just use to a higher standard of football.

Yes the majority will be from Valencia, but the minority are welcome at the club. Does any club in the world have signs up saying locals only? Football has changed, there may of been a time when it was about supporting your community but that's changed. Clubs are just businesses looking to get bigger, there there to make a profit. If a Japanese man goes to a LOI match the club will be happy to take his money and hope that he tells his Japanese friends about it when he goes home. If he was to become a Rovers fan they would be delighted.

Why would would anyone look in a dictionary? You're missing the point in a staggering way. Barstoolers are brainwashed. That is why they "support" all of the same teams who just happen to be always successful.

8-10 wrote: »

You pay for Sky/BT sports and they benefit financially too. But it's more than just financial support you give. There's a sense of community, discussions you have with work colleagues etc. Hanging flags, stickers on your car, social media

I feel a lot of pride supporting my club, particularly the past couple of
seasons

Truly that is embarrassing.

8-10 wrote: »

I'll still support them. My club isn't caninteely at all. You don't own something by proximity to where you happen to be living at a point in time. I'd have had about 10 different clubs in different countries if that was the case.

Yes I support Liverpool. They are my team, i.e. the club I watch every game of, feel pride in and the club that bring me joy.

Yes I picked them, so what? I enjoy being a supporter. It's great, and especially right now. But we've sunk like a stone before and it's still been enjoyable

I hope you enjoy whatever it is you're interested in. I just find it curious that you care so much about when brings me joy and to the point of praying to god that my team so badly to somehow teach me a lesson I guess? Why do you care so much about who I support or why? My mentality is simply each to their own, we're all different with different interests.

I'm sorry mate but there's no rules on who to support and personally I have no problem with people changing clubs they support, that might be for you and more power to you but I'm not going to be changing who I support no matter where they end up so pray away.

The fact that you actually said you have no problem with people changing clubs they support sums up your incredible lack of knowledge of football culture.

janfebmar wrote: »

We are not very good at supporting our own in this country. That is the bottom line. The OP could equally ask why do Irish people buy so much online from foreign companies. Why do we even import 72,000 tonnes of potatoes a year, much of them from Britain? (easily verified by google). If we cannot grow our own spuds what hope is there of watching our own soccer players instead of foreigners?

This barstool logic of movies, clothes and spuds being from other countries as any kind of argument is beyond inane.

To answer the original thread question the reason is as mentioned an inferiority complex, shame of being Irish, being part of a winning culture along with others in a pub and a complete and utter lack of understanding of the game and fan culture.

SHOVELLER wrote: »

Why would would anyone look in a dictionary? You're missing the point in a staggering way. Barstoolers are brainwashed. That is why they "support" all of the same teams who just happen to be always successful.

Your coming up with definitions out of thin air so I'm just pointing out that your definiteions have no basis in reality. I'm not missing the point, im pointing out the fact that even though clubs are founded with an area in mind there is never anything in place stating that if your not from the area your not welcome to support the club, no club is going to turn away fans for living too far away so if you don't feel a connection with your local team your free to find a team that you can feel a connection with.

Barstoolers are not brainwashed, they simply would rather watch an amazing team on tv rather then watch an ordinary team live. The fact is some people find it easier to fall in love with a team on tv as when its on tv its easier to access, you just cant accept the fact that people are different and not everyone has the same opinion as you. Nothing wrong with supporting a succesful team, again people are free to do what they enjoy. If they support a local team as well they can get the best of both worlds.

Greyfox wrote: »

Your coming up with definitions out of thin air so I'm just pointing out that your definiteions have no basis in reality. I'm not missing the point, im pointing out the fact that even though clubs are founded with an area in mind there is never anything in place stating that if your not from the area your not welcome to support the club, no club is going to turn away fans for living too far away so if you don't feel a connection with your local team your free to find a team that you can feel a connection with.

Barstoolers are not brainwashed, they simply would rather watch an amazing team on tv rather then watch an ordinary team live. The fact is some people find it easier to fall in love with a team on tv as when its on tv its easier to access, you just cant accept the fact that people are different and not everyone has the same opinion as you. Nothing wrong with supporting a succesful team, again people are free to do what they enjoy. If they support a local team as well they can get the best of both worlds.

Reality is going to games in your own country. Ok if barstools are not brainwashed why don't they "support" hartlepool??

8-10 wrote: »

Funny, I don't feel embarrassed in the slightest! As I say, pride is what I feel



Who am I to judge them for changing? It's up to them, I would never do it personally but each to their own. Why do you care who I support?




I feel no shame in being Irish, or an inferiority complex. Part of a winning culture is terrific for sure, it's part of why I enjoy watching my team. I feel I understand the game well and I feel I understand fan culture in England well, but specific to the top league in England where my team plays. I would have much less of an understanding of the game and fan culture in the lower leagues or with the LOI, sure.

I support my team no matter what. To me that's what fans should do. But I have no issues with others experiencing the game as they wish. Do I like tourists going to Anfield and taking selfies? It's cringey, but if that's what brings them joy then more power to them. Soccer is a great medium and can be escapism for many people. I'm glad it exists and if people enjoy supporting their team in whatever way they want to then that's great in my book! The more people watching the better.

It is irrelevant who you "support" as you are not a football fan. Just someone who follows everybody else. I get it. It is convenient.

SHOVELLER wrote: »

It is irrelevant who you "support" as you are not a football fan.

What about the players who play for your club and also support an EPL team, I suppose there also not football fans.

SHOVELLER wrote: »

It is irrelevant who you "support" as you are not a football fan. Just someone who follows everybody else. I get it. It is convenient.

I don't get it. I'm a Liverpool fan. They are a football team

Get over yourself

People being very harsh on 8-10 here. He likes Liverpool, he's a fan of theirs. Fair enough s/he might not be at all the matches or volunteer but that's most Irish people. To say they're not fans of football isn't fair... or accurate.

how has this thread dragged on this long? :rolleyes::rolleyes:

Greyfox wrote: »

No it's not, reality is doing the things you love and not listening to people who talk nonsense. Reality is understanding people are different and that watching football is an entertainment product.

Because hartlepool don't have any great players and when your young it's great players that make you fall in love with a team. Reality is EPL teams make life more enjoyable for most football fans in Ireland, there good for Irish people.

If your a football fan you enjoy watching football at the highest level, and if your a football fan your going to get emotionally invested in the result so supporting a great team outside Ireland is perfectly normal if your a real football fan

Only barstoolers talk nonsense as they have no real understanding how the game works. EPL teams are good for Irish people:D:D:rolleyes:

Your last paragraph is so wrong on so many levels and proves your complete lack of understanding of anything to do with the game. AGAIN real fans go to the games in their own city/country. Go to any country and you will see this:rolleyes:

SHOVELLER wrote: »

AGAIN real fans go to the games in their own city/country. Go to any country and you will see this

Is your source for what a "real" fan does a photo of a sticker on a pole?

Hamsterchops wrote: »

I have a friend who supports an Italian football team :eek:

...their flag is similar to ours, so maybe that's ok then?

If it's the team, yes. If it's the club that's a whole different mentality

8-10 wrote: »

Is your source for what a "real" fan does a photo of a sticker on a pole?

Nah, sticker on a car

8-10 wrote: »

But it's more than just financial support you give. There's a sense of community, discussions you have with work colleagues etc. Hanging flags, stickers on your car, social media

RobMc59 wrote: »

Having a problem with people who support/prefer to watch English teams(or other teams) is a very inward looking, outdated attitude imo-in this multicultural day and age we are exposed to an unprecedented amount of sports from other countries which was unheard of thirty years ago-why should someone preferring to watch Liverpool or Bayern Munich annoy anyone?

What has multi culturalism, or culture at all for that matter, got to do with Irish people being infatuated with English popular culture from soccer to soap operas and cr@p newspapers and music?