Why do Irish people support English teams?

D14Rugby · 07-06-2019 2:51pm

odyssey06 wrote: »

I'm going to keep bringing up the Leinster Senior League because none of the 'real fans' brigade can explain the points away. Lots of Dublin teams in the league. The population density argument doesn't amount to a hill of beans. Why do Bohemians get more fans than Tolka Rovers?

You can stop bringing it up because its Sunday league so its not applicable as fans can be of both, its not like supporting Cork and Cobh it's like supporting Cork and College Corinthians which many do but the reason the numbers aren't as high is because many supporters of LOI team would play for their Sunday league team and they're a lot more common so the supporter pool is diluted. I have explained this before you just chose to ignore it as it didn't suit your narrative, as you have many other things too.

Population density doesn't matter? What are you on? If you have 60k people within 5 minutes of the ground of course you'll have higher attendances than if you have 6k within 5 minutes of the ground. Lots of Dublin teams and look where they are, Drumcondra, Phibsboro, Tallaght, Inchicore, then you've UCD and Cabo who are special cases, hardly GAA or Rugby strongholds those areas are they and very populated which is why thay have more fans than Galway which is a city dominated by GAA and Rugby and the ground isn't in a highly populated area of the city.

Bohs get more fans than tolka rovers because if Bohs get 3k a game and there's 10 teams around the area then that's 300 per team and that's not even accounting for fans playing for the Sunday league team or the attendance including away fans or tourists or people that have moved away. This is really simple logical thinking here I mean come on keep up

hetuzozaho · 07-06-2019 2:56pm

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

Zero to do with the community that you are from.

But people grow up in communities where the local pub shows the Premier league and the Champions League, it's discussed in schools, on buses with strangers, waiting rooms, water coolers.

It is a big part of our communities now you'd have to agree?

gormdubhgorm · 07-06-2019 3:00pm

odyssey06 wrote: »

How are Dundalk, Cork, Pats, Bohemians, Rovers, Derry LOI teams not in the elite, by Irish standards?
And strangely they get higher average attendances than those in the First Division, and the Leinster Senior League.
Taken to your logical conclusion, the only real fans worthy of respect are those whose teams are in danger of, or have been recently, relegated.
An Irish fan who stuck with Aston Villa or Forest is more worthy of respect than someone who has followed a team who have only ever been in the LOI top division.

They are local teams playing football.
If a Man United fan supported his local team I can see the logic in it.
Or even another team nearer them and Man United.

You don't seem understand the point.

A real fan does not look for the the glamour team, and just support them on that basis.
A fan looks for a team close to them and supports them.
An Irish fan can look across the water and pick any team.
They invariably pick a top six premier league team.
It says a lot about the mentality it is not about the sport, but the glamour and image.
It is just a product they want not a team.

Unlike this fella -

8-10 · 07-06-2019 3:03pm

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

How can you honestly identify with something that is a foreign league, which rewrites and re-brands history?

It's really not difficult. You just follow your passion and throw yourself behind something you enjoy. I don't have strict rules around it which seems like the difference between you and I.

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

It has nothing to do with where you are from or your community and place.

No, I have broader horizons and have left the comfort of my own community and place for many things in my life.

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

I will be honest when I hear Irish PL supporters say 'we' and put on those English accents for the songs, my heart sinks a bit.

You're overthinking it I reckon. Stop caring about what others think of you and what you think of them. See them enjoying themselves and realise it's something they like to do. Don't let them affect your feelings like that.

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

Does that not make you sick?

Not in the slightest, it makes me feel joyful and proud to support Liverpool. It's not my only passion, I have a few, but once you stop thinking about the perception of others, and stop judging others yourself, you really can throw yourself into it.

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

I just don't get it

Honestly it might just come down to this. I hope you have something you are equally passionate about, or more passionate! But you might just not get it, and that's fine. You feel how you want to about it, and so will I. But I'm not embarrassed or feeling sick or anything like that and I'm sorry if that's how you want me to feel.

8-10 · 07-06-2019 3:05pm

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

If a Man United fan supported his local team I can see the logic in it.

Have you considered that there may not even have to be logic?

gormdubhgorm · 07-06-2019 3:06pm

hetuzozaho wrote: »

But people grow up in communities where the local pub shows the Premier league and the Champions League, it's discussed in schools, on buses with strangers, waiting rooms, water coolers.

It is a big part of our communities now you'd have to agree?

Yeah, it is like Nickolodean American children's programmes it has infiltrated the minds of generations.

Only unlike Nikolodean some Irish PL supporters do not grow out of it and stay buying the merch feeling a part of it.

What annoys me is people expect you to 'support' a PL league team if it is on.
And it is me who is made feel like the nutcase when I say I don't support any of them. My answer is I just want to see a good game.

gormdubhgorm · 07-06-2019 3:07pm

8-10 wrote: »

Have you considered that there may not even have to be logic?

Why because it is a global superbrand?

hetuzozaho · 07-06-2019 3:07pm

8-10 wrote: »

Have you considered that there may not even have to be logic?

Yes!

This is Ireland, that over there is England.

That was all made up at some time and "marketed" haha looks like some people have bought into it too much

OMM 0000 · 07-06-2019 3:08pm

I'm 13 years old.

It's Saturday night and I'm at home.

Match of the Day is on.

It's fairly entertaining.

It becomes part of my weekly TV show list:

The Crystal Maze, The Mary Whitehouse Experience, Red Dwarf, Quantum Leap...

I end up becoming an Arsenal fan.

At no point did being Irish or English come into it. Literally never crossed my mind because it means nothing when it comes to entertainment.

8-10 · 07-06-2019 3:10pm

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

Why because it is a global superbrand?

Think about it more in terms of which girls you fancy when you're growing up.

You have a type, sure. Does that type match everyone elses? Does it have to be logical?

And does it have to be a lass from your area :P

hetuzozaho · 07-06-2019 3:10pm

OMM 0000 wrote: »

I'm 13 years old.

It's Saturday night and I'm at home.

Match of the Day is on.

It's fairly entertaining.

It becomes part of my weekly TV show list:

The Crystal Maze, The Mary Whitehouse Experience, Red Dwarf, Quantum Leap...

I end up becoming an Arsenal fan.

At no point did being Irish or English come into it. Literally never crossed my mind because it means nothing when it comes to entertainment.

Why on earth did you watch Red Dwarf and not support an Irish sitcom instead?

OMM 0000 · 07-06-2019 3:14pm

hetuzozaho wrote: »

Why on earth did you watch Red Dwarf and not support an Irish sitcom instead?

I tried to watch Fair City but I died.

Bobeagleburger · 07-06-2019 3:23pm

8-10 wrote: »

The main point of that post was the "so what?"

Why do people care why or how people support their club?

It's a superiority complex.

Couldn't care less who people support. What a waste of time being precious about that.

The easily offended brigade these days. Jeez.

The Moldy Gowl · 07-06-2019 3:25pm

grenadino wrote: »

A Spanish person asked me the same thing recently. I suppose my only answer was that we don't have a professional league in Ireland, and that there is a long history of emigration to certain UK cities and Irish players joining certain clubs in the UK.
But someone in Ireland who supported Verona or Atalanta or Real Betis would be seen as a bit odd or left field. To me, it's no different than supporting Utd or Spurs etc. All foreign teams to me.
I used to support Man Utd, then just lost interest in the whole thing around 16 or 17. It's all very predictable across Europe too. I'd nearly get more enjoyment out of watching the Championship as there always seems to be more of a spread of teams who can get promoted.
I've lost interest in football. I'd watch it, but wouldn't go out of my way to watch. Seeing how grown men act like chimps / kids is also pathetic.
I went to my first game of pro basketball recently in Spain, and it was way better than any football game in terms of entertainment.
What really makes me laugh is lads in Ireland going on with the "we" stuff.... Seriously like...

There is a pro leauge in Ireland. Some teams are semi pro but the leauge as a whole is pro

Granadino · 07-06-2019 3:28pm

The Moldy Gowl wrote: »

There is a pro leauge in Ireland. Some teams are semi pro but the leauge as a whole is pro

I'd hardly call it a pro league similar to Belgium, Netherlands, Scotland, England etc. The facilities certainly aren't.
And to the person who reckoned fans wouldn't travel if teams got relegated. Plenty of Leeds Utd fans travel over to England from Ireland.

The Moldy Gowl · 07-06-2019 3:33pm

grenadino wrote: »

I'd hardly call it a pro league similar to Belgium, Netherlands, Scotland, England etc. The facilities certainly aren't.
And to the person who reckoned fans wouldn't travel if teams got relegated. Plenty of Leeds Utd fans travel over to England from Ireland.

Obviously not to the same standard.

Still pro though.

Bateman · 07-06-2019 4:01pm

One of the more frustrating things is people supporting English teams to various degrees, and then failing to understand why our international team is crap. Every penny spent by an Irish person strengthens English football to the detriment of Irish football. So if the entertainment is better in England, fine but then you share ownership for the absolute shambles that Irish football is.

odyssey06 · 07-06-2019 4:13pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

You can stop bringing it up because its Sunday league so its not applicable as fans can be of both, its not like supporting Cork and Cobh it's like supporting Cork and College Corinthians which many do but the reason the numbers aren't as high is because many supporters of LOI team would play for their Sunday league team and they're a lot more common so the supporter pool is diluted. I have explained this before you just chose to ignore it as it didn't suit your narrative, as you have many other things too.

It doesn't matter if it's Sunday League or not because the 'real fans' brigade keep saying level doesn't matter. All that matters is local local local. You are ignoring it because it doesn't suit your narrative.
If you watch Bohemians when you could be watching Tolka Rovers, then you're a prestige chasing glory hunter. Tolka Rovers pitch has just as many people liviing around is as Bohemians pitch. Bohemians have a bigger stadium, but real fans should not care for such things.

Population density doesn't matter? What are you on? If you have 60k people within 5 minutes of the ground of course you'll have higher attendances than if you have 6k within 5 minutes of the ground. Lots of Dublin teams and look where they are, Drumcondra, Phibsboro, Tallaght, Inchicore, then you've UCD and Cabo who are special cases, hardly GAA or Rugby strongholds those areas are they and very populated which is why thay have more fans than Galway which is a city dominated by GAA and Rugby and the ground isn't in a highly populated area of the city.

Croke Park is in Drumcondra. The larger frickin stadium in the country and it's dedicated to GAA.

Bohs get more fans than tolka rovers because if Bohs get 3k a game and there's 10 teams around the area then that's 300 per team and that's not even accounting for fans playing for the Sunday league team or the attendance including away fans or tourists or people that have moved away. This is really simple logical thinking here I mean come on keep up

That's not an explanation. Why should a Leinster Senior League team not get more fans than a League of Ireland Premier Division team?

odyssey06 · 07-06-2019 4:14pm

Bateman wrote: »

One of the more frustrating things is people supporting English teams to various degrees, and then failing to understand why our international team is crap. Every penny spent by an Irish person strengthens English football to the detriment of Irish football. So if the entertainment is better in England, fine but then you share ownership for the absolute shambles that Irish football is.

Our international team wasn't crap in the 1980s, or 2002, or 2014. Average gates in Scotland are higher than here, even discounting the Old Firm, yet Ireland & Scotland international teams levels not much different.

Deebles McBeebles · 07-06-2019 4:14pm

Bateman wrote: »

One of the more frustrating things is people supporting English teams to various degrees, and then failing to understand why our international team is crap. Every penny spent by an Irish person strengthens English football to the detriment of Irish football. So if the entertainment is better in England, fine but then you share ownership for the absolute shambles that Irish football is.

Should have fined all the Irish supporters of English teams instead of sacking Delaney. He could have pissed that down the drain then too.

odyssey06 · 07-06-2019 4:14pm

hetuzozaho wrote: »

Why on earth did you watch Red Dwarf and not support an Irish sitcom instead?

I boycotted Father Ted because it was made by a British TV Channel.

D14Rugby · 07-06-2019 4:26pm

odyssey06 wrote: »

It doesn't matter if it's Sunday League or not because the 'real fans' brigade keep saying level doesn't matter. All that matters is local local local. You are ignoring it because it doesn't suit your narrative.
If you watch Bohemians when you could be watching Tolka Rovers, then you're a prestige chasing glory hunter. Tolka Rovers pitch has just as many people liviing around is as Bohemians pitch. Bohemians have a bigger stadium, but real fans should not care for such things.

Croke Park is in Drumcondra. The larger frickin stadium in the country and it's dedicated to GAA.

That's not an explanation. Why should a Leinster Senior League team not get more fans than a League of Ireland Premier Division team?

Are you genuinely having trouble reading or skipping words that don't suit you.
Because its non league you can support both!!!

Ah yes because a club plays in Croke park don't they? There's a game there every week isn't there?

Again are you thick? Because there's hundreds of them so the support is more diluted and spread out than the 20 LOI clubs.

The fact you even compare football to a tv show says everything about you as a "supporter"

Jim Gazebo · 07-06-2019 4:39pm

atilladehun wrote: »

These conversations are mad. How can we apply warped adult logic to.what is a state of mind that sets in you when you are a child.

I was brought to nearly every bohs game for over a decade as a child. My dad is still a member. I'm just not a fan though. I've been a few times as an adult, still not a fan. I follow their progress, watch clips online, chat to my dad and some colleagues about them but it just never worked for me.

I love watching Liverpool, always have. Have loved the chance, however slim that they might beat the best in the world, or even be the best in the world.

Its just they way it is. No point applying judgement to it, by you or me.

Some people love local bands, others love new bands but most people either like classic bands or pop music.

Some people even love Cavan Cola, but most drink Coke or pepsi.

Food, booze, art, we could do this analogy forever.

If you had invested the same energy in supporting bohs you'd be happier. Live football beats something on telly any day. Sad to see

8-10 · 07-06-2019 4:44pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

The fact you even compare football to a tv show says everything about you as a "supporter"

The majority of football I watch is on tv, what's the difference?

Jim Gazebo · 07-06-2019 4:47pm

I think this is the saddest thread I've ever read on BoardsðŸ˜© I dream of a day where teams are getting big attendances in the LOI, we are taking scalps in Europe and your town stops if they get to an fai cup final or far in Europe. Its what dreams are made of. The community driving behind a club. Seeing my local club win a national title is a dream for me. I can connect to it. I play with the club. How anyone thinks its normal and makes you proud to follow an English team, it makes me sick. Support your own.

This is in the bracket of those people who think celtic are the biggest club in Ireland.......

8-10 · 07-06-2019 4:50pm

Jim Gazebo wrote: »

I think this is the saddest thread I've ever read on Boards&#55357;&#56873; I dream of a day where teams are getting big attendances in the LOI, we are taking scalps in Europe and your town stops if they get to an fai cup final or far in Europe. Its what dreams are made of. The community driving behind a club. Seeing my local club win a national title is a dream for me. I can connect to it. I play with the club. How anyone thinks its normal and makes you proud to follow an English team, it makes me sick. Support your own.

No thanks, I feel no connection to my local LOI club. I go to games and played for them underage but it's not the same. They play away from home and I can't watch.

Each to their own

Bateman · 07-06-2019 4:51pm

8-10 wrote: »

No thanks, I feel no connection to my local LOI club. I go to games and played for them underage but it's not the same. They play away from home and I can't watch.

Each to their own

They play away from home and I can't watch, what does that mean?

Jim Gazebo · 07-06-2019 4:52pm

8-10 wrote: »

I don't get your point?

If they're not there then they're no longer fans, so I wouldn't care about them. There'll still be people there. Less, yes, but still some. I don't have any expectation that the ground would be full in League 1, that's not why I support the team.

You seem to be missing the point that I make over and over that I support the team on the pitch. I love the atmosphere but as I've said the atmosphere changes game to game based on context, time of day, opposition etc.

The bad times are very very important. Losing 6-1 to Stoke matters, losing the Champions League Final last year matters. Because it's part of what we do on the pitch and without those games the Champions League win last week wouldn't feel as good.

I wouldn't swap this for anything. And we'll be relegated or win trophies in future. I can't wait.

There is no way you'd be supporting them and saying 'we' if the pool were relegated. You'd be back under your rock and out with a man city Jersey on.

blade1 · 07-06-2019 4:54pm

Some fairly disgruntled LOI fans on here.
How can ye tell others they should be with ye when all ye give off is a stink of begrudgery.
I'd hate to be at match with ye, I'd say all ye do is moan about everyone else. :pac:
Relax and try to enjoy yourselves lads!

Jim Gazebo · 07-06-2019 4:54pm

8-10 wrote: »

No thanks, I feel no connection to my local LOI club. I go to games and played for them underage but it's not the same. They play away from home and I can't watch.

Each to their own

What are you on about? You can travel to an away game and watch it live? With the days of social media, streaming and the roads improving on an 800 mile island and your best reason is you can't watch them away. God help us.

Bateman · 07-06-2019 4:55pm

blade1 wrote: »

Some fairly disgruntled LOI fans on here.
How can ye tell others they should be with ye when all ye give off is a stink of begrudgery.
I'd hate to be at match with ye, I'd say all ye do is moan about everyone else. :pac:
Relax and try to enjoy yourselves lads!

That's pretty much exactly what it's like

Let off steam after the work week with a load of lads instead of sitting at home watching Love Island wondering why your relationship is so crap

Jim Gazebo · 07-06-2019 4:56pm

blade1 wrote: »

Some fairly disgruntled LOI fans on here.
How can ye tell others they should be with ye when all ye give off is a stink of begrudgery.
I'd hate to be at match with ye, I'd say all ye do is moan about everyone else. :pac:
Relax and try to enjoy yourselves lads!

Christ man. Its like supporting England in a world cup when Ireland are at it as well.

8-10 · 07-06-2019 4:57pm

Bateman wrote: »

They play away from home and I can't watch, what does that mean?

There's no live tv coverage for away games that happen on a Friday when I wouldn't be able to travel. Nothing reliable compared to Liverpool where I can get to see every game including pre-season friendlies via BT, Sky, LFC TV etc.

I can't go down the pub and watch my local LOI team after work on a Friday when they're playing in Limerick or Longford or somewhere. If I don't go to the game I can't watch.

8-10 · 07-06-2019 4:58pm

Jim Gazebo wrote: »

What are you on about? You can travel to an away game and watch it live? With the days of social media, streaming and the roads improving on an 800 mile island and your best reason is you can't watch them away. God help us.

Games are on Friday's these days. I work Friday I can't go to everything mate. And even if I could I'm just not as connected to the club as I am with Liverpool.

I have Liverpool content coming at me from everywhere, really good quality stuff not just the games either.

The Moldy Gowl · 07-06-2019 5:01pm

Jim Gazebo wrote: »

If you had invested the same energy in supporting bohs you'd be happier. Live football beats something on telly any day. Sad to see

Exactly. I'd rather be in these crowds than in a Dublin pub with Dublin Liverpool fans signing you will never walk alone.

It's this atmosphere is what they are missing out.

https://www.facebook.com/20869165701/posts/10161516141990702/ from the last rovers game where bohs won down in tallaght.

blade1 · 07-06-2019 5:02pm

Bateman wrote: »

That's pretty much exactly what it's like

Let off steam after the work week with a load of lads instead of sitting at home watching Love Island wondering why your relationship is so crap

You must really hate your job :P

8-10 · 07-06-2019 5:04pm

The Moldy Gowl wrote: »

It's this atmosphere is what they are missing out

Fine missing that, and more power to you doing what you enjoy!

The Moldy Gowl · 07-06-2019 5:04pm

8-10 wrote: »

There's no live tv coverage for away games that happen on a Friday when I wouldn't be able to travel. Nothing reliable compared to Liverpool where I can get to see every game including pre-season friendlies via BT, Sky, LFC TV etc.

I can't go down the pub and watch my local LOI team after work on a Friday when they're playing in Limerick or Longford or somewhere. If I don't go to the game I can't watch.

And that's a huge problem for the sport here.
The fai and RTÉ don't care.
They are showing all the women's world Cup games but show 16 LOI games this season.

If they showed a game every Friday, interest would pick up.

The Moldy Gowl · 07-06-2019 5:06pm

8-10 wrote: »

Fine missing that, and more power to you doing what you enjoy!

Pretty much the same as staying back and singing ynwa when Liverpool beat man utd or Everton away from home?

RollieFingers · 07-06-2019 5:06pm

What about all the English footballers who have played for the Irish national team over the years? Are Irish people not allowed to support them or is it just English clubs that they shouldn't support?

8-10 · 07-06-2019 5:06pm

Jim Gazebo wrote: »

There is no way you'd be supporting them and saying 'we' if the pool were relegated. You'd be back under your rock and out with a man city Jersey on.

So what if I did? Does it really matter who I support or how I feel about it?

I love supporting Liverpool, it's great fun. Especially right now when we're playing really good stuff and winning something.

You shouldn't let it affect you

8-10 · 07-06-2019 5:07pm

The Moldy Gowl wrote: »

Pretty much the same as staying back and singing ynwa when Liverpool beat man utd or Everton away from home?

Yep, I've loved doing that this season, it's more my thing is all, no issues with you guys having your own song to sing, probably feels just as good maybe even better than when we do it

8-10 · 07-06-2019 5:08pm

The Moldy Gowl wrote: »

And that's a huge problem for the sport here.
The fai and RTÉ don't care.
They are showing all the women's world Cup games but show 16 LOI games this season.

If they showed a game every Friday, interest would pick up.

100%

Though flip side is I'd probably go to less games locally if it's on tv which maybe what they look to avoid

Bateman · 07-06-2019 5:08pm

8-10 wrote: »

Games are on Friday's these days. I work Friday I can't go to everything mate. And even if I could I'm just not as connected to the club as I am with Liverpool.

I have Liverpool content coming at me from everywhere, really good quality stuff not just the games either.

What's your team out of curiosity? If you work you work, that's life, you won't be working Friday nights forever though

At the end of the day I think if you have a reasonably local club and you're into football, I can't understand why people don't even develop some basic affinity with their club and then you go through phases of your life where sometimes you go more often than other times

8-10 · 07-06-2019 5:09pm

Bateman wrote: »

What's your team out of curiosity? If you work you work, that's life, you won't be working Friday nights forever though

At the end of the day I think if you have a reasonably local club and you're into football, I can't understand why people don't even develop some basic affinity with their club and then you go through phases of your life where sometimes you go more often than other times

Cabinteely FC

I go to a few games a season, not a lot. I go to Anfield about the same amount if not more

D14Rugby · 07-06-2019 5:10pm

The Moldy Gowl wrote: »

Exactly. I'd rather be in these crowds than in a Dublin pub with Dublin Liverpool fans signing you will never walk alone.

It's this atmosphere is what they are missing out.

https://www.facebook.com/20869165701/posts/10161516141990702/ from the last rovers game where bohs won down in tallaght.

I really enjoy the completely oblivious nature with which Irish Liverpool fans sing the Allez Allez Allez song. "And we come from Liverpool"

Bateman · 07-06-2019 5:10pm

blade1 wrote: »

You must really hate your job :P

work hard and play hard is all

Bateman · 07-06-2019 5:11pm

RollieFingers wrote: »

What about all the English footballers who have played for the Irish national team over the years? Are Irish people not allowed to support them or is it just English clubs that they shouldn't support?

No you aren't. You're not allowed watch match of the day. You're not allowed check the goalscorers in all the games Irish players are involved in. You're not allowed read interesting interviews with Irish players based in England. It automatically makes you a tan

Jesus wept

The Moldy Gowl · 07-06-2019 5:13pm

8-10 wrote: »

Yep, I've loved doing that this season, it's more my thing is all, no issues with you guys having your own song to sing, probably feels just as good maybe even better than when we do it

Ya it's great.
At least you go to games and get what it's about. I've no problem with that.
Better than me and the vast majority who would watch it at home in our jocks.

8-10 · 07-06-2019 5:13pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

I really enjoy the completely oblivious nature with which Irish Liverpool fans sing the Allez Allez Allez song. "And we come from Liverpool"

Not oblivious, I'm a big fan of that song. Don't take it so literally.

We also sing the Bobby Firmino song "Give him the ball and he'll score everytime" spoiler alert: he doesn't

We sing "We're the best football team in the land" - we finished second

We sing "All you need is Rush" - if that's all we had we'd be relegated, lad is in his 50's

Why do Irish people support English teams?

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