Why do Irish people support English teams?

D14Rugby · 25-07-2019 11:10pm

8-10 wrote: »

Sticking one to all the barstool Apollon Limassol fans. Plastics!

Hope we meet an Irish team in the group stages. Would be unreal

Had a few pints have we?

Omackeral · 25-07-2019 11:56pm

8-10 wrote: »

Hope we meet an Irish team in the group stages. Would be unreal

Surreal is probably a more apt word. An Irish person cheering for an English team against an Irish team here in Ireland.

pgj2015 · 26-07-2019 12:01am

Omackeral wrote: »

Surreal is probably a more apt word. An Irish person cheering for an English team against an Irish team here in Ireland.

needless to say if those "Irish" people were alive 100 years ago, they would be ratting out their neighbours to the RIC.

8-10 · 26-07-2019 12:50pm

8-10 wrote: »

Yeah I'd agree but not just locals there's loads of fans who can't get tickets. As I say the Stadium just isn't big enough to meet demand and the Anfield Road end expansion needs to happen sooner than later but even then likely isn't big enough.

So literally within a day of me posting this the club have announced that they will let the agreement for the Annie Road expansion lapse because it's not big enough!

https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/anfield-s-next-expansion-may-be-larger-than-1st-planned-072419

CEO Peter Moore on the plans to add 4k seats to Annie Road end:

That is insufficient for our plans. We’re continuing to analyze what is the optimum number. I think in the next few months you’re going to hear from us as regards to what those plans will be. I can tell you definitively it won’t be the rather small-to-medium plans we had recently.

I'm encouraged by this, should allow for a lot more fans in through the turnstiles and alleviate a lot of the ticket problems that we were discussing here the other day. By the sounds of it, it's going to be a substantial increase rather than the incremental 4,000 which as I'd mentioned is the real problem at the club right now

D14Rugby · 26-07-2019 1:04pm

8-10 wrote: »

So literally within a day of me posting this the club have announced that they will let the agreement for the Annie Road expansion lapse because it's not big enough!

https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/anfield-s-next-expansion-may-be-larger-than-1st-planned-072419

CEO Peter Moore on the plans to add 4k seats to Annie Road end:

I'm encouraged by this, should allow for a lot more fans in through the turnstiles and alleviate a lot of the ticket problems that we were discussing here the other day. By the sounds of it, it's going to be a substantial increase rather than the incremental 4,000 which as I'd mentioned is the real problem at the club right now

And? This isn't a Liverpool thread lad, nobody gives a ****

Allinall · 26-07-2019 1:08pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

And? This isn't a Liverpool thread lad, nobody gives a ****

As a Liverpool supporter I give a ****.

D14Rugby · 26-07-2019 1:14pm

Allinall wrote: »

As a Liverpool supporter I give a ****.

Go to the Liverpool thread then. That's what it's there for

Allinall · 26-07-2019 1:16pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

Go to the Liverpool thread then. That's what it's there for

Last time I checked, Liverpool was in England.

Have a look at the thread title before issuing instructions as to where I should post.

8-10 · 26-07-2019 1:19pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

And? This isn't a Liverpool thread lad, nobody gives a ****

We were having a discussion the other day into why locals and foreign fans struggle to get tickets. It was with a different poster. Surprised you're not already ignoring me

Stab*City · 26-07-2019 1:19pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

This isn't a Liverpool thread lad

It is now YNWA

D14Rugby · 26-07-2019 1:32pm

8-10 wrote: »

We were having a discussion the other day into why locals and foreign fans struggle to get tickets. It was with a different poster. Surprised you're not already ignoring me

Locals struggle to get tickets because a load of foreign plastic fans with more money buy them and its a disgrace.

Stevieluvsye · 26-07-2019 1:36pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

Locals struggle to get tickets because a load of foreign plastic fans with more money buy them and its a disgrace.

You'd start an argument in a phone box

odyssey06 · 26-07-2019 1:36pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

Locals struggle to get tickets because a load of foreign plastic fans with more money buy them and its a disgrace.

Well if Liverpool's owners are perfectly happy to take their money to buy better players, that's how professional football works. Maybe they should support Everton, Tranmere, Southport, Marine, Bootle... or some other local team that wants their support.

D14Rugby · 26-07-2019 1:38pm

Stevieluvsye wrote: »

You'd start an argument in a phone box

Sorry for following the thread subject. Shall we just rename the thread "Allez Allez Allez, a bunch of loyal (to an extent) supporters from nowhere near Liverpool"?

D14Rugby · 26-07-2019 1:39pm

odyssey06 wrote: »

Well if Liverpool's owners are perfectly happy to take their money to buy better players, that's how professional football works. Maybe they should support Everton, Tranmere, Southport, Marine, Bootle... or some other local team that wants their support.

Hang on are you seriously saying that people from Liverpool shouldn't support Liverpool because people that set foot there once a decade are willing to spend more money? Ha **** off

Greyfox · 26-07-2019 1:45pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

Locals struggle to get tickets because a load of foreign plastic fans with more money buy them and its a disgrace.

And yet if foreign fans bought Shamrock Rovers tickets this would be ok

D14Rugby · 26-07-2019 1:47pm

Greyfox wrote: »

And yet if foreign fans bought Shamrock Rovers tickets this would be ok

Rovers don't have a waiting list so yeah buy away. It's not as if there's such a number they're driving up prices and depriving locals of watching their club.

Stevieluvsye · 26-07-2019 1:52pm

I'm not a liverpool fan but without the global reach and income Liverpool receive the world over they wouldn't be in the position they are today. It's a tough one but it's all about the money, because money brings success (Generally)

odyssey06 · 26-07-2019 1:52pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

Hang on are you seriously saying that people from Liverpool shouldn't support Liverpool because people that set foot there once a decade are willing to spend more money? Ha **** off

They should support whoever they want to support.
But it's up to Liverpool FC to decide who gets the tickets and at what price, not me, not you. So if anyone is saying that, it is Liverpool FC.

There were lots of Irish fans cheering on Liverpool FC in the 1980s - virtually and in person, lots of Irish players too played for them.
Season ticket prices have gone up since the 1980s but not because of Irish fans.

And if they can't get a ticket to watch Liverpool FC play, they have many other options. They can continue to support Liverpool FC as a virtual fan, but of course, you have nothing but contempt for such plastic fans.
So to experience authentic football, by your logic, they must now watch Tranmere or Southport or Everton, or the other great team in Liverpool, Liverpool FC Reserves.

Stevieluvsye · 26-07-2019 1:55pm

Ye wha?

8-10 · 26-07-2019 1:56pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

Locals struggle to get tickets because a load of foreign plastic fans with more money buy them and its a disgrace.

That's not the whole story though which you'd have gotten from the original discussion. There's much more widespread issues with tickets than just foreign fans buying a load of them. That's the discussion here.

Plus, like your Rovers example, they want tickets to be open to be sold to fans of all nationalities.

A bigger stadium is clearly needed as demand has outstripped supply for about 6/7 years now. And finally looks like the owners are realising the severity of the issue.

This is a good thing for football fans, I though a lot of the argument here was that we should go out and watch our teams live and not just on a barstool on tv?

Stevieluvsye · 26-07-2019 1:56pm

Ahhhh i get it

Stevieluvsye · 26-07-2019 1:57pm

U on drugs pal?

D14Rugby · 26-07-2019 1:59pm

odyssey06 wrote: »

They should support whoever they want to support.
But it's up to Liverpool FC to decide who gets the tickets and at what price, not me, not you. So if anyone is saying that, it is Liverpool FC.

There were lots of Irish fans cheering on Liverpool FC in the 1980s - virtually and in person, lots of Irish players too played for them.
Season ticket prices have gone up since the 1980s but not because of Irish fans.

And if they can't get a ticket to watch Liverpool FC play, they have many other options. They can continue to support Liverpool FC as a virtual fan, but of course, you have nothing but contempt for such plastic fans.
So to experience authentic football, by your logic, they must now watch Tranmere or Southport or Everton, or the other great team in Liverpool, Liverpool FC Reserves.

Jesus talk about trying to make a one rule fits all because it suits your argument.

If you can point out where I said Liverpool fc are blameless that'd be great.

The fact you think it's acceptable to just say someone from Liverpool probably a 4th/5th generation fan should simply support a different club because his club is greedy and foreign glory hunters will pay more says a lot about you and it isn't good.

D14Rugby · 26-07-2019 2:01pm

8-10 wrote: »

That's not the whole story though which you'd have gotten from the original discussion. There's much more widespread issues with tickets than just foreign fans buying a load of them. That's the discussion here.

Plus, like your Rovers example, they want tickets to be open to be sold to fans of all nationalities.

A bigger stadium is clearly needed as demand has outstripped supply for about 6/7 years now. And finally looks like the owners are realising the severity of the issue.

This is a good thing for football fans, I though a lot of the argument here was that we should go out and watch our teams live and not just on a barstool on tv?

The point is this isn't a thread for potential speculation about if a team might consider expanding their ground, even the topic of tickets was boarding off topic

odyssey06 · 26-07-2019 2:11pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

Jesus talk about trying to make a one rule fits all because it suits your argument.
If you can point out where I said Liverpool FC are blameless that'd be great.
The fact you think it's acceptable to just say someone from Liverpool probably a 4th/5th generation fan should simply support a different club because his club is greedy and foreign glory hunters will pay more says a lot about you and it isn't good.

I'm pointing out the complete contradictions inherent in your argument. Liverpool FC are the most popular team in Liverpool because they are successful. Why doesn't Tranmere or Everton have more fans if what matters is being local and attending authentically in person?
Why are local glory hunters of any more moral worth to you than foreign ones?

If Liverpool FC aren't blameless in this then maybe these 5th generational fans need to ask themselves why they are supporting Liverpool FC, according to your logic of the only support that matters is attending live games.

Irish fans have been supporting Liverpool FC for generations, but in fact you were very contemptuous and insulting to anyone in Ireland who supports Liverpool FC because their uncle, or grand-dad, or dad, or older brother supported them. So why, in your world, should Irish fans give two hoots about displaced generational Liverpool FC fans?

For Liverpool FC to be a success in the modern game, Liverpool FC wants fans with money. That's not Irish fans' fault. Irish fans have been supporting Liverpool FC since the 1950s where there was next to no money in the game.
It doesn't matter whether I say it is acceptable or not, welcome to the Premier League of 2019. But what isn't acceptable is blaming it on Irish fans.

D14Rugby · 26-07-2019 2:18pm

odyssey06 wrote: »

I'm pointing out the complete contradictions inherent in your argument. Liverpool FC are the most popular team in Liverpool because they are successful. Why doesn't Tranmere or Everton have more fans if what matters is being local and attending authentically in person?
Why are local glory hunters of any more moral worth to you than foreign ones?

If Liverpool FC aren't blameless in this then maybe these 5th generational fans need to ask themselves why they are supporting Liverpool FC, according to your logic of the only support that matters is attending live games.

Irish fans have been supporting Liverpool FC for generations, but in fact you were very contemptuous and insulting to anyone in Ireland who supports Liverpool FC because their uncle, or grand-dad, or dad, or older brother supported them. So why, in your world, should Irish fans give two hoots about displaced generational Liverpool FC fans?

For Liverpool FC to be a success in the modern game, Liverpool FC wants fans with money. That's not Irish fans' fault. Irish fans have been supporting Liverpool FC since the 1950s where there was next to no money in the game.
It doesn't matter whether I say it is acceptable or not, welcome to the Premier League of 2019. But what isn't acceptable is blaming it on Irish fans.

In Liverpool itself the split is actually pretty 50/50 Everton and Liverpool. Tranmere aren't actually in Liverpool, clue is sort of in the name.

Because you support your club no matter what, look at Rovers and the Kilcoynes or Blackpool and the oystons or Newcastle and Ashley, sometimes supporting your club means not going to games but they're still supporting the club in other ways.

2 generations is hardly the same thing.

Why should people give a hoot about the people from Liverpool supporting Liverpool, hmmm I don't know. **** sake it's obvious.

Again point out where I said Irish fans are to blame? Part of the problem, yes I said that but not to blame.

Hamsterchops · 26-07-2019 6:33pm

Aston Villa all the way ....

Always have since McGrath played 4 them.

8-10 · 26-07-2019 6:36pm

Hamsterchops wrote: »

Aston Villa all the way ....

Always have since McGrath played 4 them.

Who did you support when he was playing for United?

The Moldy Gowl · 26-07-2019 6:50pm

Off to watch live football tonight in the sun.
Gonna go to a shels game.

Few pints, sun, and football. Better than sitting on the couch doing nothing.

Hamsterchops · 26-07-2019 9:35pm

8-10 wrote: »

Who did you support when he was playing for United?

Wasn't really into football pre 1994.

Omackeral · 26-07-2019 11:44pm

Heard some radio presenter today talking to these parents who had a child wanting a Kerry jersey despite the family being from Mayo and having new genetic connection to the Kingdom at all. Said it was shocking and it just doesn't happen. Said that GAA isn't like soccer, where you can just pick whichever team you like because geography is irrelevant. This is just the default over here for the most part it seems.

SHOVELLER · 27-07-2019 2:38pm

Greyfox wrote: »

Well I think Irish football fans should keep the hurt to themselves as it's not helping anyone. Yes the Irish league is a really good league but you cant force people to support it.

Good grief on so many levels.

Greyfox wrote: »

This attitude of blaming EPL fans for the decline of the Irish league when the decline is due to Sky's clever advertising and the popularity of GAA and rugby.

Wrong again.

Every single penny spent on english football by oirish "fans" is money not being spent on OUR league here which in turn supports employment and great players like Jack Byrne.

Barstoolers are not football fans.

Greyfox · 27-07-2019 3:54pm

SHOVELLER wrote: »

Every single penny spent on english football by oirish "fans" is money not being spent on OUR league here which in turn supports employment and great players like Jack Byrne.

Barstoolers are not football fans.

Of course they are, saying there not is like saying Irish people dont like alcohol, there's no logic or common sense in saying that, saying there not shows a major lack of football knowledge. Barstoolers can tell the difference between a high standard of football and a good standatd of football and If you love football you will always be interested in watching great players play and with the EPL you have players far far better than Jack Byrne will ever be. You can't tell people what they can and can't watch as we live in Ireland and not North Korea.

Captain Havoc · 27-07-2019 6:25pm

I don't think it's productive to call fans barstoolers. We should be trying to promote our league to them. They are already football fans and understand the game. Some of them go to games abroad and if a "barstooler" was at Rovers last two European games they would certainly have been turned, such was the quality of play and atmosphere. Efforts would be better spent promoting the positives of our league, such as sitting in a fantastic stadium like Tallaght, rather than knocking people for following a foreign league, they're never going to attend matches here if we knock them. Here are the highlights from Rovers win on Thursday, unfortunately it doesn't show the amazing footwork of Jack Byrne, he's unreal, if I accurately said how good he is, you wouldn't believe me. Other highlights not included are a Joey O'Brien mazy run and Greg Bolger's trojan work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJF4Ni0T2_c

citytillidie · 27-07-2019 6:56pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/7706098/sky-sports-grovelling-apology-playing-crowd-noise-last-post-sheffield-derby/amp

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/derby-news/sky-admit-drowning-out-foul-2339853.amp

Dunno what the 1st one says, sky piping in crowd noise to counter what maybe audible bad language before the watershed.

Church on Tuesday · 27-07-2019 7:00pm

Football in this country will always be insignificant against GAA

That and the allure of the game across the water means it will always be fairly niche here.

forzacalcio · 27-07-2019 7:00pm

Can't understand it myself tbh. Nothing comes close to the feeling when your home town team are playing and winning. I really don't get how someone can feel this affiliation to a club in the UK or any club outside of where they are from.

I love football in general and I really enjoy La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga but I watch any game in those leagues, I don't really support anyone bar maybe at a push Union Berlin as I lived there for a while but I've no real annoyance if they lose.

Get out and support your local club. It's some feeling when they win.

NIMAN · 27-07-2019 7:02pm

Church on Tuesday wrote: »

Football in this country will always be insignificant against GAA

That and the allure of the game across the water means it will always be fairly niche here.

I was always led to believe that there was more people participating in soccer than gaelic games in Ireland?

There was a competition in Derry and the NW this last week. Had 450 teams playing 1500 games over the week. Plenty of interest in soccer in this country.

D14Rugby · 27-07-2019 7:08pm

citytillidie wrote: »

Dunno what the 1st one says, sky piping in crowd noise to counter what maybe audible bad language before the watershed.

How do you not know what the first one says? It's clear as day spelt out in the article what happened.

Yeah you keep believing that, along with Santa and the Easter bunny.

8-10 · 27-07-2019 7:18pm

forzacalcio wrote: »

Can't understand it myself tbh. Nothing comes close to the feeling when your home town team are playing and winning. I really don't get how someone can feel this affiliation to a club in the UK or any club outside of where they are from.

I love football in general and I really enjoy La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga but I watch any game in those leagues, I don't really support anyone bar maybe at a push Union Berlin as I lived there for a while but I've no real annoyance if they lose.

Get out and support your local club. It's some feeling when they win.

I’m going to be looking out for Union Berlin this season. First ever time in the Bundesliga after getting promoted and a great fan base. A few years back the fans literally built part of the stadium because the club couldn’t afford it. And they also raised money though a blood drive. They literally gave up their own blood for the club.

I’d love to go see them play, Berlin is such a fun city to visit.

But overall I think it comes down to the fact that you’ll never fully understand what motivates other people and other views. Our diversity and independent free will is part of what makes us human. You like to follow a local club, I like to follow a club in the UK. That’s just how it is. If we all liked to do exactly the same thing then it’d be boring, and there probably would be no soccer for anyone!

I think it’s completely reasonable and acceptable for us to do whatever we want as long as it doesn’t break the law or infringe on the rights of others. Too many people in this country fall into issues with depression. If you find joy in doing something and it helps you escape everyday problems then do it. For me that’s following my favourite football team, Liverpool. They bring me incredible joy

D14Rugby · 27-07-2019 7:24pm

8-10 wrote: »

If we all liked to do exactly the same thing then it’d be boring, and there probably would be no soccer for anyone!

Actually if everyone did the same thing in supporting their local club there'd actually be more football for everyone and it'd probably be cheaper to be a fan and cheaper to watch any football on tv

8-10 · 27-07-2019 7:29pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

Actually if everyone did the same thing in supporting their local club there'd actually be more football for everyone and it'd probably be cheaper to be a fan and cheaper to watch any football on tv

At what point in your life is your local team chosen then?

Or do you switch teams when you move house?

odyssey06 · 27-07-2019 7:29pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

Actually if everyone did the same thing in supporting their local club there'd actually be more football for everyone and it'd probably be cheaper to be a fan and cheaper to watch any football on tv

No, the clubs would get greedy and start looking for Sky sports to pay them more for their TV rights, just as happens in soccer elsewhere and GAA & rugby here.

odyssey06 · 27-07-2019 7:31pm

8-10 wrote: »

At what point in your life is your local team chosen then?
Or do you switch teams when you move house?

Your great grandparent bought a house in an area where soccer was being established as a spectator sport. Only 5th generational fans count. See earlier posts on thread.

Church on Tuesday · 27-07-2019 7:36pm

NIMAN wrote: »

I was always led to believe that there was more people participating in soccer than gaelic games in Ireland?

There was a competition in Derry and the NW this last week. Had 450 teams playing 1500 games over the week. Plenty of interest in soccer in this country.

Yes, but the GAA has greater resources, has clubs in every other parish and greater marketing and coverage.

There's simply no comparison.

D14Rugby · 27-07-2019 7:39pm

odyssey06 wrote: »

No, the clubs would get greedy and start looking for Sky sports to pay them more for their TV rights, just as happens in soccer elsewhere and GAA & rugby here.

They couldn't do that because there would be more clubs, spectators would be more spread out, so money would spread out, causing the players to spread out so the TV coverage would spread out. Just now it's all so concentrated on the EPL with La liga, Seria A, and Bundasliga up there too that TV companies pay over the odds for their rights because they're the leagues people all over watch, if people watched their own league first and foremost then the odd other game elsewhere the TV money would spread out.

8-10 wrote: »

At what point in your life is your local team chosen then?

Or do you switch teams when you move house?

We've been over this multiple times, you can have multiple teams, nobody is saying otherwise, but generally the local team you first start going to is your team but it's not a one size fits all rule. It's like nationality it's different for everyone that moves around.

odyssey06 · 27-07-2019 7:43pm

Church on Tuesday wrote: »

Yes, but the GAA has greater resources, has clubs in every other parish and greater marketing and coverage.
There's simply no comparison.

For most of the country supporting your 'local' team means a GAA team - reflecting the parish level penetration & schools. My school didn't have a soccer team. It had a gaelic football team and a hurling team.

For some of the country, it's a soccer team.
And for some of the country, it's a rugby team.

The elephant in the room is the GAA. Take the GAA out of the equation and Irish soccer attendances would probably look a lot like Denmarks.

8-10 · 27-07-2019 7:43pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

but generally the local team you first start going to is your team but it's not a one size fits all rule.

Exactly. It can’t be one size fits all. We’re all different.

First team I started going to is Liverpool. It’s a 30min flight from where I live

odyssey06 · 27-07-2019 7:50pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

They couldn't do that because there would be more clubs, spectators would be more spread out, so money would spread out, causing the players to spread out so the TV coverage would spread out. Just now it's all so concentrated on the EPL with La liga, Seria A, and Bundasliga up there too that TV companies pay over the odds for their rights because they're the leagues people all over watch, if people watched their own league first and foremost then the odd other game elsewhere the TV money would spread out.

Irish people already do this with GAA and Sky would snaffle up the rights to it if they could. What you are presenting is a fantasy.

Why do Irish people support English teams?

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