Why do Irish people support English teams?

Necro · 09-05-2019 3:08pm

I will say, whilst I have got a lot of enjoyment out of watching football on TV, for me nothing beats being there live tbh.

In terms of my own experiences I've witnessed:

Heartbreak of relegation.

The unbridled joy of winning a league (and in GAA, a county final).

Watching some of the players I coached make their senior debuts.

Last minute winners in semi finals.

Heartbreak of last minute losses in finals.

For me it's definitely much more enjoyable to experience it live.

That being said I remember being 11 years of age, cycling into the local pub to sneak a watch of Arsenal winning their first PL in 1998, Tony Adams scoring the final goal against Everton in a 4-0 win. That was class.

Greyfox · 09-05-2019 3:15pm

Omackeral wrote: »

How? You're not making many points in your arguments. If a person goes to 30 matches, then they're pretty logically more dedicated to going than the person who has been to 0. How is saying that childish whatsoever?

In most cases your right, generally speaking but its not always going to be the case. For example you could have a man who has gone to 30 Shamrock rovers matches over the last 4 years and he does it to socialise with friends and he's not that passionate anyway.. it may not bother him too much if they win or lose. Then you could have someone following an english team who goes to 6 live matches over 4 years but also watches 250 matches on tv over the 4 years as well as spending a few hours every month reading and watching annalysis of his club. You also have to take into consideration the likes of a Liverpool/Man U fan who's on the dole and can't afford to see his team play live. Going to the game is the biggest factor but there's other factors too

Omackeral · 09-05-2019 3:32pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

A member of the 400 club that hasn't been in Tallaght for a game other than Real Madrid and Juventus. Yeah I believe that.

:pac::pac::pac:

Omackeral · 09-05-2019 3:33pm

Greyfox wrote: »

Going to the game is the biggest factor but there's other factors too

You won't get an argument from me on that.

D14Rugby · 09-05-2019 3:37pm

sbsquarepants wrote: »

Sure who cares what they consider themselves, what would they know, it's what you consider them that really matters!

Did you read what I said or what I was replying to? I was saying who supports who means nothing really to tv companies because people will watch the matches because that's what happens now.

The Moldy Gowl · 09-05-2019 3:47pm

sbsquarepants wrote: »

So you did know what to say to it!

Being the best of a not very good bunch, is not top level. Just like romping home in the 100m on your school sport day doesn't put you in Usain Bolts league.

Champions league is top level - if you do well there you can confidently argue that you are in the elite of world football. That is top level football - not the best in Ireland, or the best in Kazakhstan, or the best West Cork - the best in the world.

What about all the other hundreds of leagues around the place?
No one should go watch them because they will never be elite.
That European super league sounds like a great plan.

KerryGoat · 09-05-2019 3:49pm

I think it's just a natural gravitation to success and what's on TV. Alot of it now a days could be attributed to how the FAI (Delaney) mishandled the league.

Greyfox · 09-05-2019 3:50pm

Omackeral wrote: »

That's why most people in Southampton support Southampton and most people in Edinburgh support Hibs or Hearts. It makes sense...

Unfortunately when I was 10 I had nobody to bring me to LOI matches and when I was 10 everywhere I looked there was Man United or Liverpool fans

odyssey06 · 09-05-2019 3:55pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

For a champions league semi second leg I doubt the figures would have changed much if at all

It does matter, UEFA for example dislike when finals are between two teams from same nations, as the viewing figures are lower.
The viewing figures will also be higher if the teams are from 'major' markets like England, Germany, Spain, Italy than say Netherlands, Scotland, Portugal.

If you have a Spanish team in the final playing an English team, you get higher audience not just from fans of the specific teams, but from football fans in that country, likely tuning in hoping their rival team loses, or because they are more familiar with the players.

SHOVELLER · 09-05-2019 4:38pm

Omackeral wrote: »

I hate Rovers but I absolutely respect them more than someone who actively ignores football on their own doorstep. Rovers qualified for the Europa League group stages in spite of people like that. They took on the mighty Spurs and took the lead against them in White Hart Lane. I'd imagine being over in London watching a team that represents you doing that must've been phenomenal.

Dundalk a couple of years ago put Champions League regulars BATE to the sword and did it while playing amazing football. ''I wouldn't peep in at that sh*t''. That Dundalk team played some of the best football you'll ever see on this island.

Going week in and week out takes effort. Most people over here don't have the patience for that in my experience.

I was at that game and behind the net when Ricer scored. Truly one of the best moments of being a Hoop considering 6 short years earlier we were on the brink. Great weekend and although we lost 3-1 the gulf in finances is beyond vast and will never be a level playing field.

What was embarrassing was in both legs there were "Irish" there supporting the english club:eek:

sbsquarepants · 09-05-2019 4:41pm

The Moldy Gowl wrote: »

What about all the other hundreds of leagues around the place?
No one should go watch them because they will never be elite.
That European super league sounds like a great plan.

That's not what I'm saying at all.

Only a very small number can be elite, that's the very definition of elite. Everyone can't be top level. Dundalk are not an elite level football club, neither are shamrock rovers, no matter what anyone says or believes or who they follow.

Real Madrid are elite level regardless of whether you love them, hate them or are absolutely indifferent to them.

D14Rugby · 09-05-2019 4:44pm

odyssey06 wrote: »

It does matter, UEFA for example dislike when finals are between two teams from same nations, as the viewing figures are lower.
The viewing figures will also be higher if the teams are from 'major' markets like England, Germany, Spain, Italy than say Netherlands, Scotland, Portugal.

If you have a Spanish team in the final playing an English team, you get higher audience not just from fans of the specific teams, but from football fans in that country, likely tuning in hoping their rival team loses, or because they are more familiar with the players.

UEFA dislike teams from the same nation because people get sick of seeing the same game and you don't get the Spanish watching a Spanish team and Germans watching German team for example, you just get one.

Your second sentence just prove my point further, neutrals are the vast vast majority of TV audiences.

SHOVELLER · 09-05-2019 4:45pm

Omackeral wrote: »

He's in the 400 Club, the cheek of you.

It is the Shamrock Rovers Members Club. I used to be a member.

Also thank everything in humanity I am not at home June 1.

The Moldy Gowl · 09-05-2019 4:49pm

sbsquarepants wrote: »

That's not what I'm saying at all.

Only a very small number can be elite, that's the very definition of elite. Everyone can't be top level. Dundalk are not an elite level football club, neither are shamrock rovers, no matter what anyone says or believes or who they follow.

Real Madrid are elite level regardless of whether you love them, hate them or are absolutely indifferent to them.

No one is saying they are top level. Furthest they will ever go is group level of europa.
But they are in the context of their league.
May not be the best but there is always some good passes or touches or goals.

As Omackeral said its the best fans in the world stick that gets thrown around at tournaments when a lot of these fans wouldn't bother supporting their own leauge a few times a year.

odyssey06 · 09-05-2019 5:50pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

UEFA dislike teams from the same nation because people get sick of seeing the same game and you don't get the Spanish watching a Spanish team and Germans watching German team for example, you just get one.
Your second sentence just prove my point further, neutrals are the vast vast majority of TV audiences.

That wasn't my point at all. It was explaining why more people watch English teams, both 'neutrals' within England and abroad, directly contradicting your contention that a semifinal of Ajax v Galatasary would get the same viewing figures as Liverpool v Barcelona or Ajax v Spurs. Not globally and not in pubs in Dublin they wouldn't.

D14Rugby · 09-05-2019 5:53pm

odyssey06 wrote: »

That wasn't my point at all. It was explaining why more people watch English teams, both 'neutrals' within England and abroad, directly contradicting your contention that Ajax v Galatasary would get the same viewing figures as Liverpool v Barcelona or Ajax v Spurs. Not globally and not in pubs in Dublin they wouldn't.

If Ajax played Galatasary you'd get huge viewings because the whole of Turkey would be watching and the rest of Europe would be watching too because they'd both have to have been playing unreal to get there. You'd get the neutrals in Turkey. Just because they're slightly further away doesn't mean they don't exist.

odyssey06 · 09-05-2019 5:56pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

If Ajax played Galatasary you'd get huge viewings because the whole of Turkey would be watching and the rest of Europe would be watching too because they'd both have to have been playing unreal to get there. You'd get the neutrals in Turkey. Just because they're slightly further away doesn't mean they don't exist.

So wait it does matter which two teams play? Because earlier you indicated it did not.

D14Rugby · 09-05-2019 5:59pm

odyssey06 wrote: »

So wait it does matter which two teams play? Because earlier you indicated it did not.

Where did I say the teams mattered? I said that any teams in a champions league semi final will get views because they'll either be a big name or an underdog story, both get viewers

Ashleigh1986 · 09-05-2019 6:04pm

For a lot of lads it's pure escapism .
Life can be dull so what better than have a few beers and roar support/ abuse at your so called team .
I get it people from Liverpool/ Manchester / London/ Glasgow etc really getting into it .
Their fathers and their fathers father have probably supported the team.
I also get it with the fans that travel over to games regularly.
However it's the barstool muppets , the ones wider than the tv screen they're watching game on that get me .
Ye know the ones .
The ones that could have made it in the game , if only they weren't drinking 7 days a week .
THOSE CRAYTURES

rob316 · 09-05-2019 11:27pm

Follow who you like but I can see the premier league for what it is.

I'm a Liverpool fan. My dad grew up in London and lived there for nearly 20 years he's a Manchester United supporter through and through, how's that for a plastic.

Hoards of lads come up to Manchester and Liverpool from London every week to support the top sides with zero connection as little as an irishman supporting them.

My story is my dad raised me in a pub watching United games, I hated it so I choose Liverpool when I was 7 and thought Fowler was great. It's been fairly miserable for about 25 years bar a few nearly seasons.

Ya see these football clubs are multinational brands now, numerous different nationalities playing for them, players with celebrity status, that attract support from Liverpool to China. As it's gotten bigger the communities these clubs are based have become even more detached from the club. There was a time when a local Liverpool player would come into the pub after a game, now you'd be lucky if the 20 year old millionaire driving his lambo would roll down the window to ya for a picture.
Were you in Anfield before the regeneration? The club bought up all the houses left them vacant and the place went to **** around the stadium.

Do I get emotional? Absolutely
Do I spend a lot of time on Liverpool? More than I should.

Jurgen Klopp rekindled my love with liverpool, passionate attacking football. It's bloody exciting to watch and follow.

My mother is a tennis fanatic she spends crazy money on going to tournaments all over the world, mental about Nadal. What connection does she have to a Spanish player?

I've been to loads of cork city games, I was there for a few seasons when they won the league with Richardson, I went alot up to last season before my neighbour was attacked by a group of Bohs scumbags on the way to the match. It's a good buzz, but the league hasn't improved since I was a kid.

Liverpool winning the league would make me alot happier than cork city winning the league or Ireland winning a major trophy. It is what is, I look forward all week to a Liverpool game and will continue to.

Bobblehats · 09-05-2019 11:35pm

Clean sweep for English sides in the european cup finals.

In fact almost a London sweep. There’ll be no dick van dyke though just Virgil.

Kermit.de.frog · 09-05-2019 11:45pm

I can't understand the logic of giving your money to the cities of London, Manchester or Liverpool supporting their teams over your own city and local clubs.

There is no logic in it.

Let's be honest, the way some Irish go on about British clubs (which is embarrassing and has more than a hint of post colonial psychology with it) hardly does much to assuage the argument that a good sample of typical football supporters actually aren't the brightest.

Cause and effect. It's a total inability to see or acknowledge that it's their own choices that damage their own local teams and league in favor of England essentially.

And then the refrain will be "I don't support the league of Ireland because it's ****e..."

But each to their own.

rob316 · 10-05-2019 12:25am

There's always some psychologist in this debate that reckons it because of stockholm syndrome from occupation of the British. Sigh

greenspurs · 10-05-2019 7:53am

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

I can't understand the logic of giving your money to the cities of London, Manchester or Liverpool supporting their teams over your own city and local clubs.

There is no logic in it.

Let's be honest, the way some Irish go on about British clubs (which is embarrassing and has more than a hint of post colonial psychology with it) hardly does much to assuage the argument that a good sample of typical football supporters actually aren't the brightest.

Cause and effect. It's a total inability to see or acknowledge that it's their own choices that damage their own local teams and league in favor of England essentially.

And then the refrain will be "I don't support the league of Ireland because it's ****e..."

But each to their own.

I think it is. In general.
There are a few (2-3) clubs that play good attaching football , with some skill.
The majority of teams, play hoof ball.
The facilities in most grounds are fairly grim,

Tell me why you think its not sh1te - im interested .

Hamsterchops · 10-05-2019 8:04am

rob316 wrote: »

There's always some psychologist in this debate that reckons it because of stockholm syndrome from occupation of the British. Sigh

stockholm syndrome aside, its not like we are geographically distant or have no genetic or historic or cultural connections. England is literally next door, its part of these islands, we're certainly in the same small family of islands. Four English football clubs through, we should be thrilled, specially with so many of our players learning their trade & playing football next door (in England).

rainbow kirby · 10-05-2019 8:08am

Started supporting Man U at age 8 to piss my dad off - he's a lifelong Liverpool supporter. I was 8 in 1992, so that was set for life right there!

I actually live 3km from Old Trafford now so they are my local team.

Deebles McBeebles · 10-05-2019 8:57am

D14Rugby wrote: »

I'm not trying to seem like anything. You meanwhile are trying to seem like a football fan when you're clearly not.

Are you 8 by any chance? Poster is not a football fan because he doesn't go to games every weekend? Jesus wept.

Gimme A Pound · 10-05-2019 9:00am

tuxy wrote: »

To be fair the vast majority of Irish people support England in world cups that Ireland do not qualify for.

The unadulterated venom towards the England team during the World Cup from Irish folk was vile I thought.

I don't think the vast majority would support England, just some (I'd get behind England myself).

The hatred I mentioned towards the England team from Irish fans who support Premiership teams was especially pitiful.

I do understand Irish people being fans of Premiership teams but I will never understand when they get so worked up about the team to the point of "hating" rival teams/fans and boiling over with rage at them. I get the links to England via relatives etc too, but it's nearly always big teams. Then you've got the folk who became Manchester City fans in the past ten years - such a coincidence!

I think people should also support their local team though.

greenspurs · 10-05-2019 9:33am

Jesse Future Pointer wrote: »

The unadulterated venom towards the England team during the World Cup from Irish folk was vile I thought.

I don't think the vast majority would support England, just some (I'd get behind England myself).

The hatred I mentioned towards the England team from Irish fans who support Premiership teams was especially pitiful.

I do understand Irish people being fans of Premiership teams but I will never understand when they get so worked up about the team to the point of "hating" rival teams/fans and boiling over with rage at them. I get the links to England via relatives etc too, but it's nearly always big teams. Then you've got the folk who became Manchester City fans in the past ten years - such a coincidence!

I think people should also support their local team though.

Why ? Why 'should' they ?
You get 2-3,000 in the RSC for a game against the 'big' teams.
You get 1500 at the rest.
Why?
Because the football is of a pretty poor standard.
You are 40 metres from the pitch .

The players that you are shouting for on your team this season, will be playing for a different team next season, and another team the season after that....
Its a merry go round, and similar for the managers.
How can you try to 'get' into a team, if the players will be there for a year, then move on.
There is little player loyalty in English football, almost none in Ireland.

Even the majority of the Irish media only give the League of Ireland a bare mention.

It will never change, never.

sbsquarepants · 10-05-2019 9:38am

Jesse Future Pointer wrote: »

. Then you've got the folk who became Manchester City fans in the past ten years - such a coincidence!

I don't understand this your point at all.

Success wins fans and breeds support, not the other way round. Of course it's not a coincidence that city have been picking up fans when they're winning, only and idiot would argue that it is.

There are only so many people who can have a geographic connection to a team. Big teams like a Barca or a Liverpool have hundreds of millions of fans world wide. Genuine real life fans!

A Classico or a Pool v United will regularly attract viewing figures of 6 or 7 hundred million worldwide - they are global brands, they have long since surpassed being local teams. What is strange or unusual for any Irish person to be watching a match that 10% of the entire planet will be watching?

Why do Irish people support English teams?

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