Why Do Some Love And Why Some Hate England

[Neeranam]

Why do the Thais love England? promotion and the premier league I suppose. Why not Spain - the football there is equally good IMHO, definately more exciting.

Why do other countries generally want England to lose.

I found this interesting article:-

‘Back England’ call earns howls of derision from the Tartan Army

JILL STEVENSON AND EDWARD BLACK

A CALL by a senior Scottish Nationalist for the Tartan Army to support England at this year’s World Cup has been met with derision by fans, fellow politicians and football authorities.

The SNP’s economy minister, Andrew Wilson, said Scottish fans had to get rid of the "national chip on the shoulder" when it comes to footballing prowess. Only by doing that, he insisted, could the Scottish team improve and progress on he international stage.

But Mr Wilson’s fellow Nationalist MSP, Kenny Macaskill, a member of the Tartan Army who was once locked up before a Scotland-England game, said it was a "step too far" for most supporters.

Mr Wilson’s comments came weeks after business and tourism leaders in Scotland called on Scottish fans to support the English.

Ivan Broussine, of the Scottish Tourism Forum, said backing England in the World Cup would make Scotland an "English-friendly" location.

And yesterday, Mr Wilson added fuel to the row by claiming people in Scotland need to reform their ideas about their southern neighbours.

He said Scots should stop blaming the English for Scottish mistakes and rejuvenate relations with those south of the Border.

He said: "We need to learn to be self-starting and responsible for the conduct of our own lives. A big part of delivering this is loosing the national chip on the shoulders we have always had about our southern neighbours. We must not blame Scottish problems on the English when they are all of our own making.

"Scottish national performance in a range of things, including football, has been poor recently and we need to improve our self-confidence to fix it. While many people agree with this, they are not prepared to support the English football team.

"They have a smashing team and 99 per cent of their fans are superb. England and the English should be our closest friends.

"I don’t want to be married to England but rather have them as brothers where we are looking to the future rather than dwelling on our past with them." A spokesman for the Scottish Football Association, describing Mr Wilson’s comments as "meaningless", said: "People can support whoever they like but I don’t think that many Scots fans will back England. It’s a free country but it won’t make much difference.

"Ultimately Scotland are not at the World Cup and it would be shame to reverse so much tradition just because of that. Very few Scots will be out there and support from the people’s sitting rooms won’t help England whoever it comes from."

The majority of Scotland supporters also dismissed Mr Wilson’s comments.

Tam Ferry, a regular Scotland watcher, said: "I can’t see many fans taking him up on this. He seems to be betraying the ideas of the SNP. England are our biggest rivals in football and part of the banter between us is supporting anyone who is playing against them.

"It will be no different in the World Cup. Many people are hoping England will be knocked out early while others want to see a defeat in a semi-final penalty shoot-out."

Photographer Russell Green, 45, of Stirling said: "Has Wilson taken leave of his senses? I have no desire to support England and certainly will not be changing my allegiances for the sake of the World Cup. In the same vein, I suspect neither Brazil nor Germany will prove an attractive proposition for me either.

"If it does come down to my picking a team in the last eight it will be the one which has given me the most enjoyment, regardless of its nationality."

Surveyor John Adam, 45, of Glasgow said: "There is no way on earth I will be supporting England in the World Cup. I just could not bring myself to do it. The England/Scotland rivalry is just too intense."

Hamish Husband, from the West of Scotland branch of the Tartan Army, added: "What he seems to be suggesting is for Scotland fans to grow up. But Scotland and England is the oldest international rivalry in the world and nothing will change that."

Mr Wilson insisted last night that he was not surprised by the response to his proposals and said he just wanted to start a mature debate on the subject: "If I expected everybody to agree with me, there would have been no point in me raising the issue. I want to challenge how people think about themselves and England. I think we have a duty to raise this sort of issue."

Mr Wilson refused to say whether he will be found wearing an England shirt and publicly cheering on the English football team in his local pub this summer, adding only: "I am endeavouring to make sure that David Beckham and co get a quiet cheer from one corner of Scotland this summer."

He also earned the backing of his party, with an SNP spokesman saying: "Andrew Wilson is making an important point ...we should stand up and take responsibility for our own problems."

Edited July 2, 2006 by Neeranam

[markuk]

cant answer your question but i dont like the english at all, cos they are bad neighbours!!

all good humoured banter of course!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meibion_Glyndwr

[GuestHouse]

I don't take much notice of what the Oatmeal Savages think of the English when I'm in Scotland, much less in Thailand.

Next!

[finninuk]

Hamish Husband, from the West of Scotland branch of the Tartan Army, added: "What he seems to be suggesting is for Scotland fans to grow up. But Scotland and England is the oldest international rivalry in the world and nothing will change that."

So what you and him are saying is that in sporting contests you should HATE your rivals. That's not very sporting. Savage if you ask me. Well............." If the cap fits..................................

[The Dan Sai Kid]

Hamish Husband, from the West of Scotland branch of the Tartan Army, added: "What he seems to be suggesting is for Scotland fans to grow up. But Scotland and England is the oldest international rivalry in the world and nothing will change that."

So what you and him are saying is that in sporting contests you should HATE your rivals. That's not very sporting. Savage if you ask me. Well............." If the cap fits..................................

That should be bunnet, not cap!

Anyway, I'm Scottish and my experience is that this "rivalry" is very one-sided. Look at the support Andy Murray gets at Wimbledon.

[Lacoste]

"The England/Scotland rivalry is just too intense."

It's Not actualy, as DSK pointed out it is a one way thing, The Scots that think in this way have a problem with there own identity nothing more, sad but true it reminds me of a bitter ex girlfriend who cant stand the fact that your happy and successful.

Infact if you imagine England, Wales and Scotland as being 3 people drinking in a bar, England would be having a quiet drink reading the sports page on the newspaper, Wales would be having a laugh a little naive but generaly cheerfull and looking towards the future, Then you would have Scotland, Sat in the corner drunk and cursing in to his pint, blaming everyone else for his problems but not being man enough to take responsibility for them.

Nobody is listening to the drunk in the corner, they are getting on with there own lives.

Regards, Charlie.

[The Dan Sai Kid]

"The England/Scotland rivalry is just too intense."

It's Not actualy, as DSK pointed out it is a one way thing, The Scots that think in this way have a problem with there own identity nothing more, sad but true it reminds me of a bitter ex girlfriend who cant stand the fact that your happy and successful.

Infact if you imagine England, Wales and Scotland as being 3 people drinking in a bar, England would be having a quiet drink reading the sports page on the newspaper, Wales would be having a laugh a little naive but generaly cheerfull and looking towards the future, Then you would have Scotland, Sat in the corner drunk and cursing in to his pint, blaming everyone else for his problems but not being man enough to take responsibility for them.

Nobody is listening to the drunk in the corner, they are getting on with there own lives.

Regards, Charlie.

Comments like these are a waste of time.

[Griffin]

To be fair the '3 men in a pub' analogy is not far from the mark. My Grandmother was Scottish and she disliked the English with a passion. As I grew up it was hard for me as both my mother and myself are English.

I read, in disgust, that police in Wales were asking English holidaymakers or English people living there to refrain from flying the St. Georges cross in case it provoked "racist incidents" (i notice they don't ask the same of races in Britain). The BBC also carried a story of 3 English fans being attacked in the street in Scotland.

I guess it's true that you hate to see your neigbour with a new car or extension on his house.

[thankuverybig]

i think alot of the scottish hate english thing is mainly restricted to the narrow minded football fans who need to believe in something.

[Jockstar]

"It will be no different in the World Cup. Many people are hoping England will be knocked out early while others want to see a defeat in a semi-final penalty shoot-out."

Not far from the truth is it?

Anyway to add to this argument. I lived in London for years and have many English friends. As i also do here. But its in our blood to cheer any team thats playing England. You will not change my mind, my fathers, my fathers father and so on. Fact of life. I dont hate the English but i still love them to get stuffed at any sport they play. As for football. Blame the commentators who ram it down our throat at any given chance. The 1966 World Cup. Come on that was 40 years ago and England have won ###### all since. BTW i bought and wore a Portugal top last night and enjoyed the game with fellow Scots and Danish guys in an English pub.

Edited July 2, 2006 by Jockstar

[Guest endure]

Jealousy

[King Dong]

I was out watchin the footy with a Scot last night and he was cheering louder than me!

[Jockstar]

I was out watchin the footy with a Scot last night and he was cheering louder than me!

Aye. Cheering Portugal.

[thankuverybig]

i am an englishman who wishes that the media would stop dragging up the 1966 world cup team every time there is a major championship.it just tells me that england havent one anything in decades.

[Mossfinn]

At least the flags will come down,.... then the backbiting will start.

Foreign manager

Wrong squad

Poor team selection

Only four forwards, two injured, one boy he didn't want to play, one big guy who can't stand up and scores by pulling someones hair like a netball player....

Lampard and Gerrard can't play together

Robinson can't come for crosses

Did I mention a spoilt brat up front on an obscene amount of disposable, and no I'm not jealous!!!!

Carrick, great game as a holding midfielder, dropped for a German who can score penalties

And so on and on and on....

At the end of the day England went out because they can't score penalties and a shot stopper who specialises in saving them...

Oh well theres always 1966

Good Luck

Moss

[leftcross]

football is tribal so reasoned debate does not come into it.

however these are my rules for following england.

i hope scotland, wales or ireland lose every game and fail to qualify for any major tournaments. i actively support any team who can help fulfil this.

i support any team who is playing against germany or argentina. i hoped the german would have been knocked out of the world cup at the group stage and now hope they are beaten by italy.

my leanings towards certain teams are rooted in their help towards us in conflicts, particularly world war 2.

obviously the germans are the main enemy but i don't like italy, japan, norway or france for the same reasons.

the falklands war means i hope argentina lose every game they play.

sometimes these teams cross over. for instance now germany play italy in the world cup semis i will support italy. this is mainly because germany started the war but also because the italians were on out side for half of it

[Pink Mist]

football is tribal so reasoned debate does not come into it.

however these are my rules for following england.

i hope scotland, wales or ireland lose every game and fail to qualify for any major tournaments. i actively support any team who can help fulfil this.

i support any team who is playing against germany or argentina. i hoped the german would have been knocked out of the world cup at the group stage and now hope they are beaten by italy.

my leanings towards certain teams are rooted in their help towards us in conflicts, particularly world war 2.

obviously the germans are the main enemy but i don't like italy, japan, norway or france for the same reasons.

the falklands war means i hope argentina lose every game they play.

sometimes these teams cross over. for instance now germany play italy in the world cup semis i will support italy. this is mainly because germany started the war but also because the italians were on out side for half of it

please explain

[leftcross]

explain what??

[rcm]

football is tribal so reasoned debate does not come into it.

however these are my rules for following england.

i hope scotland, wales or ireland lose every game and fail to qualify for any major tournaments. i actively support any team who can help fulfil this.

i support any team who is playing against germany or argentina. i hoped the german would have been knocked out of the world cup at the group stage and now hope they are beaten by italy.

my leanings towards certain teams are rooted in their help towards us in conflicts, particularly world war 2.

obviously the germans are the main enemy but i don't like italy, japan, norway or france for the same reasons.

the falklands war means i hope argentina lose every game they play.

sometimes these teams cross over. for instance now germany play italy in the world cup semis i will support italy. this is mainly because germany started the war but also because the italians were on out side for half of it

please explain

Yes, please explain ...i can't believe what i am reading here....even i am luckily not from a Country listed as your " Enemy"...

rcm

[leftcross]

i should also have said i will always support holland, ukraine and the USA, among others, for the same reasons.

[Pink Mist]

what about Oz?

[leftcross]

sorry, i always support australia too. my inital lists were not exhaustive but the ww2 connection is my main,but not only, indicator

Edited July 2, 2006 by leftcross

[Pink Mist]

onya matey

[chonabot]

. BTW i bought and wore a Portugal top last night and enjoyed the game with fellow Scots and Danish guys in an English pub.

Sad Muppets......

Edited July 2, 2006 by chonabot

[Old Croc]

sorry, i always support australia too. my inital lists were not exhaustive but the ww2 connection is my main,but not only, indicator

So with Argies v Germans what happened? Did you support the ones who started the biggest war or the most recent?

[The Dan Sai Kid]

football is tribal so reasoned debate does not come into it.

however these are my rules for following england.

i hope scotland, wales or ireland lose every game and fail to qualify for any major tournaments. i actively support any team who can help fulfil this.

i support any team who is playing against germany or argentina. i hoped the german would have been knocked out of the world cup at the group stage and now hope they are beaten by italy.

my leanings towards certain teams are rooted in their help towards us in conflicts, particularly world war 2.

obviously the germans are the main enemy but i don't like italy, japan, norway or france for the same reasons.

the falklands war means i hope argentina lose every game they play.

sometimes these teams cross over. for instance now germany play italy in the world cup semis i will support italy. this is mainly because germany started the war but also because the italians were on out side for half of it

Wow!

You are deranged!

[Pink Mist]

or rearranged

[leftcross]

So with Argies v Germans what happened? Did you support the ones who started the biggest war or the most recent?

i didn't cheer for either of them, i was just happy knowing one of them would lose

[Guest endure]

i should also have said i will always support holland, ukraine and the USA, among others, for the same reasons.

Portugal?

[Pink Mist]

I thought it was a sport