I sort of understand where you're coming from. It's hard to support the English football team.
Generally I try and support any of the other home nations playing as long as it's not against NI (especially Scotland) but with the likes of Beckham on the team and some of the psychophant commentators who seem convinced each world cup that "football's coming home" it's so hard. I can remember with glee David Beckham's "outburst" against Argentina in the World Cup of '98.
That said, I think for a Scot to be talking like that about the English is a bit rich - I've heard some Scottish fans and commentators get just as smug :p
Fans in general can't help it. When things are going well we all get a bit carried away. Part of being a fan's an optimist. I just wish they'd shut up about '66!
Wish them all the best of luck with the ashes though.
I sort of understand where you're coming from. It's hard to support the English football team.
Generally I try and support any of the other home nations playing as long as it's not against NI (especially Scotland) but with the likes of Beckham on the team and some of the psychophant commentators who seem convinced each world cup that "football's coming home" it's so hard. I can remember with glee David Beckham's "outburst" against Argentina in the World Cup of '98.
That said, I think for a Scot to be talking like that about the English is a bit rich - I've heard some Scottish fans and commentators get just as smug :p
Fans in general can't help it. When things are going well we all get a bit carried away. Part of being a fan's an optimist. I just wish they'd shut up about '66!
Wish them all the best of luck with the ashes though.
Missing the point by about a hundred thousand miles? Well, yes, I am still missing your point by about that much.
As an Englishman living in Scotland for 15 years now, I still don't accept that you aren't a little racist. The English do support Scotland when you play but not because we're patronising, it's because you are our neighbours and part of the UK. Why in gods name would I support some other team against you? Unless I had been fed historic, racist hatred while I was brought up, of course.
I don't mean to be offensive to you and I'm sorry this is quite a negative comment but even after 15 years living here I still can't accept it when I hear Scots delivering excuses like these for what is plain and simple hatred of the English.
Missing the point by about a hundred thousand miles? Well, yes, I am still missing your point by about that much.
As an Englishman living in Scotland for 15 years now, I still don't accept that you aren't a little racist. The English do support Scotland when you play but not because we're patronising, it's because you are our neighbours and part of the UK. Why in gods name would I support some other team against you? Unless I had been fed historic, racist hatred while I was brought up, of course.
I don't mean to be offensive to you and I'm sorry this is quite a negative comment but even after 15 years living here I still can't accept it when I hear Scots delivering excuses like these for what is plain and simple hatred of the English.
I enjoy reading your blog by the way, you just hit my nerve with this post!
If you ever do win the world cup, you won't mention it 40 years later then? Yeah, right 
I enjoy reading your blog by the way, you just hit my nerve with this post!
If you ever do win the world cup, you won't mention it 40 years later then? Yeah, right
You won't have to wait for tomorrow our kid.
You won't have to wait for tomorrow our kid.
Tony - I obviously did hit a nerve! I'm not racist. I'm not even little. I love living in England, and I love the people. As I've said, my son is English, and I'm proud of that. Although I reserve the right to wear a Scotland shirt when I watch him playing at Wembley, obviously.
But you do have a point. Many of my countrymen do hate the English, and propagate the type of shite you refer to. Maybe living in England for so long I'd pushed that out of my mind.
If I'm honest, I just love winding my friends up with this rant. And generally they take it well - after the first punch or two. Although I guess they've probably heard it about a zillion times.
I stand by the ManU/Arsenal analogy, though. For me it's just the kind of piss-taking that occurs between rival teams. Nothing deeper, and certainly nothing that's intended to be offensive. Apart from my very real hatred of sections of the English media.
And, if Scotland ever did win the World Cup (ha!) we'd be banging on about it for about 400 years, never mind 40.
And I would actually love it if England won the Ashes. Although that's looking less likely by the minute.
beano - Scots being smug? Surely not
I can't imagine a bunch of football supporters with less to be smug about... and I'm a Dundee United supporter.
Tony - I obviously did hit a nerve! I'm not racist. I'm not even little. I love living in England, and I love the people. As I've said, my son is English, and I'm proud of that. Although I reserve the right to wear a Scotland shirt when I watch him playing at Wembley, obviously.
But you do have a point. Many of my countrymen do hate the English, and propagate the type of shite you refer to. Maybe living in England for so long I'd pushed that out of my mind.
If I'm honest, I just love winding my friends up with this rant. And generally they take it well - after the first punch or two. Although I guess they've probably heard it about a zillion times.
I stand by the ManU/Arsenal analogy, though. For me it's just the kind of piss-taking that occurs between rival teams. Nothing deeper, and certainly nothing that's intended to be offensive. Apart from my very real hatred of sections of the English media.
And, if Scotland ever did win the World Cup (ha!) we'd be banging on about it for about 400 years, never mind 40.
And I would actually love it if England won the Ashes. Although that's looking less likely by the minute.
beano - Scots being smug? Surely not
I can't imagine a bunch of football supporters with less to be smug about... and I'm a Dundee United supporter.
A good reply to my knee-jerk comment!
At least you admit to the 400 year thing!
By the way, most sensible English don't root for Tim 'lets face it I'm never going to win anything, am I' Henman. Henman winning Wimbledon - now that is media hype!
A good reply to my knee-jerk comment!
At least you admit to the 400 year thing!
By the way, most sensible English don't root for Tim 'lets face it I'm never going to win anything, am I' Henman. Henman winning Wimbledon - now that is media hype!
Fantastic rant son, fantastic!!!
Gerrintaethum!!!
Too many people dont understand the difference between rivalry and hatred. And too many people confuse rivalry and racism?!
If Im being brutally honest, I think its a defense mechanism when people cant handle opposition on a perfectly acceptable, friendly scale. "If you're not with us, you're against us."
Now I dont doubt that there are a good few racist, or bigoted Scots, but its sad that refusing to support a team or sportman from another country leads to accusations of racism.
Maybe some people in England dont realise that a lot of us do not recognise the United Kingdom as a country/relationship (and the sooner Scotland breaks away, the better) so we do not share that bond they seem to pine for.
An enjoyable rant indeed!!!
On the Ozzies... *throws out a line*
Fantastic rant son, fantastic!!!
Gerrintaethum!!!
Too many people dont understand the difference between rivalry and hatred. And too many people confuse rivalry and racism?!
If Im being brutally honest, I think its a defense mechanism when people cant handle opposition on a perfectly acceptable, friendly scale. "If you're not with us, you're against us."
Now I dont doubt that there are a good few racist, or bigoted Scots, but its sad that refusing to support a team or sportman from another country leads to accusations of racism.
Maybe some people in England dont realise that a lot of us do not recognise the United Kingdom as a country/relationship (and the sooner Scotland breaks away, the better) so we do not share that bond they seem to pine for.
An enjoyable rant indeed!!!
On the Ozzies... *throws out a line*
"Maybe some people in England dont realise that a lot of us do not recognise the United Kingdom as a country/relationship (and the sooner Scotland breaks away, the better) so we do not share that bond they seem to pine for. "
Fortunately, many more of us do recognise the bond. The bond comes from the fact that many of us aren't as ethnically pure as you we have English relatives and friends. And the bond they pine for is maybe a reflection that they are nicer people than you give them credit for. The problem with the rivalry from a seperatist like you is that is more pathetic if you claim there is no relationship why wouldn't you be indifferent?
"Maybe some people in England dont realise that a lot of us do not recognise the United Kingdom as a country/relationship (and the sooner Scotland breaks away, the better) so we do not share that bond they seem to pine for. "
Fortunately, many more of us do recognise the bond. The bond comes from the fact that many of us aren't as ethnically pure as you we have English relatives and friends. And the bond they pine for is maybe a reflection that they are nicer people than you give them credit for. The problem with the rivalry from a seperatist like you is that is more pathetic if you claim there is no relationship why wouldn't you be indifferent?
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