Let's all Laugh at England

Who gives a feck if the FA is fit for purpose at a time like this. I'm milking every moment of this situation and enjoying it to the fullest, who knows when it'll happen again.
 
I don't know if this is in line with the discussion here, but out of boredom and for some odd reason on Twitter last night I did some digging on Scouse Liverpool fans and their relationship with England. I was expecting more of the 'most definitely club > England, not emotionally invested with England but wouldn't mind it if they do well' take on things as we often see here with Manc United fans but no, many of them hate England quite a bit and actively want the team to fail spectacularly.

A part of me sort of understand why (handling of Hillsborough being the obvious and main reason), but at the same time I couldn't help but wonder how bitter you'd have to be with your own country for you to want a perfectly likeable representative of it to be embarrassed at an international stage. As a foreigner looking at this, I just don't get how a dislike towards a particular government could automatically be translated into a dislike for an entire country and its representatives altogether, regardless of circumstances.
 
I don't know if this is in line with the discussion here, but out of boredom and for some odd reason on Twitter last night I did some digging on Scouse Liverpool fans and their relationship with England. I was expecting more of the 'most definitely club > England, not emotionally invested with England but wouldn't mind it if they do well' take on things as we often see here with Manc United fans but no, many of them hate England quite a bit and actively want the team to fail spectacularly.

A part of me sort of understand why (handling of Hillsborough being the obvious and main reason), but at the same time I couldn't help but wonder how bitter you'd have to be with your own country for you to want a perfectly likeable representative of it to be embarrassed at an international stage. As a foreigner looking at this, I just don't get how a dislike towards a particular government could automatically be translated into a dislike for an entire country and its representatives altogether, regardless of circumstances.
Yeah I've noticed this. Think a lot of them think its 'cool' to be a bit different and they buzz of the idea its 'us against them.'

I do appreciate that the immediate aftermath of Hillsborough from the press and government alike was horrific and so understand the resentment there; but its not as though they are the only northern city in the country which has been subjected to its hardships from the government. I think deep down most of them want England to do well.
 
Yeah I've noticed this. Think a lot of them think its 'cool' to be a bit different and they buzz of the idea its 'us against them.'

I do appreciate that the immediate aftermath of Hillsborough from the press and government alike was horrific and so understand the resentment there; but its not as though they are the only northern city in the country which has been subjected to its hardships from the government. I think deep down most of them want England to do well.

To each one's own obviously, but if you're English and you don't want this England side (one that I feel represent the best England as a country has to offer in terms of multiculturalism and whatnot) to at least not embarrass themselves, then you're terribly uncool in my book.
 
To each one's own obviously, but if you're English and you don't want this England side (one that I feel represent the best England as a country has to offer in terms of multiculturalism and whatnot) to at least not embarrass themselves, then you're terribly uncool in my book.
Agree completely. And without sounding cringey, that's one of my favourite things about this England side. Such a diverse set of individuals from different backgrounds coming together.
 
Feel bad for English people who haven't been able to enjoy the best few weeks football wise we've had in a very long time. It was one thing being all anti-England ten years ago, don't really get being that way now. It's been bloody brilliant.
 
Think it's more to do with getting called murderers/scum, always the victims etc for 9 months of the year than it is trying to be cool and different. And then being expected to stand alongside the people singing that.
Henderson has been one of the best England players in the tournament, but remember the abuse he got after that unlucky penalty miss? Something tells me it wouldn't have been quite as dramatic if he wasn't a Liverpool player.
As well as that, the different press reactions to how Liverpool fans treated the Man City bus vs "celebratory" England fans trashing ambulances and shops.

And I'm someone who actually likes and supports the England team. Just I can understand why there's so many fellow scousers who don't feel the same way. Although I think indifference would be the best response, rather than actively supporting Sweden/Croatia etc. Bit small time/Everton that.
 
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Think it's more to do with getting called murderers/scum, always the victims etc for 9 months of the year than it is trying to be cool and different. And then being expected to stand alongside the people singing that.
Henderson has been one of the best England players in the tournament, but remember the abuse he got after that unlucky penalty miss? Something tells me it wouldn't have been quite as dramatic if he wasn't a Liverpool player.
As well as that, the different press reactions to how Liverpool fans treated the Man City bus vs "celebratory" England fans trashing ambulances and shops.

And I'm someone who actually likes and supports the England team. Just I can understand why there's so many fellow scousers who don't feel the same way. Although I think indifference would be the best response, rather than actively supporting Sweden/Croatia etc. Bit small time/Everton that.

Come on.

Utd have had plenty of players made the scapegoat after England failure at a tournament.
 
And so we can't declare our patriotism through song? And somehow our national anthem and history is any more vile than the rest? Of course the Kings of Munster or Leinster weren't savagely butchering one another long before the Norman invasion of Ireland. But no, we are all pricks apparently, for singing our national anthem. :lol:
never said anything about national anthem buddy. Sing away. I am just confused why anyone would be surprised that the Irish are not routing for England to win.
 
Think it's more to do with getting called murderers/scum, always the victims etc for 9 months of the year than it is trying to be cool and different. And then being expected to stand alongside the people singing that.
Henderson has been one of the best England players in the tournament, but remember the abuse he got after that unlucky penalty miss? Something tells me it wouldn't have been quite as dramatic if he wasn't a Liverpool player.
As well as that, the different press reactions to how Liverpool fans treated the Man City bus vs "celebratory" England fans trashing ambulances and shops.

And I'm someone who actually likes and supports the England team. Just I can understand why there's so many fellow scousers who don't feel the same way. Although I think indifference would be the best response, rather than actively supporting Sweden/Croatia etc. Bit small time/Everton that.

Victim mentality
 
As opposed to what every other country did in the past?

What exactly are you saying we should put up with extra because of British history?

Get fecked right off.
You, me nor anyone needs to put up with anything to be honest. I am just saying there will always be negative sentiment between fans of nations who have had issues between themselves. Its the same when other countries play each other around the world. You think football buries any ill feeling? You have seen players getting into trouble for celebrations and shit.
 
I'm old-ish and the nice thing is that England been able to go into this with lower expectation & pressure, just like the other home nations (& Eire) have had the chance to do in previous competitions over the years. England is always weighed down by that, and usually an inappropriate manager. Let's be honest about this, it could easily have been Allardyce taking this team to Russia!!! Would have have taken a chance on a young, inexperienced team? No probably not. To be risk-averse he'd have thrown in more experience and not had such a seemingly bonded group. Southgate also seemed to be a "F*ck it, let's give this guy a go" almost getting the job by default, but he's been there. He's played for England, he knows how things work, and more importantly how they also go wrong.

What you might take out of this is that the Allardyce scandal birthed this run (like the Leicester scandal birthed that PL win?!) but will the FA learn from that, appointment-wise? No, I doubt it. The FA has been unfit for purpose for a long, long time now and that won't change anytime soon. They may well be dusting down the trophy cabinet now though ....
Great post, I agree with almost all of it apart from the ending, purely because although the FA has been antiquated for a long long time, they have put the wheels in motion in recent years to address the issues with our national team. The investment in St. Georges park has started to reap rewards at all levels and hopefully will make England competitive sustainably.

Footballs a game of fine margins, ifs and buts, and ultimately luck. England were somewhat lucky to stumble upon Southgate, to have this route in the tournament etc. but all you can do is give yourself the best set of circumstances in which to succeed. IMO The FA deserve some credit for his appointment and their plan to reinvigorate England at all levels.
 
I'm English. I Am not patriotic at all, infact I despise patriotism. I was born in this country via pot luck and had no say in the matter like people who are born in Tajikistan or Peru.
I am aware of the atrocities this country I reside in, has committed in the past and I'm aware of the hate so many people have towards it.


I do however not associate the English football team with England's colonial history. They are a group of lads playing football in the hope of pleasing a nation which has witnessed misery after misery in international football. As individuals we cannot tell what each players stands for. They are giving the nation something to be cheering about, they aren't flaunting their military prowess on a football pitch. It's just a game and always has been, for me anyway. Fwiw I support all home nations to a degree in any sport but I usually support the underdog aswell.

The only issue I have with the whole thing is the fact 'God save our queen' is the national anthem. It's just awful on so many levels imo.
 
Come on.

Utd have had plenty of players made the scapegoat after England failure at a tournament.

That's true enough to be fair. Beckham after 1998 got an unreal amount of stick. Phil Neville in 2000 too. I'm uncomfortable with it and that's coming from a City fan. A Liverpool fan complaining about the reaction to Henderson's penalty miss - I don't even recall much negativity towards that anyway - ought to imagine what it would've been like if Sterling was the one who missed it because the reaction would've been ten times worse and much of that is down to the shite fed to the gutter press by Liverpool FC when Sterling decided to ask for a move away from Anfield. As for the ambulance incident, I've seen very little in the way of condoning it. In any case, the Liverpool fans attacking the City coach got swept under the carpet pretty quick.

Many of us have had our downers on the England football team in previous tournaments but if English football fans can't get behind them now they never will. I accept that club loyalties will still come to the fore at times but there's a togetherness about this set of players that I haven't witnessed in an England team for many a year. And by and large, the fans seem on board and together too.
 
Think it's more to do with getting called murderers/scum, always the victims etc for 9 months of the year than it is trying to be cool and different. And then being expected to stand alongside the people singing that.
Henderson has been one of the best England players in the tournament, but remember the abuse he got after that unlucky penalty miss? Something tells me it wouldn't have been quite as dramatic if he wasn't a Liverpool player.
As well as that, the different press reactions to how Liverpool fans treated the Man City bus vs "celebratory" England fans trashing ambulances and shops.

And I'm someone who actually likes and supports the England team. Just I can understand why there's so many fellow scousers who don't feel the same way. Although I think indifference would be the best response, rather than actively supporting Sweden/Croatia etc. Bit small time/Everton that.

On Twitter at least last night, I saw plenty of those who claim to be Liverpool fans from Liverpool who actively supported Colombia and Sweden and will support Croatia in the semis.

I wish I took screenshots of some of those tweets but anyway, maybe it's not a fair reflection to how it actually is there with most feeling indifferent, I don't know, but I just found it fascinating that no other fanbase of an English club does anything to this extent to my knowledge even if it's only a vocal minority.
 
Think it's more to do with getting called murderers/scum, always the victims etc for 9 months of the year than it is trying to be cool and different. And then being expected to stand alongside the people singing that.
Henderson has been one of the best England players in the tournament, but remember the abuse he got after that unlucky penalty miss? Something tells me it wouldn't have been quite as dramatic if he wasn't a Liverpool player.
As well as that, the different press reactions to how Liverpool fans treated the Man City bus vs "celebratory" England fans trashing ambulances and shops.

And I'm someone who actually likes and supports the England team. Just I can understand why there's so many fellow scousers who don't feel the same way. Although I think indifference would be the best response, rather than actively supporting Sweden/Croatia etc. Bit small time/Everton that.
Give over. United fans have had to put up with our players being made scapegoats for years. Look at the treatment Beckham got after France 98.
 
I am loving this . I live in North Wales and pretty much all the Welsh despise England which is cool as I am used to it now . They are the easiest bunch ever to wind up because they are all hypocrites . They don`t class themselves as British and that alone tells you how thick they are as to be British is to be a descendant of The British Isles . I was working with a welsh guy a few months ago and the fella we were working for would make us a cuppa in union jack mugs , the welsh guy I was with wouldn`t drink out of it but wouldn`t say anything to the guy we were working for . After drinking the first brews he made I took the mugs back and said thanks for the brew, love the mugs . My welsh colleague didn`t drink a cuppa on that job .
I do love winding them up , I mean even during the Euros it was easy cos you knew they wouldn`t win it and half their team are English anyway .
Most the time its all a bit of fun , lots of Sweden flags in cars and house windows last week , Croatian flags this week .
A mate of mine found human shit all over the front of his house the next morning after beating Sweden though , his big George cross flag must have sent someone over the edge .
 
I've always wanted to root for England, seeing how I love how the English play the game, but the previous teams were always so unlikeable with their WAGs and the way they overhype themselves. Also the way the selection worked where various big names would be shoehorned into the team regardless.

This is the first time I've rooted for England since 1998, back when I was 14 and it's all because of how tolerable the team are.
 
I am loving this . I live in North Wales and pretty much all the Welsh despise England which is cool as I am used to it now . They are the easiest bunch ever to wind up because they are all hypocrites . They don`t class themselves as British and that alone tells you how thick they are as to be British is to be a descendant of The British Isles . I was working with a welsh guy a few months ago and the fella we were working for would make us a cuppa in union jack mugs , the welsh guy I was with wouldn`t drink out of it but wouldn`t say anything to the guy we were working for . After drinking the first brews he made I took the mugs back and said thanks for the brew, love the mugs . My welsh colleague didn`t drink a cuppa on that job .
I do love winding them up , I mean even during the Euros it was easy cos you knew they wouldn`t win it and half their team are English anyway .
Most the time its all a bit of fun , lots of Sweden flags in cars and house windows last week , Croatian flags this week .
A mate of mine found human shit all over the front of his house the next morning after beating Sweden though , his big George cross flag must have sent someone over the edge .

At least we beat Belgium :D
 
Whatever happens they’ve already exceeded my expections. I wasn’t sure they’d get out of the group! Lots of haters on here claiming that they hate the hype before the tourney from the fans saying we’d won it before it started. That is complete Bollox. Every England fan I know would have been happy to get to the quarters. England fans just enjoyed the “being involved” part of the tournament. I feel it’s this aspect of it that Haters dislike, watching with envious eyes. And if they lose on Wednesday? So what, it’s been a great ride so far.
 
England fans just enjoyed the “being involved” .

:lol:

Read on another part of the forum that the FA is seriously considering whether or not they should have an open top bus parade if England get beaten by Croatia. Says it all really.
 
What do you think it says?

Our delight at simply getting to this stage of the tournament and distinct lack of arrogance this time round.

I think a bus parade for 3rd/4th is too much tho that would be embarrassing
 
especially when it's coming home anyway :D
 
:lol:

Read on another part of the forum that the FA is seriously considering whether or not they should have an open top bus parade if England get beaten by Croatia. Says it all really.
Does Southgate still get knighthood?
 
There is something refreshing about this England side in that they’re pulling together and seen to actually like each other and each other’s company. Other squads had too big egos.

I even forget Henderson is a dirty Scouser & Ali is a Cnut
 
He'll get a statue if we win it!
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