Annoying Monday morning soccer conversations

[Charlie Darwin]

Belfield Park used to be a bitch to get to. You'd almost think they located it there to discourage people...

[Dodge]

Well there's that Dodge and all of those are valid but I think the drunken yobs and cold are generally more tolerable in grounds where there is likely to be a buzz, hence the college game (almost all on-campus in college towns) or more centrally located pro stadia tend to not have this debate as much.

I'm not arguing that College and NFL are comparable. Different worlds IMO and nothing beats the Collega spectacle in huge Penn State or Michigan crowds (and many, many others). But thats kinda the point. People go to college games looking to get raucous, while many go to NFL for a variety of reasons (the sport/the experience/to be seen). I think only Green Bay (and New Orleans of late) could argue that their atmosphere is as fanatical as the NCAA games

Central grounds definitely help. Its far less daunting thinking you'll have to give up 4/5 hours getting in and out of the stadium

[BonnieShels]

The atmosphere is the biggest convert factor I think. Think about how many decent games on the pitch were ruined by a lack of atmosphere. And think about how many games were improved in memory when the atmosphere rose.

[peadar1987]

http://foot.ie/threads/143613-Magners-League-of-Football

This is turning into one of those discussions. Witness the fella near the bottom of page 2 who says he'd have no problem going to watch LOI so long as he wouldn't have to watch rubbish players like Keith Fahey! Some people are so far out of touch with reality it makes my head spin!

[BonnieShels]

Ah, but wait til Monday...

The teuwl was talking to me today. Trying to explain the delicate little passing game that Dortmund used last night was hard. All contributed was "Man City were ****e".

[danthesaint]

had another discussion with a liverpool fan (who has never been to liverpool) today.

but was funny when i called over a dutch lad who supports Groningen in the dutch league, he was going mad at the liverpool fan saying how can you support a team when ya have never been there. I was cracking up laughing

[peadar1987]

Ireland is actually a joke among foreign football supporters because of this. Supporting a crap team they can respect, but glory hunting will earn you their lifelong contempt.

Also, gripe with barstoolers #298, when an Irish Man U "fan" boasts about how much of a die hard fan they are because they still worship one of the richest and most successful clubs in the world, even though some people call them a glory hunter. World's smallest violin, anyone?

[danthesaint]

one of the lads facebook status' earlier on, thought was funny

I saw a group on Facebook saying 'Manchester United is my Religion, Old Trafford is my Church'.

I'm a Christian and I never go to my Church either.

[Fivesilver]

Heard a bloke I know the other day going on about 'Mackem scum'. As far as I'm aware, he's never been to Sunderland, he doesn't know anyone from Sunderland . . .
This is apparently to do with his occasionally wearing a Newcastle shirt.
Of course, being able to throw terms like 'Mackem' around also demonstrates a high level of knowledge and sophistication.
Speaking of Sunderland, I wonder have Oxfam managed yet to shift all those shirts they were inundated with after the whole Keane thing went pear-shaped?

[bullit]

Speaking of Sunderland, I wonder have Oxfam managed yet to shift all those shirts they were inundated with after the whole Keane thing went pear-shaped?
I felt particulary sorry for the poor staff of Boylesports who used to cringe for having to wear the Sunderland replica shirt every Saturday at work.

[bluemovie]

A mate of mine is an outsourced cameraman for Sky Sports. He's a fan of both the Blues and Liverpool. When he met Jeff Stelling (the king of English football), you can guess which impressed Stelling more. He knew the Blues were successful in the 60s and 70s, played United and Celtic in the European Cup and even that Bobby Charlton played for us. Far more interested than he would have been in a conversation with a 'die-hard' Liverpool fan who'd been to Anfield a few times.

[Charlie Darwin]

I get the feeling Hartlepool's finest isn't all that interested in the Premier League despite presenting a show that's focused on it. He always seems to get so excited about announcing the latest updates from Cowdenbeath or Hayes & Yeading.

[Bluebeard]

Top chairman Hayes and Yeading has - he's written about our promotion challenge on more than one occasion this season in his programme notes. That's the real reason Jeff cares about H&Y - he knows the Blues connection!

Because, as we all know, Jeff is a glory hunter. He's turns up at the RSC twice or three times a year for the glamour games with Wexford and Limerick, wearing all the gear and him hardly in from Luton 20 minutes. With his fancy travel agent ticket in the expensive seats with all the other blow-ins from London and England generally. Apparently he is a pain in the hole at the Sky studios on a Saturday morning if the Blues win, coming in wearing his Blues scarf talking about how "we" thumped Salthill and how "we" are going to get back on top of the table and how worried he is about how "we" are going to do in the big game with Monaghan. And apparently it's worse if they lose: he'd be moaning for hours on end. Dirty glory hunter, and he living within a half hour of Chelsea, but no, they are not good enough for him to watch. No, he'd choose to spend over 4 hours getting to Waterford for some flashy tie with Finn Harps rather than get in his car and drive to Stamford Bridge.

[Charlie Darwin]

I hear the locals in Waterford hate all the daytrippers from Hartlepool and Middlesbrough. It's embarrassing - English fans are a laughing stock in this country.

[Fivesilver]

Top chairman Hayes and Yeading has - he's written about our promotion challenge on more than one occasion this season in his programme notes. That's the real reason Jeff cares about H&Y - he knows the Blues connection!

Because, as we all know, Jeff is a glory hunter. He's turns up at the RSC twice or three times a year for the glamour games with Wexford and Limerick, wearing all the gear and him hardly in from Luton 20 minutes. With his fancy travel agent ticket in the expensive seats with all the other blow-ins from London and England generally. Apparently he is a pain in the hole at the Sky studios on a Saturday morning if the Blues win, coming in wearing his Blues scarf talking about how "we" thumped Salthill and how "we" are going to get back on top of the table and how worried he is about how "we" are going to do in the big game with Monaghan. And apparently it's worse if they lose: he'd be moaning for hours on end. Dirty glory hunter, and he living within a half hour of Chelsea, but no, they are not good enough for him to watch. No, he'd choose to spend over 4 hours getting to Waterford for some flashy tie with Finn Harps rather than get in his car and drive to Stamford Bridge.
:D:D:D

[MariborKev]

Out working with a client, got the "Any plans for the weekend? question.

I was like "Naw, football season is over to be honest I dunno what I'll be doing with my weekends for the next few months"

"What season"

"League of Ireland"

"Right, and you'd got to games would you"

"Yeah, we'll I don't get to every home game with living in Dublin but I missed less than half a dozen home and away"

"Jees, sure it is just so much easier to watch them on TV"

Cure rolly eyes.

[Dodge]

Yeah, thats one of the follow up questions I nearly alawys get with these types

"So, you go to all the games then?"

Its like they're astounded that not only do we have an interest in it, and not only do we go to home games, but we actually travel around the country to see games.

When I respond positively, the answer I usually get with raised eyebrows is "jaysus"

[SkStu]

Yeah, thats one of the follow up questions I nearly alawys get with these types

"So, you go to all the games then?"

Its like they're astounded that not only do we have an interest in it, and not only do we go to home games, but we actually travel around the country to see games.

When I respond positively, the answer I usually get with raised eyebrows is "jaysus"

thats just them realising that there's something not quite right with you Dodge. ;) ;) I think we've all been there!

[holidaysong]

It's fun to have one of these threads once every few months so we can all have a good rant and a moan. I'm going to London in a couple of weeks for a 'barstooler' weekend with thischarmingman. I might pretend to be a die hard Fulham, QPR, Leyton Orient (or whatever club we choose to visit) for the day and see how it goes. Maybe RTÉ will pick it up and turn it into as series... 'The Other Side of the Barstool'.

[OneForTheFuture]

It's fun to have one of these threads once every few months so we can all have a good rant and a moan. I'm going to London in a couple of weeks for a 'barstooler' weekend with thischarmingman. I might pretend to be a die hard Fulham, QPR, Leyton Orient (or whatever club we choose to visit) for the day and see how it goes. Maybe RTÉ will pick it up and turn it into as series... 'The Other Side of the Barstool'.

That sounds like a party game for 4 men of a certain persuasion :laugh:

[thischarmingman]

Threads like this are a little self-indulgent and will probably crop up next time someone tries that tiresome "I won't feel welcomed going to a LOI ground..." post, but it is nice to spout every so often and confirm to ourselves that we're not alone.

[BonnieShels]

As LOI supporters we rarely get to be self-indulgent.
I think we made the most of the opportunity.

[Fivesilver]

"We . . . " - Jesus wept! :poo:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9F0bbiohHo

[EAFC_rdfl]

bennocelt has a good comment on that youtube video!!

[bullit]

This is is probably the same kind of madness that takes place in any given city/town or village throughout the country.
A fully blown EPL/SPL supporter pub!??

The funny thing about the one i drink in is that it is the Louth GAA supporters HQ pub in Dundalk that becomes Liverpool central when them "Mighty Reds" Play.About 6 months ago a Man.U fan comes into the pub, and because Liverpool had just beat them,the barman sticks on the CD of the Liverpool anthem "you"ll never walk alone" which leads to much annoyance and disgruntlement with Man.U fan man and other non Liverpool supporting EPL heads,so much so that Man.U man storms from the pub,swearing that he will never return and followed 2mins later by several other EPL supporter heads cursing the same pub to the depths of hell and beyond:D I near keeled over laughing, but i think everyone thought i was laughing with the Liverpool "fans" and not at the stupidity of the whole scenario.
There are several other EPL/SPL pubs in town but it fkukin crawls me that there isnt one good DFC saloon.(apart from the Lilywhite lounge)

[Rasputin]

There are several other EPL/SPL pubs in town but it fkukin crawls me that there isnt one good DFC saloon.(apart from the Lilywhite lounge)
But it makes sense Bullit because supporting our teams does not consist of sitting on a barstool.
Instead of terraces they have barstools, im happy with our hand.

[BonnieShels]

But we need the barstool in winter.

[Bluebeard]

I'm more of an armchair-by-the-fireside-with-an-exquisite-brandy-and-an-enthusiastic-and-willing-young-actress-slash-dancer-slash-model kind of man in the winter, myself. Is this not typical for League of Ireland fans?

[Hitman]

I'm more of an armchair-by-the-fireside-with-an-exquisite-brandy-and-an-enthusiastic-and-willing-young-actress-slash-dancer-slash-model kind of man in the winter, myself. Is this not typical for League of Ireland fans?

Stephen Grant? (http://macdaraferris.wordpress.com/2010/02/13/on-tee-from-shamrock-rovers-stephen-grant/)

[thischarmingman]

Speaking of constructing fake rivalries:

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/can-you-ever-forget-your-first-hate-2420319.html


Now, however, it must be difficult for United supporters to work out which team they hate most. For any United fan not from Manchester, it's hard to take a geographical reason for dislike of City seriously simply because they have been irrelevant for so long. Yet the greatest sign of City's threat comes from how much they are getting under the skin of Ferguson and, consequently, how much the others in red now delight in their defeats.

Excellent article to have, the day after the Cup Final.

[peadar1987]

how much the others in red now delight in their defeats

I'm sure most Sligo fans are indifferent to the fate of Manchester City

[marinobohs]

I'm sure most Sligo fans are indifferent to the fate of Manchester City

Peadar,Shame on you how dare you suggest that there are actually football fans out there not fixated with the machinations and "thrills and spills" of the EPL :p next thing you will want our newspapers to report on our football.

[BonnieShels]

When you look at the link on that page over to the right showing the league tables it goes EPL>LOI Prem>Scot Prem... I coulda sworn there was a second level division and I'm almost sure we're stuck in it?

[marinobohs]

When you look at the link on that page over to the right showing the league tables it goes EPL>LOI Prem>Scot Prem... I coulda sworn there was a second level division and I'm almost sure we're stuck in it?

If the Indo doesn't recognise you, can you truely exist ? :rolleyes:

[thischarmingman]

If the Indo doesn't recognise you, can you truely exist ? :rolleyes:

If Sporting Fingal win a game and there's noone there to see it, do they still get three points?

[pineapple stu]

Yes, cos there was 735 people there, plain for all to see. The stand was crammed sure.

[BonnieShels]

If the Indo doesn't recognise you, can you truely exist ? :rolleyes:

Well ye'll be not be existing with us I'm pretty sure. It's impossible to get out of here. HELP!

[BonnieShels]

If Sporting Fingal win a game and there's noone there to see it, do they still get three points?

That actually made me laugh out loud.

[Bluebeard]

Now, however, it must be difficult for United supporters to work out which team they hate most. For any United fan not from Manchester, it's hard to take a geographical reason for dislike of City seriously simply because they have been irrelevant for so long. Yet the greatest sign of City's threat comes from how much they are getting under the skin of Ferguson and, consequently, how much the others in red now delight in their defeats.

I don't get it. Why would Waterford United fans from Manchester get upset about Cork City over geographical reasons? They weren't even in existence when Martin Ferguson was our manager. Or did they mean Derry because of the long trip, which should be easier from Manchester than Waterford - it makes no sense. And why do Shels fans figure in this?

Very poorly written and researched; I don't think I'll bother with the link.

[BonnieShels]

Hattrick. Maybe I'm just giddy today.

[marinobohs]

Yes, cos there was 735 people there, plain for all to see. The stand was crammed sure.

A new chant for Fingal ?? "There's only 735 Gerry Gannon's" :)

[Charlie Darwin]

The last page of this thread has had me in stitches.


Speaking of constructing fake rivalries:

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/can-you-ever-forget-your-first-hate-2420319.html



Excellent article to have, the day after the Cup Final.
Bizarre article to come out the day after Chelsea got slaughtered 3-0 at home by a mid-table team too. You'd think a sub-ed would have twigged that and changed it, but I guess you could apply that to any of their hundred-or-so poorly researched articles per day.

[danthesaint]

one of the lads facebooks today

League of Ireland soccer is so ****, no goals & they can't even take penalty's


it took every effort not to bite

[John83]

I'd have had a dig about the apostrophe.

[BonnieShels]

Precisely the first thing I was thinking.

[osarusan]

Removing the apostrophe wouldn't make it right.

[John83]

Removing the apostrophe wouldn't make it right.
No, it would make it misspelled.

[peadar1987]

one of the lads facebooks today

League of Ireland soccer is so ****, no goals & they can't even take penalty's


it took every effort not to bite

Hmm... Seeing as Man U, Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool have all had games in which they've failed to score in the last 8 days, I hope for his sake he follows Arsenal!

[gustavo]

Going to vent here with possible accusations of being paranoid but I hate the way that the word domestic is used to describe League of Ireland - i.e a great day for domestic football in Ireland. In my mind it's used by people who don't want to use "Irish football" to describe the league. This in my opinion wouldn't happen in an other country.

[Charlie Darwin]

I think most people just use them interchangeably. It also differentiates the league from the national side.