who are Irelands most famous club?

[dcfcsteve]

You are having a go. You're "convinced that's the truth" :D On your last post you said that Rovers wouldnt even be the best known Irish club in Poland. Now that is the dumbest post in the history of the internet. Take it from me I was there 2 years ago and we were all over the papers because of our last game there in 94.

Slovan Liberec not a big team?!! They beat Milan the year before we played them FFS.

As for Spain well I was there in Valencia in January and the old guys there knew our name cos we played them in the 60s in Europe. Naturally they knew shels as well. Liam Buckley and Alan Campbell went to Spain from Rovers.......

The obvious answer is Rovers. Other fans here have admitted it. It is not anecdotal evidence. I would suggest you take off your ollie hating glasses and get used to it. What a clown..........

KOH


Thanks NY Hoop. So Rovers are the most famous Irish club cuz a few aul fella's in Spain remember them from back in the 60's (even though they "naturally" knew Shels as well, which in itself actually negates everything you're saying) and because Liberic once beat Milan.

And you call me a clown.....?

Myself and alot of Derry fans are familiar with FK Lynn, because we played them in Europe in the 60's, and we're also "naturally" aware of Rosenborg. But I know which one we'd assert is the best known Norwegian side...

Again - you're saying Rovers are the obvious answer but you haven't said why ? If we accept that teams become known outside of their own countries at any point in time primarily through their exploits in Europe - and primarily successful exploits/giant-killing ones - then how can it be Rovers ? If you don't accept this hyptheses on how teams are the best known at any particular point in time- forward a different one. And one that argues why Rovers would be the best known Irish club NOW - not back in the 80's or whenever.

I'm no Shels supporter - believe me - and I've no idea what your "Ollie hating glasses" bit was all about - but Shel's unexpected victory over Split and particularly their come-back draw against Deportivo in Spain, and then a big game against Lille, were big footballing stories at that time across Europe. More so than Rovers losing to a Czech team in the Intertoto Cup. Again - don't just disagree with me "because" - justify why you think Rovers are obviously the best known Irish team these days, given their low profile in Europe of late ?

As for other fans on here "admitting" that Rovers are the most famous Irish club - I've had a look back, and in-between all the crap about online searches and a spoof claim that it's Derry City, more actually "admit" its Shels. So what does that prove, given you were relying on other people to support your claim ?

Times change NYHoop. Fame is very short-term - particularly where Irish football clubs are concerned, as we've never been big news....

P.S. And my post genuinely wasn't to have a go. You need to ease-up on the Paisley-esque attitude - not everyone who questions anything about Rovers is against them

[royalblue]

If you are counting Northern Ireland in this topic, then Linfield are by far Irelands biggest and most famous team since football began here on this whole Island. Then Belfast celtic, Glentoran, Shamrock Rovers etc

[Poor Student]

I'm no Shels supporter - believe me - and I've no idea what your "Ollie hating glasses" bit was all about - but Shel's unexpected victory over Split and particularly their come-back draw against Deportivo in Spain, and then a big game against Lille, were big footballing stories at that time across Europe.

Lille was the comback draw. 2-0 down Glen Fitzpatrick came on and nabbed a late double. Deportivo was 0-0 in the 1st leg and 3-0 in the 2nd leg to Deportivo.

[NY Hoop]

Thanks NY Hoop. So Rovers are the most famous Irish club cuz a few aul fella's in Spain remember them from back in the 60's (even though they "naturally" knew Shels as well, which in itself actually negates everything you're saying) and because Liberic once beat Milan.

And you call me a clown.....?

Myself and alot of Derry fans are familiar with FK Lynn, because we played them in Europe in the 60's, and we're also "naturally" aware of Rosenborg. But I know which one we'd assert is the best known Norwegian side...

Again - you're saying Rovers are the obvious answer but you haven't said why ? If we accept that teams become known outside of their own countries at any point in time primarily through their exploits in Europe - and primarily successful exploits/giant-killing ones - then how can it be Rovers ? If you don't accept this hyptheses on how teams are the best known at any particular point in time- forward a different one. And one that argues why Rovers would be the best known Irish club NOW - not back in the 80's or whenever.

I'm no Shels supporter - believe me - and I've no idea what your "Ollie hating glasses" bit was all about - but Shel's unexpected victory over Split and particularly their come-back draw against Deportivo in Spain, and then a big game against Lille, were big footballing stories at that time across Europe. More so than Rovers losing to a Czech team in the Intertoto Cup. Again - don't just disagree with me "because" - justify why you think Rovers are obviously the best known Irish team these days, given their low profile in Europe of late ?

As for other fans on here "admitting" that Rovers are the most famous Irish club - I've had a look back, and in-between all the crap about online searches and a spoof claim that it's Derry City, more actually "admit" its Shels. So what does that prove, given you were relying on other people to support your claim ?

Times change NYHoop. Fame is very short-term - particularly where Irish football clubs are concerned, as we've never been big news....

P.S. And my post genuinely wasn't to have a go. You need to ease-up on the Paisley-esque attitude - not everyone who questions anything about Rovers is against them


Thanks for twisting my words. As for European exploits check out www.rsssf.com and you'll see we are the most successful Irish club in european competition. That's the first point. The second is travel. Have you travelled? Been all around Europe, oz and lived in the states and anyone with a bit of knowledge about the game would have commented when they saw me wearing the jersey i.e. they would have heard of Rovers.

Thirdly is the amount of letters and emails the club receives on a weekly basis from around the world. Look at our recent financial troubles where people from the states and australia committed money to us. Would they have done that if they never heard of us?

If you cant accept the 3 reasons forget it.

I've never said that shels last year wasnt big news but I stand by what I said.

He calls me paisleyesque?!!! LOL where you from?


KOH

[bigmac]

http://www.geocities.com/jfaugeras/uefaallt.html

this site has Bohs as the most successful team (position 228) from Ireland in the European cup competition. Rovers are at position 268 and Shels at 273, so they're pretty close. I think people with connections to Ireland - parents etc. - and who are aware of soccer from them, will probably know Rovers' name more. In my experience, people who follow football here (Norway) are more familiar with Shels after last year's exploits.

Remember, fame is not necessarily related to a clubs achievements over the years, so arguing that a club should be better known because of its history doesn't always hold true. How many younger fans in European countries would mention Nottingham Forest as a famous English club for example? Shels and Rovers are both big clubs but at the moment Shels are better known simply because they're more prominent in Europe.

On a separate point, the Rovers shirt is recognisable because most people (rightly or wrongly) outside Ireland associate it with Celtic - hence with Irishness. For heaven's sake, even Ollie can't tell the difference apparently ;)

[Réiteoir]

http://www.geocities.com/jfaugeras/uefaallt.html

this site has Bohs as the most successful team (position 228) from Ireland in the European cup competition. Rovers are at position 268 and Shels at 273, so they're pretty close. I think people with connections to Ireland - parents etc. - and who are aware of soccer from them, will probably know Rovers' name more. In my experience, people who follow football here (Norway) are more familiar with Shels after last year's exploits.

Remember, fame is not necessarily related to a clubs achievements over the years, so arguing that a club should be better known because of its history doesn't always hold true. How many younger fans in European countries would mention Nottingham Forest as a famous English club for example? Shels and Rovers are both big clubs but at the moment Shels are better known simply because they're more prominent in Europe.

On a separate point, the Rovers shirt is recognisable because most people (rightly or wrongly) outside Ireland associate it with Celtic - hence with Irishness. For heaven's sake, even Ollie can't tell the difference apparently ;)

Have to agree with all that tbh.

Shelbourne are the best known eL club / Republic Club side - mainly for the European games against Deportivo, Lille and Hadjuk.

I picked up a copy of the UEFA "Champions" magazine last month - and it had a big photo in the section of "Memorable Images from the Champions League" of a group of Shels fans on the beach in La Coruna playing football - I have seen no images of Rovers in Europe over the past 10 years or so (apart from a certain photo of a Rovers fan being a bit "misguided" in Poland)

After Shels - Bohs are the second most well-known club from the eL - again for the European exploits over the past few years, Aberdeen, Rosenborg, Kaiserslautern, etc. etc.

I've had convos with people in Norway, Scotland, France, Germany, USA, Australia, and even Brazil who have all heard of Bohs (and most bring up the Rangers game in the 80's and the Aberdeen games a few years ago).

Heck I went into a bar in Oslo in 2003 - and in it were about 6 or 7 locals in Bohs jerseys - I kid you not.

and as for the Rovers / Celtic jersey thing - I'll carry out a little experiment over the weekend involving random members of the public here in England and my contacts abroad, and a picture of a Rovers player in action in this season's home kit.

[dancinpants]

I'm gonna go with Shels too...last season in Europe they raised their profile to a level that even Ollie Byrne wouldn't have envisioned.

Someone should go to Footie Message boards in other countries, whack up a thread, asking the question (with out giving ANY names) then we could maybe gauge it better.... ;)

[Réiteoir]

Someone should go to Footie Message boards in other countries, whack up a thread, asking the question (with out giving ANY names) then we could maybe gauge it better.... ;)

Already gone onto two random boards and asked this question.

First result in:


Bomber_Roberts

Location: God's Country (Wigan)
Age: 19
Supports: WIGAN ATHLETIC!!!

Re: Quick Question
I would have to say Shelbourne, closely followed by Bohemians and Cork.

[Réiteoir]

Two more in:


Kellfire


Shelbourne, probably. Or maybe Finn Harps. Home Farm are "big" because of their link with Everton.



dannypea
Location: Nottingham

Shelbourne (no idea why) Cobh Ramblers (because Keano signed from Forest)

[-lamb-]

http://www.geocities.com/jfaugeras/uefaallt.html

this site has Bohs as the most successful team (position 228) from Ireland in the European cup competition. Rovers are at position 268 and Shels at 273, so they're pretty close.

not sure if it counts for anything but linfield are at 168 and glentoran at 178

[dancinpants]

Two more in:

I'd say alot of people would be surprised that actual responses may not be what we all assumed. Harps and Cobh?

[Réiteoir]

More answers from the foreign footballing public:


Shelbourne. Don't hear much of any of the others

Cork, but only cause I once visited there.

Shelbourne

shelbourne but only cause we taught them a lesson in football (Linfield supporter btw)

Was instantly going to say Linfield but they are Nord Oyrish arent they ??

Gotta be Bohs then

shamrock rovers (Celtic fan btw)

bohemians

Shelborune, although it would have been Dublin City a few years ago.

I would have thought its Shels

my hometown of course

Dundalk \o/

Bohemians or Shebourne. The only ones I've heard of...

Hmm... would have to say Shels

shels

When I first played CM I thought it was St. Pats, but I would probably say Shelbourne with Bohs right behind.

bohemians

Shelbourne

St Pats..


shelbourne are obviosuly the most important irish team.

[dancinpants]

I think we could safely say that its looking like Shels are, followed by Bohs. The only person that mentioned rovers happens to be the supporter of a team with a similar jersey... :eek: