Supporting two teams.

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Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Got the usual answer "No, I mean what real team?"

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Originally Posted by crc

I suppose what really annoys me is people who fall into the first category and think that I am somehow less of a football fan because I don't watch Match of the Day.

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I had an interview a while ago for a job in a bar/nightclub. Things were going well until the manager, looking down at my CV where I'd mentioned I supported DCFC, said something jokingly, "Ah, and I see you're a football fan...I'm afraid you have to answer this question right to get a job here: Do you like Man United?" I said, no, I only supported DCFC after which both managers proceeded to grill me along the lines of, "Aye but which Premiership club do you support?"

Eventually, I had to pretend I still supported Leeds (I used to support them when I was a kid but hadn't seen them or anything for years) to get them to leave me alone.

I think most Irish people grew up "Suppporting" an English side. Mine was Man City, until the penny dropped that they didn't really mean anything to me. It was a while before this translated into supporting my local team, but I haven't looked back in 14 years of regular attendance at Richmond Park. Frankly I feel sorry for those who will never know the feeling that we Pats SUPPORTERS had last Thursday evening. As Dodge said, it's their loss. The other thing I always want to point out to people who run down the league is that the single thing which would improve stadia and the standard of football in this country out of all recognition is if more people actually went to matches. There really is no other cure if you think our league is a sick man. Improvement will not happen out of thin air. The probelm is people want everything served up readymade to them. "I want to watch a team in the Champions League, but I've no interest in helping them reach that standard." It's just too damn easy to watch Man U on the TV and that's why people do it.

My own experience sees me supporting a team from the city where I was 'born and bred'. This will always be my first team. I then moved abroad from several years and began supporting a local team. I built up a very good feeling for this team and am definitely a fan. So no problem supporting two teams.

One team, Dundalk. Couldn't really give a plop about the national team, certainly couldn't give two plops for an English or Scottish team.

I think its possible to 'follow' as many teams as you like but you can only really feel for one deep down I think, and this takes years and usually lots of money. For me the first love was Manchester United and still is. However this hasn't stopped me enjoying following the exploits of a variety of other teams over the years. Its only now that Wexford have a league team that I have seriously got into LOI but I did attend ucd games in my time there and my grandad brought me to dalymount as a youngster several times too. I would like to think though that in a few years the situation will reverse itself. Supporting an english team in that league, the way its gone, is a nonsense really for an Irish football fan with any sense of self respect. Can't help ourselves though..I feel far better about what the guys at FCUnited and more particularly Ferrycarrig Park are doing.

i support three teams an EL, epl an spl team. I dont care really what people think and really who does care?

for me some the comments on this thread are plain stupid and is why some people never want go near a domestic football game with attitude like some of you guys.

move on, its there and there is no point in sulking about it

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Originally Posted by Jofspring

when i was younger i purely supported man utd growing up, this was down to the fact i didn't know anything about limerick soccer and never had been to a game barr 1 or 2 that i was brought to. all i ever saw on telly or in the papers was english or scottish football. as i got a little older and found out more about irish football and about limerick football i started supporting them and i definately get more joy out of going to jackman park to watch limerick play than watch Man united on the box. live football and getting behind your home club is what its all about and there is no better kick than going supporting your local team home or away and seeing them win whether it be Limerick in soccer or Shannon in rugby or any other local team you like to follow for that matter.

The people that annoy me are the ones who consider themselves die hard football fans who supposedly support the irish national team through thick and thin and want to see the english national team fail so badly yet support english clubs like man utd, liverpool, aresenal etc... and would laugh at the suggestion of supporting an LOI team.

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I'd have had a fairly similar experience. I was a big Man Utd fan up until about 15 or 16. I went to the Brandywell for the first time the season we nearly were relegated and the atmosphere of the Jungle got me hooked. For some reason, and I'm not sure how long this took, I've developed a dislike for Man Utd, so much so that I was going for Chelsea in the CL final. I think the problem with some of the bigger Premiership teams is that they're football corporations, not football clubs.

It never fails to annoy me when I hear barstoolers discussing supporters songs and chants. I always think to myself, it's a pity you'll rarely if ever to get to sing them at a match.

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Originally Posted by L37Ultra

Define support? I would say I support Limerick but I would follow Manchester United. It all depends really, the majority of kids growing up are brought up with the culture of supporting English clubs and if you support an Irish club you are looked down on.

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i would see supporting as going to a game paying your money to a club shouting for the team obviously.most people in ireland only follow the english teams and support the publicans and bar staff in reality

Its okay to support two teams. Club and country. I get really ****ed off with all the wee knackers that run about west belfast going tiocfaidh ar la this and chucky that - but then in their next sentence call Liverpool and Man U 'we' and 'us' a bit hypocritical.

If you have lived in several cities like I have ... its hard not to have a 'wee feel' for one or two of the teams cities that I've lived in - but half the wee tramps that havent been outside their own housing scheme in the last 6 months claiming to be a supporter of a particular team just because they have a 'chipped' sky box ... does my head in.

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Originally Posted by Hibs4Ever

I actively support 2 teams. St Pats and Slavia Prague

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What's the story with using the name Hibs4Ever? Do you follow Hibs too?

I support Galway United. Secondly, I support all Irish teams in Europe.

On a normal day, I'd have a strong disliking for Shels but I really wanted them to do well in Europe when they had their good run a few years ago. I have no logical explantion for this behaviour.

I have more interest in Monaghan United than Manchester United.

Maybe it's the hot dogs on sale at Mons' games.

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Originally Posted by Hibernian

for me some the comments on this thread are plain stupid and is why some people never want go near a domestic football game with attitude like some of you guys.

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Oh yeah, definately.

:rolleyes:

I've only ever missed 7 Derry City home games since 1985 including friendlies and LC games and I also support Liverpool.

I go to Anfield and have been to Wembley twice to see them and don't have a problem with it. If Derry were to play Liverpool I would support Derry as they are my home town team.

As some of you's may know we didn't have a senior club in Derry in the 70's so as a child I picked Liverpool in a game V Leeds when my 2 older brothers were supporting Leeds and to this day I still do.

I don't understand how people can't follow there local club while supporting an EPL or Scottish team.

I would say at least 7/10 LOI fans do follow clubs across the water.

BTW Even though I'm from Derry I've never had a massive love affair with Celtic which where I grew up was going against the grain!

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Originally Posted by thischarmingman

Oh yeah, definately.

:rolleyes:

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i said some comments.

basically i refer to supporters of el teams who are more interested in the worries of what epl teams are doing then what is going on at there own club. if these people got with times and stop being so us v the world attitude you see a better market for new support

I support Bray "back home", as they were my local team growing up...and I support York City in the UK as it's where I live, and it's good entertainment at the weekend. I hardly ever watch football on tv, and always felt that if you like the game, you'd just go watch the nearest team that offered you live fare. Over time, one then develops an affection...

In a nutshell most of us agree that if you mainly watch football on a TV screen then you are not a football fan.

There yis go.Tidied;)

What hope do we really have when a FAI Ambassador Ray Houghton would rather talk about English lower league clubs "closer to home" when he was asked about Irish clubs being in trouble on Morning Ireland.

The thing I can't understand about "the soccer mad Irish" is why we have this atitude towards are own league. Personnally, I hate watching matches on T.V and would rather be at a live game. Nothing can beat a live game. The thing that grinds my gears is when bar stoolers, like my brother in law look down on me because (a) I follow a less successful English, Sunderland, for years & never seen them win anything & waste my time travelling over 10, 12 times a year. (b) I follow a LOI team , Bohemians, & no one in there right mind would watch that ****e. How can you like that crap! (c) I don't know anything about football because I follow two teams & he is one love one United man. Plus he knows more about football because he supports Man Utd & they are the biggest club in the world. People who follow small clubs or local soccer are morans to choose that path instead of super successful ManYoo.

What a tool!!!!

Bit more complicated for me. I was born in Manchester, moved here when I was 11/12 so was brought up (by my dad) to support MUFC. Ended up living in Tallaght and would now support Rovers. I wouldn't discard United. I tend to do more financially for Rovers like membership or buying a lot of merchandise. Personally, I don't see the problem with Irish-born EL fans having an EPL team as long as they put as much money as possible into the game here. The one thing that makes me crazy is that Irish football fans can go as far as to actually put the boot in on the EL and badmouth it. That I can't understand.

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Originally Posted by Hibernian

i said some comments.

basically i refer to supporters of el teams who are more interested in the worries of what epl teams are doing then what is going on at there own club. if these people got with times and stop being so us v the world attitude you see a better market for new support

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So basically you're saying if your mythical new market support was less interested in the opnions of some people onthe internet, they'd have more chance of going to games?

See, we can all make ridiculous assumptions.

If somebody uses the excuse of an internet post talking about british football as a reason not to go to a game, they're either liars or fools

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Originally Posted by L37Ultra

Its all got to do with the buzz around the town when they are doing well and if people can take Limerick seriously after what has happened in the past. Things are changing though and I have brought many friends to games this year who I would have never expected to go to a Limerick game. I always get smart comments from people when I am in town with any sort of Limerick gear. Ironic thing is it comes from fellows wearing Liverpool jerseys etc.. I just tell them I feel sorry for them :) Do you get that attitude in Limerick, Jofspring?

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ya alot of people don't understand how i can support limerick because they say the standard is awful etc.... but i also find alot of people who when i'm on a night out if i mention i support limerick they say fair play and ask what divsion we are in, how we are getting on in the league and they'd love to get up to a match sometime which makes me think there are alot of people interested its just getting them motivated to go to matches is the problem. a friend of mine went to the odd match as i kept inviting him up and now he is a season ticket holder and loves going up to the matches home and away. if people would just support the team for more than one or two matches here and there and went to at least half the home matches in a season i know they'd get hooked. slowly but surely i think people will come back watching limerick, especially if they continue to play football like they did on friday against dundalk. :ball:

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Originally Posted by Jofspring

slowly but surely i think people will come back watching limerick, especially if they continue to play football like they did on friday against dundalk. :ball:

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Just ensure that happens against Waterford and Fingal :)

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Originally Posted by Dodge

So basically you're saying if your mythical new market support was less interested in the opnions of some people onthe internet, they'd have more chance of going to games?

See, we can all make ridiculous assumptions.

If somebody uses the excuse of an internet post talking about british football as a reason not to go to a game, they're either liars or fools

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It reaches far greater then internet posts, but does people opinions get reflected within the stands of each and every single Eircom League club.

Rather then look across the sea and blame the premership is pointless and we should really be focusing on Irish football and not be worried about everything around us its quite that simple.

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Originally Posted by Hibernian

It reaches far greater then internet posts, but does people opinions get reflected within the stands of each and every single Eircom League club

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No it doesn't. I've never, ever heard anybody "slag off" the EPL while watching a game in Ireland (apart from a bit of good natured banter). In fact, you'll here most people discussing it before the game, at half time etc

As I've said, if somebody uses the excuse of being slagged for being a Liverpool or Man utd fan as a reason not to go to a game in ireland, they're either liars or fools.

If people don't want to go to games, fine but don't make up ridiculous excuses. It isn't the fault of LOI fans that people aren't coming to the games, and anyone who tries to imply it is doesn't even deserve this much of an answer...

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Originally Posted by SunderlandBohs

Don't get me started on that! I got in an arguement with a friend who tried to tell me Celtic were more Irish than Bohs.:rolleyes:

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I hope he's not your friend anymore.

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Originally Posted by Dodge

If somebody uses the excuse of an internet post talking about british football as a reason not to go to a game...

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Whatever assuages the guilt...

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Originally Posted by SunderlandBohs

What a tool!!!!

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Could be worse, he could be screwing your sister....

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Originally Posted by bennocelt

That is one thing that bugs me, as if the quality of football means anything

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Strangest post of the year? :confused:

I'm not going to waste my time and money watching a side who play rubbish football. Teams have an obligation to play entertaining / skillfull football IMO. Only die hard fans care about the result only, and you can't expect new fans to be like that until they've settled in. The product must be appealing to get new fans in.

That said, I'd settle for any eL team winning ugly in Europe but would prefer if they did it in style.

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Originally Posted by Shelsman

Strangest post of the year? :confused:

I'm not going to waste my time and money watching a side who play rubbish football. Teams have an obligation to play entertaining / skillfull football IMO. Only die hard fans care about the result only, and you can't expect new fans to be like that until they've settled in. The product must be appealing to get new fans in.

That said, I'd settle for any eL team winning ugly in Europe but would prefer if they did it in style.

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Aren't Entertaining and Skillful different things. I prefer the entertainment side of things which I think our league offers at a very reasonable price. i.e On MNS last night the highlights of the Sligo-Drog made it look like a very entertaining game though I doubt the skill levels would be very high.
Some games may be highly skillful but may not entertain me. Maybe its just me

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Originally Posted by Shelsman

That said, I'd settle for any eL team winning ugly in Europe but would prefer if they did it in style.

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You must love Pats at the moment ;)

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Originally Posted by bennocelt

That is one thing that bugs me, as if the quality of football means anything

Also i hate when people moan about facilities
Sure they are bad, but its football
I mean i go to the pub for the beer, not cause the toilets are lovely, etc

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On the contrary, I think most of the posters here are glossing over the reason many people have for not following LOI. The quality of football means everything to me for one.

I'm a football fan first and foremost and like to see it played as it is meant to be played. I've not seen a very high standard of this in the LOI and so I spend most of my time watching La Liga or other European leagues including the Premiership. I travel to Barca or Everton matches (yes I'm aware Everton aren't renowned for good footy, but they are improving...)when I can but don't always have the money for it.

I have been to a few Dublin LOI matches when a friend invites me along, but not been in a while. Enjoyed the experience to a degree, but not the matches, in the same way I don't enjoy many of the superhyped Super Sunday clashes on Sky. Too little technical ability and too much stifled defensive/hoofing football.

Because I watch the majority of my footy on TV does not mean I am any less of a fan. Football is my number one passion, and while I agree the live experience is superior, I think this is the case only if the football is good. I wouldn't hesitate in choosing a Barca match on TV over going round the corner to watch Shels because the football is on a different level.

You guys seem to be lumping everyone who doesn't follow an Irish team into the same bracket. I'm sure there are a number of fans who are just plain ignorant and lazy and jump on bandwagons, but there are also plenty of fans who want better football or who simply grew up supporting a team from England and would never think to consider changing to another team because that English team is all they've known since they were kids.

There's a lot of bitterness here is all I can tell.

(although maybe I'm wrong and I am completely a minority and am not relevant to this argument..... :).....if so, continue bashing the pig ignorant barstoolers)

Jinxy - ''Some games may be highly skillful but may not entertain me. Maybe its just me''

I understand what you mean. I know plenty of people who would automatically find a 0-0 in La Liga boring as hell because they don't know the players and there was no goals.

I would generally enjoy the skillful/technical side of the game first, even if in a 0-0, but of course I'm not completely immune to a shockingly bad 4-4 draw with comical defending.

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Originally Posted by Cortezuma

Jinxy - ''Some games may be highly skillful but may not entertain me. Maybe its just me''

I understand what you mean. I know plenty of people who would automatically find a 0-0 in La Liga boring as hell because they don't know the players and there was no goals.

I would generally enjoy the skillful/technical side of the game first, even if in a 0-0, but of course I'm not completely immune to a shockingly bad 4-4 draw with comical defending.

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English football is acknowledged as being technical inferior, played at a helter skelter pace and favouring the physically, rather than mentally, strong and fast players.

Yet you still support it?

Slightly jars with your reference to skill above.

EPL football just features bigger and faster players than the EL. No more, no less technical.

The quality of football has very little to do with the entertainment value. How many times have we seen terrible games by supposedly "quality" players in the premiership? Man Utd vs Chelsea FA Cup 2007 was one of the worst games i've ever seen and theyre supposed to be two of the best in Europe.

I was watching a youth game the other day and obviously the quality was terrible apart from one or two of the kids but it was still a good game to watch.

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Originally Posted by Cortezuma

I'm a football fan first and foremost and like to see it played as it is meant to be played. I've not seen a very high standard of this in the LOI and so I spend most of my time watching La Liga or other European leagues including the Premiership. I travel to Barca or Everton matches (yes I'm aware Everton aren't renowned for good footy, but they are improving...)when I can but don't always have the money for it.

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You're a football consumer (which is fair enough), not a football supporter. I like football in general. I think a direct, physical game can have its own attractions, and I also like seeing beautiful football as much as anybody else.

I'm always mystified about how the quality of the EPL is used to bash the EL. The EPL is rightly seen as a technically inferior league, and this filters down to the English (and Irish) national team.

Also makes me laugh to see EPL fans say that they are driven cross channel for technical football. I assume that if Everton (bad choice of team for your argument by the way) went bust a-la Leeds, went down a couple of divisions and had to play (even) more direct, physical football, you'd immediately switch allegiance to Arsenal then?

<P>

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Originally Posted by boovidge

The quality of football has very little to do with the entertainment value. How many times have we seen terrible games by supposedly "quality" players in the premiership? Man Utd vs Chelsea FA Cup 2007 was one of the worst games i've ever seen and theyre supposed to be two of the best in Europe. </P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>I was watching a youth game the other day and obviously the quality was terrible apart from one or two of the kids but it was still a good game to watch.

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</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>You negate your own point there. In that match many of the players had great technical ability and are undoubtedly 'quality', but the match itself was killed by negativity and a negative gameplan. When watched in other games Utd play excellent football. Chelsea may be less pleasing to watch but they will hopefully get better.</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>The quality of the football, for me, has everything to do with it. The match&nbsp;you mention, did not have quality football, so it had no entertainment value for&nbsp;me either.</P>

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Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

English football is acknowledged as being technical inferior, played at a helter skelter pace and favouring the physically, rather than mentally, strong and fast players.

Yet you still support it?

Slightly jars with your reference to skill above.

EPL football just features bigger and faster players than the EL. No more, no less technical.

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Very fair point. I find myself watching a lot more La Liga nowadays than the EPL but there are plenty of examples in recent seasons of English teams improving. Arsenal are one of the best footballing teams I have ever seen and I would argue that when they want all of Portsmouth, United, Everton, Middlesborough, Reading(1st season up) and Spurs attempt to play a patient passing game as opposed to hoofing. The hoofing is still very much apparent in many matches, including by the teams I mention, but I've seen enough to say that the foreign players and coaches are having an influence for the better.

Stovelid - are you saying I am not a football supporter because of my financial restrictions? I can't afford go every week to see the teams I support. There are plenty of Everton and Barca supporters from Liverpool and Barcelona who probably cannot get to games as much as they would like any more. Yet they are still supporters.

You are right about Everton slightly disproving my point but I am an Everton supporter as it is something that has been with me since I was very small, for 20 years or so now. So, no, if they get relegated or disimprove drastically I won't stop supporting them, as for better or for worse I'm stuck with them same as anyone who started supporting a team when young.

I can see the point you are trying to make, but the direct answer is I would not now start supporting a LOI team, becasue I am older and know what I like in football and I don't see it in the league here.

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Originally Posted by Cortezuma

Because I watch the majority of my footy on TV does not mean I am any less of a fan

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Yes it does. You mightn't like to admit it, but its the truth. This isn't my superiority complex coming out either. Someone from Wrexham that watches them play is more of a football fan than a Liverpool fan from Wrexham who watches them on TV

The fact that most people in Ireland do not understand this simple point, sepertes them from the rest of the footballing world.

The standard of football is, generally, poor enough here. But its like that in laods of countries with relatively strong, vibrant leagues. The difference is that locals still apy to watch the games.

The facilities here are rubbish too. But people who blame the facilities and the standard of football for not going are completely missing the point.

The facilities are rubbish, adn the standard of football isn't great BECAUSE people aren't going to the games. If clubs had the money they'd love to have 10,000 seater stadiums and have the money to attract better players into the leagues, but until people still think they're football fans by watching it on TV, this won't change.

And, honestly, I'm not bitter about this. Its completely your loss. I'd love to see big criowds in INchicore, and around the league, but I don't think I will. If I spent all my time worrying about people with no iterest in irish football, I'd never have time to enjoy the ups and downs of being a football supporter.

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Originally Posted by Dodge

Yes it does. You mightn't like to admit it, but its the truth. This isn't my superiority complex coming out either. Someone from Wrexham that watches them play is more of a football fan than a Liverpool fan from Wrexham who watches them on TV

The fact that most people in Ireland do not understand this simple point, sepertes them from the rest of the footballing world.

The standard of football is, generally, poor enough here. But its like that in laods of countries with relatively strong, vibrant leagues. The difference is that locals still apy to watch the games.

The facilities here are rubbish too. But people who blame the facilities and the standard of football for not going are completely missing the point.

The facilities are rubbish, adn the standard of football isn't great BECAUSE people aren't going to the games. If clubs had the money they'd love to have 10,000 seater stadiums and have the money to attract better players into the leagues, but until people still think they're football fans by watching it on TV, this won't change.

And, honestly, I'm not bitter about this. Its completely your loss. I'd love to see big criowds in INchicore, and around the league, but I don't think I will. If I spent all my time worrying about people with no iterest in irish football, I'd never have time to enjoy the ups and downs of being a football supporter.

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fair enough, I can't totally disagree with you but you are missing the point that I am only restricted currently from seeing more games of Everton and Barca due to not having enough spare money. At some stage I plan on living in Barca and then at least I can catch them regularly. You are lumping me in with someone who just watches on TV.

Also, what you would ideally want, from someone like me, is for me to go to the LOI matches and put up with poor football in the hope that my support will make what I'm watching eventually better. I don't think it's my loss, as I am watching quality football on a regular basis on TV, and seeing it live whenever I can.

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Originally Posted by Cortezuma

You negate your own point there. In that match many of the players had great technical ability and are undoubtedly 'quality', but the match itself was killed by negativity and a negative gameplan.

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But how many people would have watched that game because it supposedly had two "quality" teams and then ignored the LOI game down the road because of the poor "quality" players?

The whole point of being a football fan is that you enjoy watching live football whether its Ronaldo scoring a trademark freekick or a fat bloke scoring a scrappy header in a pub match before going in for a pint. That's what football's all about.

Could you honestly say you'd rather watch a Bolton vs Wigan game on Sky Sports over the live experience of your local team?