I've lost faith in Ireland.

Excellent thread this is btw, some great points from both sides of the argument.

Don't know where I stand really, as david said above I have also given the League of Ireland a fair crack, now personally I have really enjoyed it, fallin in love with it even. I genuinely think that people who do not follow their local side are missing out on a tremendous feeling of live football, the passion, the loyalty, amazing feelings like these that I have experienced following Kildare county.
But, also like david, I cannot blame someone if they do not follow the League of Ireland. I think some people are being harsh towards some followers of foreign clubs, there are people out there who do end up following sides purely based on the fact they play nice football, for example, I enjoy watching Brazil play and whenever they are on the box I would try and watch it, I have done since the 2002 World Cup (when I first saw them play), over time and after watching them play a few games I developed a soft spot to them and now it is at the stage where I would hope they win all their games (bar v Ireland obviously), this must surely be a form of "supporting" them no?

Now I am just using that as an example, but it is possible that there are other people out there who have developed a liking of teams in England or Spain or wherever based on the same way I would like to see Brazil win. I would gladly watch any good game of football, since the fall of county I would now just be more of a fan of the sport than any one club in particular, and, for example, if it happens that Barcelona are a team I begin to watch on sky every couple of weeks and they play nice attractive flowing football, would I be wrong in taking an interest in them? I think not.

However, its when people begin to follow clubs for no apparent reason and feel the same "pride" when their beloved Man United or Chelsea win a game as I did when Kildare won a game, that is what confuses me about football fans in this country.

England (UK) is a country with huge influence on global culture - probably only beaten by the states globally. As they are our nearest neighbour its only natural they have an impact on us.

Some people on this thread seem to suggest that supporting an English club somehow dilutes their Irishness - what a laughable thought!

Also why stop at football? How many people like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones? How many people have enjoyed comedies like Porridge, Only fool and Horses and Faulty towers? Own up I'm sure some of you watch Cornation Street and Eastenders!

If so in your eyes it surely makes you as culpable in your betrayal of Ireland(ha!) as me - an Irishman who supports Liverpool as my club.

Also ever been to Scotland, Wales, Denmark, Finland, Norway etc. There is huge support for English football in particular in there countries aswell as African, Asian countries etc. Ireland and Irish people are no way unique in there support of Irish football and of general cultural trends globally.

The level of small mindedness displayed by some people who appear to only support LOI so it affords them the opportunity to b!tch and moan about everthing else is astounding;) Ok I'm joking about the lasr bit but sometimes I wonder.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kennedmc

England (UK) is a country with huge influence on global culture - probably only beaten by the states globally. As they are our nearest neighbour its only natural they have an impact on us.

Some people on this thread seem to suggest that supporting an English club somehow dilutes their Irishness - what a laughable thought!

Also why stop at football? How many people like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones? How many people have enjoyed comedies like Porridge, Only fool and Horses and Faulty towers? Own up I'm sure some of you watch Cornation Street and Eastenders!

If so in your eyes it surely makes you as culpable in your betrayal of Ireland(ha!) as me - an Irishman who supports Liverpool as my club.

Also ever been to Scotland, Wales, Denmark, Finland, Norway etc. There is huge support for English football in particular in there countries aswell as African, Asian countries etc. Ireland and Irish people are no way unique in there support of Irish football and of general cultural trends globally.

The level of small mindedness displayed by some people who appear to only support LOI so it affords them the opportunity to b!tch and moan about everthing else is astounding;) Ok I'm joking about the lasr bit but sometimes I wonder.

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its not about Irish or English - its about going to see some footie. Most posters here and LOI fans in general have an english or foreign team that they follow. The point is that they support their local club too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kennedmc

England (UK) is a country with huge influence on global culture - probably only beaten by the states globally. As they are our nearest neighbour its only natural they have an impact on us.

Some people on this thread seem to suggest that supporting an English club somehow dilutes their Irishness - what a laughable thought!

Also why stop at football? How many people like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones? How many people have enjoyed comedies like Porridge, Only fool and Horses and Faulty towers? Own up I'm sure some of you watch Cornation Street and Eastenders!

If so in your eyes it surely makes you as culpable in your betrayal of Ireland(ha!) as me - an Irishman who supports Liverpool as my club.

Also ever been to Scotland, Wales, Denmark, Finland, Norway etc. There is huge support for English football in particular in there countries aswell as African, Asian countries etc. Ireland and Irish people are no way unique in there support of Irish football and of general cultural trends globally.

The level of small mindedness displayed by some people who appear to only support LOI so it affords them the opportunity to b!tch and moan about everthing else is astounding;) Ok I'm joking about the lasr bit but sometimes I wonder.

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Most people here dont mind people supporting a English club as long as they support their local team aswell, theses people who support Man utd or Liverpool dont support Englnad over Ireland when it comes to International matches so why not support a Irish club?

You used Norway and Scotland as a example of other countries who support English teams but most of these people would support their local team aswell as a EPL team

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kennedmc

England (UK) is a country with huge influence on global culture - probably only beaten by the states globally. As they are our nearest neighbour its only natural they have an impact on us.

Some people on this thread seem to suggest that supporting an English club somehow dilutes their Irishness - what a laughable thought!

Also why stop at football? How many people like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones? How many people have enjoyed comedies like Porridge, Only fool and Horses and Faulty towers? Own up I'm sure some of you watch Cornation Street and Eastenders!

If so in your eyes it surely makes you as culpable in your betrayal of Ireland(ha!) as me - an Irishman who supports Liverpool as my club.

Also ever been to Scotland, Wales, Denmark, Finland, Norway etc. There is huge support for English football in particular in there countries aswell as African, Asian countries etc. Ireland and Irish people are no way unique in there support of Irish football and of general cultural trends globally.

The level of small mindedness displayed by some people who appear to only support LOI so it affords them the opportunity to b!tch and moan about everthing else is astounding;) Ok I'm joking about the lasr bit but sometimes I wonder.

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In Scotland, there's little interest in English football. Not compared to Ireland anyway. They have their own league, it fills all the sports pages, and it's the one that will come into the mind of every Scot when they hear the word "fitbaw". In Scandinavia, there is a lot of interest in the English game, but people still turn out in huge numbers to support their local clubs.

In Africa and Asia, the game at a local level is in absolute disarray because people would rather watch foreign football than their own leagues. I'm sure you remember a while back in Nigeria when a group of Barcelona fans were killed when a Man United fan deliberately ran them over in his van. As far as I am aware, neither of these sides has ever had a Nigerian play for them. No offence to the countries involved, but I wouldn't want to go modelling our society on them.

ah sure look at all the clubs i follow :) the town will always come first thou ever since i was a mascot and got to sit ion the dugout for the finn harps first leg ive been hooked lovely orange slices in the dessing room at half time and the ref gave me a tenner :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Magicme

If I move to Beligum I will support La Magie Mons RAEC Mons

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Well for some.

I'm stuck with the other Waterford United...

At least the other Dundalk play football or eh 'soccer'...

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Originally Posted by Acornvilla

the ref gave me a tenner :D

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Its supposed to be the other way round

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kennedmc

Some people on this thread seem to suggest that supporting an English club somehow dilutes their Irishness - what a laughable thought!

If so in your eyes it surely makes you as culpable in your betrayal of Ireland(ha!) as me - an Irishman who supports Liverpool as my club.

.

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The way you choose Liverpool is because 1) They were good and you like glory hunting 2) you copied your friends/family members who supported them. 3) they had a few Irish players or 4) you liked their shirt?

Why did you not choose Macclesfield or Tranmere (for example)?

There is no way in hell you can argue that you are a true football fan if you have no interest in your own LoI, or local team.

And i bet you wrapped the Irish flag around you last saturday? Arent brazil a better team to follow for you - thery are good and have nice shiny jerseys
I bet you cheer against England too at football

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bennocelt

The way you choose Liverpool is because 1) They were good and you like glory hunting 2) you copied your friends/family members who supported them. 3) they had a few Irish players or 4) you liked their shirt?

Why did you not choose Macclesfield or Tranmere (for example)?

There is no way in hell you can argue that you are a true football fan if you have no interest in your own LoI, or local team.

And i bet you wrapped the Irish flag around you last saturday? Arent brazil a better team to follow for you - thery are good and have nice shiny jerseys
I bet you cheer against England too at football

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am i the only irish person who likes to see the 4 british nations do well?:o

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Originally Posted by peadar1987

When people who are from Bray slag me because Bray lose, but "their" team Liverpool or Arsenal have won...

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That kind of attitude really annoys me (especially from a friend of mine who "supports" Sunderland) :mad:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Acornvilla

am i the only irish person who likes to see the 4 british nations do well?:o

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Oh, please! :rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crc

That kind of attitude really annoys me (especially from a friend of mine who "supports" Sunderland) :mad:

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It's been posted before but always worth posting:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Acornvilla

am i the only irish person who likes to see the 4 british nations do well?:o

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you mean 5, yeah?:p

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bennocelt

you mean 5, yeah?:p

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.....:rolleyes:

What a tedious thread. Running down the whole nation of Ireland because not everyone supports a certain football team. Believe it or not there are people who don't give a flying f*ck about football or sport for that matter. Are they all horrible people too.

Change the self loathing record ffs.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Torn-Ado

What a tedious thread. Running down the whole nation of Ireland because not everyone supports a certain football team. Believe it or not there are people who don't give a flying f*ck about football or sport for that matter. Are they all horrible people too.

Change the self loathing record ffs.

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In case you're wondering, that faint whizzing noise you just heard was the point of the thread whoosing past some several miles distant.

What an interesting time to stumble across this thread. At the moment, I'm living in Sydney, and have made the decision to go (back) to University. As reality hits that I could never afford the internatonal student fees to study here in Australia, I have to cast my eyes back to Ireland.. and I hold off a fear.. a dreading in my gut.

The prospects of folowing the Wanderers in person again and seeing my old friends are heartening.. but that's about where the good stuff ends for me. I try not to waste time with hatred and loathing, because it achieves little.. but Irish society doesn't give me the warm and fuzzys! Society in general can wreck my head a bit, but Irish society more so than the norm.

At the same time, I am Irish. I am (or was and will be when I return) a part of Irish society.. I can make a difference. "I can make a difference".. I hear myself say it, and I believe it.. but then I look at the LOI. How many good people have put their all into lifting this league, only for their efforts to go unnoticed and seeminlgy provide little or no progress. At the same time though, people have had their lives changed by the league.. many of us on foot are examples.

I've not got much, if any, faith in Ireland. But if/when I do return (shudders down spine) I intend to go at life there full throttle.. because it's a better option than giving up*

*Unless you can leave the country.. in which case.. GET THE FUDGE OUT..GO.. Be freeeee :D

The hardcore fans of the clubs they "support" hate them for inflating prices and taking tickets from local fans. Unappreciated where ever they are, except by the moneymen who see the €/stg£ signs. It's them that are missing out - they deserve pity not hate. Patronise them to death, or just leave them to it.

Exactly Macy, I was at a match in Old Trafford a few years back and two locals had a fight in the stand - one thought the other was a daytripper and started on him for, in his eyes, destroying his local club.
Fists flew before the second guy managed to take off his top, show his tattoos and declare 'I'm a fukin Manc too mate, not one of 'em other kuntz'. Needless to say I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.
I have family living in London who support Arsenal and Chelsea, and they also tell me the hardcore local fans of the big clubs HATE the plastics who fly in, go to a game, and bugger off again, they blame them for hiking prices and making tickets hard to come by and say that while the money men at the club are delighted to see these tourists, the 'ordinary' fan on the street just wishes they'd fukoff and never come back.

just as a matter of interest does anyone remember hearing about a massive brawl in crumlin pub about 5 or 6 years ago between united and liverpool fans all from dublin of course - i remember my boss telling me about it

It is possible to be both a support of an LOI club and an English club. I have been supporting an English team since I was 6 and went to my first game at 7. I did not have a local league of Ireland club until I was 11 and immediately started going to watch them at Belgium Park and went to most home games and many away when I lived in Ireland. Logically I know its ridiculous to be an Irish Liverpool supporter and I often try to justify it with family connections to Liverpool and that the first Liverpool manager was from Monaghan and I know from going to Anfield that Irish fans - and there are a lot who go every second week - can be considered daytrippers by Scouse fans. But supporting football teams is not a logical thing and I have a deep emotional connection with Liverpool now. I don't see how it is impossible to go to Gortakeegan or whatever your local ground and also get the armchair out and watch your English, Scottish or Spanish team as well. But most Irish sports fans are event junkies and top-level GAA and rugby cater to that; there is no tradition here like in England or elsewhere of supporting your club week in, week out.

Yes it is. I follow Man Utd & Coventry in England, check out the results of Hibs in Scotland, Celta Vigo in Spain, Inter in Italy, Ajax in Holland, Lorient in France, Sparta inm Czech Republic and Bayern in Germany. That is because I am a football fan. BUT my first love is, and always will be, Galway United

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bennocelt

The way you choose Liverpool is because 1) They were good and you like glory hunting 2) you copied your friends/family members who supported them. 3) they had a few Irish players or 4) you liked their shirt?

Why did you not choose Macclesfield or Tranmere (for example)?

There is no way in hell you can argue that you are a true football fan if you have no interest in your own LoI, or local team.

And i bet you wrapped the Irish flag around you last saturday? Arent brazil a better team to follow for you - thery are good and have nice shiny jerseys
I bet you cheer against England too at football

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I supported Liverpool because when I was 5 my cousin two years older then me did so and I looked up to him. I support then since - so what's your point? a young kid will always be influenced by those closest to him.

I would go to the odd LOI game and always like to see them do well in Europe. If a LOI team were playing Liverpool and they beat them I would be happy for the profile it gives Irish club football.

I don't support a LOI team - deal with it

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WoodquayBoy

Exactly Macy, I was at a match in Old Trafford a few years back and two locals had a fight in the stand - one thought the other was a daytripper and started on him for, in his eyes, destroying his local club.
Fists flew before the second guy managed to take off his top, show his tattoos and declare 'I'm a fukin Manc too mate, not one of 'em other kuntz'. Needless to say I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.
I have family living in London who support Arsenal and Chelsea, and they also tell me the hardcore local fans of the big clubs HATE the plastics who fly in, go to a game, and bugger off again, they blame them for hiking prices and making tickets hard to come by and say that while the money men at the club are delighted to see these tourists, the 'ordinary' fan on the street just wishes they'd fukoff and never come back.

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Somebody who starts on some else on the street for no reason is generally known as a thug - the guy you describe above sounds like a first class scumbag who should be locked up -keys thrown away.

Great thread. What I hate is people who only support foreign clubs and give me grief about supporting Limerick. I can't even walk around Limerick wearing a Limerick FC jersey without people staring at the jersey with funny looks. I find it very very odd when people who support say Liverpool etc.. (Don't get me wrong ive followed Man Utd since I could talk way before I was brought to a Limerick game) and slag Limerick for being crap. When I respond saying if everyone in Limerick who claims they a football supporter actually got off their arse and supported Limerick then they would be way better off both on and off the pitch in the future.

I never disagree that the standard is more, I usually agree after years of watching the First Division but its only going to get better if Irish people give it support. They can still watch their beloved Chelsea on TV anytime.

I always found it ironic and sums up the whole situation the fact that thousands of Irish people travel to Stamford Bridge every second week when their hardcore fan base has/or had a serious anti-Irish element in it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kennedmc

I supported Liverpool because when I was 5 my cousin two years older then me did so and I looked up to him. I support then since - so what's your point? a young kid will always be influenced by those closest to him.

I would go to the odd LOI game and always like to see them do well in Europe. If a LOI team were playing Liverpool and they beat them I would be happy for the profile it gives Irish club football.

I don't support a LOI team - deal with it

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Unlucky, but then I suppose you can't choose your relations.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kennedmc

I supported Liverpool because when I was 5 my cousin two years older then me did so and I looked up to him. I support then since - so what's your point? a young kid will always be influenced by those closest to him.

I would go to the odd LOI game and always like to see them do well in Europe. If a LOI team were playing Liverpool and they beat them I would be happy for the profile it gives Irish club football.

I don't support a LOI team - deal with it

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Not a good enough excuse. I support Man Utd for the same reason but now I also go to every single Limerick game I can and support them in many other ways and I still watch the majority of Manchester United games on TV and would go to Old Trafford if I wasnt a broke student.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CMcC

Unlucky, but then I suppose you can't choose your relations.

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Or the fact that your Irish :rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kennedmc

Somebody who starts on some else on the street for no reason is generally known as a thug - the guy you describe above sounds like a first class scumbag who should be locked up -keys thrown away.

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The pair of them were plastered, to be honest, but for me it was just a snapshot of the attitude of the hardcore local fans of English clubs to the bandwagon-jumping, glory-hunting, event-junkie football fans from Ireland who couldn't locate the ground of their nearest LOI team if it meant they'd get a free season ticket, flights and accommodation for 'their' team in a country the majority of them hate given the 800 years of oppression we all suffered (yawn).
My support for Man Utd is also down to family ties (my uncle supported them and I idolised him), but my loyalty is to Galway UNited not Man United, just as it is to Ireland and not England.
Regarding L37Ultra's jersey reflection, I get the same, play 5-a-side every week in my United jersey, I have had people ask me why I was wearing that, and ask me 'can you not afford a real jersey?' I haven't snapped yet with such comments, but breaking point is fast approaching

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WoodquayBoy

I get the same, play 5-a-side every week in my United jersey, I have had people ask me why I was wearing that, and ask me 'can you not afford a real jersey?' I haven't snapped yet with such comments, but breaking point is fast approaching

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Its a culture that exists that would take years to change if ever. :mad:

Once a fellow wearing a Liverpool jacket on a bus in Limerick asked did I play with Limerick when I was wearing a Limerick FC jacket. I said no why? His response was why you wearing that so? I told him I supported Limerick FC and he laughed. So I asked him did he play with Liverpool and thats why I now drive :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kennedmc

I supported Liverpool because when I was 5 my cousin two years older then me did so and I looked up to him. I support then since - so what's your point? a young kid will always be influenced by those closest to him.

I would go to the odd LOI game and always like to see them do well in Europe. If a LOI team were playing Liverpool and they beat them I would be happy for the profile it gives Irish club football.

I don't support a LOI team - deal with it

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When I was a kid I used to "support" Man U because my older cousin did. Then when I was about 13 or 14, I realised that was daft, switched to Stoke, and started going down the Carlisle. I've never looked back.

When you get people like the lad I mentioned in the OP, who make some stupid excuse to make themselves feel better about supporting a foreign club, it makes my blood boil.

The actual course of the argument went along the lines of:

Rich: "You're from Manchester? Are you a United fan?"

Laura: "No, I support City, most people in Manchester do"

Rich: "No they don't. Man United are the biggest club in the world. Man United, Liverpool, Arsenal, they're all Irish clubs, that's why they're so successful"

Laura the Manc: "What are you talking about? Man United were founded by railway workers. Liverpool were a made-up club founded because Everton left Anfield, and Arsenal were a team from a British Army munitions store"

Rich: "Ah you wouldn't understand. You're probably a Protestant."

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Originally Posted by PartySaint

You think thats bad, I heard a group of lads in Ireland jerseys singing a United song on the way to Croker the other night, I decided on the spot that this would be the last Ireland game i ever to go

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Did you say anything to them? Or did you just decide that you were going to go home and write a strongly worded paragraph on Foot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by peadar1987

The actual course of the argument went along the lines of:

Rich: "You're from Manchester? Are you a United fan?"

Laura: "No, I support City, most people in Manchester do"

Rich: "No they don't. Man United are the biggest club in the world. Man United, Liverpool, Arsenal, they're all Irish clubs, that's why they're so successful"

Laura the Manc: "What are you talking about? Man United were founded by railway workers. Liverpool were a made-up club founded because Everton left Anfield, and Arsenal were a team from a British Army munitions store"

Rich: "Ah you wouldn't understand. You're probably a Protestant."

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Hmmmm ..... you couldn't make this up .......... or maybe you could? Either that or Rich is the biggest gloryhunting stereotype of all time.

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Originally Posted by Nedser

Hmmmm ..... you couldn't make this up .......... or maybe you could? Either that or Rich is the biggest gloryhunting stereotype of all time.

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Cross my heart I didn't make it up! My flatmate literally won't come along on class nights out with me any more in case Rich is there!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nedser

Hmmmm ..... you couldn't make this up

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I know, just how deluded people are, I mean, most people in Manchester support city!?!??

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kennedmc

I supported Liverpool because when I was 5 my cousin two years older then me did so and I looked up to him. I support then since - so what's your point? a young kid will always be influenced by those closest to him.

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So, if you mother had decided to bring you to visit your other cousins that faithful day you could be a Man Utd fan. Such whims and coincidences are not how you should start supporting any team.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kennedmc

I supported Liverpool because when I was 5 my cousin two years older then me did so and I looked up to him. I support then since - so what's your point? a young kid will always be influenced by those closest to him.


I don't support a LOI team - deal with it

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So if your cousin supported Manure Utd then........................quite random isnt it?

Dont care if you diss the LOi, it really is your loss.

I support Man Utd..have done since I was a wee boy. My dad took me to see Harps and I was hooked ever since and they always come before Man Utd. If I had tickets to Finn Harps v Derry City and tickets to Man Utd v Liverpool and they were both on the same night, I'd be in Finn Park cheering on MY team. Some people would say I'm mad but that's the way it is! :)