Why is it wrong to support foreign teams as well?

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11/12/2007, 4:35 PM
Titan

Why is it wrong to support foreign teams as well?

Reading the bertie thread got me thinking.

I 'support' a lot of clubs in different countries. I go to a few foreign games a year and have a ball. I've been to lots of Liverpool games,Real Madrid,Aberdeen (dont ask!) Bayern, Hamburg, Ajax, Glentoran and a few other random games in europe. I keep an eye on the results of these clubs and watch them on TV and go to the odd game.

When I was a kid I supported Pats cos I lived in Inchicore, I moved to Crumlin and started alternating (each week) between Pats and Rovers. As I got older I lost interest in football (beer,women the usual!). Then in my mid twenties I started going to random league of Ireland games and a few foreign games. My work over the last few years saw me going to at least 50 games per calendar year. (At least 40 of which on the Island of Ireland).

I now support UCD (not just because they pay my wages. if I moved on in the morning I'd buy a season ticket).

So my question is this: Is my (and others like me) support of football not valid cos I havent supported 1 team all my life and because I like several clubs? ( Note I say clubs and not teams as I 'support' them regardless of how theyre doing)

If not Why?
11/12/2007, 4:43 PM
jebus

It is valid, but it doesn't count as much as a one club man, because you probably don't care about them as much as someone who has only ever supported one club in this league.

Plus do you really support, I mean actually support, all those teams in all those countries? I have my favourites in other leagues, but I wouldn't say I support them
11/12/2007, 4:47 PM
niallsparky

In my opinion, your support is perfectly valid. Personally, I have no problem with people who choose to support foreign teams aswell as maintaining a level of interest in their own league. In your situation, you have mantained this degree of support to you national league.

I think the big problem is those who choose to slate and undermine the national league at every opportunity, most of whom who have never bothered to go along to a game - (Irish or foreign in many cases). Yet these football supporters feel that they have the infallible ability to criticise whatever, whenever they want.
11/12/2007, 4:48 PM
Titan

Quote:

Originally Posted by jebus

It is valid, but it doesn't count as much as a one club man, because you probably don't care about them as much as someone who has only ever supported one club in this league.

Plus do you really support, I mean actually support, all those teams in all those countries? I have my favourites in other leagues, but I wouldn't say I support them

Support is in inverted commas!

Fair point I suppose
11/12/2007, 4:52 PM
Titan

Quote:

Originally Posted by niallsparky

In my opinion, your support is perfectly valid. Personally, I have no problem with people who choose to support foreign teams aswell as maintaining a level of interest in their own league. In your situation, you have mantained this degree of support to you national league.

I think the big problem is those who choose to slate and undermine the national league at every opportunity, most of whom who have never bothered to go along to a game - (Irish or foreign in many cases). Yet these football supporters feel that they have the infallible ability to criticise whatever, whenever they want.

There are lots of people who critiscise our league who have never been to a game here. They drive me nuts BUT I dont think the attitude of people who support one club here and berate people for only supporting Man U, Celtic etc helps the cause of trying to convince them to support an Irish team as well.
11/12/2007, 4:53 PM
Tony_Montana

The World is Yours but remember who made you ! ;)
11/12/2007, 4:54 PM
Titan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony_Montana

The World is Yours but remember who made you ! ;)

Whos doin wot now?:confused:
11/12/2007, 4:59 PM
Tis-smeee

Imho you can follow many teams but support only one
11/12/2007, 5:04 PM
BohDiddley

I follow Leeds. It doesn't feel wrong. :o
11/12/2007, 5:04 PM
Poor Student

There's a lot of nonsense talked on this subject. It's a bit like social science, plenty of varying definitions of the one term. A lot of people have appointed themsevles as sole deciders of terms such as supporter, support, follow, consumer etc. Tis-mee, you're just splitting hairs above. One person could ask me who do I follow, another who do I support, they mean the same thing. When I go to Befield, I'm a follower, supporter and consumer of UCD AFC. We invent and attach pejorative meanings to words to belittle or castigate others for their choices.

One thing that also annoys me is it is sometimes suggested by some that it's ok or at least better to support a foreign team who isn't from Britain.
11/12/2007, 5:11 PM
Tis-smeee

I support Waterford united in many ways but I follow Celtic Milan Stuttgart, does that make it easier smarty pants
11/12/2007, 5:17 PM
Poor Student

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tis-smeee

I support Waterford united in many ways but I follow Celtic Milan Stuttgart, does that make it easier smarty pants

Nope, you could say you follow Waterford and support the others. You've just decided that one means less than the other so you can create tiers of support.
11/12/2007, 5:22 PM
kingdomkerry

IMO it is retarded to support a team you have no affiliation with and quite hypocritical as well. In saying that I respect people freedom to do what they want
11/12/2007, 5:23 PM
Poor Student

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingdomkerry

IMO it is retarded to support a team you have no affiliation with and quite hypocritical as well. In saying that I respect people freedom to do what they want

Surely your support is the affiliation. How is it hypocritical?
11/12/2007, 5:34 PM
spaceghost

i've loved/supported/followed longford town and liverpool equally , all my life,nothing wrong with it.
11/12/2007, 5:36 PM
OneRedArmy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poor Student

Surely your support is the affiliation. How is it hypocritical?

Through the creation and stimulation of an artificial bond perhaps?
11/12/2007, 5:38 PM
Sam_Heggy

Quote:

Originally Posted by BohDiddley

I follow Leeds. It doesn't feel wrong. :o

Thats just wrong on so many levels the bandwith of this forum couldn't handle them all spelled out. :eek:
11/12/2007, 5:38 PM
OneRedArmy

Quote:

Originally Posted by spaceghost

i've loved/supported/followed longford town and liverpool equally , all my life,nothing wrong with it.

Who would you support if they played each other in a competitive game?

I still get a giggle out of all the Liverpool/Celtic supporters (people who "supported" both, mostly Irish funny enough......) who didn't know who to cheer for in the Battle of Britain a few years ago and sat there cheering both teams in their half and half scarves.

Pathetic. You can't serve two masters (IMHO).
11/12/2007, 5:41 PM
Tony_Montana

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

Who would you support if they played each other in a competitive game?

I still get a giggle out of all the Liverpool/Celtic supporters (people who "supported" both, mostly Irish funny enough......) who didn't know who to cheer for in the Battle of Britain a few years ago and sat there cheering both teams in their half and half scarves.

Pathetic. You can't serve two masters (IMHO).

I am the only Master of my destiny, to me this makes little sense no offence unless you are into something i don't understand !
11/12/2007, 5:42 PM
bohsRap

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titan

So my question is this: Is my (and others like me) support of football not valid cos I havent supported 1 team all my life and because I like several clubs? ( Note I say clubs and not teams as I 'support' them regardless of how theyre doing)

If not Why?

I don't see why anyone would have a problem with you following a team abroad. The problem is when people prefer foreign teams and completely disregard their league at home.

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