Best Fans in the World?

[stojkovic]

"You'll never beat the Irish" is only appropriate if we've got out of jail through some kind of comeback in my opinion.

I think it started in Cagliari when we were trying to wind up the English about concedeing a late equaliser, and having beaten them 2 years earlier.

I remember Wembley in 91, they were banging on the windows of the BBC commentary box screaming you'll never beat the irish. Des Lynam smirked uncontrollably. Twas funny then alright. But was after the game had finished. There were some skirmishes in London town that night, the underground closed down and everything. Twas scary had to get a taxi home.

[Slash/ED]

When there's a bandwagon to be jumped on, nobody jumps on it quite like us. 35,000 in Paris, massive numbers to major tournaments, all of that. Great support.

Every other time though, and the support is pathetic. 35,000 in Paris, all the money it cost them to get there, 18,000 bother going to Dublin to watch us play Canada. Pre 1988 we play Brazil in a friendly, nobody there. Post 1988 we play them in a friendly and you couldn't find a ticket for love nor money. The atmosphere in lansdowne for all but the top matches is absolutley dead.

Our own domestic league is pathetically neglected by these so called best supporters in the world, and it's the same in every other sport. How many hardcore Dublin gaa fans know their way to Parnell park? Even in our domestic league, Longford brought thousands to Lansdowne for the FAI cup final, espically the first one, look at their average league gate. Shels 24,000 for the Depor game, could easily have doubled it if you could fit more in, 7,400 at the Lille game a few weeks later, and even less at the remaining league games.

So best supporters in the world? You're having a laugh, but on a big occasion there's nobody better.

[NeilMcD]

I think that is the human condition. You will always get those that are dedicated. You will get more that are not so deicated. Basically it is like a curve. You have the 5 to 10% that will go rain or shine, you will then have another 20% that make the best efforts to go most of the time. You then have a huge majority that have an interest but may not go if times are touch etc. This woudl make up about 30%. Then you have the rest of the people who only go for the big games and for a bit of craic. I would say this curve would work for most countries and most sports.

[NeilMcD]

Try living around these parts. Munster used to get two men and a dog at their interprovincial rugby games 10 years ago. Now everyone has the red jersey, talks non stop about Thomond Park's unque atmosphere, loves Dricko and Gerv the Swerve, thinks Neil back is the Antichrist blah blah blah blah blah.

People give out when nobody goes to games and the more people give out when people do go to games. Not everybody will be an informed ratinoal supporter. Football fans are made up of the best and worst of society. Gob****s, fools, cocky, selfish ignorant and irratinoal people all go to games. There is always going to be somebody at a game that annoys you if you let them. People enjoy success there is athe select brand that will be there through good times and bad and fair play to them but not all of society is like that esp. for all sports.

[Slash/ED]

I think that is the human condition. You will always get those that are dedicated. You will get more that are not so deicated. Basically it is like a curve. You have the 5 to 10% that will go rain or shine, you will then have another 20% that make the best efforts to go most of the time. You then have a huge majority that have an interest but may not go if times are touch etc. This woudl make up about 30%. Then you have the rest of the people who only go for the big games and for a bit of craic. I would say this curve would work for most countries and most sports.

The curve for Ireland is weighted far more to the latter people you mention than in pretty much any other country though.

[NeilMcD]

I would probably agree in that when France won the world cup lots of French people did not even watch it or enjoy it as they said "why should I , I dont lke football". If Ireland won the world cup, Grannies would be crying despite the fact that the probably never heard f Damien Duff the week before". What we do have in this country is we have lots of people that enjoy the fun of a major tournament for the craic, and dont care about the football really. However I do think we have as many people interested in sport as any other country per head of population. Other countries people tend to support their sport 1st, country second, whereas we get a lot of cross support from differents sports. i.e. I was in LR on sat and Croke Park on Sunday. This does not happen in other European Countries to the same extent in my view.

[Beavis]

3-4,000 in Israel, thats was no glamour fixture esp. given the security fears around Purim. The Swiss brought 33 (!!) but had 10,000 in Paris ! (Event junkies?)

[GalwayFrancis]

This thoughtless cliche got mentioned on another thread recently. Personally, I reckon we'd be miles down the rankings as I can think of many other nations who have more passionate, knowledgeable and faithful footie fans.

Nomination #1 Iran:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/break...062323,00.html

Iran football fans clash with police::
yea they're the world's number one fans!!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/mid...st/1612894.stm

[FarBeag]

Our Fan's are excellent and always have been.I have travelled away with the Irish supporters now for 15 years and during this time i have seen nothing but excellent behaviour win or lose.Common ,the security forces throughout the world have learned to relax when we come to their cities and their goverment love us ,as they have to pay them less because we give them nothing to do.Why should a few idiots at the Israel match spoil the good relationship we have build up throughout the years.Please do not tarnish everyone with the same brush as other countries will not change their respect for us even if there is a few morons out there.

[OwlsFan]

Except for the stupid "Easy, Easy..." chants. What the **** was going on there? Was George Hamilton the cheerleader?

It comes from a skit on the Football AM show on SKy and most Premiership fans ape it so some Irish fans do as well.

In every club or country the away support is always better than the home because it takes commitment to go away. Remember Roy Keane attacking the prawn sandwich brigade at home but praising the away support. There will be fantastic support at home though for the last two games -that I guarantee. The Israel one wasn't bad but there were still too many people in civvies for my liking and not even wearing a scarf.

[Stuttgart88]

the security forces throughout the world have learned to relax when we come to their cities

There was an extraordinary incident in Orlando in '94 when literally hundreds of police (all armed I think) decided to make their presence felt at closing time in a bar well the way down I-Drive.

You had to see it to believe it. I lost count of the number of police cars lined up. 20, maybe even 30. More even. There was probably one cop for every drinker. Thre was a rumour going around that U2 were to play an impromptu gig and the cops got anxious I think.

Was anyone else there?

[fergalr]

Iran football fans clash with police::
yea they're the world's number one fans!!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/mid...st/1612894.stm

Wonder if you read the story behind the link you posted? What should "The Best Fans in the World" do when they suspect that their national team has deliberately thrown a game?

[liam88]

The one I hate is - we are 1-0 up after ten minutes or so and gobsh1tes start singing "you'll never beat the Irish".

FFS! People go to a game and sing and you call your fellow fans "gobsh1tes" for what they are singing! I'd understand if the were singing something offensive but just because you don't think the song fits the score you sware about them-that's a bit out if you ask me!

Obv can't get over for matches at the moment (all changing soon though) but get up enough of an atmosphere in Guildford After one match my brother dancing on the roof with a tri, we just have the craic, singing in the streets, congas in the garden p*sses the neighbours off if it's an evening kick-off but sure they love it really!

[strangeirish]

There was an extraordinary incident in Orlando in '94 when literally hundreds of police (all armed I think) decided to make their presence felt at closing time in a bar well the way down I-Drive.

You had to see it to believe it. I lost count of the number of police cars lined up. 20, maybe even 30. More even. There was probably one cop for every drinker. Thre was a rumour going around that U2 were to play an impromptu gig and the cops got anxious I think.

Was anyone else there?

I was in a Hotel/Bar across from wet n wild theme park. There was a load of us in there with a bunch of Dutch fans drinking the place dry. We heard about some police activity down the street. We were told by the barman the next day that the local police thought that the Irish were noted for rioting!!!!!!! Turns out that two lads in Irish jerseys were arrested for trying to incite a riot. Turns out they were noted hooligans from Ingurland, or so we were told anyway. Did not hear about the U2 thing.

[anto eile]

It's covered here

I think we're well up there with the best fans in the world when it comes to (importantly hassle-free) numbers, colour and noise. The numbers we've taken to tournaments and France recently have been amazing. I think we've given a good representation of ourselves in most places we've visited.

On the negative side, There may be an element of the event-junkie about us though, our domestic league is terribly supported

the event-junkie syndrome is what the whole olé olé ireland experience is about. if you support your country but neglect your local EL club youre not a football fan.
as for israel . i disagree with your letter.all israelis should be made feel unwelcome anywhere they go for supporting what their country are doing to the palestinians. remember most israelis are russian and american settlers with no historical link to palestine.

ireland fans:the greatest bunch of bandwagon daytrippers on the planet.

[Beavis]

the event-junkie syndrome is what the whole olé olé ireland experience is about. if you support your country but neglect your local EL club youre not a football fan.

ireland fans:the greatest bunch of bandwagon daytrippers on the planet.

Yawn more extreme eL-elitism. Like a fookin stuck record, we've heard it all before.

[Slash/ED]

Yawn more extreme eL-elitism. Like a fookin stuck record, we've heard it all before.

It can said as many times as you want, it doesn't change the fact there is a hell of a lot of truth to it.

[Cosmo]

True true slash but sure don't say it too loud - you'll probably offend 90% of people that go to see ireland play

[Beavis]

True true slash but sure don't say it too loud - you'll probably offend 90% of people that go to see ireland play

Dont think so mate. I remember in Swiss this year there was a huge amount of eL jerseys, at a guess it must have been over half the people were eL fans(from talking to people and seeing jerseys and scarves). Always a greater proportion on away trips than home.
Hate people trying to undermine supporters dedictation to the national team, when it requires money,time off work, breaking family commitments etc. I go to league games every Friday (honest I do ! ) but I dont try to ram it down the throats of my mates or shame them into attending games. Surely yous can come up with more positive marketing technique....

[Cosmo]

'I remember in Swiss this year there was a huge amount of eL jerseys, at a guess it must have been over half the people were eL fans'

Yeah that was great alright - big EL crowd at that but I'm referring to home matches - not having a pop (well not really), was just stating that he was probably offending 90% of people that go to see ireland play at home