Is it that you cannot comprehend, or are wilfully refusing to acknowledge, my position on this issue?
My being a supporter of NI does not reflect (or strengthen) my "British identity" any more than it compromises (or reflects) my "Irish identity".
My being an NI fan merely means that I support the NI football team, an entity which for me is neither "British" nor "Irish". This is why I am entirely happy to see the team's heritage reflected in distinctive and traditional symbols such as the Green shirt, the NI flag and the Celtic Cross.
It is also a principal reason why I would greatly like to see GSTQ replaced by something "Norn Iron".
Beyond that, I honestly couldn't give two hoots what the politics, religion, colour etc of the players or my fellow supporters are; so long as they are 100% behind the team, that's all that matters.
P.S. Why do you bring England fans into this debate? They do not want either a single Irish team or two partitioned Irish teams. Those 13% of the NI population who support England are of absolutely no concern to me. At best, they are sad, misguided individuals and at worst small-minded cretins. (Oh, and a few kids who I suppose might be forgiven for not knowing any better)
Bookmarks