Did anyone see this guy at England match last night? I'm getting bombarded by my pals up here with this, it's all over social media! http://youtu.be/fzEk_iO_PHs
I reckon he must have got ticket to all England games and got seats in away end! Looks like he was having fun, crazy bugger
It's not something that I understand, this near-hatred of the English by many Scots or Welsh. I was speaking with a Swansea-supporting business acquaintance of mine just before the start of the World Cup and he genuinely had no affinity for England at all. He said he'd most likely support Ivory Coast on account of Wilfried Bony. As he had no family connection to England he saw them as just another foreign country. I've yet to meet an Englishmen that hasn't cheered on Scotland, Wales or either Irish team other than when they've faced England. For me it just feels like biting the hand that feeds, but no doubt that's unfair.
I've lived up here nearly 15 years and never had any personal problems, and my close friends are semi-sympathetic towards England in Championships, but most other Scots pick another team, usually one that is in Englands group. The common theme seems to be the media infatuation that we seem to have a god-given right to be successful, and the constant harking back to 1966 by commentators really p1sses them off!
But then again Scotland beat England 3-2 at Wembley in 1967 and proclaimed themselves World Champions!...
Hahaha - they always remind me of that and I ask them if the gold star on their kit has fallen off....
Mind you they had a terrific team at that time as well, Jim Baxter played the game of his life and ran the show on the day, they actually deserved their win...
On the face of it, it appears quite unusual. It doesn't make much sense to me either but I actually think in the majority of cases its not that sinister, IE regarding nationality etc. Its simply down to the "big neighbour" syndrome. If you have local rivals that are considerably bigger and more powerful, you tend to find the supporters of the smaller teams love to see them fu*k up. A perfect example would be QPR fans attitude toward Chelsea. I bet you'd probably find most Chelsea fans would at worst be totally ambivalent toward the R's whereas there is a palpable hatred going in the opposite direction. I watched the Italy game in a pub and a big cheer went up when England equalised. I'm not sure if that's necessarily a good thing though. Perhaps now because England tend to lose, people feel sorry for them! Maybe getting sh*t from the Celts is a positive thing because it means you're still up there to be shot at. No-one kicks a dead dog after all
I don't let it bother me - although I feel there is a different vibe this time which I think is down to the Independance vote coming up later in the year....there's some quite vitriolic campaigning from both sides that is away from the mainstream media and some of the "Yes" campaigners are heavily anti-English. Away from the politics, the fan from last night was just on the news! Have heard from a pal who says he's a charity worker who goes on fund-raising trips to world cups and this is his third one (lucky b'stard, still never seen Scotland though )
The irony of a sweaty sock going to the World Cup is not lost on me. To think its funny that England got knocked out when his own team didn't even make it is hilarity of the highest order. Thats like a tramp laughing at a billionaire who's lost the keys to his Bugatti Veyron! What a tool! Devolution? Yes please!
**** me! I've just read that he's a charity worker, unlike the rest of the sweaties who are charity cases!
Using "sweaty sock" as a description of people is maybe 1 of the reasons. As is calling Irish Paddy and welsh Taffy.... Swords has got it right, it's the big neighbour syndrome. It also has other additions but being the "big neighbour" you wouldn't understand. Even on this site there is still a superiority view taken against people from smaller countries even though we support the same football club. I think that is the "bigger group " syndrome. I wouldn't take it as far as the guy in the crowd, but I do know that if England lose at football then my life is easier here in London. It's a predicament that most on here wouldn't understand. I have been abroad to support England in other sports, I have even coached for England and travelled with them. all my friends are English but they know why I don't follow them in football. Too much hassle and abuse ! my 2p's worth
Its embarrassing when a compatriot behaves like that. I wouldn't make the mistake of thinking all Sweaties are like that moron Sheff. Also, for every eejit nationalist there's an eejit loyalist [video=youtube;pmGjiokfQ2A]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmGjiokfQ2A[/video]
Totally understand your point of view, and for what it's worth, my tongue was firmly embedded in my cheek when I commented.
