Irish people supporting English football clubs

gawa316 · August 08, 2026, 09:44:08 PM

1 - Which team do you support?

Liverpool

2 - How long have you supported them?

Since about 1987

3 - Are you from the same town or city as that club? If not, do you have any personal or familial connection to it? Did you live there for a while? Do you live there now?

No and no.

4 - If the answers to 3 are all no, why do you support this team? How did you pick them out of all that's available?

My big cousin got me into them and then I just adored John Barnes

5 - When England plays in international competitions, how do you feel about them? Do you
a - Root for England, particularly any players from your favourite EPL club?
b - Don't have a strong opinion one way or another, but would lean slightly towards wanting England to do well
c - Don't have any opinion at all
d - Have a mild preference for England to lose
e - Vigorously support England's opponents, and yearn for the English to do on the receiving end of a bloody good hiding

Living in the states you at least don't have to put up with media and all 'it's coming home' crap. Found myself wanting to beat the Argies but then wasn't bothered when they did go out.

6 - Are there any local clubs in your own town or city that you could give your support to? If there are but you don't, why not? Is the quality of the competition not worth your while? Are the facilities crap? Did you just never get into it? Is it not well publicised and you don't know the games are on?

Played for my local team and would've went to see Ballianmallard numerous times but it's just not the same

trueblue1234 · August 08, 2026, 11:26:26 PM

Quote from: marty34 on August 08, 2026, 08:44:47 AM
Quote from: Puckoon on August 07, 2026, 09:34:43 PM
Quote from: Eamonnca1 on August 07, 2026, 05:43:30 PMI don't mean this in a confrontational way, I'm just genuinely curious about it, and I'm trying to get to the bottom of it. If you're an Irish person who supports an English soccer club, can you please answer the following questions. Just be as straight and honest as you can with each one.

1 - Which team do you support? Arsenal

2 - How long have you supported them? 1989

3 - Are you from the same town or city as that club? If not, do you have any personal or familial connection to it? Did you live there for a while? Do you live there now? No No No No

4 - If the answers to 3 are all no, why do you support this team? How did you pick them out of all that's available?
I was 9. You got to see limited football and I just gravitated towards the team. What were you gonna tell your friends at 9 or 10 - that you couldn't support Arsenal cause you lived next to St Julians Road and had to watch Omagh Town RIP)?

5 - When England plays in international competitions, how do you feel about them? Do you
a - Root for England, particularly any players from your favourite EPL club?
b - Don't have a strong opinion one way or another, but would lean slightly towards wanting England to do well
c - Don't have any opinion at all
d - Have a mild preference for England to lose
e - Vigorously support England's opponents, and yearn for the English to do on the receiving end of a bloody good hiding

Toggle between C and D

6 - Are there any local clubs in your own town or city that you could give your support to? If there are but you don't, why not? Is the quality of the competition not worth your while? Are the facilities crap? Did you just never get into it? Is it not well publicised and you don't know the games are on?

There were - but the standard was different. You can enjoy supporting your local high school at Friday Night Lights - and still follow the 49ERS.

Many thanks.

Not trying to go off topic - what happening to Omagh?

I remember they were in a lot of finals and going well in league (iirc) etc. when I was younger.

Are they still going in a lower level capacity or gone completely?

Got into financial bother in 2004/5 ish. Had to fold. Real shame.
A new version was started in 2024 at underage with the first senior team playing this year I believe. But will be competing with other local clubs like Strathroy, Tummery etc for players. Be a while before it hits the previous heights!!

square_ball · August 09, 2026, 10:09:10 AM

Quote from: RedHand88 on August 07, 2026, 10:26:04 PM5 - When England plays in international competitions, how do you feel about them? Do you
a - Root for England, particularly any players from your favourite EPL club?
b - Don't have a strong opinion one way or another, but would lean slightly towards wanting England to do well
c - Don't have any opinion at all
d - Have a mild preference for England to lose
e - Vigorously support England's opponents, and yearn for the English to do on the receiving end of a bloody good hiding

Meh probably b. Wouldn't mind to see them winning but I still find the crushing defeats a bit funny.

Why is that? Noticed in the world cup thread you were fairly supportive of England. Not to have a dig but genuinely curious when the supporters of the club you support would be fairly notorious for not supporting England? 'Scouse not English'.

Baile Brigín 2 · August 09, 2026, 11:03:18 AM

Quote from: Wildweasel74 on August 08, 2026, 11:45:50 AMMore to the point, why do these people support these UK teams. not go out an watch their local soccer teams or support the main soccer team in their county? Is it because these uk games are on at weekends and 2/3 tmes in a week and can be watched from home or in the pub?

Same as Cheltenham. It's a weekend away on the beer.

Most Irish daytrippers know hee haw about soccer. It's a jolly boys outing

statto · August 09, 2026, 01:37:47 PM

Quote from: Baile Brigín 2 on August 09, 2026, 11:03:18 AM
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on August 08, 2026, 11:45:50 AMMore to the point, why do these people support these UK teams. not go out an watch their local soccer teams or support the main soccer team in their county? Is it because these uk games are on at weekends and 2/3 tmes in a week and can be watched from home or in the pub?
Same as Cheltenham. It's a weekend away on the beer.

Most Irish daytrippers know hee haw about soccer. It's a jolly boys outing

If they were really going for the jolly it's a very expensive way of doing so.

RedHand88 · August 09, 2026, 06:37:10 PM

Quote from: Baile Brigín 2 on August 09, 2026, 11:03:18 AM
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on August 08, 2026, 11:45:50 AMMore to the point, why do these people support these UK teams. not go out an watch their local soccer teams or support the main soccer team in their county? Is it because these uk games are on at weekends and 2/3 tmes in a week and can be watched from home or in the pub?
Same as Cheltenham. It's a weekend away on the beer.

Most Irish daytrippers know hee haw about soccer. It's a jolly boys outing

That's just not true though. They would know a lot more than the ones who sit at home.

Tony Baloney · August 09, 2026, 07:42:24 PM

Quote from: Baile Brigín 2 on August 09, 2026, 11:03:18 AM
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on August 08, 2026, 11:45:50 AMMore to the point, why do these people support these UK teams. not go out an watch their local soccer teams or support the main soccer team in their county? Is it because these uk games are on at weekends and 2/3 tmes in a week and can be watched from home or in the pub?
Same as Cheltenham. It's a weekend away on the beer.

Most Irish daytrippers know hee haw about soccer. It's a jolly boys outing

There are *lots* of "tourists" at the big team grounds, but there are plenty of people going over with tickets secured via a supporters club they are in. The latter are invested in both the sport and their team and are not casual fans you see on coaches with Rory's Travel Club! And I'm not knocking the latter is a means of getting tickets when sometimes it seems impossible.