Page 16 | To not support England?!

Feetballislife · 2026-06-11T09:12:29+00:00

Live and work in England. Not English. My team didn’t qualify for the World Cup so I’m supporting Scotland! Lobe a plucky underdog, have some Scots heritage ( and some English to be fair) plus I NEVER support English sports teams. EVER. Football has inevitably come up in the office and several colleagues are generally pissed off that I’m not supporting England, insist I should be etc etc. Stupidly I mentioned that I never support England … did not gone down well. If you live here then you should etc etc YANBU - support who you like! YABU - you ingrate, you live in the country you should support the national team.

DontBuyAnotherBook · 11/06/2026 15:51

Anyway this isn't about football. If OP doesn't want to support England then fine I don't care. It is the constant anti English threads about the people I don't like. I don't even get why she lives here to be honest.

Needmorelego · 11/06/2026 15:49

Differentforgirls · 11/06/2026 15:36

If anyone wants to get away from all this "offended" shite about the World Cup, read "The Van" by Roddy Doyle. Set at the 1990's World Cup.

It's the third book in a trilogy (1 Commitments, 2 Snapper).

It is hilarious. Obviously in my opinion. I am biased as he's one of my favourite writers.

This thread made me think about that book earlier (first time in years).
I think the line when (spolier) Ireland get knocked out was something like -
"And that was the end of that"

There's a brilliant Irish comedy trio (Foil, Hog and something??) that did a sketch about who to support in the football if you're Irish but Ireland aren't playing. So funny.
Worth finding it online.
Edit: While googling for the sketch I see they've made a new one for this year. I will watch later.

DontBuyAnotherBook · 11/06/2026 15:48

Goditsmemargaret · 11/06/2026 15:27

Yes there are lots of Scottish ancestors in Ulster due to the plantations there. But decisions were made by a government in London.

And actually it's all pretty irrelevant because 'anyone but England' is just a bit of fun that Irish people share. It's a bit of a laugh along with shouting '800 years' or referencing the 'old enemy'. It only comes up in sports.

Any English people who live in Ireland (like my DH) accept it as the non malicious rubbing it is.

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Doesn't always seem non malicious if you go by posts on here at times about experiences.

Differentforgirls · 11/06/2026 15:47

43andnotgettinganyyounger · 11/06/2026 15:24

Support who you want. But you’ve clearly gone out of your way to piss them off. Made your bed now lie in it.

"Made your bed now lie in it."

That has so reminded me of " Going Underground" by the Jam.

Which, in turn has reminded of "Billy Elliot".

Thank you!

DontBuyAnotherBook · 11/06/2026 15:47

Goditsmemargaret · 11/06/2026 15:27

Yes there are lots of Scottish ancestors in Ulster due to the plantations there. But decisions were made by a government in London.

And actually it's all pretty irrelevant because 'anyone but England' is just a bit of fun that Irish people share. It's a bit of a laugh along with shouting '800 years' or referencing the 'old enemy'. It only comes up in sports.

Any English people who live in Ireland (like my DH) accept it as the non malicious rubbing it is.

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The decisions made by a Scottish king.

Differentforgirls · 11/06/2026 15:41

IcedPurple · 11/06/2026 15:28

Where am I blaming modern Scotland for him?

As opposed to pointing out that Scots were extensively involved in the colonisation of Northern Ireland, contrary to the poster's claims?

I will not keep posting your words to you. I suggest you own them.

Goditsmemargaret · 11/06/2026 15:37

TeaPot496 · 11/06/2026 15:35

Some people want to get a life.

Stupid tribalism.

You're right. Colonialism is far superior.

Goditsmemargaret · 11/06/2026 15:36

Differentforgirls · 11/06/2026 15:36

If anyone wants to get away from all this "offended" shite about the World Cup, read "The Van" by Roddy Doyle. Set at the 1990's World Cup.

It's the third book in a trilogy (1 Commitments, 2 Snapper).

It is hilarious. Obviously in my opinion. I am biased as he's one of my favourite writers.

YESSSSS

Differentforgirls · 11/06/2026 15:36

If anyone wants to get away from all this "offended" shite about the World Cup, read "The Van" by Roddy Doyle. Set at the 1990's World Cup.

It's the third book in a trilogy (1 Commitments, 2 Snapper).

It is hilarious. Obviously in my opinion. I am biased as he's one of my favourite writers.

TeaPot496 · 11/06/2026 15:35

Some people want to get a life.

Stupid tribalism.

Spidey66 · 11/06/2026 15:35

My dad, who was an Irishman living in London for many years, supported both. Ireland was his ‘main’ country (in the few times ROI qualified for the World Cup!) but if they weren’t playing he’d support England.

I lived for most of my life in London which obviously was very diverse. I remember during one WC walking past a house which had the England flag and the flag of their own country (sorry I don’t know which flag it was) but I thought that was cool.

Brefugee · 11/06/2026 15:32

118bd · 11/06/2026 13:18

Honestly it’s not that deep.

I’m a passionate fan, hate was probably the wrong word but unfortunately I can’t turn my feelings off at the end of the season and suddenly get behind the players I have disliked from Aug-May.

Like I’ve said in a previous post it wouldn’t bother me at all if England did well or even won it, I’m not ‘rabid’ enough to be supporting whoever plays against them, I simply just wont be cheering them on. I’m gonna enjoy the World Cup as a football fan but just not support anyone in particular. Not sure how I’m part of any “problem”.

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You can't lay aside your hate (your word) for players on another team.

And don't recognise that as a problem?

You do you.

Goditsmemargaret · 11/06/2026 15:31

IcedPurple · 11/06/2026 15:28

Where am I blaming modern Scotland for him?

As opposed to pointing out that Scots were extensively involved in the colonisation of Northern Ireland, contrary to the poster's claims?

No you have to love the Scots

IcedPurple · 11/06/2026 15:28

Where am I blaming modern Scotland for him?

As opposed to pointing out that Scots were extensively involved in the colonisation of Northern Ireland, contrary to the poster's claims?

Goditsmemargaret · 11/06/2026 15:27

IcedPurple · 11/06/2026 15:19

The played a part in the colonisation yes but an equal part? Oh no, no, no, no.

The Scots were involved in the British empire in numbers way out of proportion to their population.

Who do you think the likes of Ian Paisley are descended from? The clue is kind of in the name.

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Yes there are lots of Scottish ancestors in Ulster due to the plantations there. But decisions were made by a government in London.

And actually it's all pretty irrelevant because 'anyone but England' is just a bit of fun that Irish people share. It's a bit of a laugh along with shouting '800 years' or referencing the 'old enemy'. It only comes up in sports.

Any English people who live in Ireland (like my DH) accept it as the non malicious rubbing it is.

Whosthetabbynow · 11/06/2026 15:26

Imanautumn · 11/06/2026 10:16

Support who you want but seems deliberately inflammatory to announce you never support England to a group of England fans.

If I wasn’t cheering England on I’d rather support a team from some far-flung country than Scotland.

Differentforgirls · 11/06/2026 15:26

43andnotgettinganyyounger · 11/06/2026 15:24

Support who you want. But you’ve clearly gone out of your way to piss them off. Made your bed now lie in it.

Why? What do you think should happen?

Differentforgirls · 11/06/2026 15:25

IcedPurple · 11/06/2026 15:23

Yeah you've 'heard it all' because you basically made it up.

That isn't what I said at all.

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"Who do you think the likes of Ian Paisley are descended from? The clue is kind of in the name."

43andnotgettinganyyounger · 11/06/2026 15:24

Support who you want. But you’ve clearly gone out of your way to piss them off. Made your bed now lie in it.

IcedPurple · 11/06/2026 15:23

Differentforgirls · 11/06/2026 15:22

So modern Scotland are now getting the blame for Ian Paisley? I've heard it all now.

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Yeah you've 'heard it all' because you basically made it up.

That isn't what I said at all.

Differentforgirls · 11/06/2026 15:22

IcedPurple · 11/06/2026 15:19

The played a part in the colonisation yes but an equal part? Oh no, no, no, no.

The Scots were involved in the British empire in numbers way out of proportion to their population.

Who do you think the likes of Ian Paisley are descended from? The clue is kind of in the name.

Show quote history

So modern Scotland are now getting the blame for Ian Paisley? I've heard it all now.

IcedPurple · 11/06/2026 15:19

Goditsmemargaret · 11/06/2026 15:13

The played a part in the colonisation yes but an equal part? Oh no, no, no, no.

Anyway we feel more of an affinity with the Scots for many reasons.

'Anyone but England' is real. I don't know why the English get so outraged by it and I really don't know why they are so surprised. It's only about sports, you'd all wanna calm down (and just accept you're not the popular kids)

Show quote history

The played a part in the colonisation yes but an equal part? Oh no, no, no, no.

The Scots were involved in the British empire in numbers way out of proportion to their population.

Who do you think the likes of Ian Paisley are descended from? The clue is kind of in the name.

Differentforgirls · 11/06/2026 15:18

Goditsmemargaret · 11/06/2026 15:13

The played a part in the colonisation yes but an equal part? Oh no, no, no, no.

Anyway we feel more of an affinity with the Scots for many reasons.

'Anyone but England' is real. I don't know why the English get so outraged by it and I really don't know why they are so surprised. It's only about sports, you'd all wanna calm down (and just accept you're not the popular kids)

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The ones who get picked last.

LizardyGuts · 11/06/2026 15:16

BashfulClam · 11/06/2026 15:08

Nah she doesn’t bother if England aren’t in it. We gave her a slight ribbing as her husband and son are Scotland supporters.

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This is totally different to the OP though. Your colleague is only interested in her country of origin and doesn't feel attracted to support any other country at all. OP is interested in supporting another country, but it isn't her country of origin OR the country she lives in! She has scorned them both and just chosen a random neighbouring country. That's like your colleague saying, "what a shame England didn't qualify. Everyone I know is supporting Scotland, where I've also lived most of my life, but I think I'll just support Wales instead."

Goditsmemargaret · 11/06/2026 15:13

DontBuyAnotherBook · 11/06/2026 15:00

Of course she can. You missed my point though. Scotland have a shitty history with Ireland too.

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The played a part in the colonisation yes but an equal part? Oh no, no, no, no.

Anyway we feel more of an affinity with the Scots for many reasons.

'Anyone but England' is real. I don't know why the English get so outraged by it and I really don't know why they are so surprised. It's only about sports, you'd all wanna calm down (and just accept you're not the popular kids)