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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To wonder why so many Scottish people a thrilled when England do badly at sport?

349 replies

Jollyphonics · 04/10/2015 14:02

I'm not bothered about the rugby at all personally, but this is irritating me. I have several Scottish friends, and their Facebook newsfeeds are full of gloating about England being knocked out of the world cup. It's a recurring theme with all sporting contests - mant Scottish people will support some random team from a country they've never heard of, if they're playing against England. I don't see the same with Wales and Ireland. Why is this? Is there that much resentment?

OP posts:

Shutthatdoor · 04/10/2015 18:41

A little overly aggressive there myother

I am fully aware as to why it happens and I have never said anything about England getting a free pass or anything else about Englands performance for that matter.

It isn't good for the competition for the host nation to get knocked out so early. That is a fact as echoed by McGeechen and O'Driscolll amongst others.

Shutthatdoor · 04/10/2015 18:44

Pressed too soon...

However unlike those that have thrown abuse at England over SM etc, I will continue to support the rest of the home nations

myotherusernameisbetter · 04/10/2015 18:45

On paper, both Scotland's group and England's group were the hardest to qualify from based on current rankings. It is definitely (on paper) the hardest side of the draw.

In the other two groups there is a clearer line between the two top ranked teams and the other 3 teams.

In England's group you have 3 teams all with single figure rankings and Fiji at number 10 and in Scotland's group you have SA at 5, then not a lot between Scotland at 9, Samoa at 11 and Japan at 12, so a big fight out for the 2nd spot too.

myotherusernameisbetter · 04/10/2015 18:48

Didn't mean it to come over aggressive and if it did I apologise.

It's meant to be a competition, it really makes no difference to that whether the host nation gets through - what does make a difference is that it isn't as financially profitable.

Shutthatdoor · 04/10/2015 18:54

Didn't mean it to come over aggressive and if it did I apologise.

That's ok

Atathania · 04/10/2015 18:55

There was always going to be a nasty surprise for someone in Pool A. England never, ever had it in the bag and I don't know why anyone would ever assume they did. England and Wales have been incredibly well matched over the last 10 or so matches and Australia are, well, Australia. And all three teams have had significant difficulties of one thing or another. Pool of death was very apt.

GiddyOnZackHunt · 04/10/2015 18:56

On Thursday I had to put up with English friends posting stuff like Well Played Fiji! I haven't retaliated after yesterday.
I have had years of mickey taking from these friends over the years. Sometimes it went beyond joshing. When I moved to England as a child I was physically bullied for my accent.
My granddad was one of those Welsh speaking children.
I don't hate the English at all but I do relish the opportunity to nail my colours to the mast. It's a game of rivalry played out between friends and family.

honeysucklejasmine · 04/10/2015 19:05

Today I read a FB status from a England fan, ranting about how he hopes Wales are crushed in the next round and he'd be supporting anyone but them. I don't understand. Wales played a better game, as did Aus. Did they want us to lose of purpose to avoid hurting their feelings?

CordeliaFrost · 04/10/2015 19:12

I have always wanted to see the other home nations AND Ireland do well, when not playing England, but after seeing some of the comments last night those days are over.

I will be cheering on anyone but the other home nation teams or Ireland. I'll even cheer on Argentina above them, and that pains me to say, as my ex-boyfriend was half-Argentinian and supported them at international level, and if they do well I know he's out there somewhere really happy!

I would never say anything hateful, not like some of the comment I've seen from Scottish, Welsh and Irish rugby "fans" on Twitter and Facebook, but my days of wishing them well are over.

Iliketoparrty · 04/10/2015 19:24

I'm Scottish. The way I see it England fans can be a bit up themselves in terms of we are going to win everything all the time. Now Scotland as a sporting nation is shit so we don't expect to win anything and don't take it badly when we loose.

I lived in England during a world cup and euro football tournament. As England expected to win many folk were a bit aggressive in terms of pre celebrationscelebrations and the we're going to win. Then they lost and didn't take it well. Like a child tossing its toys stomping its feet.

Us Scots think that funny hense the piss take on the old Facebook.

Prettyeyedpiratesmile · 04/10/2015 19:29

I don't get it. We (Scotland) are tiny in comparison (population size) so the pool to pick from is smaller therefore it's likely that we won't be as good. However, when it comes to science, medicine and innovation we outstrip the English In all seriousness though, we voted to stay part of the UK so we're a partnership!

StoorieHoose · 04/10/2015 19:30

I never understand folks who say they will support other Home Nations if their team goes out - surely if you were from Manchester and a United supporter you wouldn't suddenly support City if United went out?

Senpai · 04/10/2015 19:34

We have a similar thing that goes on here in the US with American Football teams.

There's just some teams that are just soooo satisfying to watch lose.

I would guess the reasons are the same. England team probably has more funding and attracts top players, statistically they should be winning. When they lose it's fun to watch them get knocked down a peg.

tadjennyp · 04/10/2015 19:40

How can England 'attract' top players? You have to have some link with a country to play for them.

SenecaFalls · 04/10/2015 19:40

We have a similar thing that goes on here in the US with American Football teams.

I was thinking the same thing Senpai. I do think there is a parallel with college football teams' interstate rivalries. The University of Georgia and the University of Florida have one of the oldest and most intense rivalries in college football. We are big UGA supporters, and we live in Florida. We always cheer for whomever Florida is playing. It's just the way it is. It's essentially a friendly rivalry though.

Binkybix · 04/10/2015 19:56

I really don't think that English people expect to win do we? I think of us as a bit rubbish, just not quite as rubbish as Scotland normally! Maybe it's just the English people that some know.

Aquarius320 · 04/10/2015 19:59

Maybe it's because Scotland are essentially a colony

Shutthatdoor · 04/10/2015 20:06

That is like comparing apples and pears though.

Supporting other 'home nations' is just the way it has been in rugby well in England anyway

JohnCusacksWife · 04/10/2015 20:09

Scotland is most definitely not a colony - we've brought as much to the table that is the UK as any other home nation. However the reaction of the media and commentators to England's exit is why many Scots/Welsh/Irish have reacted with not a little glee. The disbelief, shock and dramatics are just ridiculous. It's as if they truly believed that England had some divine right to go through. A little humility and an admission that they were well beaten would nip a lot of this in the bud.

StoorieHoose · 04/10/2015 20:10

I've been on football threads when exactly the same thing is said though shutthatdoor. I find it quite condescending tbh

honeysucklejasmine · 04/10/2015 20:10

Don't you just have to establish residency to play for a national squad? I think a commentator said its 3 years go qualify, but I might have misunderstood m

Janeymoo50 · 04/10/2015 20:12

My brother (Scottish, lives in Greenock) refused point blank to come down to us in England once during a recent World Cup in which England were in. Said he couldn't face it.......pathetic. I on the other hand will now support any "home team".

alteredimages · 04/10/2015 20:25

What pretty much everyone else said. The arrogance and fox get too much and I can't help but feel pleased when they fall flat on their faces.

This time I felt genuinely sorry for them though. They were obviously trying and were just completely outclassed. I don't think anyone could honestly feel happy seeing a team destroyed like that.

The Wales loss was their own fault though, there is no way they should have lost that match with the way the welsh scrum and lineout were going.

I am a Wales supporter but think there will be a big payback for the gloating next Saturday and the day of the quarter finals. I can't see Wales coping with the pace and strength at the breakdown of Australia.

ALassUnparalleled · 04/10/2015 20:34

because of the historical oppression, cultural and actual genocide of the people of those country by the english, I guess. Th. Memories live for generations

What utter bollocks.

Behooven · 04/10/2015 20:35

Did the op ever come back? Or is her work here done?

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