To wish England hadn't won (almost)

[littlegreybird]

I'm not a football fan but someone who tends to get swept along during big tournaments and a few years ago would have been thrilled by last night's result.

This year I hate it. I think the team and manager seem great, but the booing during the other teams' national anthems is sickening and makes me utterly ashamed. Then you just know it'll be jumped on by Johnson (already has) and the victory, or even getting this far, will become part of his populism. Then there's all the covid cases that will be spread due to all the mixing in pubs etc, more than would have been the case anyway.

I just feel nothing for this country anymore after the events of the last few years. Latest bit of shit news is that my daily commute will now be shared by exhausted lorry drivers who won't have had breaks thanks to Brexit, so that's a cheery thought.

When is anything good going to happen that isn't sullied by this utterly shit governement?

Didn’t watch those matches but yes I would .

However especially when hosting matches at Wembley and having far larger numbers of UK fans on site, it’s embarrassing that we should be so rude to our guests.

Not read the whole thread ... Every now and again I get an attack of the vapours about the UK, and think of emigrating, somewhere, somehow. Apart from the practical difficulties, as the vapours dissipate I recall my experiences abroad, both as tourist and for work, and my many conversations with foreign colleagues about life, the universe and everything. And realise that everywhere has shitty bits, and actually the UK is absolutely fine. Indeed, on a practical level the UK is in my view better than most: shop and banking hours; transport; abundant services; a general culture of politeness (which is why football fans can grate: they're unusual), and some of the most fabulous scenery. A couple of years ago I took the kids to Paris for a week, and the dirt, the racetrack mentality, the unpredictable open/shut habits of so many attractions, the seriously poor quality food in restaurants ... helped make me think more benignly of the UK again.
Rejoice in what we've got: it isn't perfect, but nothing is. We all need a bit of a grumble now and again anyway.

@DeeCeeCherry

I agree OP.

Corrupt, hypocritical government. Ignorant racist yobs insulting footballers. Home Secretary saying yobs have a right to boo, but now she's suddenly cheering England on in her usual always aiming to side with popularity way. Then again good old Boris has form for racist commentary too so, what odds?

Not to mention some truly disgusting social media posts.

It's all a shitshow, why should anyone be proud of that anyway

There's a lot to be ashamed of.

So many comments about England not qualifying for 60 years..... England qualified in 2009!

I agree with the comments that we should be celebrating England's fantastic win on Wed as well as their overall performance.
I despise the inappropriate chanting and comments and other behaviours but I am convinced this is the minority not majority.
To the comments re UK being corrupt, I think you need a reality check. Whilst not perfect...and which country is? In this country you have so many benefits and opportunities...even if you cannot afford them. Health and education to name two.
You are free to speak your mind and practice your religion.
There are others to highlight but could be here all day.
I am British Asian and proud to be and if you believe UK is corrupt you need to consider the oppression and victimisation of people in other countries. Members of my faith group in Iran are persecuted just because they follow a different religion. Think about those small communities in Syria and China who are persecuted.
Sorry to rant but it is important and we should not think the grass is greener.

This is all that can be expected from a tory government.
I really hope that when all the complainers and those that have suffered over the last few years (ie, the entire country), next find themselves in front of a voting paper, that they don't put that cross in the tory box EVER again.

@starlight13

This is all that can be expected from a tory government. I really hope that when all the complainers and those that have suffered over the last few years (ie, the entire country), next find themselves in front of a voting paper, that they don't put that cross in the tory box EVER again.

Well until we get a credible opposition I'll be voting for them again.

Anyway, back to the thread. Good luck England! Win or lose you've done us proud 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[quote pam290358]**@Whatamess582* Because quite honestly there isn’t much that we as a country, or a union that Engalnd and the UK that makes me that proud of recently*

We have arguably the best healthcare in the world, free for everyone. Throughout the pandemic, frontline NHS staff have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic, generous people from all walks of life have stepped forward and raised millions for charity and there have been numerous acts of kindness. I could go on, because there ARE plenty of positive things to focus on. But you can’t find anything to be proud of. Not looking very far are you ?[/quote]
The NHS hasn't been fit for purpose for years and no, it isn't free

Yet still millions want to live here. Don’t generalise. I’m English. I’m a good person. I’m proud of most elements of our country but acknowledge there are some bad too. Which country is perfect?!

Yup. You have perfectly summed up my thoughts OP. My family are very annoyed with me for being such a downer on their happy moment. The English fans can be such tossers, booing, shining a Lazer in the eyes of the opposition team. I could go on...

'The NHS hasn't been fit for purpose for years and no, it isn't free'

Why do you say this, it is brilliant. Yes we pay taxes so it isn't 'free' but our taxes are peanuts compared to what they pay, say, in the US with health insurance (and so many things not actually covered anyway). If you don't pay tax/NIC if your income is low is it not indeed free?

If you need a Dr they are available 24/7 via 111, a&e, UTC or your own gp within daytime hours. If you need a specialist you will be referred, if you need a prescription there is a chemist on every high street.

You need to appreciate what we have in this country 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

'The English fans can be such tossers, booing'

Some fans can be. Some.

@JaniieJones

'The NHS hasn't been fit for purpose for years and no, it isn't free'

Why do you say this, it is brilliant. Yes we pay taxes so it isn't 'free' but our taxes are peanuts compared to what they pay, say, in the US with health insurance (and so many things not actually covered anyway). If you don't pay tax/NIC if your income is low is it not indeed free?

If you need a Dr they are available 24/7 via 111, a&e, UTC or your own gp within daytime hours. If you need a specialist you will be referred, if you need a prescription there is a chemist on every high street.

You need to appreciate what we have in this country 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

The NHS is on its knees, barely able to provide an emergency service.... so i had to pay 3.3k for an op that had an 18m to 3y waiting list, despite being in a lot of pain. In laws both had to stump up 15k between them for very serious conditions but no treatment for years on the NHS.

Yes primary care is ok, GP's in my area are brilliant.

Whats the point of a referral if the actually is years away?

6m now waiting and it was shocking bad before.

Compared to most of europe, we are terrible but obv better than than the US or parts of Asia.

But tomo evening will be a chance to forget our dire public services for a while.

This is a shit time and I agree we have a shit government but you are conflating things by wishing England wasn't through to the final. Like you l hate the booing etc but I do think the behaviour of the team and the manager are reasons to be hopeful. Sometimes it's easy to be pessimistic but I think this is an opportunity to celebrate their achievement and be happy for them.

Some people have problems reading subtext, I think. I don't think this is about the OP dissing the England team and their achievement. I think this is expressing dissatisfaction with life in this country now. With the politics, the aggro, the unpleasantness, the mindless jingoism.

OP, you're certainly not alone. I'm not bothered by the football mostly, I was mildly excited about wednesday and cheered by the apparent general niceness of this young squad. I might go and hang out at our village's big outdoor screen tomorrow because it's an 'event' (and outside). That's about it. I loathe the thuggishness that was always there but has so fast become mainstream and acceptable behaviour. I'm disgusted by the constant stream of ineptitude and BS from this administration, and I do think they have blood on their hands from the way they've handled covid.

OP, I also want out. I'm not entirely British - my dad has EU and GB dual nationality and is from an EU nation. I could apply for nationality there myself and I'm starting the immense amount of admin and language requirements to do so, and if I managed it, my DC would get EU passports too. Maybe if there's potentially a way out, I won't feel so trapped on this soggy, going-nowhere island, even if we do stay here longterm.

emilyforst

Genuine question: You are proud of this government. What about?

I can only see massive failure - aside from the vaccination effort.

Boring game, a load of sweaty overpaid men chasing a ball.

I will, however, be fully supporting Italy. I will be genuinely over the moon if England lose.

@snoin

Boring game, a load of sweaty overpaid men chasing a ball.

I will, however, be fully supporting Italy. I will be genuinely over the moon if England lose.

If it’s so boring why do you want Italy to win? They’re equally overpaid and sweaty 🤣

If it’s so boring why do you want Italy to win? They’re equally overpaid and sweaty

Yeah, why would you 'fully support' a team when you find the sport 'boring'?

I find cricket boring as f*ck and would never watch a match, let alone 'fully support' any side. MN is a strange place at times.

@Ostryga - brilliant! 🤣🤣🤣

I am not a football fan and usually sigh when there are competitions of this nature starting. I am certainly not a fan of this government either and am very sceptical about Johnson's sudden enthusiasm for football. Of course, he will do his best to link himself and his government to the success of the English team. I hope most people will see this as a cynical move - but perhaps not.

I too very much dislike the unpleasant inter and intra national rivalry that is stirred up on these occasions. Likewise, the childish booing during national anthems. As has been said, this sort of behaviour is not exclusive to British teams and much worse behaviour has been seen from other countries. That said, I think it's a great shame that some English fans feel it is appropriate and sportsmanlike. Some commentators say it happens across all teams and countries and is just a matter of tactics - to unsettle the other side - but I think that's encouraging the worst instincts in people.

Despite all these misgivings, I am not sorry England has come this far and may possibly win. This country has a lot of faults and a terrible history of exploitations through domination but I don't think footballers can be held responsible for that.

I will be supporting Italy, as nothing gives me more delight than seeing England lose. :)

@snoin

I will be supporting Italy, as nothing gives me more delight than seeing England lose. :)

Why are you grinning?

The past two weeks must have been pretty traumatic for you if you love to see England lose.

@snoin

I will be supporting Italy, as nothing gives me more delight than seeing England lose. :)

well this is embarrassing. bet you live in england too.

You seem a bit obsessed @snoin, it's not healthy.