scots supporting england!

[glasgowmandy]

my whole family are die hard scots, and every single one of them is bashing england to loose the cup, i dont understand it, i hope they do their best and will support them all the way! arnt we all british supporters??

if i talk about it to any of them they are horrified, just this afternoon, my brother was saying he thinks im upsetting dad with supporting them.. oh my god its football, get a grip!!

well come on england!!

I was asked what part of England I was from, Scotland, Ireland or Wales in America last week. I got Scottish DH out of the way ASAP!

It's his birthday next week and I've just got him the 'Anyone but England' T-shirt. He describes Scotland's feeling towards England as like the relationship between an older, stronger big brother.

or getting all freudian would be homicidal sibling rivalry

You're right Morris. On the international stage you're often lucky to find people who know and recognise Wales and Scotland as countries in their own right. Not sure why though. Is it just because they are small in relation to England? And London is the capital/administrative centre of something but they're not sure what so it's just 'England'...

Don't know, but yes I can absolutely see how that would be mindblowingly irritating.

I think some people are missing the point. I don't think OP or anyone else expects anyone Scottish to support England just because we are all British. I thought the point was the 'Anyone But England' attitude which is a really bitter way of thinking.

MorrisZapp I understand where you are coming from. I really do. But anyone with half a brain recognises Scotland's achievements as its own, as well as something positive for Britain. Everyone knows Andy Murray is Scottish. And Chris Hoy (although he is of course part of Team GB - which is lovely, the Olympics brings everyone together).

Anyway its not very sporting is it? Instead of picking a team you want to win, picking a team you want to lose? Thats just ugly!

mozette, in answer to your question, I personally would (and do) support the other home nations in sporting tournaments because we are one nation - the United Kingdom.

And when it comes to the Olympics we are Team GB after all.

Just to be clear, I friggin' love the Americans and they can play fast and loose with the geography of my home nation all day long for as long as they keep a warm welcome for me in their beaches, malls and motels.

I find it funny more than anything else.

But I don't find it so funny from people who should know better, ie those living in a country joined on to mine and who really should know the meaning of the word England.

but a lot of Scots feel that their nation is Scotland not the United Kingdom

Crazy, I think also the common language being called English may be something to do with it.

As far as the Americans go, all bets are off. They get sold a totally lala idea of England which mostly involves Hugh Grant learning how to relax from an American.

I can see exactly why people abroad don't really get the nuances of our discrete countries, and you can't really blame them as we're all here in one commonality.

But in our own country there's less excuse. It exists locally too of course - when the weatherman gives the forecast for Shetland my DP shouts 'who the fuck cares' at the telly.

What Crazycatlady said. We are one nation, so I'd support other home nation teams. If some Scottish people feel their nation is Scotland and not the United Kingdom, that's fine, obviously, and I wouldn't expect them to support England. But really can't see how me supporting other teams within the United Kingdom is condescending.

they should just say "pissing doon again" for scottish weather

Yes my DH does that too... I'm sure the people of Shetland do bloody care!

In our own country you're right. I think it's driven mainly by the fact England does not yet have its own distinct personality and culture outside of Britishness. There are glimpses of it, but I think that if England had a more distinct personality then as a nation perhaps there would be a greater consciousness of the distinct personalities of the other nations that make up the UK.

I am english and live in scotland. I can honestley say if scotland were in the world cup id also be supporting them!! I dont get all this anti English bullshit!
It all comes down to jelousy grow up!!

Just wondering, would an English fan be expected to support France or Germany because they're 'all European'?

Scottland is a part of the UK, the way that the UK is a part of Europe.

incisive that was!jealous and grow up.scotland quakes at your witty repartee

Well I totally agree crazycat.

While the Scots etc have their own culture, traditions etc it's difficult/ impossible to see any English culture that isn't also British.

Which is probably why so many English people think that English and British are one and the same.

Hugh FW makes a good stab with his mead-based merrie making etc but it doesn't look to be catching on.

see my post of 20:55 for the answer macdog.

Equally, would a Scottish fan be expected to support France or Germany? No, because they are not part of the same sovereign state. But we're not talking about being expected to support, more the ABE factor.

We have the issue of should we support England here in Ireland it is all over the radio [I don't care as soccer makes no sense to me] but it was described by one man as follows 'England is like an Ex, you want to know what is happening to them but do not want them to do better then you' It seems like a good ans to why everyone will watch England play but no one wants to admit supporting them, I wonder what will happen if England play France where will loyalties lie then

Vive la france

I am half Scottish, half English. I have lived in both, currently in England. I always support Scotland over England if they are playing against each other (like to support the underdog :-) but England against anyone else.

I know I am pretty rare though...when I lived in Aberdeen it was absolutely normal for whole pubs to be cheering anyone playing against England.

Things getting a little heated here, at the end of the day, we are one country, like it or not, we are just split up by borders.....
Our Passports say UK,... So we should support each other in these times......

Re ABE please put yourself in a Scotsmans shoes - you passionately support Scotland, you know they are shite, but they are Scottish shite. Every game in tournaments that England qualify for, 1966 is mentioned in the first 2 minutes, England expects, adverts on tv, etc, etc, charity events like Sport Aid the phone number contains 1966, English based media using England/Britain interchangably, etc, etc, etc - put up with this for most of your life.

Then someone comes up with ABE - English media go MENTAL - Scotsmen think aha we're winding them up here! Explosion of ABE

Thats my take on it. for the record I am Scottish, don't describe myself as British/European however I despise the SNP (well Alex Salmond really) and think that complete independence would be a huge mistake for Scotland and that the UK should become more like the US with states but an overall parliament. Oh and I disagree about Scottish MP's voting on purely English matters and that the English should stand up more if they want a separate parliament

well done mozette

Well I cant wait 'til the game tomorrow, and I hope England win!!!
Ive just put on my '100 greatest party hits' cd, and BLASTED oot three lions, and sung along to it, and none of my neighbours have banged on the wall!!! (Im scottish, and live in Scotland!)
I dont have an England shirt though, I'll have to wear my Rangers top instead!!!

yer a classy lassie.haein a wee swally and sing on a friday night

The ABE sentiment was there well before the ABE campaign though, that's why it's so popular!

Has the 'English' media gone mental? I've missed that, but then I haven't really been following the pre-World Cup coverage not being wild about football.

I think I agree on English parliament in principle, but just seems like one more expensive layer of administration. Isn't it? What was really wrong with the political/legal system pre-devolution? Every part of the UK was represented by local MPs in parliament. I was too young at the time to care about politics, but would be grateful if someone could explain why devolution was needed? Can see why it would be desired by nations keen to assert their identity, but needed?