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QuoteA Scottish clothing company has been warned by police over t-shirts expressing the hope that Anyone but England wins this summers World Cup.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/24022010/58/world-cup-2010-company-warned-football-t-shirt.html

Seems ideal, England gets put out in the first round and we can ignore footie on TV for another 4 years :P

Awesome. Ill be picking one of those up.

Edit : lol, I hadnt even considered the whole pseudo "racist" argument to them considering it was a Scottish shop selling them.

I just like the idea because I cant stand the way football fever sweeps the nation and its rammed down our throats morning noon and f**king night.

Quote from: Chris HAwesome. Ill be picking one of those up.

Edit : lol, I hadnt even considered the whole pseudo "racist" argument to them considering it was a Scottish shop selling them.

I just like the idea because I cant stand the way football fever sweeps the nation and its rammed down our throats morning noon and f**king night.

muc cheaper than buying an algeria, slovenia & USA football tops.

Football is gods only gift to the whole world








not counting me of course  :yarr:

Quote from: Chris HAwesome. Ill be picking one of those up.

Edit : lol, I hadnt even considered the whole pseudo "racist" argument to them considering it was a Scottish shop selling them.

I just like the idea because I cant stand the way football fever sweeps the nation and its rammed down our throats morning noon and f**king night.

Its rammed down our throats because, like it or not, 99% of the nation love it.
I sure you wouldnt be complaining if goth night was on TV or something.

Quote from: Sam

Quote from: Chris HAwesome. Ill be picking one of those up.

Edit : lol, I hadnt even considered the whole pseudo "racist" argument to them considering it was a Scottish shop selling them.

I just like the idea because I cant stand the way football fever sweeps the nation and its rammed down our throats morning noon and f**king night.

Its rammed down our throats because, like it or not, 99% of the nation love it.
I sure you wouldnt be complaining if goth night was on TV or something.

Thankfully its not 99% of the nation, otherwise that would make me a member of the 1% that actually has a functioning brain.

Just because you dont like football doesnt mean you have to be jealous that you wont be enjoying the euphoria of the world cup.

Quote from: SamIts rammed down our throats because, like it or not, 99% of the nation love it.
I sure you wouldnt be complaining if goth night was on TV or something.

On Average less people watch The World Cup than watch the British F1 GP.  More People participate in Fishing than play football even including Sunday League level.  Thankfully I have a couple of pubs round me that actively dont put football on during the world cup, and they are normally pretty busy for it.  One of them actually took out the TV sets last time!

Quote from: SamJust because you dont like football doesnt mean you have to be jealous that you wont be enjoying the euphoria of the world cup.

If people want to enjoy the world cup then thats fine by me. I personally find watching a group of over paid drama queens kick a ball up and down a pitch for 90 minutes absurd, but if you get something out of it then more power to you. However I abhor turning the news on to hear about some daft insignificant fact being reported (surely if youre a fan then you already know, and if youre not a fan then you dont need to know?) Most newspapers have it splashed all over the front page and run a series of mind numbing articles about the so called "beautiful game". No matter where you go someone will want to discuss it with you, and will look at you as though youre sub-human when you utter "I have no interest in football". And nothing is more infuriating than having normal TV scheduling all re-arranged just so they can put a "game" on to amuse the knuckle draggers.

Another thing that really gets under my skin is the completely false patriotism that pervades almost every aspect of society. The George Cross flags come out, bunting starts to adorn the most bizarre places, everyone dons their England shirts, yet what are they actually celebrating? Nothing to do with the achievements of their country (you really cant count being good at kicking a pigs bladder into a net as an "achievement") yet everyone feels the need to run around shouting "yay for England" at every opportunity. Its an absolute farce, to be completely honest.

The best part of the world cup is that everyone rallies around the flag. Brings out a sense of pride so sorely lacking in Britain.

And the reason its "all over the news" is that, like I said, virtually everyone else is interested. Personally I couldnt give a crap about cricket but I dont cry that its on BBC news.

The people who complain about it - go turn off the TV. No one is forcing you to watch it.

And lets not even begin with the "overpaid drama queens" bit. Theyre paid no more no less than people in other entertainment industries.

So no its not an absolute farce. Youre just annoyed you dont like it and cant join in.

Oh and to call us "knuckle draggers", well its just a little bit pathetic to resort to name calling isnt it.

Quote from: Beaker

Quote from: SamIts rammed down our throats because, like it or not, 99% of the nation love it.
I sure you wouldnt be complaining if goth night was on TV or something.

On Average less people watch The World Cup than watch the British F1 GP.  More People participate in Fishing than play football even including Sunday League level.!

Of course its not the most popular sport to play. Why? Because you need to be fit for one! 60 year old man cant be running around a pitch all day, and of course you need at least 6/8 people to have a game. Anyone can nip off down the park to do a bit of fishing. However thats all irrelevant to how popular a spectator sport is so not sure what your point is.

Now, as usual for people on here, you failed to back up your statistics. My research shows that the viewing figures for BF1 is
4 July 2008   British Grand Prix   4,530,000 [1]
(I doubt its doubled since then).

BBCs own figures give me this:
average audience to BBC 4.6m, ITV 3.0m [2]
(Thats average 2002 world cup which was crap, so prob higher since then, but even if not it still roughly double)

And even if your original quote was true, (and Ive now proved that you just make things up) then its an unfair comparison. Bulgaria vs Greece has no British involvement. Be interested to see what the average viewing figures are for a England game...here we go

BBC ONE - match average 12.4m, peak 13.1m [2]
(This was Brazil vs England but they were all roughly the same, Sweden game was higher)

Couldnt be more wrong really. I await your apology.


[1] http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/10/06/uk-f1-tv-figures-up-by-half-a-million/
[2] http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2002/07_july/01/worldcup_figures.shtml

no real interest in the rest of the thread, (Im a member of the "no real interest in footie, so Ill put a DVD on" crowd) but just had to say kudos for the correct referencing Sam!

i dont like the media around football these days.. if players want to shag around, thats upto them, but they shouldnt throw in buzz
words like internationals, world cup, etc. - but its done just to help people understand why their soaps wont be on as much in the summer.

Football is the new opera. No longer a working mans game at the top level, they have been priced out of it.

Quote from: SamThe best part of the world cup is that everyone rallies around the flag. Brings out a sense of pride so sorely lacking in Britain.

And the reason its "all over the news" is that, like I said, virtually everyone else is interested. Personally I couldnt give a crap about cricket but I dont cry that its on BBC news.

The people who complain about it - go turn off the TV. No one is forcing you to watch it.

And lets not even begin with the "overpaid drama queens" bit. Theyre paid no more no less than people in other entertainment industries.

So no its not an absolute farce. Youre just annoyed you dont like it and cant join in.

Oh and to call us "knuckle draggers", well its just a little bit pathetic to resort to name calling isnt it.

It is an opium for the people (and an effective one judging by Sams stats) to divert their minds from things that matter
like  government f**k ups, war, poverty, climate changes etc.

Quote from: SamThe best part of the world cup is that everyone rallies around the flag. Brings out a sense of pride so sorely lacking in Britain.

To be fair, while the world cup might - and even Ill watch a few games of it - what football actually brings out for the majority of the time is a lot of hooligans that want a good excuse to cave someones head in. And just because other sports are well paid too doesnt diminish the fact that footballers are still overpaid drama queens. :lol:

Also, the figures you quote are really skewed in all fairness, F1 is on most weekends because theres active British drivers/teams and its a regular occurance, whereas a World Cup match with England playing is bound to draw more attention as its a much more infrequent world spectacle. IMO, figures for Man Utd vs Arsenal and it will be more comparable.

To Nige: Well ManU vs Arsenal is only picking a subset of the fans. A better comparsion would be all the televised games over a weekend.
And even then it wont be a truly fair comparison cos soccer is only on SKY.

To mongoose: Kudos for coming back and admitting you were wrong. Other people could take note.

Quote from: Clockd 0Ne

Quote from: SamThe best part of the world cup is that everyone rallies around the flag. Brings out a sense of pride so sorely lacking in Britain.

To be fair, while the world cup might - and even Ill watch a few games of it

Case in point - youre not really a footie fan but youll watch the world cup.

Chris is just a bah humbug.

Quote from: SamThe best part of the world cup is that everyone rallies around the flag. Brings out a sense of pride so sorely lacking in Britain.

[CHELSEAFAN]

Not to mention its the only time ill ever support Steven Gerrard.

[/CHELSEAFAN]

Quote from: Smugs

Quote from: SamThe best part of the world cup is that everyone rallies around the flag. Brings out a sense of pride so sorely lacking in Britain.

[CHELSEAFAN]

Not to mention its the only time ill ever support Steven Gerrard.

[/CHELSEAFAN]

who did you support when they was sh*t

I watch sports sometimes but I still think it is an opiate for the masses :) like religion can be.

Quote from: SamThe best part of the world cup is that everyone rallies around the flag. Brings out a sense of pride so sorely lacking in Britain.

What a bizarre thing to be proud of, a mere accident of birth. Its like being proud of having blue eyes.

Pride doesnt mean blind obedience or ignorant defence.
It means you have a team to support, a side to cheer, and a corner to sit in.

Do you cheer for China at the Olympics ? Do you want Jensen Button to win the F1? Amir Kahn the boxing title? What about being proud of British musical heritage? Perhaps youre a little bitter that England dominates (perhaps unfairly) the concept of Britain ?

I sometimes wonder how miserable it must be to live in the worlds some of you guys inhabit. Bah humbug the world cup is on. Bah humbug someone is patriotic. Bah humbug its Christmas. Just smile and enjoy some of the good things the world has to offer. Theres plenty of bad things already. Anything that brings community together is a good thing.

As a side note, USA vs England June 12th. Anyone fancy watching it in Philly is welcome at my local. I need more Brits :)

Quote from: SamNow, as usual for people on here, you failed to back up your statistics. My research shows that the viewing figures for BF1 is

ruined. well done sam. you saved me 10 minutes research cos i was gonna call BS too.

and another thing.

I f**king hate fishing. but you dont hear me bitching about the fishing channels on sky or going off on one every time someone lands a 3 ounce carp.

I get it. you dont like the football world cup when its on. But FFS, get a life and stop complaining about it. you need a proper hobby. nobody else complains that you like watching midget porn, or horse porn, or midget horse porn. nobody else runs down your pasttimes. if indeed you have any other than complainging about mine.

Quote from: SamPride doesnt mean blind obedience or ignorant defence. It means you have a team to support, a side to cheer, and a corner to sit in.

I dont understand vicarious pride. I am proud of some of the things I have done, Im even proud of some things my kids do that I have had a direct influence on, but Im not proud of things *other* people have done. Why should I be proud about something I had no control over or input to? It sounds like people are making up for their own lack of accomplishment if feelings of pride have to come from what other people have achieved.

Quote from: SamDo you cheer for China at the Olympics ? Do you want Jensen Button to win the F1? Amir Kahn the boxing title?

I dont really care who wins anything. From my limited exposure to Jensen Button, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber and Robert Kubica through television interviews they seem like the nicest/down to earth F1 drivers (or as down to earth as one could be in that rarified life) so I would *prefer* one of them to win because I like to see nice things happen to people I consider nice, but I certainly wont feel proud about it since I had exactly zero influence on the outcome.

Quote from: SamWhat about being proud of British musical heritage?

Britains contributions to both music and literature are immeasurable, I respect those that changed those fields and enjoy their work, but, again, why would I be proud of the achievements of other people (most of whom had this influence before I was born) and, more importantly, because they happen to have been born on a piece of the world relatively close to me?

Quote from: SamPerhaps youre a little bitter that England dominates (perhaps unfairly) the concept of Britain?

Despite many wonderful cultural contributions, mostly in the fields of tea drinking and queueing, the concept of Britain from an historical perspective is not one where I would want to place any misplaced pride I would have. Hundreds of years of oppression, subjugation and genocide in the name of imperialistic expansion are not what I would recognise as laudable actions.

Quote from: SamI sometimes wonder how miserable it must be to live in the worlds some of you guys inhabit. Bah humbug the world cup is on.

To the contrary, I am very happy in my life. The interest in the World Cup (and sport in general) is baffling to me, but I dont deny others the right to enjoy it. For purely selfish reasons I would prefer it didnt completely dominate the world for the get_period_of_time(world cup) its on for, but since most of the people with whom I interact socially also have no interest and I dont watch television, its not that big a deal.

Quote from: SamBah humbug someone is patriotic.

As I say, I dont understand why patriotism is a laudable quality, since it mostly appears to be a thinly veiled synonym for "acceptable intolerance". I fail to grasp how geographic location translates into a desire to be superior over people from a different geographic location. Patriotism completely reeks of "blind obedience and ignorant defence" as it conditions people to think that whatever their country does to another is the right thing and any questioning of the actions immediately gets the "unpatriotic" charge levelled at dissenters. It is used as a strawman against genuine criticism of both domestic and foreign policy and to rabble rouse those who prefer not to think.

Quote from: SamBah humbug its Christmas.

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year which lightens the spirits and provides opportunity to spend quality time with the ones you love. Some people have had a situation where those are feelings that are difficult to reconcile with their upbringing. Some people find the gross commercialism offensive. I think its a time where you make of it what you will. I certainly wouldnt want to force someone else into enjoying something they personally find unpleasant and appreciate how the huge focus on it for two months of the year could be difficult for those people. Perhaps a sense of empathy is more what is needed?

Quote from: SamAnything that brings community together is a good thing.

Nonsense. "Nigger hangings" used to "bring the community together". Something that brings people together to be a force for good and positive change is a good thing. Televised football doesnt promote good, it promotes people getting sh*tfaced and beating the crap out of other people because they are wearing a different colour top. Organising a local kids football group is good. It fosters cross community relations, promotes health and encourages teamwork. *That* is a good thing. A load of people drinking beer and shouting at a foreign team is not a positive activity.

Quote from: Eggtastico

Quote from: Smugs

Quote from: SamThe best part of the world cup is that everyone rallies around the flag. Brings out a sense of pride so sorely lacking in Britain.

[CHELSEAFAN]

Not to mention its the only time ill ever support Steven Gerrard.

[/CHELSEAFAN]

who did you support when they was sh*t

Hey I can remember being devastated as a young boy watching Chelsea get destroyed 4-0 by Utd in the 1994 FA Cup final. Not to mention the feeling that we had a great season, if we managed to get into the top half of the premiership for a change.

Im not going to respond to all your points Goblin. I can sum them up in one - Miserable bastard.

Quote from: SamIm not going to respond to all your points Goblin. I can sum them up in one - Miserable bastard.

Well reasoned retort. Thanks, Sam.

Lol. What do you want me to say. You have your viewpoint and clearly most of the rest of the country (and world) think differently. I wont be able to change your mind and nor ought I try.

Quote from: SamAs a side note, USA vs England June 12th. Anyone fancy watching it in Philly is welcome at my local. I need more Brits :)

Sure, if youre offering free accommodation ;)


Im definitely looking forward to the world cup. Im glad its one of the sporting events restricted to terrestrial TV, Altho it would probably be better if it was just confined to the BBC, and not ITV as well, their pundits arent as good as the BBC ones imo.

One problem I do have with the world cup however, is the supporters. Im not disagreeing with you Sam when you say its a good thing to have a corner to sit in and a team to support; far from it. What I am saying however is that there are things that just seem crass to me. For starters those flags that people have sticking out of car windows, or the massive flags draped across the front of houses. I just think theyre completely unnecessary. I also think the racism that arises from it is pretty appalling too.
Some of the behaviour of english fans disgusts me. All too many of them think its an excuse to get tanked up and cause trouble. I once saw someone nearly get attacked because he didnt like football. He was minding his own business in the pub during an england game in either a world cup or euro match and failed to celebrate when england scored or won the game (cant remember which, was a while ago) and just because of that, he was accused of not being an england fan and a "traitor", of course he tried to explain he wasnt particularly fond of football, but that was as equally as bad. Now, to me, that kind of behaviour is unacceptable, but seemingly becoming all too common.
Personally, I put it down to people not being "football fans" but "england fans", if you get my meaning.

I myself will enjoy this world cup for what it is. A showcase for for the top footballing talent in the world, a chance to see some of the best players playing some great, or maybe not so great football, and hopefully may the best team win.


As a footnote, those people who are anti football, and those people who are english and buy those T shirts mentioned in the OP. Youre just as f**king bad as the thugs who start fights. The missing TV excuse doesnt even cut it anymore, now that on demand services like iPlayer are available. What did football ever do to you to be deserving of your wrath? You just come across as bitter twats jealous that some (most) people actually enjoy watching the sport. If you dont like it, thats fine, thats awesome, its your choice. But dont whinge at people who do like it, just keep ur mouths shut.

Im not sure which hell holes people seem to live in but Ive never seen any football related violence in pubs or at games.

Now of course there will be those who use the event to cause trouble - these are not football fans - these are people who know footballs have the biggest crowds and thus the best chance to meet someone to fight.

Dont blame football. And dont blame the supporters.  If Dungeons and Dragons was popular thugs would go allow to that to cause trouble.

(I actually think most of the trouble we talk about is in the past anyway, and just reputation).

And please for goodness sakes dont start on about chavs. Chavs will cause trouble for any reason, football is just a convenient one. Its nothing to do with the actual game.

as an aside, whats the reception toward the world cup over in the states?

Not sure until it happens (wasnt here for the last one) but people seem to be a lot more aware of it than last time. Beckham helps I guess and the fact were playing USA first game is a big deal to them, they rate us very highly, whereas we just think of them as another bum team.

US soccer has taken big steps lately, watch out :)

Quote from: SamNot sure until it happens (wasnt here for the last one) but people seem to be a lot more aware of it than last time. Beckham helps I guess and the fact were playing USA first game is a big deal to them, they rate us very highly, whereas we just think of them as another bum team.

Actually I think USA are a semi decent team. theyre definitely not like spains or brazils, but theyve come on a long way
Theyve got some players in the PL, Donovan, dempsey, howard, friedel, altidore etc there are a couple more but i forget who they are

While i think well win the group, the match against the USA will be the hardest and may not be a win

If we dont win Ill never hear the end of it.

Quote from: EddI myself will enjoy this world cup for what it is. A showcase for for the top footballing talent in the world, a chance to see some of the best players playing some great, or maybe not so great football, and hopefully may the best team win.

This is the sole reason I will watch games other than it being a social event - few jars with the lads and a game of football on at someones house/down the pub.

Quote from: EddAs a footnote, those people who are anti football, and those people who are english and buy those T shirts mentioned in the OP. Youre just as f**king bad as the thugs who start fights. The missing TV excuse doesnt even cut it anymore, now that on demand services like iPlayer are available. What did football ever do to you to be deserving of your wrath? You just come across as bitter twats jealous that some (most) people actually enjoy watching the sport. If you dont like it, thats fine, thats awesome, its your choice. But dont whinge at people who do like it, just keep ur mouths shut.

Agree with the first half about the tees, thats just asking for trouble, but I really dont understand how its possible to be bitter/jealous that someone likes a sport that you dont? How is it possible to take any emotional gain from liking a sport that someone else doesnt. I like watching bowls down at the green but you dont so ner! :lol: sounds a bit silly really doesnt it.

I think for most people I would hope the objection is just to the constant buzz of people/press/media talking about it 24/7. Its as annoying as Big Brother/X-Factor and exactly the same scenario of media saturation. Really anyone that has complained about either of those programmes but is calling out people in this thread for rejecting football coverage is a bit of a hypocrite.


A perfect example of annoyance at sports coverage - I was sat in the pub the other day and every single screen had Sky Sports News or some twaddle on - it wasnt even LIVE coverage! Why not have some with BBC News or music channels perhaps - who seriously wants to sit and read the same statistics over and over like its life or death news? If the results from the days games are that important you should be at home checking the internet/ceefax or whatnot.

World Cup football is bloody awesome  :ptu:

Quote from: Clockd 0NeAgree with the first half about the tees, thats just asking for trouble, but I really dont understand how its possible to be bitter/jealous that someone likes a sport that you dont? How is it possible to take any emotional gain from liking a sport that someone else doesnt. I like watching bowls down at the green but you dont so ner! :lol: sounds a bit silly really doesnt it.

In my defence, i just said it comes across that way. I have no idea what peoples motivations for disliking it are, but I can comment upon how it looks to me.

For example, it seems a lot of people are unhappy about the amount of TV coverage and build up. Perhaps they are unhappy that their particular sport of choice doesnt have the same coverage, and hence jealous/bitter

Ill admit that there probably is too much coverage for the world cup, but I really like some of it. Particularly programmes like 5lives Monday night club, or the guardians Football weekly. They cover little nuances and similar things that i really really enjoy. Things like discussions and opinions......things that you would hear down the pub with your friends, except done by people with inside knowledge and first hand experience of the sport.

What bugs me about sports on swedish tellie is, there can be a nice weekly show at 8 PM every thursday (or whatever) I come and sit down to see it as usual and they have taken it out !!!! for some tennis, soccer or whatever sports coverage !!!! show it in a sports channel.

Quote from: Clockd 0NeA perfect example of annoyance at sports coverage - I was sat in the pub the other day and every single screen had Sky Sports News or some twaddle on - it wasnt even LIVE coverage! Why not have some with BBC News or music channels perhaps - who seriously wants to sit and read the same statistics over and over like its life or death news? If the results from the days games are that important you should be at home checking the internet/ceefax or whatnot.

Youve never been to a bar in the states then.

do they show cricket over there at all?

Quote from: bearWhat bugs me about sports on swedish tellie is, there can be a nice weekly show at 8 PM every thursday (or whatever) I come and sit down to see it as usual and they have taken it out !!!! for some tennis, soccer or whatever sports coverage !!!! show it in a sports channel.

Exactly.

Quote from: Edddo they show cricket over there at all?

Lol no. Youre lucky to get soccer and for that you have to go to an Irish bar.

You think they know nothing about soccer, at least they understand the rules (like kicking it in the net). Cricket they have no clue at all. Could tell them you used a tennis ball and a brick and they wouldnt know.

Quote from: Sam

Quote from: Edddo they show cricket over there at all?

Lol no. Youre lucky to get soccer and for that you have to go to an Irish bar.

Yeah for Irish pubs in the US, my regular pub was one "the starry plough" :)

That sounds English not Irish.

Irish pubs here are Fado and Tir-ra-nog. And then ONeils and names like that.

I dont go in them much tho, cant stand this Irish love-in you see everywhere.

Twas Irish allright I knew the people behind it (well one was english) Irish dancing and music at least once a week.

Still going strong  http://www.starryploughpub.com/history/ brings back fond memories :)

Would not see this in an English pub :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EADUQWKoVek


and

QuoteThe Starry Plough ST Pattys Day Celebration
With Driving With Fergus
   
Wed, Mar 17
Noon
   

I wasnt doubting you that it was Irish, just thought it had an English sounding name.

Quote from: SamI wasnt doubting you that it was Irish, just thought it had an English sounding name.

Yeah I did spell it wrong :)