Has she got a point - should we be supporting England?

[the other bob wilson]

For me, it’s not the players or the manager, on the whole they seem a decent bunch. It’s the media that’ll piss me off, have you noticed there’s a mention of the upcoming semi final in totally unconnected snippets at the end of tv programmes, ‘Emmerdale is coming up next, support Gareth’s boys’ type of thing. Was the same thing happening in 2016 regarding Wales? I don’t know, I was in France but somehow I doubt it. Also, if allowed in, opposition fans could be a bit unbearable over the next 55 years, apparently they won the World Cup in 1966 and the gloating cycle will start over again.

I agree with so much of what you say. The central theme of the article is that we in Wales should support this England team because they do not adhere to the stereotype an awful lot of us associate that country with. In so far as it goes, it's hard to argue with that logic - if Marcus Rashford has not won a major humanitarian award yet, he certainly should have done, Rahim Sterling has handled himself well in recent years, Jordan Henderson comes over well and I could go on by naming others, while Gareth Southgate is an impressive figure in many ways.

However, for me anyway, there's more to it than that. You're right about the media as far as I'm concerned and in recent days there have been things happen which, in some cases, I've experienced plenty of times down the years, but that does not make them any easier to accept.

Actually, I wasn't too bothered by what Johnson said at PMQs a few weeks back because it was exactly what I'd expect from someone like him. However it still grates with me when I see adverts being broadcast on Welsh channels which are geared entirely at an English audience (e.g. the Deliveroo one we've seen during the Euros). Similarly, what I heard last night whereby Emma Raducanu was referred to as English, while, a few days earlier, the same people were saying Andy Murray was British rankles even though it shouldn't by now because I've heard it so many times before.

At least Wales making it to the last two Euros has meant that you're less likely to see England themed promotions in Welsh supermarkets at the time of major tournaments, but I daresay there have been a few dotted around the country in the last month or so.

it's the laziness, ignorance and, to a small extent, the arrogance of that sort of thing which makes it so hard to be supportive of English sporting teams even when they are made up of what seems to be decent people like the current England football team appears to be.

[cardiff55]

This England team are very good, despite having Pickford in goal. Their defence has barely been tested yet. They should get to the final at least and then have a 50/50 chance against either Italy or Spain. I believe they can actually win it.

However, I have tried to get behind them but just can't. I saw the Ukraine game with the sound off. It's not the footballers or the manager, it's the press and the England fans. Let's face it, they have only got to one final and then played all their games at home and had a goal given in the final which should have been disallowed. Sounds familiar? Three games at home again this time and a potential final at Wembley. But they are well balanced team and have great attacking potential (although even I could score half nof Kane's goals!).

Compare their achievements to France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Portugal and they have consistently failed. But I think it could be their time. I saw my first Wales v England game in 1970 (1-1) at Ninian Park. There appeared to be no love lost between he fans at that game either. However as a boy I did support them at the 1966 World Cup and in 1970, but I was young and did not know what I was doing!

So I say, Good luck to them, but don't have to support them. To be it's just like watching a game on Sky , say Blackburn v QPR, and saying well done to the winner but having no real interest in it. Or looking at the football results on a Saturday and seeing Barrow won a game. You can't support two international teams, just your own.

[2b2bdoo]

I don't see any reason why I would support England.

[City123]

No, should Everton fans support Liverpool when Everton are out of the FA Cup?

[J R Hartley]

No.

I watched the Terry Venables documentary currently showing on Sky yesterday. That was the one time I can remember not minding if England won it.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Putting harmless rivalry aside, it occurred to me over the weekend that our attitude to England's current success is influenced greatly who and what we associate with being English. Some people on here have brought up the evils of the British Empire, others have described individuals in the media and the behaviour of some England fans have been mentioned.
For my part, I base my views on having lived in 5 different counties in England (including London), the 900 colleagues I currently work with (the vast majority being English), my friends, acquaintances and the neighbours I have had over the last 40 years. They are as far removed from Empire-builders, exploitative industrialists and plastic chair-throwing thuggery as I am.
No-one is obliged to support our rivals but the average Joe in Taunton is not that different to his counterpart in Tonteg.

[Rock_Flock_of_Five]

Putting harmless rivalry aside, it occurred to me over the weekend that our attitude to England's current success is influenced greatly who and what we associate with being English. Some people on here have brought up the evils of the British Empire, others have described individuals in the media and the behaviour of some England fans have been mentioned.
For my part, I base my views on having lived in 5 different counties in England (including London), the 900 colleagues I currently work with (the vast majority being English), my friends, acquaintances and the neighbours I have had over the last 40 years. They are as far removed from Empire-builders, exploitative industrialists and plastic chair-throwing thuggery as I am.
No-one is obliged to support our rivals but the average Joe in Taunton is not that different to his counterpart in Tonteg.

That's quite a lot of work colleagues!

[splott parker]

Putting harmless rivalry aside, it occurred to me over the weekend that our attitude to England's current success is influenced greatly who and what we associate with being English. Some people on here have brought up the evils of the British Empire, others have described individuals in the media and the behaviour of some England fans have been mentioned.
For my part, I base my views on having lived in 5 different counties in England (including London), the 900 colleagues I currently work with (the vast majority being English), my friends, acquaintances and the neighbours I have had over the last 40 years. They are as far removed from Empire-builders, exploitative industrialists and plastic chair-throwing thuggery as I am.
No-one is obliged to support our rivals but the average Joe in Taunton is not that different to his counterpart in Tonteg.

Tontegist ….reported

[Tuerto]

Putting harmless rivalry aside, it occurred to me over the weekend that our attitude to England's current success is influenced greatly who and what we associate with being English. Some people on here have brought up the evils of the British Empire, others have described individuals in the media and the behaviour of some England fans have been mentioned.
For my part, I base my views on having lived in 5 different counties in England (including London), the 900 colleagues I currently work with (the vast majority being English), my friends, acquaintances and the neighbours I have had over the last 40 years. They are as far removed from Empire-builders, exploitative industrialists and plastic chair-throwing thuggery as I am.
No-one is obliged to support our rivals but the average Joe in Taunton is not that different to his counterpart in Tonteg.

Yes, that's obviously the case. People will almost always base their opinion on these types of things based on media, government, certain aspects culturally etc I very much doubt it down to individuals. I wouldn't compare Saudi Arabia or Israel to England, that would be ridiculous, but for different reasons, I wouldn't want either of those countries to win anything either, although I am sure that there are plenty of very nice Israelis and Saudis.

[cardiff55]

With an English mother and Scottish father, and being born in Wales I still cannot bring myself to cheer for them. I don't mind Scotland though.

Interesting fact that Scotland have qualified for 8 World Cups and 3 Euros but never got out of the group stage.
Wales have qualified for one World Cup and 2 euros and had a last 16, a QF and a Semi Final. (not including 1976).
England have won the World Cup , got to 2 semi finals and , this will be their third Euro semi.

So Wales haven't done too badly....it's just qualifying is our problem!

[Divine Wright]

What a ridiculous article.

This.

My response to this article is “well done if it’s true that you are changing as a nation. What’s that got to do with me as a Welsh Person?”

[Jimmy the Jock]

The way the Wales /England fans were treated in Europe has made me feel a bit more affinity with the English.
Part of me would like to see them win just to watch the reaction.
They do have some really excellent football players.

As usual my pocket will rule my heart , I have £80 on Italy ....... My grandmother was Italian as well. Cmon Italy ....

[Kind of Blue]

It's a bit like a Newport fan wanting failure for us but a lot of our fans wanting them to get promoted. Is what it is I suppose

Decent analogy. I’ve spent the best part of a decade living in England, I find those work colleagues and mates that are into football (particularly those of clubs outside the big English clubs), take a genuine interest in Wales when they know I’m a Wales and city supporter.

I’d say the majority gave me plenty of encouraging congratulations during our high points over that time and I’d say a genuine want for us to go all the way during the last euros in particular. I think being an unfancied underdog helps though, as I do think that is a particularly British trait.

Saying that, there’s definitely been a minority that weren’t that way inclined. Which is fine by me, ultimately I couldn’t care less if England fans want Wales to do well or not. Which is how it should be for me.

Either way, although I’ve definitely mellowed towards England in the football, I’m not English and I don’t support them. Despite being neighbours with a close and interrelated history in the football, I do think the experience of supporting one or the other is markedly different and makes it hard for me personally to relate. In the same way as I would find it hard to relate to being a supporter of any of the “big” footballing nations.

[Gofer Blue]

I think some CCMB contributors need to prepare themselves for England to win the tournament. They have a really good team, with strength in depth, the team spirit that appears to match that of Wales and their confidence must be sky high even if that is played down in press conferences. Add to that the fact that their semi-final will be played at home at Wembley with the vast majority of supporters being English. If they beat Denmark, then, with the final also at Wembley, they could not wish for a better route and have little excuse not to go all the way this time.

[lardy]

I think some CCMB contributors need to prepare themselves for England to win the tournament. They have a really good team, with strength in depth, the team spirit that appears to match that of Wales and their confidence must be sky high even if that is played down in press conferences. Add to that the fact that their semi-final will be played at home at Wembley with the vast majority of supporters being English. If they beat Denmark, then, with the final also at Wembley, they could not wish for a better route and have little excuse not to go all the way this time.

I think everyone recognises that. It's whether they want it to happen or not.

[Feedback]

Denmark has porn, beer and bacon

its no ****ing contest who gets my support

[mazadona10]

I think it's fairly normal to not want your close neighbour to be successful. I like England, it's no doubt a bigger, better more successful country than Wales.

I suppose it's like going to school with another lad who is stronger and better looking girl, that gets a lot of attention. Ultimately you don't want him to be hurt but would like to see him put down a peg or two.

[Tuerto]

Putting harmless rivalry aside, it occurred to me over the weekend that our attitude to England's current success is influenced greatly who and what we associate with being English. Some people on here have brought up the evils of the British Empire, others have described individuals in the media and the behaviour of some England fans have been mentioned.
For my part, I base my views on having lived in 5 different counties in England (including London), the 900 colleagues I currently work with (the vast majority being English), my friends, acquaintances and the neighbours I have had over the last 40 years. They are as far removed from Empire-builders, exploitative industrialists and plastic chair-throwing thuggery as I am.
No-one is obliged to support our rivals but the average Joe in Taunton is not that different to his counterpart in Tonteg.

Denmark has porn, beer and bacon

its no ****ing contest who gets my support

They used to be Vikings, what a come down.

[tforturton]

They used to be Vikings, what a come down.

Yep, and Great Britain used to rule the world....

[life on mars]

I will be cheering the lads on along with all the English fans I know who cheered us on 2016 .

[life on mars]

Denmark has porn, beer and bacon

its no ****ing contest who gets my support

And fairies.

[Moodybluebird]

Certainly the manager and some of their players seem like decent blokes but that's where my admiration of the England football team stops.

As has been said on numerous occasions by many people, it's the media's blanket coverage and obsession with England that sticks in the craw. It's not hard therefore to understand why the vast majority of non-English people in the UK will I suspect not be supporting them under circumstances.

[Moodybluebird]

Certainly the manager and some of their players seem like decent blokes but that's where my admiration of the England football team stops.

As has been said on numerous occasions by many people, it's the media's blanket coverage and obsession with England that sticks in the craw. It's not hard therefore to understand why the vast majority of non-English people in the UK will I suspect not be supporting them under circumstances.

Under ANY circumstances.

[surge]

Support the England football team? They seem a likeable bunch, but that doesn't quite move us past the sports rivalry.

Be happy for the friends who support them? Of course, and the decent football fans I've not yet met.

Cheer on a product of the English FA who are pushing for an Olympic Team despite it putting independence of Welsh football at risk? Nope, no thank you.

[Taffy Blue in Berkshire]

it's a football match and my team isn't playing so I don't really care who wins