[Football] Pride in your country

Bold Seagull said:

I don’t actually disagree with you and mentioned political devolution earlier in the thread, but Euro96 was massive, and first time we saw the nation flooded with the SGC, a year before Blair was elected; so not a minor detail.

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cunning fergus said:

I take the point, as this thread highlights the union flag was the symbol of choice for football fans historically. The same flag back in the 80s and 90s that was always connected to far right shenanigans and English hooligans.

In 96 the SGC was an acceptable alternative to the new fans etc. so at that point it was acceptable and ubiquitous as the English fans symbol of choice.

It has since now become associated with far right shenanigans and English hooligans.

It wouldnt matter if the flag was a blue teapot on a yellow field with pink spots some people just have a problem with nationalism and English nationalism in particular. The rise of English nationalism per se is a consequence of devolution and recent waves of immigration.

Plus ca change.

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Gritt23 said:

I think the pride in the country, the pride in the flag, and the unity felt have been an ENORMOUS bonus from all of this.

I'm sick and tired of the St. Georges cross, and any pride in our nation being taken as meaning you are some sort of right wing, EDL, Tommy Robinson nutter. Phrases like "little englander" drive me insane.

To be a proud Englishman, to display a St. Georges cross, should not automatically make people think of racism and xenophobia, but that is where we are at times. This World Cup has brought back a completely different feel. Forget politicians rowing about this that and the other it is GARETH SOUTHGATE and his united band of humble, classy individuals who have worked fantastically as a team, that has delivered this sea change.

Long may it last.

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Brighton Lines said:

I very much embrace patriotism. Nationalism is something else.

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vegster said:

I heard of a girl in Hove wearing a Croatia shirt getting punched in the face last night, sad that the knuckle-draggers are still around.

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Icy Gull said:

Pretty sad that it comes as no surprise too

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wellquickwoody said:

But no evidence to support any of this rumour mongering? Maybe just someone wanting to put a downer on things perhaps?

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Bold Seagull said:

offended on behalf of someone else. who knew.

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cunning fergus said:

Fair enough but the fact is that patriotism and nationalism are two cheeks of the same arse. The reason why pre tournament many liberal minded progressive types didnt care for the England team is because deep down they dont want a lightening rod for English patriotism or nationalism. These people dont believe in nation states and national sovereigty because they are globalists.

They would rather England lost, or got “thrashed” to quote at Guardian columnist’s tweet before the Columbia game. These people hate England and English people, whether or not they had a union flag Sor a teapot flag. They wrap their hatred in the faux sllegation of the far right snd hooliganism, they are liars.......they just hate England.

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vegster said:

I can tell you that one of my friends, who lives in Hove, had a young girl sitting on her front wall crying her eyes out. Friend went out to help and was told she had been punched in the face in a local pub for wearing a Croatia shirt. If that's not enough for you then tough.

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vegster said:

I can tell you that one of my friends, who lives in Hove, had a young girl sitting on her front wall crying her eyes out. Friend went out to help and was told she had been punched in the face in a local pub for wearing a Croatia shirt. If that's not enough for you then tough.

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Gritt23 said:

Sadly a-holes like that do exist in our society, always have, and I fear always will. Do you honestly think they are a rational, and reasonable human being the rest of the time and only snap at the sight of the wrong football shirt? No, they are a-holes, day in, day out, looking for an excuse to descend into the violent knuckle-dragger they are. Whether that is at an anti-capitalist march, pro Tommy Robinson, ant-Tommy Robinson, pro-leave, anti-Brexit .... I doubt they care what "event" they have joined in on, they are just that horrible, dangerous, nasty person whether football is on the telly and flags of St George are out or not.

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