Supporting English teams because...they're English?

[JDK]

This is a debate that arose in Batista619's "Football" thread a few days ago. Basically, I can not understand the mentality behind this way of thinking. If you're team has been knocked out of either the UEFA cup or the European Cup, then how on earth could you cheer for a team that you would normally hate and consider a rival in the domestic competitions.

"Wanting the trophy to stay in England"-Well that argument is flawed straight away, I mean surely if the trophy isn't in your clubs trophy cabnet, then who gives a crap where it is? What joy would a Chelsea fan get knowing the European Cup is sitting in the trophy cabnet at Anfield or the Emirates?

"It proves our league is better"-Sorry it certianly doesn't-if you determine the strength of a league from one match you're a fool. This years final is being billed as Messi vs. Ronaldo, does that mesn if Man United win that Messi's 35 goals and 18 assists this season count for nothing? HELL NO. You can't prove nothing on one match, let alone how good a domestic league is.

When it comes to European competitions, I generally sit back and enjoy the football as my only real aligence lies with Juventus FC. Everytime Juve come up against an English side, I'm Juve 110%. The only English team I love to see do well is Liverpool, not because of the fact they're from the same country as myself, but because I have long respected their values and traditions, the overall aura of their club-nothing to do with being English. The only other "British" team I like to see succeed is Celtic-again, nothing to do with them being UK based.

[D2Kvirus]

The argument makes perfect sense - if you see the English as a bunch of ignorant, tribalistic boneheads who can't see beyond their own borders, be it for football, culture, language, cuisine, and generally every other reason I hate the English mentality.

Will I be supporting MUPLC in the Champion's League Final? Like fuck I will - why would I support a team that has habitually tapped up Tottenham's players (Beckham, Carrick and Berbatov - and, according to various reports, they're attempting to do so with Hutton, Bale and Lennon), who I cannot stand because of their flagrant flouting of the rules - which they get away with constantly?

If it was Chelsea in the final against Barca, would there be talk of supporting an English team? Of course not, because Chelsea are rightly seen as vile - but the exact same accusations and business/footballing practices have been the backbone at Old Trafford for 20 years.

On a side note, there was a feeling that if Hamburg got to the UEFA Cup Final, Spurs fans might cheer them on, to show support and solidarity for Martin Jol - which is far more understandable. I can possible see Chelsea fans doing likewise if Inter were in the CL Final because of Mourinho, and maybe Celtic fans for Villa in the UEFA Final for MO'N, but that's because they're managers who the fans respected/admired/loved, who all left with their heads held high and the good will of the fans.

[legendaryken]

*Chuckle chuckle* - 'Support the other team against the English' is usually how this thread goes up here in Scotchmistland and, yeah, when it comes to the National team, I'm well behind that (Football and Rugby. Cricket gets a let-off because it's really a UK team pretending to be 'England')
But Johnny Foreigner vs the 'best' that a hundred million can buy that play at Stamford Bridge? Um........yeah..........I'll probably support the Chelski, only because there's more possibility that I would ever see them play at home, or away (they do the occasional pre-season charity friendly against our teams) than the opposition plus there's more chance of them having a Scottish manager (hence this season, I have been mostly supporting Man U, Everton and latterly Sunderland) or player on the field.

If you then ask, would I support any Scottish team in the Europeans, the answer's 'Hell, yeah' because a) I'm not a prejudiced bigot - Support Kilmarnock and St Mirren, lean towards Rangers, don't mind if Celtic do well in Europe - and b) any European win helps our co-efficient thingy so better chance for everyone in Europe next year.

Actually, that's a good point for Spurs fans - the big 4 doing well theoretically means a better route for Spurs in Europe in the future - is that any argument in favour for you?