Club Versus Country

[RepressedRoyal]

After a few years of sporadic flirtation with other clubs, I became totally attached to Reading after witnessing the 2-0 win at Newport County in the record breaking "13 in a row" season, but even then I was an England fan who supported Reading, rather than a Reading fan who supported England. When someone pointed out to me the other day that it was the European Championships this summer, the first thing that came to my mind was "I couldn't really give a toss."

I don't really know when Reading FC became more important to me than England....probably sometime after Euro '96..... but I can safely say that the success of our football club, in my mind, is far more important to me than what the "Team England" prima donna's do this summer......I will support them when it comes around, but I will be far more interested in the exciting developments building up to the new season at the Madjeski.

To be honest, England just don't really register with me anymore. Who feels the same?

[AthleticoSpizz]

Sadly, '96 and possibly the World Cup of '98 was the last time that I had any real interest in the progression of an England team in any competition.

I keenly watched the inclusion of (our then) Nicky Shorey in the England vBrazil and vGermany games....I watched the way that he was excluded from any play-making by the likes of Joe Cole during the game(s)....he wasn't meant to be there!

(I am sure my thoughts are not unique but) I have become fed-up with players crying off with injuries just days before an international game...it doesn't matter to them or their agents...there isn't big money in sporting an England shirt these days...and there is certainly a lack of pride

I am fed up with watching the National Anthem getting played and half of our players looking deliberately bored and uncommitted (I hate John Terry...but at least he screeches his head off)....take a note out of the England Rugby Team pre-match sing songs you preening doughnuts!


All in all, I have gone from unconditional love and support of my national team 30 years ago to "could'nt give a f11ck" and "even a hoping" Andorra beat us resignation.

Leichtenstein wwwhaaaaayyyy

[Rex]

It's a chance to get down the pub for beer. That is what it means to me......so nothing really.

[The Prisoner]

The national team is a joke and nobody can relate to them any more. One too many epic failures....

[Stuka]

I still retain England Fan membership- the paid up subscription, and go to the odd home game since it's easy to get there for me but find myself increasing bored and alienated from my trips to Wembley by the shear lack of interest shown by the players. When I go and watch Reading I see spirit, courage and energy. For the most part sadly, England team shows very little of that these days so on sporting terms, I admit I'm losing interest.

[Mike Hunt]

Australia hitting the world cup in '06 is what really got me into football in the first place. But now, I don't even know what is going on with them at the moment. I know that they are into the second phase of qualification for the 2014 World Cup, but that is about all.

I guess living in Canada does not help that.

[Rusty royal]

Since I was young (a long time ago) I have followed The Netherlands as my international team and still do (also Wales for Rugby) this was never a jump on the bandwagon situation, as it was so even before Cruyff et al came on the scene. Even though I am English I have not followed England although briefly when Shorey played. The Dutch play fantastic football (apart from the World cup final) and have produce some brilliant players. One day I am hoping for a Dutch international to play for Reading (Van Persie anybody )

[St Pauli]

The only time England has ever meant anything to me was when I lived in Germany. I followed England to wind up my workmates.

When in England I follow Germany to wind up my workmates*.

I'm a bit of a pcunt like that really.




*They also play better football, aren't generally a shower of arseholes and actually have a chance of winning something on occasion.

[Chuckle Brother]

Since I was young (a long time ago) I have followed The Netherlands as my international team and still do (also Wales for Rugby) this was never a jump on the bandwagon situation, as it was so even before Cruyff et al came on the scene. Even though I am English I have not followed England although briefly when Shorey played. The Dutch play fantastic football (apart from the World cup final) and have produce some brilliant players. One day I am hoping for a Dutch international to play for Reading (Van Persie anybody )

We might be able to get Dutch u-21 and ex-Watford legend Nordin Wooter ?

[mathematically_safe]

When the club versus country debate arose small children were trampled in the exodus

[Barry the bird boggler]

I see the FA have decided to arrange yet another bloody stupid friendly 3 days BEFORE the start of the PL campaign.

Mind you it's not helped by the idiot sized groups you get for WC or EC qualifying. Personally I'd go for more groups with smaller number of teams and just the group winners progressing, that way you reduce the number of international dates and don't need to arrange spacko friendlies like the above.

So basically summer football = country, club at all other times.

[Stuka]

I see the FA have decided to arrange yet another bloody stupid friendly 3 days BEFORE the start of the PL campaign.

This could be to Reading's advantage though.

[Stuka]

When in England I follow Germany to wind up my workmates*.

It's all about Argentina. The Germany thing is passée.

[Mr Angry]

I see the FA have decided to arrange yet another bloody stupid friendly 3 days BEFORE the start of the PL campaign.

This could be to Reading's advantage though.

I was thinking that, especially as its going to be in a 35,000 capacity stadium in Switzerland as, despite it being a "home" game, its too close to the Final of the Olympics football to be played at Wembley (no, I don't quite understand that logic either) and the FA have an exclusive deal to play all games in England at Wembley so can't move the game to Old Trafford or The Emirates.

As for England, I'm utterly uninterested in the Euro's this Summer, and will be even less interested if Harry is the Manager; as I have mentioned a few times in General Football, I'd like to see all the (self proclaimed) galactico's get the bullet from the squad and instead bring in a load of genuine hard working pro's who will play for the shirt rather than their image rights.

I'll probably watch a few games, but no car flag for me I'm afraid!

[Snowball]

After a few years of sporadic flirtation with other clubs, I became totally attached to Reading after witnessing the 2-0 win at Newport County in the record breaking "13 in a row" season

Rub it in, why don'tcha?

To be honest, England just don't really register with me anymore. Who feels the same?

Got into "England" in 1966. Climbed a water tower (out of my skull) with a Saudi guy (trainee Air Force Officer) to plant a Union Jack,
got to the top, sobered up and then was almost too scared to climb down.

But, as someone said, it's been a slow journey down ever since (wait for the jokes) and I think the problem
is WE DON'T PLAY VERY GOOD FOOTBALL.

[pea]

Wales have never been good enough for me to care more about international football

[St Pauli]

When in England I follow Germany to wind up my workmates*.

It's all about Argentina. The Germany thing is passée.

Fair point but my Mum's not Argentinian.

[FiNeRaIn]

full of wide boys wearing massive headphones walking around like they are the shit. Utterly DESPISE the english national team, despise.

[Royal Ginger]

I think the whole international thing has been a bit eclipsed by the Olympics and the Jubilee this summer. The point is, the chance of a home nation winning are slim to none, and there's simply bigger stuff going on this summer.

[Optimist]

As a plastic Paddy I'm really looking forward to the Euros, cos I have someone to support at a big tournament for the first time in a decade. And generally, I don't agree with the whole "club v country" thing, cos imo they are seperate entities, when Reading play, I'm 100% behind them, when there's an international break, I'm 100% behind Ireland. As they never play at the same time I don't see "which do I support more" as an issue at all.