Myles_91 Posted June 4, 2012 Posted June 4, 2012 I've had this debate with countless people but I honestly don't think you can anymore. I'm not saying you can't support Chelsea and England by the way, I just don't think you can love both equally as much. Part of my reasoning is to do with the modernisation of football and the Champions League/Premier League. Let's be honest if anyone could honestly say they'd feel anything like Moscow or Munich for England I'd be amazed. Another thing is the anti-Chelsea element amongst the England contingent, it's become clear now for a while and even journalists have admitted it. It's become clear now our players are scapegoated for the failings of the England team, just like United's players were previously. Ashley Cole and Lampard in particular were the only ones booed after the first England friendly after the WC, despite being two of England's better players. I just feel England comprises of fans mainly from the likes of West Ham, QPR etc who hate Chelsea anyway and then fans of lower league northern clubs. Football has become too partisan and I'm not sure Chelsea fans (or Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool, United for that matter) can really feel a connection to the national team anymore? The CL final just summed it up for me, when seemingly everybody wanted Bayern to win. 50 years ago or even 30 or 20 when on earth would anybody have wanted a German team to beat an English one? I'm sure I'm not the only one that sees England games as a mere inconvenience (and some of the players do to), I don't know about others but I sh*t myself when England play these meaningless friendlies as I'm more worried about the repercussions it has for Chelsea. There was a time where if I had walked around Morden and asked people this question England would come first for the overwhelming majority, but it just seems more people care about Chelsea than England these days. I just think these days it's a complete conflict of interests to passionately support both and sorry if it offends anyone but it will always be club over country for me.
bluedave Posted June 4, 2012 Posted June 4, 2012 I can cheer for England when necessary, but I'll be thinking about Chelsea.
Gem Posted June 4, 2012 Posted June 4, 2012 I think you can, but personally no - Chelsea before everyone.
SirWadzman Posted June 4, 2012 Posted June 4, 2012 I see supporting England as more of a social thing - for once we're all for one cause and everyone is routing for the same team. I think you need rivalry to have the same passion for supporting England.
CacOBG Posted June 4, 2012 Posted June 4, 2012 I can easily support Chelsea, Levski FC and Bulgaria at the same time with equal amounts of passion. + when one of them is sh*t (or 2) there's always something to cheer me up from the third team (like this year with Chelsea!). Having said that I do prefer club football, probably because our national side is total crap right now...
Newt Posted June 4, 2012 Posted June 4, 2012 Admittedly if i was asked which team i tend to care more for i would definitely lean towards Chelsea because in my case i feel that the fact that Chelsea play matches far more frequently and often of more importance does mean they are on my mind alot more. As mentioned above aswell rivalrys with fans of other teams whom we can speak to does add to the interest.
Bluehatter Posted June 4, 2012 Posted June 4, 2012 Sorry to say this but I have no interest in england right now. The players I see putting on that shirt don't deserve to wear it and there is no passion and fight. I actually wouldn't give a toss if we were dumped out in the groups after losing all 3 games. All i hear is people slagging terry and cole of so I don't think they deserve any success out of them! As long as terry and cole etc keep bringing the success to chelsea I am more than happy.
HisDogSpot Posted June 4, 2012 Posted June 4, 2012 I've always had the same debate mainly with glory hunting mancs and they've always chose England probably cause they're not proper supporters and don't know the passion with a real club. Also England is sort of part time seen as it only matters every 2 years and the Euros is no where near the World cup for me so every 4 years in some peoples eyes. When Terry went off against Belgium I was f**king disgusted by the boos not surprised just disgusted. The same when he got booed for doing one of the few things he has (cant quite remember which one) its disgraceful. I'm not saying I don't slag other English players off but I'd never boo them in an England shirt. Thats one thing I've always respected Rooney for saying 'Nice to see your own fans booing ya' I completely agreed with him then. If Terry's done something wrong and he is a racist then why do the other players play with him, if you respect the other players shouldn't you respect there decision to play with a man whos innocent till proven guilty? IMO its hard to support England as all fans will dislike/hate rival teams players or what they've done before. I agree with Sir Wadzman that you need rivalry for the passion, and also there is only 2 full months with no competitive club football in a year compared to internationals. So in answer to your question Myles no I don't think you can I think true supporters of clubs the club will always edge the country IMO
abigsmurf Posted June 5, 2012 Posted June 5, 2012 I was passionate about England as a wee kid but ultimately our press, pundits and to some extent the FA destroyed my passion for following the country until now I'm a bit indifferent really. I'd actually feel slightly ashamed to lump myself in with the pundits and press who spend 23 months laying into England and England players then for a few weeks are suddenly all "COME ON ENGLAND!!!1111"
axman2526 Posted June 5, 2012 Posted June 5, 2012 Like abigsmurf when I was younger I very much cared about the national side. Euro 96 and France 98 were rather devastating. But after that, the general loathing the Chelsea lads have gotten and the sheer BS our press makes trying to destroy the side at every turn, and the gullible fans just lapin it up, I'll want them to do well for the Chelsea lads sake but aside from that the exits from all the other tourneys have made little impact on me.
chelseablueboy Posted June 5, 2012 Posted June 5, 2012 When Terry went off against Belgium I was f**king disgusted by the boos not surprised just disgusted. The same when he got booed for doing one of the few things he has (cant quite remember which one) its disgraceful. I'm not saying I don't slag other English players off but I'd never boo them in an England shirt. That sums it up for me too. Since Frank, Ash, and now JT get nothing but malicious booing from the ENGLAND crowd.. f**k 'em They have been amongst the most passionate players for there country for many years, so, with that in mind i have no interest in the England side anymore. In fact i am organising a scooter rally next weekend and probably won't (unless people demand it) even put on the game ! Alan
stevo Posted June 5, 2012 Posted June 5, 2012 No way, can never feel the same way about England than I do for Chelsea. Although I will be following England it wont be the same passion I feel for Chelsea.
evissy Posted June 5, 2012 Posted June 5, 2012 Not being English my vote won't count. It is Chelsea all the way. I enjoy watching England play but I can't cheer for them. Too many rival players playing to want them do well. I'm glad if Frankie scores or Terry does well but the likes of Gerrard and Defoe make me want them lose basically. I very much enjoy watching EC and WC. Great players great games.
San Joe Vese Posted June 5, 2012 Posted June 5, 2012 I support Chelsea and my local italian team (which plays in the italian equivalent of english non-league) and that's it. I don't mind italian national team (I hate top class italian football) and I support the three lions this year 'cause I wanna see them beat the w*nky french 8 nil.
dkw Posted June 5, 2012 Posted June 5, 2012 I support Chelsea and my local RL team equally as passionately, I still struggle to get anywhere near as passionate about England.
Zeta Posted June 5, 2012 Posted June 5, 2012 I can't bring myself to cheer for the likes of Gerrard, Rooney, etc... who play for our rivals. I would never boo them though. It's utterly disgraceful the amount of sh*t people like Terry, Cole and Lampard have had over the years just for playing for their country. Terry I can understand, because he's always doing stupid sh*t recently. But Lampard and Cole...? What for? Everyone just boos Cole everywhere he goes, I don't think they even know why. And Lampard just because he's not Gerrard (thank god). I shall be casually supporting them only in the sense that I'd rather we not lose to Germany or Portugal at some point, but I'll probably crack a smile when we get eliminated.
blizeH Posted June 5, 2012 Posted June 5, 2012 Yes you can, no I don't. Same reasons as mentioned above; I couldn't bring myself to cheer on the likes of Gerrard, and I hate the way the England 'fans' treat our players.
BlueBeard Posted June 5, 2012 Posted June 5, 2012 I've always supported Scotland, but I'm still proud of being half English. I stopped taking any interest in the England football team when Alf Ramsey was in charge, with his hatred of flair players - and the way that Chelsea players have been excluded over the years is inexcusable. Peter Osgood not good enough? Alan Hudson? Bobby Tambling? Ron Harris? Johnny Hollins? Kerry Dixon? - the list could go on and on... Even as a child, my hatred of Tottenham and Leeds meant I could never bring myself to cheer on the likes of Martin Chivers or Norman Hunter. For me, that continues to this day - I'll never understand how a true Chelsea fan cheer on c*nts like Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Steven Gerrard and Ashley Young. Obviously I feel the same way about the Scotland side - I've never been able to be 100% behind the team because there are always players from Celtic, Aberdeen and Dundee Utd, teams that I hate. Team before country EVERY time - Chelsea and Rangers!
andy Posted June 5, 2012 Posted June 5, 2012 No way, I have followed Chelsea over land as sea as they say. Can't say the same about England... Will be watching them down the pub and willing them to win of course because I am English... If they win the Euros or even the world cup I will be emotional but no way near as emotional as I wad for The League, Champions League and the FA cup ....... England Cricket team, Different type of emotion but I am very very passionate about them, different debate maybe ?
Bluehatter Posted June 5, 2012 Posted June 5, 2012 England cricket team are full of south africans and aussies but I still feel great if they win and awful if they lose.
loz Posted June 5, 2012 Posted June 5, 2012 I always support England irrespective of who is playing for them or is captain and love to see them do well however it is a shadow of what I feel for Chelsea. When Chelsea win 80% of the pleasure comes from Chelsea doing well and 20% comes from the bragging rights. When it comes to international football you lose most of the 20%. Being an Englisman in Scotland means some of it is retained but still nothing like when Chelsea win. Also international football feels more temporary than club football and there is far less of a sense of taking joy from your own feelings but also those of people you know.
Pauly Posted June 5, 2012 Posted June 5, 2012 You should at least try winning before you put it down like that Loz!
loz Posted June 5, 2012 Posted June 5, 2012 You should at least try winning before you put it down like that Loz! Au contraire
timetowaste Posted June 5, 2012 Posted June 5, 2012 That's the good thing with supporting chelsea and Italy, i don't have to deal with it.
bluedrake55 Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 the FA have a lot to answer for the decline in passion for team england. they do not see english fans. they just see cashcows. with the endless friendlies and the lack of tournament evolution has led to a lack of real interest from english football fans. factor in the mismanagement and a severe lack of empathy with english fans then you will always find if they had a choice then they would rather watch their clubs performing in proper competitive football. english fans are different from england fans but i would still cheer on england but not as passionately. this will probably never change because i just don't like the FA offcials and the way they run football.
Recommended Posts