Political Footballs

[rhythmaning]

In case it has escaped your attention, the (soccer) World Cup is rapidly apporaching. And this being Britain - or more accurately, Scotland - football has become a political issue.

Gordon Brown has decided to declare his support for England. Despite him being a life long supporter of Raith Rovers. He even told the Telegraph " that one of his best football memories was the goal Paul Gascoigne scored for England against Scotland in Euro '96." Now, I have strong memories of that goal - it was beautiful football; but I can't thnk that any Scots recall Gascoigne's skill with any pleasure.

Brown's stance has nothing to do with the fact that it has dawned on him that he will have to convince voters in England - as well as his constituents in Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath - that he can represent him.

Interestingly, Jack McConnell, Scotland's First Minister, is supporting Trinidad and Tobago, since many of that team's players play for clubs in the Scottish leagues. Which is fair enough, and a better reason than that Trinidad and Tobago will be one of the sides England play early in the tournament - which would be reason enough for most Scots, I'd guess.

McConnell reckons he did not link politics with football. Clearly he has never been to Glasgow.

Comments

[pshtaku.livejournal.com]

Aren't we all meant to support Trinidad & Tobago because of Jason Scotland?

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

I don't know how I'd feel if Scotland were in the World Cup and England weren't. I'd have no trouble supporting, say, Wales but Scotland might be a bit trickier. It would probably depend who they were playing. It would be easy to support Scotland against Germany or France but harder to get excited if they were playing Sweden or Mexico.

Of course, it's not a problem I'm ever likely to face.

[rhythmaning.livejournal.com]

Why Wales rather than Scotland?

I can't help supporting England, but I also support Scotland; and when Wales were doing so well in the run to the World Cup, I was cheering for them, too - although that might be the "underdog" factor.

And Eire and Northern Ireland, too.

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

I have family connections in Wales.

[pshtaku.livejournal.com]

Ha! between 1974 & 1994, Scotland had the dubious pleasure of having a more consistent qualification record for the Worldcup than England. Then in 1994 neither qualified, and I think Scotland have only qualified once since!