Northern Ireland To Change Their Anthem?

SharpshooterTom

There's been an ongoing debate over the last few years regarding changing the anthem for Northern Ireland.

In attempt to attract catholics and people from nationalist backgrounds there has been a suggestion to change the anthem to something more 'neutral', that can appeal to both sides. This has been discussed by the IFA.

　
However many of the Northern Ireland fans are opposed as they see it as a simply another erosion of protestant culture, and conceding ground to nationalists/republicans and so called 'enemies of the state'.

The removal of God Save The Queen will cause uproar in many unionist sections of the population. The downside of course to not changing it is that many catholics may feel unwelcome and opt to support/play for the Republic of Ireland. Of course some of us would like to see catholics happily play for the north, and avoid being part of this ongoing north/south handrigging debate.

I go to Northern Ireland games frequently and would definitely support a change to the anthem obviously, however many NI fans I know here are utterly opposed to any changes (or 'concessions to republicans').

I suppose the attitude amongst many unionists here is "you have you're team, we have ours". If it means 11 protestants turn out to the field of NI then so be it, as they wouldn's support the destruction like of the state like many catholics do blah blah blah.

Should they change the anthem? Because if they don't, then the ROI will be forever part of the 'poaching' players etc from the North scenario.

BhoscaCapall

You may not have noticed this but a recent democratic decision to present the Belfast City Hall as a more neutral, welcoming environment was met with mild unhappiness from Loyalists.

Rhys Essien

FIFA should have stepped in long go and told the IFA that they cannot be using Englands anthem.I dont know of any other two "Countries" that are using the same anthem.

BhoscaCapall

Rhys Essien wrote: »

FIFA should have stepped in long go and told the IFA that they cannot be using Englands anthem.I dont know of any other two "Countries" that are using the same anthem.

It's the British anthem not the English one. And the status of Northern Ireland as a country is pretty ropey at best. I think it's fitting that they don't have a proper anthem.

Captain Havoc

Georgia use the same music as England.

PhlegmyMoses

Giz Jonny Evans.

Paul Tergat

Captain Havoc wrote: »

Georgia use the same music as England.

lichtenstein no?

Rhys Essien

Captain Havoc wrote: »

Georgia use the same music as England.

Flag??.

Captain Havoc

Sorry, that was Lichtenstein.

Pompey Magnus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETgBv0Wlyd4

Captain Havoc wrote: »

Sorry, that was Lichtenstein.

Which made anthems a bit repetitive when they played Northern Ireland a few years ago.

The_Kew_Tour

Poaching players??

Under GFA you are well entitled to play for Republic if you so wish .

Paul Tergat

Rhys Essien wrote: »

FIFA should have stepped in long go and told the IFA that they cannot be using Englands anthem.I dont know of any other two "Countries" that are using the same anthem.

FIFA shouldnt be getting involved in politics at all

Captain Havoc

Paul Tergat wrote: »

FIFA shouldnt be getting involved in politics at all

A lot of people would say, they should't be invovled in football either.

Paul Tergat

Captain Havoc wrote: »

A lot of people would say, they should't be invovled in football either.

id be one of them :pac:

Rhys Essien

BhoscaCapall wrote: »

It's the British anthem not the English one. And the status of Northern Ireland as a country is pretty ropey at best. I think it's fitting that they don't have a proper anthem.

Exactly.They play the anthem of their British passport holder players and kick up a stink when some Irish passport holders dont want to play for them.

Paddy McCourt and Niall McGinn should be given medals for sticking it out.

Captain Havoc

What kind of song would you have to appease both set of fans?

Rhys Essien

Danny Boy.

JaMarcus Hustle

Captain Havoc wrote: »

What kind of song would you have to appease both set of fans?

Taylor Swift - We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

BhoscaCapall

Rhys Essien wrote: »

Paddy McCourt and Niall McGinn should be given medals for sticking it out.

McCourt and McGinn presumably are not nationalists. If they are they are complete idiots.

bohsboy

Captain Havoc wrote: »

What kind of song would you have to appease both set of fans?

Not sure, but it would have to include this as a sample.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s1MspmfEwg

im invisible

Maniac 2000

Rhys Essien

BhoscaCapall wrote: »

McCourt and McGinn presumably are not nationalists. If they are they are complete idiots.

They sure are.Its the IFA are the idiots I think.

Fenix

Do people think that if you are a catholic born in the north, you're automatically a nationalist?

Jesus that's the most naive thing I've ever heard.

Coillte_Bhoy

BhoscaCapall wrote: »

McCourt and McGinn presumably are not nationalists. If they are they are complete idiots.

whaaaaaatttt:eek:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAWt9WIU4yY

Coillte_Bhoy

Fenix wrote: »

Do people think that if you are a catholic born in the north, you're automatically a nationalist?

Jesus that's the most naive thing I've ever heard.

Why, are you saying Mc Court ad McGinn are catholics???

pavb2

Think it will take more than a change of anthem

A nice aspiration to attract the Catholic community in numbers but in reality would take a few generations and a lot more than changing the anthem to have any success. But then again you have to start somewhere.

dreamers75

Glentoran planning something for mondays game in Dublin.

Always feckin us .......

Strangely enough during the era of the likes of Pat Jennings (Catholic former Gaelic footballer) and George Best (Protestant boy from the streets of Belfast), Protestants and Catholics could celebrate Northern Ireland as a united team where the majority of good citizens were united in their success. Ironically the troubles coupled with a politically correct world which has fanned the flames of troubles if anything. It has played right into the hands of extremists on both sides of the divide who continue to call the shots and make everyone's life a misery.

NIMAN

There will be no change of anthem and even if there was, it would not change the opinion of many who choose not to watch football matches in Windsor Park.

Thats just the way of NI, like it or not.

Duck Soup

Captain Havoc wrote: »

What kind of song would you have to appease both set of fans?

Anything by Phil Coulter.

Neil3030

Deleted User wrote: »

Strangely enough during the era of the likes of Pat Jennings (Catholic former Gaelic footballer) and George Best (Protestant boy from the streets of Belfast), Protestants and Catholics could celebrate Northern Ireland as a united team where the majority of good citizens were united in their success. Ironically the troubles coupled with a politically correct world which has fanned the flames of troubles if anything. It has played right into the hands of extremists on both sides of the divide who continue to call the shots and make everyone's life a misery.

Key word in this paragraph, tbf.

Coillte_Bhoy

Deleted User wrote: »

Strangely enough during the era of the likes of Pat Jennings (Catholic former Gaelic footballer) and George Best (Protestant boy from the streets of Belfast), Protestants and Catholics could celebrate Northern Ireland as a united team where the majority of good citizens were united in their success. Ironically the troubles coupled with a politically correct world which has fanned the flames of troubles if anything. It has played right into the hands of extremists on both sides of the divide who continue to call the shots and make everyone's life a misery.

No disrespect to your post but the troubles didnt seem to impact on the NI team until the early 90's. I stand to be corrected but i dont remember any nonsense during the worst days of the troubles

Windsor Park 1993 changed all that imo. As a kid me and my mates were all mad into NI n the 82 World Cup, that win against Spain stands out as one of my greatest childhood sporting memories. Not sure how it all turned sour but Billy Bingham that night in Windsor Park was a ****ing disgrace. Now we wwere watching in a jam packed jubilant pub in Mayo so didnt really realise what it was like until hearing the reports on radio etc next day and seeing the videos. Ah something changed that night i think, hard to put a finger on it really

NIMAN

You may well be right.

My dad used to take me and my brother up to Windsor for a lot of games in the late 70s, and all through the 80s, and although there was some unsavoury songs being sung I was too engrossed in the football to notice.

Back in them days a trip to Dublin to watch Ireland was too far away, and Belfast was much handier for Derry folk. I seen some of the worlds great teams and players at Windsor and seen some famous NI victories. Although I remember some of the comments from friends at school as I moved into my teenage years along the lines of "what are you doing going up there to watch football". Some of my friends would have been more staunch than me when it came to politics!

I can't honestly remember the last time I was up at a game, long time ago. I would agree that something did change. I would still go if there was a big enough game and I could get a ticket as the sight of Union flags doesn't really annoy me at all. In fact my older brother would still go to the odd game.

I still cheer on both Irelands, always have done and always will. Don't care what anyone thinks of that tbh.

NIMAN

NIMAN wrote: »

You may well be right.

My dad used to take me and my brother up to Windsor for a lot of games in the late 70s, and all through the 80s, and although there was some unsavoury songs being sung I was too engrossed in the football to notice.

Back in them days a trip to Dublin to watch Ireland was too far away, and Belfast was much handier for Derry folk. I seen some of the worlds great teams and players at Windsor and seen some famous NI victories. Although I remember some of the comments from friends at school as I moved into my teenage years along the lines of "what are you doing going up there to watch football". Some of my friends would have been more staunch than me when it came to politics!

I can't honestly remember the last time I was up at a game, long time ago. I would agree that something did change. I would still go if there was a big enough game and I could get a ticket as the sight of Union flags doesn't really annoy me at all. In fact my older brother would still go to the odd game.

I still cheer on both Irelands, always have done and always will. Don't care what anyone thinks of that tbh.

Different strokes and that, for a lot of people in the early 70s the idea of trying to get home from East Belfast, often having to pass through even worse areas, was too much to seriously consider heading to a match.

I don't mind you cheering for both Irelands and I've no direct reason to mind the Union Jacks and the other stuff but as long as you understand why some may have a problem then we're both on the same page. :pac:

NIMAN

Oh I fully understand for sure.

I could see why some fellow nationalists would not want to go to Windsor or feel that it was 'their' country playing.

But someone else mentioned it earlier, I have great memories of the 1982 WC cos I was in Butlins Mosney for it as a young teenager. Anyone who was ever at Mosney would know about the communal TV room. Well I remember watching NI play Austria in that TV room and it was packed to the rafters with fans from all over Ireland, and all were cheering like mad for NI. It was almost as if back then it was that all of Ireland would cheer for the 2 Irelands if they were playing, but as someone else said, things changed.

eagle eye

Personally I think we should have an All-Ireland team and we should use something like Ireland's call as the anthem. I don't think sports should be in any way involved in politics.

NIMAN

Good luck with that.

I can never see guys from the Shankill heading off to a major championship with those from the Bogside, the Falls, Dublin or Cork to cheer on an AI team.

Not in my lifetime anyway.

The_Kew_Tour

Coillte_Bhoy wrote: »

No disrespect to your post but the troubles didnt seem to impact on the NI team until the early 90's. I stand to be corrected but i dont remember any nonsense during the worst days of the troubles

Windsor Park 1993 changed all that imo. As a kid me and my mates were all mad into NI n the 82 World Cup, that win against Spain stands out as one of my greatest childhood sporting memories. Not sure how it all turned sour but Billy Bingham that night in Windsor Park was a ****ing disgrace. Now we wwere watching in a jam packed jubilant pub in Mayo so didnt really realise what it was like until hearing the reports on radio etc next day and seeing the videos. Ah something changed that night i think, hard to put a finger on it really

My Dad said he supported the North in 82 and 86 also but like you it all changed after 93.

Lot of older people I knew supported the North those days but not same feelings since that night.

cardwizzard

Yeah things changed when the Republic started to do well. 88,90 and of course 94 and that night in Windsor. Everybody used to shout for the North in 82 and 86 but that didn't happen when the shoe was on the other foot.

I'd love to go to Windsor and support the North. But I wont for the forseeable future because its a us against them mentality, which is wrong on both sides.

A change of anthem, would be a nice start OP, as was mentioned Danny Boy would seem to fit.

Surely any player should have their wishes respected no matter which team they choose to play for.

bohsboy

Coillte_Bhoy wrote: »

Windsor Park 1993 changed all that imo.

Nail on the head there. I always kept an eye out for them and wished them well prior to that night.

A disgusting night, with Bingham showing his true worth. It will never be forgotten.

Now I cheer when I see them struggle to a 0-0 draw against Malta.

cardwizzard

bohsboy wrote: »

Nail on the head there. I always kept an eye out for them and wished them well prior to that night.

A disgusting night, with Bingham showing his true worth. It will never be forgotten.

Now I cheer when I see them struggle to a 0-0 draw against Malta.

That was a good result for them, clean sheet and all....:D

eagle eye

eagle eye wrote: »

Personally I think we should have an All-Ireland team and we should use something like Ireland's call as the anthem. I don't think sports should be in any way involved in politics.

Its a different demograph that follows Rugby Union in NI then Soccer bear that in mind.

bohsboy

bohsboy wrote: »

Nail on the head there. I always kept an eye out for them and wished them well prior to that night.

A disgusting night, with Bingham showing his true worth. It will never be forgotten.

Now I cheer when I see them struggle to a 0-0 draw against Malta.

What exactly did he do? Good article on the guardian about that night and not only the events in Windsor but Paris/Cardiff/Seville etc

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/feb/15/forgotten-story-17-november-1993

In Jack Charltons book he said it was the asst manager who gave Maurice Setters the 'up yours' but it would appear that Billy was shooting his mouth off about our players in the build up.

Here is what Jack had to say in his book

In the feverish aftermath, Charlton decided to score a point. "I spotted Billy [Bingham] talking among his players and moved in his direction to congratulate him on his retirement and compliment him on a good game," he said in his autobiography. "At least that was my intention. Instead, in a moment I still find difficult to understand, I pointed a finger at him and blurted 'Up yours too, Billy.'"

3hn2givr7mx1sc

eagle eye wrote: »

Personally I think we should have an All-Ireland team and we should use something like Ireland's call as the anthem. I don't think sports should be in any way involved in politics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umDr0mPuyQc

pavb2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMbCxl4hnzA

Great Guardian article, link to Bulgaria's goal 89 min 49s to put France out

pavb2

pavb2 wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMbCxl4hnzA

Great Guardian article, link to Bulgaria's goal 89 min 49s to put France out

Dont want to go too off topic with this but i just have to say, how Ginola got all the blame for that is unbelievable. Yes he should have been smarter in that situation but my god the 2 men who should have been guarding that right flank + the centre back and the goalkeeper (for been beaten at his near post albeit with power) all should have been horsewhipped.

As for Gerard Houlliers bitterness toward Ginola and the vitriol he still takes from the French public, alot of the Aston Villa fans could feel the same toward Houllier for his ill fated 1 year tenure.

With everyone else you lose as a team and you win as a team and it should have been no different in that scenario. Poor Mark Bodin also.

The_Kew_Tour

The name Mark Bodin brings back memories.

That was a day/night I will never forget.

Good one for Republic in the end.

Just seen this youtube video of the match (RITY feature)....On that night i was a kid of 10 years of age and tbh i had no real grasp of the troubles in the North at that time but looking at the video below i can honestly say that Bingham behaved like a total and utter bellend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI1KuKKY7JU

For a man who had such a huge playing and management career in England and abroad where he undoubtedly soldiered alongside 1 or 2 ROI internationals you would think he would be more broadminded then that instead of being a small minded bigot

efb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPQcnjlwtE4

The_Kew_Tour

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

The name Mark Bodin brings back memories.

That was a day/night I will never forget.

Good one for Republic in the end.

He missed a penalty that would have put Wales 1-0 up against Romania that same night. It was a mad night in football. I used to love football back then. Its lost its magic greatly since imo.

NIMAN

Yeah as that article says, football is now so orchestrated to make sure the big teams do not suffer the embarrassment of not qualifying.

Back then big teams often missed out on tournaments, and in the European Cup big teams often played early and knocked each other out.

Happier times.