Are LOI Fans West Brits?

Love going to watch our league here.

But let’s be honest, we’d all rather be down in Roscommon watching a ref get battered at a Gah match, but time and Monet…..

The biggest west brits are the Irish people who only support British teams. spend their money on foreign teams. imagine how good our league would be if all that money went to Irish teams, Irish teams still punch above their weight, example sligo rovers beating Motherwell fc 3-0 over 2 games in europe this year. instead we have a league that is laughed at by our own even though most have never even been to a LOI game.

Association Football supporters worldwide have sung an array of songs some beautiful, some wonderfully mocking often of powerful but sometimes loathed owners (like the Glazier bros for MUFC). It almost recalls how Romans in the hippodrome of Rome or Constantinople would chant their happiness or disgruntlement to the emperor and his friends.

I wouldn’t call it a “prejudice”. I, myself, follow a team who went from winning the league to getting relegated as far as League One, the third division.

I’ve no time for any fans who ditch their side simply because they are no longer winning. It’s fair weather nonsense and deserves to be called out.

All true United fans shouldn’t accept it. Especially, if they see them coming out of the woodwork in a few years when they aren’t so rubbish.

Oh, it’s not just the office ones. That was just an example of when I felt sorry for the Liverpool fans. They waited a long time to get one over and when they did their targets just picked up the ball and went home with it. Very unsporting behaviour.

I’ve encountered others, friends of mine and friends of friends. And, if you look a few posts back you’ll see that I am not alone in this and that’s from a user who you could never accuse of us being in “cahoots”.

I’ve actually never encountered any other Leeds fans on this site. I did see the crest on someone’s avatar but never “engaged” with them, or anything. Tell that other couple I was asking for them anyway.

Like the muppets that go to the darts and chant the same thing over and over again, i don't think they are west brits, just intellectually challenged.

The Shamrock rovers fans aren't using English accents in the Lizzys in a box chant.

The American MLS supporters have been known to do the same. ‘Who are ya’ in faux English accents. You only have to watch NBC sports and their EPL fan parks to witness this. Are those Americans West Brits or East Brits in your view? 🤔

For a small minority of American soccer fans this can take nastier edge, as they Ape English football hooligan ‘firms’ complete with fake English accents.

But It is also well known that a very small minority of Bohs and Rovers fans call themselves firms. Another hangover of aping the worst of English soccer.

In my view all this symptomatic of EPL marketing, and a disenfranchised youth just looking to belong to something so they can lash out. And similar to the way Irish country Music stars put on a fake Nashville Nasal drawl. Some soccer fans seem to think fake English accents are a prerequisite of the culture.

But to give the large majority of LOI fans credit most have much more sense. Last Rovers v Dundalk match (in Tallaght) I was at about three years ago was an enjoyable pleasant experience. And I would recommend anyone to go if they want to hear passionate fans and live affordable competitive soccer.

LOI Much better than sitting at home / in pub watching SKY. And having Irish people born and bred call each other Manc’s or Scouse. Many Irish people say ‘We’ when referring to an British/English team which I find odd. But this happens the world over, in Africa/Asia/America.

Those who watch EPL are watching many overpaid footballers from all over the world kissing badges. It is a marketing giant. Which is bound to seep over to other leagues as fans copy chants and mannerisms.

I would argue such people who only support an EPL are more consumers of EPL than actual soccer fans.

Which is OK, but there is no sense of local community you would get if you support a local team. Also the smaller domestic leagues suffer in the long term. A vicious cycle.

The marketing people of the EPL know how to play to each demographic.

The UK Barclay’s EPL advert :

‘The overseas’ Barclay’s EPL advert :

Both adverts are contradictory when viewed together. But Barclay’s know perfectly well how to create a sense of loyalty/belonging to the EPL

LOI guy here. I've never really noticed the accent thing, but I support a smaller more rural club, and would be in the away section at other grounds most of the time, I dunno if it's a thing, people will be influenced by the media they consume!

This is a bizarre thread but I'll try and make a case for the LOI anyway, I'm procrastinating from work. There definitely feels like many replying have never been to a game, or are basing their entire knowledge of the LOI off one or two experiences/incidents, some hearsay or just trying to sneer, whatever. There's certianly a lot of classism flying about, maybe have a look at yourself if that's you.

Every club will be supported by eejits who cause trouble, that's the same in every sport, every layer of society, the world is on fire, everyone is angry and arguing about everything, football is a microcosm of all that is good and bad in humanity it's too simplistic to tar everyone with the same brush.

The LOI has been seen as a problem child as JD called it, did not exist according to Trapattoni. It's been neglected and underfunded for decades. but it's ours. Every week hundreds and thousands of people within the community go out and support it, they work in their communities, they fundraise, they coach kids, they make friends and memories for life, it's the fabric towns like Dundalk and Sligo are built upon. People sneer at Bohs but the club is trying to use it's profile to do some good in the world, it may be selfish altruism, but it's still a net positive. Both they and Pats have done volunteer work within the prisons as far as I'm aware. Every LOI club is out there trying to improve their communities, for the most part volunteer driven and on a shoestring, like most clubs from most sports in the country. The women's game and underage structures are finally beginning to get more of the resources and attention they deserve

Also, I think in terms of who people support, there's some LOI snobs who hate British football, some that support a club at home and abroad, I don't think it's a big deal, I'd probably draw a distinction between the notion of supporting a club vs following another, going to a game/buying a jersey/programme is far more effective in supporting a club vs watching a foreign entity on sky or whatever.

I think it's cool that we have a league that gives Irish people a pathway in to professional football, things are improving albeit at a glacial pace, the last administration has set the sport back decades but progress is being made and the last two seasons have seen the best combined results Irish clubs have ever had in Europe for instance, we'll only go so far without significant funding from government, but I'm hopeful and look forward to seeing where things will be in the future.

They are real football fans, watching a team on tv each week is all that's required to fit the definition of a football fan. A rugby fan is someone who watches rugby often. A tennis fan is someone who watches tennis often. Is their a rule somewhere that your only allowed support a local team? Is their a law which outlaws getting emotionally invested in a foreign team?

I know lads who play 5 a side and they are in their 50's.

not really.

Also the Derry GAA fans caused a lot of trouble in Dublin after the Galway game this year, its not just soccer fans who cause trouble.

When I hear the term West Brit I think upper middle class, tea set in the cupboard, faux posh accent, my son the doctor etc.

That's not exactly the typical LOI fan.

To be fair, O, the ones I’ve encountered don’t come out and say “I’m sick of seeing United lose and play terribly”, they say they’re after the “purity” of live soccer and that the English game has been ruined by money. Stuff like that.

Still a sports fan, once theirs some emotional investment, once the result matters to you. Some people may even prefer to watch on TV. How would it work otherwise, would you get a stamp when you watch the gave live telling you that your a real fan?

Can't wait to head to the Brandywell tonight with 3000 other West Brits.

It's not the same experience, just a different way of been a fan. If Shamrock Rovers had millions of Americans watching them on tv they would be very happy. Going back to the OP, it sounds like the OP knows very little about how fans act during live matches.