# (British) Football Fans Grow the Fuck Up **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 15, 2012, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986 "2012-05-15T13:42:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986/21 "2012-05-16T01:38:06Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > For what it’s worth, American football fans need to grow the fuck up, too. Not everything revolves around the Steelers. > > Signed, > > Mrs. Airman Doors. You have a lot of endearing qualities, but in this you are absolutely wrong and, in fact, have shown yourself to be a typical butthurt Dallas fan. I’d thank you to keep your lies to yourself. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986/22 "2012-05-16T03:32:40Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > Well, yes. But this conversation is about what you probably know as soccer.😉 And Curling is Horseshoes with rocks. Hurling, though, has some potential. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986/23 "2012-05-16T04:40:44Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > For what it’s worth, American football fans need to grow the fuck up, too. Not everything revolves around the Steelers. > > Signed, > > Mrs. Airman Doors. The hell it doesn’t! ---
**Author:** ![Chicagojeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@Chicagojeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicagojeff)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986/24 "2012-05-16T05:53:30Z")
Yes OP… you are completely right… its silly to get wrapped up in these things… and the only known mental illness is when some unfortuanate person takes their small helpless child to Wisconsin… to see this tragic outfit… who think its amazing that stryofoam on their head is cool… Bear Down… Chicago Bears… Bear down, Chicago Bears, make every play clear the way to victory. Bear down, Chicago Bears, put up a fight with a might so fearlessly. We’ll never forget the way you thrilled the nation with your T-formation. Bear down, Chicago Bears, and let them know why you’re wearing the crown. You’re the pride and joy of Illinois, Chicago Bears, Bear DOWN!!! ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986/25 "2012-05-16T06:51:25Z")
If I had the wings of a sparrow, And the arse of a bloody great cow, I’d fly high over Old Trafford, And shit on the wankers below, below, And shit on the wankers below. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986/26 "2012-05-16T17:48:35Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > And a boring one, too. Football makes Curling seem exciting. Hey, I’m a curler, and I point out to anyone dropping in to watch a game that “Curling” is Scots-Gaelic for “Most awkward spectator sport ever”. Fun to play, confusing/boring to watch. Futbol/football/soccer comes close, though. Especially on TV, with those wide camera angles where everyone is a tiny little white dot on a huge green pitch. ---
**Author:** ![Abe\_Babe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ab097/32.png) [@Abe\_Babe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abe_Babe)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986/27 "2012-05-16T20:06:32Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > For what it’s worth, American football fans need to grow the fuck up, too. Not everything revolves around the Steelers. Does anything really revolve around the Steelers? Da Bears! ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986/28 "2012-05-17T00:22:05Z")
> [@Abe\_Babe](#): > > Does anything really revolve around the Steelers? > > Da Bears! Six rings? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986/29 "2012-05-17T00:26:19Z")
> [@dngnb8](#): > > One doesnt have to win every title to root for the team. Ive been a ManU fan since 1974, recent success has been long waited for Well, the Glazers are broke and Man U can’t buy trophies anymore, so this is attitude will serve you well. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986/30 "2012-05-17T00:58:45Z")
> [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](#): > > I’ve just had it with the stupid things football fans post on Facebook. That’s your **worst** complaint about them?! [head-butts **Springtime]** ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986/31 "2012-05-17T02:20:11Z")
> [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](#): > > if it’s stupid fans can’t grow the fuck up then they should shut the fuck up. I think the real question is if, when you look at them, you throw the fuck up. ---
**Author:** ![dngnb8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@dngnb8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dngnb8)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986/32 "2012-05-17T17:16:05Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Six rings? QFT For those who are grammar mavins… QFT is message board speak for Quoted for Truth. ---
**Author:** ![dngnb8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@dngnb8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dngnb8)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986/33 "2012-05-17T17:17:28Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Well, the Glazers are broke and Man U can’t buy trophies anymore, so this is attitude will serve you well. Im also a Pittsburgh Pirate fan. I dont have to win every year to love my team. I will always root for Man U, The Pirates, Steelers, Penguins and Lakers (even though I dislike Kobe). ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986/34 "2012-05-17T21:48:10Z")
What is the typical profile of a “lager lout”? Are they unemployed, undereducated? Why do they like to behave this way? ---
**Author:** ![dngnb8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@dngnb8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dngnb8)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2012, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986/35 "2012-05-17T21:52:36Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > What is the typical profile of a “lager lout”? Someone who doesnt know better then to back Man U ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2012, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986/36 "2012-05-18T00:12:27Z")
> [@Abe\_Babe](#): > > Da Bears! So who ya think’d win in a game between the pope and all the priests and angels and all that, vs Ditka and da bears? ---
**Author:** ![Orca\_Eyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4491bb/32.png) [@Orca\_Eyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orca_Eyes)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2012, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986/37 "2012-05-18T00:59:28Z")
Fans are the reasons why I hate football. They get so carried away with it. It’s not as bad here in Australia since unlike the UK, we have other non-Olympic sports besides football. I’m a little more tolerant of Australian rules football, though I can’t play sports because I’m not built for it. ---
**Author:** ![PaulParkhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@PaulParkhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaulParkhead)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2012, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986/38 "2012-05-18T17:05:34Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > What is the typical profile of a “lager lout”? > Are they unemployed, undereducated? > Why do they like to behave this way? I suppose the stereotype is a fairly young white man, probably employed but probably not a lawyer or engineer or anything else that requires a college degree. Likes to drink, fight and cause mayhem. But really, just try going to a rugby club dinner, and you’ll find similar sorts of behaviour, only the participants probably are fairly privileged and college educated. So the stereotype is a bit unfair. Behaviour that is tolerated (sort of) as a kind of “boys will be boys” harmlessness when it’s med students and lawyers involved is held up as an example of the decline of British society when done by scaffolders and plumbers. As to why they do it, I dunno. Testosterone and booze? ---
**Author:** ![kbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4491bb/32.png) [@kbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kbear)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986/39 "2012-05-20T09:03:17Z")
My daughter had a Chelsea team shirt when she was 6 or 7 years old. Grown men used to stop her in the street to berate her for her choice in football teams. How sad is it that a grown up should pick on a small child over football? She was 6. She probably just liked the colour! ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2012, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986/40 "2012-05-20T11:34:31Z")
> [@PaulParkhead](#): > > But really, just try going to a rugby club dinner, and you’ll find similar sorts of behaviour, only the participants probably are fairly privileged and college educated. So the stereotype is a bit unfair. Behaviour that is tolerated (sort of) as a kind of “boys will be boys” harmlessness when it’s med students and lawyers involved is held up as an example of the decline of British society when done by scaffolders and plumbers. The stereotype is absolutely fair. Any group of testosterone and alcohol fuelled young men will cause trouble but football is worse and class perception has nothing to do with it. Do rugby and cricket matches routinely segregate fans or find it necessary to restrict alcohol in the grounds? Do the police dread certain sets of rugby fans coming to town? Would you feel safe sending your teenage kids into the opposition end of the ground at a football match? what about rugby? what about cricket? what about pretty much any other sport you care to mention? I love football, but I’m not blind to it’s faults. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-football-fans-grow-the-fuck-up/621986.md?page=3)