Fight when they're losing?
England fans make me laugh. Midnight, the night before , and they are in full voice outside my Nuremberg hotel window. Every time a German fan walks past they sing "". It's an old line, but they haven't thought of a better one yet.
The next day we discuss if it's the right time to set up a debate on whether England fans have successfully shaken off their hooligan image for the Victoria Derbyshire programme. The production team is split.
Some think we should wait until after the Sweden game. They've had no-one to fight with yet, they argue. But if the fans behave tonight then its worth talking about. It'll be three major tournaments and no violence to speak of. And they could have picked fights with the German fans or police at any time. After the there were fewer arrests than on an average Saturday night in most English towns.
We decide to go with it.
Sir Peter Torry (British ambassador to Germany) a minority of England fans as great fat uncouth bad-mannered people. He won't repeat his words on air, but says he's delighted with the way the vast majority are behaving.
Is it enough that the fans aren't throwing chairs and rioting, Victoria asks? The image of the England fan abroad, both to the average German and to those watching the TV coverage at home, is that of beer-swilling masses singing Ten German Bombers (the Germans, oddly, don't seem to take offence, unlike my mum who was utterly appalled when I told her) and taking their shirts off at the slightest hint of sunshine.
But it’s a world away from , and one long-time travelling fan predicts that the end of violence will lead to an evolving away support where people travel happily with their families and no longer fear any trouble.
After the programme I walk back through the Nuremberg square. The remaining England fans have a new song. "We're s**t, and we won two nil", they sing. Admit it, it's funny. They say that football fans only sing when they're winning. Do England fans only fight when they're losing? Maybe Beckham and co will stop being quite so s**t and, this summer, we won’t get the chance to find out. Come on England.
Comments
England football fans are known widely for their hooligan antics and fighting behaviour when they are losing an all important game.
But it just stereotypes all football fans as sore losers and reflects badly on us.
When England is winning then the atmosphere in the stadium and out on the streets is enjoyable. Everyone joins in with the songs and it makes it a happy experience.
But when people start swearing and behaving badly it's just immature and stupid. After all, it's only a game, not the end of the world. The fans should grow up and learn that violence is never the answer as it won't win us the game.
But whether or not fans in Germany will agree we shall have to wait and see until tonights game against Sweden.
The rules of football have changed since it began - and not the on-pitch rules at that.
To large groups of people, it seems fine to abuse others to the point of injury. However, it does also seem apparent that England fans do only cause problems when we are losing a game.
There is no doubt that hooliganism is a problem, and also that these so-called fans are warding off others from big games overseas in the past few years.
If enough pressure is put on the point, by broadcasting a programme showing the problems of hooligans, these proposals of 'strict checks' (on people entering another country during the World Cup for example) may come into play in time for the next World Cup.
However, England tends to take the 'all guns blazing' approach to many things, and if we were to step up our security checks, this could mean ridiculously high security, and leave the World Cup with a nasty taste of being yet another thing in our world that is now 'unsafe' to do.
Let's hope we send this World Cup off, win or no win, with as little violence and loutishness as possible.
The stereotype of a football fan is violent and abrasive.However, not all fans react in the same way. Why is it that at a rugby match people do not create as much violence and chaos? Some people might see football hooligans as patriotic to their country but it causes many surrounding people to become nervous around football hooligans. It is not only England fans that react in a unacceptable way, other countries football fans do aswell. However, I do not think that it is losing that causes people to fight, it is also the hype of winning as people get out of control. Alcohol in the crowd is not the cause of the behaviour but it might be a factor that provokes it. Hooliganism will never be completely stopped however, i think that it can be controlled by a rise in more stewards spectating the games to control the level of violence and swearing so that England can be portrayed in a positive light.
The stereotype of a football fan is violent and abrasive.However, not all fans react in the same way. Why is it that at a rugby match people do not create as much violence and chaos? Some people might see football hooligans as patriotic to their country but it causes many surrounding people to become nervous around football hooligans. It is not only England fans that react in a unacceptable way, other countries football fans do aswell. However, I do not think that it is losing that causes people to fight, it is also the hype of winning as people get out of control. Alcohol in the crowd is not the cause of the behaviour but it might be a factor that provokes it. Hooliganism will never be completely stopped however, i think that it can be controlled by a rise in more stewards spectating the games to control the level of violence and swearing so that England can be portrayed in a positive light.
I really approve of the yob culture, I think it influences other countries to respect our country. I think the louts encourage our team to perform better and makes the other football fans feel as though it is their duty to behave civily both in and out of the stadiums.
England fans are extremly dedicated in supporting their country. They have however, been known for their "bad behaviour" and "outrageous antics". So far England supporters have been well behaved and have only been there upport and motivate their team players. I feel it would be untrue to say that England fans "only sing when we our winning" as you hear most supporters in their stands singing whether or not they are in the lead as a form of support and to encouragement for the team. I do agree in some respect that England are the worst for their behaviour and by supporting their team they should be their to motivate rather then use violence to other team fans.
Overall,I hope we do well and fans stay on their best behaviour.
I think the England fans who have gone to Germany for the World Cup are very keen to back the England squad and have been on their best behaviour for the past few matches. I believe they are trying hard to put behind them their days of hooliganism because they are proud of their country and want to have a good reputation. They have been a pillar of support for the England squad throughout the games, the claim that football fans only "sing when they're winning" doesn't apply to our fans as they sing to try and support and encourage the players. Obviously they havn't completely matured as they still like to mock the Germans and have silly chants but overall their behaviour has been quite respectable and I think their presence at the World Cup has been a good thing as it had added a great atmosphere and a sense of motivation.
I think that comment number 5 is very very stupid. She obviously has no concept of how the game should be played or supported. The yob culture is not a good thing!!!!!