The Round Ball Game - II

[LeMartinPecheur]

Most often, in all sorts of sports, I lean towards supporting that fine, inspirational team The Underdogs

But this rule doesn't begin to apply to the Boat Race where I'm with vints

[cloughie]

Most often, in all sorts of sports, I lean towards supporting that fine, inspirational team The Underdogs

But this rule doesn't begin to apply to the Boat Race where I'm with vints

Sunk?

[Lat-Literal]

Zoologist Desmond Morris's book "The Soccer Tribe" (1981):

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1580735.The_Soccer_Tribe

I did own this book but no longer have it. Not sure why. A good read but the use of the word "soccer" in the title probably reveals his limits. This blog partially explains why although what it doesn't say is that the word was briefly more popular in the 1960s as part of a modern re-branding exercise. That's my impression from those times - but I could be wrong:

https://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2014/06/20/first-rule-football-dont-call-soccer/

From memory, Morris looked, among other things, at what individuals wore on the terraces which to him denoted a sort of hierarchy of support. In 1981, that may have reflected the times. His was a "media problem" emphasis - eg on aggression - long before the new lad phenomenon of the late 1980s/1990s, a renewed family emphasis and later more women in attendance. Even then, it probably missed the point. I have always seen support as being close to the concept of congregation. That was there either side of the war and, I think, in a different way at the end of the 20th Century. Currently it isn't absent but it seems a little hollow - or unwittingly soulless - because of the way people live in small unit boxes generally.

[zola]

Zoologist Desmond Morris's book "The Soccer Tribe" (1981):

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1580735.The_Soccer_Tribe

I did own this book but no longer have it. Not sure why. A good read but the use of the word "soccer" in the title probably reveals his limits. This blog partially explains why although what it doesn't say is that the word was briefly more popular in the 1960s as part of a modern re-branding exercise. That's my impression from those times - but I could be wrong:

https://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/...t-call-soccer/

I must admit I do slightly resent having to use 'soccer' when corresponding with Americans, so that we can both be sure what we are talking about. But as a term, it is infinitely superior to the dreadfully twee 'footie'.

[Lat-Literal]

I must admit I do slightly resent having to use 'soccer' when corresponding with Americans, so that we can both be sure what we are talking about. But as a term, it is infinitely superior to the dreadfully twee 'footie'.

Totally agree!

I would have a small wager on "soccer" returning as an acceptable rebranding by young people in the next decade.

It seems very likely given their significant interest in American sports and "our" football growing in support in the United States.

[LeMartinPecheur]

Sunk?

I was tempted to say that only Cambridge sink. But it seems honours are pretty even, though Cambridge are the current cup-holders (since 1978)

[jayne lee wilson]

I must admit I do slightly resent having to use 'soccer' when corresponding with Americans, so that we can both be sure what we are talking about. But as a term, it is infinitely superior to the dreadfully twee 'footie'.

"Twee"? Really...?
OED:
"Excessively or affectedly quaint, pretty, or sentimental".

Of all the words to describe "footie" or "footy" I might imagine, twee wouldn't be one of them...
When I think of some of the scousers whose mouths I've heard it come out of.... there'd be even less reason...

They use it routinely in Oz too, about the Aussie Rules version...
Don't think Bruce or Sheila would like "twee" much either.... they love a tinny with their footy....

[zola]

"Twee"? Really...?
OED:
"Excessively or affectedly quaint, pretty, or sentimental".

Of all the words to describe "footie" or "footy" I might imagine, twee wouldn't be one of them...
When I think of some of the scousers whose mouths I've heard it come out of.... there'd be even less reason...

They use it routinely in Oz too, about the Aussie Rules version...
Don't think Bruce or Sheila would like "twee" much either.... they love a tinny with their footy....

Nah, not convinced. Football ( which is what it is ) two syllables. Footie or footy, two syllables. What's the point ? Maybe infantile describes it better than twee if you insist. I associate it with the kind of people who talk about rugger, all a bit jolly hockey sticks. I guess my underlying resistance to it and also to soccer, is the need to describe football in another term for the sake of distinguishing it from Grid Iron in the US or Gaelic Football in Ireland.

[jayne lee wilson]

Nah, not convinced. Football ( which is what it is ) two syllables. Footie or footy, two syllables. What's the point ? Maybe infantile describes it better than twee if you insist. I associate it with the kind of people who talk about rugger, all a bit jolly hockey sticks. I guess my underlying resistance to it and also to soccer, is the need to describe football in another term for the sake of distinguishing it from Grid Iron in the US or Gaelic Football in Ireland.

It's just about contemporary usage.... actual words, constantly evolving, in the mouths of actual people...Nether the Aussies or Liverpudlians I know would have much use for expressions like "rugger" (except in humorous or mocking contexts) and as for "jolly hockeysticks".... which demographic have you heard using the term "footie" recently, anyway....?

Oh and, Rugby is also called footie by some, none of them remotely posh or twee....

[johncorrigan]

[QUOTE=Lat-Literal;718709][QUOTE=johncorrigan;718662]

So there are still a lot of options here and none of them command a majority in my head. However, I have sadly had to rule out Arbroath which was another team I had been considering. That is, on the grounds of their scary song "Welcome To Arbroath - You Might Accidentally Get Killed" - although it was educational.

Chicken Pipe - Welcome To Arbroath (You Might Accidentally Get Killed) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tco5DaT_B-c

Never heard that before - Pie Bob's Pie Shop even gets a mention...brilliant, Lat!

[teamsaint]

In my ignorance, I had Arbroath down as a pleasant, genteel genteel kind of place..........

[LMcD]

In my ignorance, I had Arbroath down as a pleasant, genteel genteel kind of place..........

… if a bit smoky?

[antongould]

Harrogate Posh 3 Hangers 1

We are coming to join you Rob .......

Toon 3 Cardiff 0

Das Märchen for Rafa ........ he smiled .......

[Edgy 2]

Stockport County 3 York City 1 Forum derby,sorry Lat but teams just can't live with us at the moment,up to 2nd,we might possibly be going the other way Anton

[Lat-Literal]

Stockport County 3 York City 1 Forum derby,sorry Lat but teams just can't live with us at the moment,up to 2nd,we might possibly going the other way Anton

Congratulations Edgy but it was obviously very disappointing for the Minstermen.

17th in what is effectively Division 6 when I checked!