Why are British football fans less expressive and colourful than Europeans?

Question

Whenever I watch champions league games on tv, the European grounds are awash with colourful flags, huge banners, and twirling scarfes etc, all emblazoned with their team name and colours. Whether it's in France, Germany, Italy or Spain. But in England you hardly ever see the fans give such a display.The fans just all wear the replica shirts and that's it. The only exception is Liverpool where the kop for European cup games normally looks great too.(I'm not a Liverpool fan, I just like to watch good footie,so I'm no trying to point score here). Why can't English fans be more expressive like on the continent? It makes the atmosphere so much better, and as a spectacle it looks really great. I also think such a powerful visual display of support must give a great boost to the home team.

Answer 1

i think the point you make is poorly informed and shows little experience of actually watching live matches at a ground rather than just on tv. If you have visited any big British ground you will be aware that British crowds have always placed the most emphasis on being loud and vocal...giant flags and banners, which have always been unusual in the British game, are usually prevented due to ground safety laws anyway, and smoke flares are out of the question. We dont need a flag to tell you who we are..we'll just shout at you untill you're deaf...much more intimidating!

But, moreover, British fans suport their team, full stop. Foreign fans are obsessesd with their individual little fan groups at each club..just check out all those different "hooligan" group banners all over the place in Europe. Ridiculous and hilarious...they all appear to be living in a little make-believe world of warring football gangs based on what they imagine English football was like in the early 80s. To English eyes, that is all rather pitiful.

Besides...Italian fans are hardly a role model for anyone at the moment, are they?

Answer 2

The English (like Germans) are generally much less expressive. It probably comes from a rich history of accomplishments and empire. This general disposition can explain why English fans are like that. It often takes pints of beer (after the match) and some instigation by other fans to get them express passion. Passion is more a synonym to the French, Spanish, Greek, Portuguese, Dutch--than the English or Germans. It shows in the style of football played too. The samba, leg-overs, individual skills and all such that express passion and make the fans go wild--are only mildly tolerated in the English game. The focus is on result. However, I think that should change. Football is as much entertainment as it is a sport, a product or a contest. Every pass, every dribble, every kick should evince passion. One of the very few things that England has to learn from the rest of the world. Good question.

Answer 3

I think that the English are less expressive than the rest of Europe, but they are also more orderly. If you look again at the rest of Europe, you will also see flares in the crowd and smoke bombs thrown onto the field. I've watched games in the Argentinean league where the fans rioted and have used their flags to attack security with. The English may be less expressive, but their security is a whole lot tighter than anywhere else in the world as well.

Answer 4

i totally agree with you there mate, Liverpool fans do know how to put on a good show. the real problem with English football is it has been taken over by the middle classes. when i started going it was really a working class pursuit. you only have to look at the atmosphere in old trafford to see a real lack of atmosphere. my brother recently went on a tour of old trafford and had it explained to him that utd need the corporate people watching their games to help them run their organisation. this isn't good for the atmosphere. ticket prices also don't help matters. what has really happened is the real fans are left out in the cold to let in the pretend fans.

Answer 5

aagh you see your looking at it visually Englash fans are one of the most passionate in the world.Did you know Portsmouth V Man u in the FA Cup was a record breaking loudest volume for a football game in the world... English fans are more verbal if your team loses you swear and abuse your players maybe boo in spain they bring out the white hankies in argentina they shred up the teams colour paper.It's fasanating but it's all down to culture and England has a very good one at that! i certainly wouldn't change that.

Answer 6

well if you go to a game in england it is a very very good atmosphere depending on the fans and the game im a newcastle fan and are fans are mad and make it amazing ive only been to 1 game but im telling ya there just as mad trust me maybe u should go to 1 or if u have try a different game COME ON THE TOOON

Answer 7

I couldn't believe what your question unitl I read the bit about Liverpool. The Kop is the most amazing stand in Europe.

Answer 8

i agree and disagree

When it comes to chants, they are the best. I love it when im watching a game and you slowly hear them getting louder and louder, im sure its even better at the game

But you are correct with the banners and scarfs, etc
the beating of drums, standing up throughout the whole game!

that is the epitome of the beautiful game, sadly the British are a bit lacking

Answer 9

Yeah Glad you changed British to English there.

Celtic Park is normally rocking with atmosphere.

Answer 10

well if you watched celtic and milan you would have seen some of the best fan's in europe and as for colour green white and gold ye cannie get any better
away the hoop's