why this vicious sectarianism in Scottish football?

[Bobbisox]

There is no room in Sport for such vile behaviour, just what makes such deep set hatred against another's religion?
I refer to the Celtic manager having nail bombs sent to him through the post and then last night , a Hearts supporter lunging at him, this nutter could have had a kinfe in his hand!

[beejay1124]

hi Bobbi-agree, Lennon could have been carrying a knife

[jackthehat]

It's not certain that last nights attack was sectarian rather than simply football-related.
Mrs jth is Scottish and we've just had a long conversation about the sectarian split in Scottish-life, not just football.
It seems that the most simple difference between the Scots and the Irish is that the Scots haven't (yet) taken up arms against the 'other side'.

Sport is a microcosm of life and what happens in the wider world will surely find its way into sport, somehow.........it would be nice if religious intolerance could be addressed in the same way that racism is being tackled.

[TheOtherHalf]

Morning Bobbisox. Im not really interested in sport but I think the behaviour lately is getting worse. I would hate to take children to anything these days

[Bobbisox]

true he could of but he was there to manage beejay, I didn't see him lunging at anyone

[Bobbisox]

"football" is the key word in my OP so I would rather not have this turned around into a skin colour issue please

[Gromit]

There was a certain amount of this in English football, but it has long since been forgotten as religion plays such a little amount in most peoples lives. But the reason places like Liverpool and Manchester have two football teams, is that one was for protestants to support and the other for Catholics. Fortunately, the sectarianism has long since been relevant and it is perfectly acceptable for a proddy to support Manchester United. Interestingly though, they still do have a very large fan base in the ROI.

Possibly the sectarianism hasn't died out in Scotland may be because faith and the church are still relevant there, and the difference still matters to some.

[Bobbisox]

good answer Gromit :+)

[Davethedog]

Gromit?? Man city were founded by a church (St Marks) Man utd were formed from railway workers and there appears to be no basis to say they were formed from any religious base.

I have watched and followed football for over 40 years including the worst excesses of the 70's and can honestly say I have never encountered any form of religion in any way apart from the church at in Goodison.

The reason for the Glasgow secteranism is simple Celtic are the Irish immigrant team Rangers are the Scottish home team and as such they are devided so virulently is they side with the troubles in Ireland.

Neil Lennon has always had problems since he was a player, what seems to have started the present problems is the argument he had with Ally McCoist earlier this year.

I would also question that racisism is prevelant in football, in this country huge steps have been made and although you can never say its gone, prevelant I don't think so.

[Bobbisox]

most cities in England seems to host two clubs Dave, I have never witnessed the religious divide in any either

[DrFilth]

there is some truth in what gromits says, united have supporters of all faiths but you find that their are still some bigots at city.

// The social commentator, Alexander Devine, attributed the gang culture to: lack of parental control, lack of discipline in schools, "base literature" and the monotony of life in Manchester's slums. In 1997 the Manchester historian Gary James highlighted that scuttling was the number one unifying activity of young men, and that the creation of St Mark's Football Club (which later evolved into Manchester City FC) was a very serious attempt at diverting the young men of West Gorton into more worthwhile activities. Anna Connell, perceived by many as the founder of St Mark's FC, also helped create men's meetings, a library, and other society improving facilities and clubs. //

[Gromit]

Davethedog

Read and learn

http://www.redcafe.ne...vs-protestant-138121/

[Davethedog]

Read and learnt do you have anything apart from anecdotal b*****s


"I don't believe there was ever any real rivalry, although Protestants have tended to go towards City and Catholics towards United. There's certainly none now, and certainly no place for it."

[jackthehat]

Sorry, Gromit...........

There's no agreement on that forum that United are indeed a 'Catholic' team.
As a life-long United supporter born not too far away, I would be surprised if you could find a more credible source to back this up.

[Davethedog]

Huge followings for Liverpool and Man U as well but I think thats due to thier success rather than any other motive.

Think Arsenals Irish support stems from Liam Brady no religion involved in the North London rivalry.

[Gromit]

I too am Machester born and lifelong United supporter. My point was that the difference has long since gone away in Liverpool and Manchester, but there definitely was an element of it.

http://menmedia.co.uk...rs_hate_the_reds.html