| Young lad in the east stand 11:56 - Aug 31 with 21689 views | BenJ94 |
Saw a young lad leaving the east stand yesterday after the game in a full Manchester United kit. I suppose you can only the parents. If I were a steward, I'd have stopped them from going in.  |  | | |  |
| Young lad in the east stand on 16:04 - Sep 2 with 1509 views | JackSomething |
| Young lad in the east stand on 15:15 - Sep 2 by Trundle10 |
80s and 90s |
Like 1987, when we achieved our highest ever World Cup finish of 3rd?
Even if Welsh (international) rugby was in the comparative doldrums, it doesn't compare to football being in the doldrums, as they were still playing all the best teams in all the tournaments. It's more comparable to cricket in that regard than football. |  |
| You know, Hobbes, some days even my lucky rocket ship underpants don't help. |
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| Young lad in the east stand on 16:05 - Sep 2 with 1505 views | JackSomething |
| Young lad in the east stand on 11:26 - Sep 2 by Dr_Winston |
Claiming that National Sport status has nothing to do with either attendances or participants is basically a thread ender. We can't go anywhere from there. |
Correct. Hasn't stopped the repetitive arguments from those that think otherwise though. | |
| You know, Hobbes, some days even my lucky rocket ship underpants don't help. |
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| Young lad in the east stand on 16:29 - Sep 2 with 1476 views | yescomeon |
| Young lad in the east stand on 16:05 - Sep 2 by JackSomething |
Correct. Hasn't stopped the repetitive arguments from those that think otherwise though. |
Does a Wales Football match elicit as much excitement throughout the entire country as a Wales Rugby match? No way, when it does, consistently for many years then Football may have a claim as the national sport. You say Rugby is just a day out, but that is exactly it. It is something that is a big part of the national psyche, even if it is more about the social aspect than the game itself.
I get the point of the arguments about gates and participants but it is hardly the only measure. We may be in a time of transition but in my eyes and in the eyes of much of the world no doubt there is a long way to go. |  |
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| Young lad in the east stand on 16:45 - Sep 2 with 1459 views | londonlisa2001 |
| Young lad in the east stand on 16:29 - Sep 2 by yescomeon |
Does a Wales Football match elicit as much excitement throughout the entire country as a Wales Rugby match? No way, when it does, consistently for many years then Football may have a claim as the national sport. You say Rugby is just a day out, but that is exactly it. It is something that is a big part of the national psyche, even if it is more about the social aspect than the game itself.
I get the point of the arguments about gates and participants but it is hardly the only measure. We may be in a time of transition but in my eyes and in the eyes of much of the world no doubt there is a long way to go. |
There has always been a bit of a difference between the rugby loving villages and small towns throughout Wales and the more football loving bigger population centres. Swansea has always traditionally been a football town despite the huge past support for the Whites. The Swans have always resonated within the community, even when no one much went to see them.
The point that you are making about it being inbuilt culturally is a good one though, albeit that I think one of the crucial parts to the whole thing is being missed. Rugby was a way of differentiating ourselves from the English. The cultural importance of rugby is actually wrapped up in the whole underdog, anti English sentiment which could express itself by beating them at something. You hear constant stories about the Welsh teams of the 70s, fresh from the mining villages, motivating themselves by talk of sticking it up the 'bosses'. It was a bit of am 'us' and 'them' game, where the traditionally 'posh' boys that played rugby in England, could be given a bloodied nose by the working class Welsh players.
You still see it these days, where the concept of beating the English is still more important to many Welsh supporters than being good.
As we become a more mixed society, this element is gradually disappearing though, and it's becoming a sport rather than a national expression of pride. And as a sport, it pales compared to the attraction of football, given the media focus worldwide on football players. You ask if a Wales football match elicits the same excitement throughout the country as a Wales rugby match and the answer is no. But also ask yourself if there is any world rugby player big enough to elicit the response of the small kid who was the Swans mascot this weekend, when he looked at Rooney and the answer is no.
Tell you what as well - if Wales qualify for the Euros and even more so the World Cup in football, that will generate a bigger excitement in Wales than any rugby tournament will. |  | | |
| Young lad in the east stand on 16:56 - Sep 2 with 1451 views | Trundle10 |
| Young lad in the east stand on 16:04 - Sep 2 by JackSomething |
Like 1987, when we achieved our highest ever World Cup finish of 3rd?
Even if Welsh (international) rugby was in the comparative doldrums, it doesn't compare to football being in the doldrums, as they were still playing all the best teams in all the tournaments. It's more comparable to cricket in that regard than football. |
off topic i know but much of the 80's and 90's was failure, you are correct to point out we came third at the inaugural rugby world cup . we had a gubbing off New Zealand along the way tho. we also won the Triple crown in 88 most of the 80's and 90's were abject failure tho, shipping record scores the Aussies and New Zealand and South Africa England during this era.Being humbled by the likes of Romania Western Samoa etc along the way.It was a very gloomy time. |  | | |
| Young lad in the east stand on 17:20 - Sep 2 with 1443 views | airedale |
Anyone seen a youn lad? Last seen in the East Stand wearing Chelsea colours if my info is correct. |  | | |
| Young lad in the east stand on 18:05 - Sep 2 with 1414 views | JackSomething |
| Young lad in the east stand on 16:45 - Sep 2 by londonlisa2001 |
There has always been a bit of a difference between the rugby loving villages and small towns throughout Wales and the more football loving bigger population centres. Swansea has always traditionally been a football town despite the huge past support for the Whites. The Swans have always resonated within the community, even when no one much went to see them.
The point that you are making about it being inbuilt culturally is a good one though, albeit that I think one of the crucial parts to the whole thing is being missed. Rugby was a way of differentiating ourselves from the English. The cultural importance of rugby is actually wrapped up in the whole underdog, anti English sentiment which could express itself by beating them at something. You hear constant stories about the Welsh teams of the 70s, fresh from the mining villages, motivating themselves by talk of sticking it up the 'bosses'. It was a bit of am 'us' and 'them' game, where the traditionally 'posh' boys that played rugby in England, could be given a bloodied nose by the working class Welsh players.
You still see it these days, where the concept of beating the English is still more important to many Welsh supporters than being good.
As we become a more mixed society, this element is gradually disappearing though, and it's becoming a sport rather than a national expression of pride. And as a sport, it pales compared to the attraction of football, given the media focus worldwide on football players. You ask if a Wales football match elicits the same excitement throughout the country as a Wales rugby match and the answer is no. But also ask yourself if there is any world rugby player big enough to elicit the response of the small kid who was the Swans mascot this weekend, when he looked at Rooney and the answer is no.
Tell you what as well - if Wales qualify for the Euros and even more so the World Cup in football, that will generate a bigger excitement in Wales than any rugby tournament will. |
That is the best argument for rugby I've seen in this thread. Fair play. | |
| You know, Hobbes, some days even my lucky rocket ship underpants don't help. |
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| Young lad in the east stand on 18:46 - Sep 2 with 1376 views | Dr_Winston |
| Young lad in the east stand on 18:05 - Sep 2 by JackSomething |
That is the best argument for rugby I've seen in this thread. Fair play. |
It is.
Do have to have a chuckle at the irony of those differentiating themselves from the English via a game invented and played at a posh English public school though.
Thinking about starting a campaign to have Eton Fives recognised as the new National sport. |  |
| Pain or damage don't end the world. Or despair, or f*cking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man... and give some back. |
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| Young lad in the east stand on 19:01 - Sep 2 with 1360 views | jack247 |
| Young lad in the east stand on 16:29 - Sep 2 by yescomeon |
Does a Wales Football match elicit as much excitement throughout the entire country as a Wales Rugby match? No way, when it does, consistently for many years then Football may have a claim as the national sport. You say Rugby is just a day out, but that is exactly it. It is something that is a big part of the national psyche, even if it is more about the social aspect than the game itself.
I get the point of the arguments about gates and participants but it is hardly the only measure. We may be in a time of transition but in my eyes and in the eyes of much of the world no doubt there is a long way to go. |
That is pretty valid. The social aspect sums it up perfectly.
I get where you are coming from. I honestly don't think we can call it our national sport when we only take it seriously 6 or 7 days a year though.
A national pastime, absolutely. I love the camaraderie of dayers in the pub watching the 6 nations. National sport would have to be the sport that we play and watch and care about in significantly greater numbers all year round. | | | |
| Young lad in the east stand on 19:03 - Sep 2 with 1357 views | Trundle10 |
| Young lad in the east stand on 16:45 - Sep 2 by londonlisa2001 |
There has always been a bit of a difference between the rugby loving villages and small towns throughout Wales and the more football loving bigger population centres. Swansea has always traditionally been a football town despite the huge past support for the Whites. The Swans have always resonated within the community, even when no one much went to see them.
The point that you are making about it being inbuilt culturally is a good one though, albeit that I think one of the crucial parts to the whole thing is being missed. Rugby was a way of differentiating ourselves from the English. The cultural importance of rugby is actually wrapped up in the whole underdog, anti English sentiment which could express itself by beating them at something. You hear constant stories about the Welsh teams of the 70s, fresh from the mining villages, motivating themselves by talk of sticking it up the 'bosses'. It was a bit of am 'us' and 'them' game, where the traditionally 'posh' boys that played rugby in England, could be given a bloodied nose by the working class Welsh players.
You still see it these days, where the concept of beating the English is still more important to many Welsh supporters than being good.
As we become a more mixed society, this element is gradually disappearing though, and it's becoming a sport rather than a national expression of pride. And as a sport, it pales compared to the attraction of football, given the media focus worldwide on football players. You ask if a Wales football match elicits the same excitement throughout the country as a Wales rugby match and the answer is no. But also ask yourself if there is any world rugby player big enough to elicit the response of the small kid who was the Swans mascot this weekend, when he looked at Rooney and the answer is no.
Tell you what as well - if Wales qualify for the Euros and even more so the World Cup in football, that will generate a bigger excitement in Wales than any rugby tournament will. |
It's all about opinions Lisa, depends on the kid and depends on the player. I disagree with almost everything in your post, although, with this being a football forum lots will agree. I am Swansea through and through, would prefer Swansea win the FA cup than Wales win the world cup but we are a minority. | | | |
| Young lad in the east stand on 19:08 - Sep 2 with 1340 views | jack247 |
| Young lad in the east stand on 18:05 - Sep 2 by JackSomething |
That is the best argument for rugby I've seen in this thread. Fair play. |
Is it? I can't disagree with a word she says, its spot on. It reads to me though that rugby is a massive part of our national identity and football is our national sport. | | | |
| Young lad in the east stand on 19:19 - Sep 2 with 1319 views | Trundle10 |
| Young lad in the east stand on 19:08 - Sep 2 by jack247 |
Is it? I can't disagree with a word she says, its spot on. It reads to me though that rugby is a massive part of our national identity and football is our national sport. |
in your opinion, not in the opinion of most of Wales though my friend.
Decent read
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/welsh-rugby-versus-welsh-foo
[Post edited 2 Sep 2015 19:22]
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| Young lad in the east stand on 19:24 - Sep 2 with 1296 views | yescomeon |
| Young lad in the east stand on 16:45 - Sep 2 by londonlisa2001 |
There has always been a bit of a difference between the rugby loving villages and small towns throughout Wales and the more football loving bigger population centres. Swansea has always traditionally been a football town despite the huge past support for the Whites. The Swans have always resonated within the community, even when no one much went to see them.
The point that you are making about it being inbuilt culturally is a good one though, albeit that I think one of the crucial parts to the whole thing is being missed. Rugby was a way of differentiating ourselves from the English. The cultural importance of rugby is actually wrapped up in the whole underdog, anti English sentiment which could express itself by beating them at something. You hear constant stories about the Welsh teams of the 70s, fresh from the mining villages, motivating themselves by talk of sticking it up the 'bosses'. It was a bit of am 'us' and 'them' game, where the traditionally 'posh' boys that played rugby in England, could be given a bloodied nose by the working class Welsh players.
You still see it these days, where the concept of beating the English is still more important to many Welsh supporters than being good.
As we become a more mixed society, this element is gradually disappearing though, and it's becoming a sport rather than a national expression of pride. And as a sport, it pales compared to the attraction of football, given the media focus worldwide on football players. You ask if a Wales football match elicits the same excitement throughout the country as a Wales rugby match and the answer is no. But also ask yourself if there is any world rugby player big enough to elicit the response of the small kid who was the Swans mascot this weekend, when he looked at Rooney and the answer is no.
Tell you what as well - if Wales qualify for the Euros and even more so the World Cup in football, that will generate a bigger excitement in Wales than any rugby tournament will. |
Lovely extra dimension there to what I was trying to say, really fleshed it out. Despite me seemingly fighting the corner of rugby, I really don't care for it all that much. It is hugely important to my old man and the mrs and her family (none of them are Welsh ironically enough), which makes it part of my life too. I like to watch Wales playing rugby, but if it were on the same time as a Swansea game or even a Welsh football match (the later is almost certainly a hypothetical) then it will be the football every time. For me the football is a huge part of my life in a way that rugby will never be, as I am certain it is for most on here. With the rugby it is more of the joy of watching Wales going toe-to-toe with the best in the World, competing and often winning (this is starting to happen in the football now to and that makes me incredibly excited).
Football in Wales is on the up-and-up at the moment, and in parts of Wales has probably always been bigger than Rugby (I'm thinking of the gogledd here). I'm sure qualification for major tournaments will mean most of the county gets behind the national team in a way more commonly associated with the rugby and that excites me immensely. If we can do this on a consistent basis then perhaps we can become seen as a footballing nation in the eyes of the world. Given our standing and history in the (albeit small) world of rugby in comparison to the world of football, I think it will take a lot to alter the perception of Wales as rugby nation. But, at this moment in time it is, no doubt in my mind, seen as part of the Welsh identity, along with the language, and all the other "stereotypes" mentioned by another poster, there is no problem with that at all. We shouldn't be so quick to cast any of these things aside, rugby included, at this moment in time it is still part of our culture, and if that changes it will always be a part of our cultural history. | |
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| Young lad in the east stand on 19:24 - Sep 2 with 1296 views | Le_Swans |
A national sport isn't always what's most popular / played; here's a list of countries and their national sports; note, cricket is England's.
List of National Games of all countries
Country - Game
--------------------------------------------------------
USA - Baseball
Spain - Bulls Fighting
Canada - Ice Hockey
New Zealand - Rugby Union
India - Hockey
Pakisthan - Field Hockey
Bangladesh - Kabaddi
Srilanka - Volley ball
Russia - Football and Chess
China - Table Tennis
Brazil - Football
France - Football
England - Cricket
Japan - Judo
Australia - Cricket
Pakistan - Hockey
Malaysia - Badminton
Scotland - Rugby Football
Indonesia - Badminton
Bhutan - Archery
Switzerland - Shooting and Gymnastics
Turkey - Wrestling and Jereed | | | |
| Young lad in the east stand on 19:28 - Sep 2 with 1282 views | jack247 |
The ones that go to rugby every week you mean?
You have missed the point of this from the start mate. I haven't said its not perceived to be our national sport, it is, inside and outside of Wales. I have said that it is an incorrect perception because to virtually everybody it is a day out rather than a sport.
In terms of a social event, it is brilliant. As a sport, it is never going to compete with football in terms of popularity. | | | |
| Young lad in the east stand on 19:33 - Sep 2 with 1275 views | sherpajacob |
| Young lad in the east stand on 16:56 - Sep 2 by Trundle10 |
off topic i know but much of the 80's and 90's was failure, you are correct to point out we came third at the inaugural rugby world cup . we had a gubbing off New Zealand along the way tho. we also won the Triple crown in 88 most of the 80's and 90's were abject failure tho, shipping record scores the Aussies and New Zealand and South Africa England during this era.Being humbled by the likes of Romania Western Samoa etc along the way.It was a very gloomy time. |
The rugby league clubs of the north recognised that wales still produced a hugely disproportionate amount of rugby talent in the 80's and 90's |  |
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| Young lad in the east stand on 19:39 - Sep 2 with 1253 views | sherpajacob |
| Young lad in the east stand on 19:24 - Sep 2 by Le_Swans |
A national sport isn't always what's most popular / played; here's a list of countries and their national sports; note, cricket is England's.
List of National Games of all countries
Country - Game
--------------------------------------------------------
USA - Baseball
Spain - Bulls Fighting
Canada - Ice Hockey
New Zealand - Rugby Union
India - Hockey
Pakisthan - Field Hockey
Bangladesh - Kabaddi
Srilanka - Volley ball
Russia - Football and Chess
China - Table Tennis
Brazil - Football
France - Football
England - Cricket
Japan - Judo
Australia - Cricket
Pakistan - Hockey
Malaysia - Badminton
Scotland - Rugby Football
Indonesia - Badminton
Bhutan - Archery
Switzerland - Shooting and Gymnastics
Turkey - Wrestling and Jereed |
Scotland - rugby union. I don't think so.
It's golf if it's anything other than football. | |
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| Young lad in the east stand on 19:41 - Sep 2 with 1250 views | Trundle10 |
| Young lad in the east stand on 19:28 - Sep 2 by jack247 |
The ones that go to rugby every week you mean?
You have missed the point of this from the start mate. I haven't said its not perceived to be our national sport, it is, inside and outside of Wales. I have said that it is an incorrect perception because to virtually everybody it is a day out rather than a sport.
In terms of a social event, it is brilliant. As a sport, it is never going to compete with football in terms of popularity. |
I wasted an hour of my life debating this with you previously 247. You are absolutely contradicting yourself there in the post above. | | | |
| Young lad in the east stand on 19:41 - Sep 2 with 1249 views | Trundle10 |
| Young lad in the east stand on 19:28 - Sep 2 by jack247 |
The ones that go to rugby every week you mean?
You have missed the point of this from the start mate. I haven't said its not perceived to be our national sport, it is, inside and outside of Wales. I have said that it is an incorrect perception because to virtually everybody it is a day out rather than a sport.
In terms of a social event, it is brilliant. As a sport, it is never going to compete with football in terms of popularity. |
deleted duplicate post [Post edited 2 Sep 2015 19:42]
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| Young lad in the east stand on 19:42 - Sep 2 with 1240 views | jack247 |
| Young lad in the east stand on 19:41 - Sep 2 by Trundle10 |
deleted duplicate post [Post edited 2 Sep 2015 19:42]
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How? | | | |
| Young lad in the east stand on 19:45 - Sep 2 with 1215 views | Trundle10 |
| Young lad in the east stand on 19:42 - Sep 2 by jack247 |
How? |
because i posted the same thing twice.  | | | |
| Young lad in the east stand on 19:46 - Sep 2 with 1215 views | sherpajacob |
| Young lad in the east stand on 19:03 - Sep 2 by Trundle10 |
It's all about opinions Lisa, depends on the kid and depends on the player. I disagree with almost everything in your post, although, with this being a football forum lots will agree. I am Swansea through and through, would prefer Swansea win the FA cup than Wales win the world cup but we are a minority. |
I desperately want the swans to win the fa cup, but in comparison to wales winning the rwc it doesn't even get close.
But it's not a zero sum game, why can't I have both?
Swans to win fa cup currently 25-1
Wales to win rwc 16-1. [Post edited 2 Sep 2015 19:49]
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| Young lad in the east stand on 19:49 - Sep 2 with 1198 views | builthjack |
How boring to have a dozen or so Proffessional playing rugby countries. The same 6 teams playing for the 6 nations every year, it is not a true worldwide sport. Well over 200 Professional football playing nations.
If Wales are ranked 7th in the rugby rankings they are in the bottom half.
Whereas if Wales are 50th in football, they are in the top 25%.
Rugby will never be a worldwide sport until the existing countries agree to divisions/tiers and get more clubs into the structure. Or would that mean that Wales could get relegated?
As for being the National sport, far more people play football every week. As for filling the a millennium on match day, yes, but most haven't a clue of the rules even, they are just there for a day on the pi$$.
It has just reminded me of when I watched Wales rugby in a pub a few years ago. There were a load of day trip fans in there. Wales were winning with a few minutes to go, and the group,were saying that there were 12 minutes to go!! They thought it was 90 minutes, the same as football. I rest my case. |  |
| Swansea Indepenent Poster Of The Year 2021. Dr P / Mart66 / Roathie / Parlay / E20/ Duffle was 2nd, but he is deluded and thinks in his little twisted brain that he won. Poor sod. We let him win this year, as he has cried for a whole year. His 14 usernames, bless his cotton socks.
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| Young lad in the east stand on 19:50 - Sep 2 with 1189 views | jack247 |
| Young lad in the east stand on 19:45 - Sep 2 by Trundle10 |
because i posted the same thing twice. |
Ha! Yeah I get the duplicate post thing. How have I contradicted myself? | | | |
| Young lad in the east stand on 19:55 - Sep 2 with 1179 views | jack247 |
| Young lad in the east stand on 19:49 - Sep 2 by builthjack |
How boring to have a dozen or so Proffessional playing rugby countries. The same 6 teams playing for the 6 nations every year, it is not a true worldwide sport. Well over 200 Professional football playing nations.
If Wales are ranked 7th in the rugby rankings they are in the bottom half.
Whereas if Wales are 50th in football, they are in the top 25%.
Rugby will never be a worldwide sport until the existing countries agree to divisions/tiers and get more clubs into the structure. Or would that mean that Wales could get relegated?
As for being the National sport, far more people play football every week. As for filling the a millennium on match day, yes, but most haven't a clue of the rules even, they are just there for a day on the pi$$.
It has just reminded me of when I watched Wales rugby in a pub a few years ago. There were a load of day trip fans in there. Wales were winning with a few minutes to go, and the group,were saying that there were 12 minutes to go!! They thought it was 90 minutes, the same as football. I rest my case. |
It is also pretty much guaranteed that whichever pub you watch Wales v England in, someone will shout 'Come on Shane!'.
Doesn't detract from what it is though, it is a great event and the social aspect of the 6 nations/RWC is something I have never seen football match here. Remains to be seen if that changes if/when we are at the Euros. | | | |
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