Not sure if this is even the right place to put this, but it involves supporting Liverpool Football Club, so I think this is the right place. It’s also a post that many won’t like.
Firstly, I’m South African and live in Cape Town, SA. I’ve never lived in the UK, and have only been over on a few occasions. I’ve been to Liverpool 3 times, specifically to watch football. Secondly, as I’ve gotten older I’ve become more attuned to politics, economics and generally what’s happening in the world (I’m 36 now). I’ve supported Liverpool since 1990, and vaguely recall the last title triumph.
What’s bugged me lately though is how at odds I am with the economic and political view of many supporters who are from Liverpool. I think the differences have been there all along, but only now am I noticing it. I follow some prominent LFC Twitter accounts of local Liverpool people, as well as spend time on the side forums of RAWK – not the football forum – those people are a little loony. The Liverpool geographic area is and always will be a socialist stronghold. Indeed, even the great Bill Shankly spoke of his socialist beliefs. And yet I struggle to see how socialism in its truest form has ever really worked anywhere in the world, but Liverpool people will continue to believe in this.
Let’s get one thing straight, I’m not a raging right wing in terms of politics or economics. I suppose I’m quite middle of the road. Like the Liverpool public in general, I think Thatcher was an old witch who destroyed communities and UK jobs. I also see the Tories for what they are. But I look at Corbyn’s policies and shake my head. Not sure who I’d vote for in the UK if I lived there. But I don’t share the Liverpool people’s love of the socialist system. It doesn’t make economic sense to me. I have an economics post grad degree and run a business, so I’m not viewing this blindly. In my time in the business world and observing the world in general my conclusion is always that a predominantly capitalist system is the one that works best. That’s just my opinion, and I don’t really want to debate economics on here. Socialism in its truest form just doesn’t work – and hasn’t in the world. It only works partially. I do agree that healthcare and education should be state provided at a decent level of quality though. But ultimately I believe in as much freedom from state as possible to let business thrive. Private business has the ability to create real wealth and jobs. Socialism is limiting in this regard. Once again, just my opinion, but one that leftist Liverpool people would spit at.
Reading threads on the RAWK’s Current Affairs forum and Twitter I see Liverpool people in support of Bernie Sanders. I despise Bernie Sanders and his supporters. I also despise this sense of political correctness and social justice warriors who seem to be as bad as right wing fanatics. Worldwide there seems to be a fascist left movement creeping into society – offended by everything and spewing out words like Privilege etc. And then I see Liverpool people on social media sympathise with stuff like this. I’m not a Trump supporter either by the way. Although, shoot me if you want, but I do see the appeal of Trump. I think the man himself is the problem, not necessarily his viewpoint. I can understand the need to protect your own culture and strictly control immigration. Yet most Liverpool people would disagree.
What shocks me most is the anger you see when disagreeing with something. For example, someone on Twitter today pointed out that the Muslim refugee influx in Europe was possibly causing problems, only to be called a “Disgusting Racist” by a very prominent LFC supporter and Liverpool resident. This is a trend I see with many Liverpool people. An immediate anger and inability to engage with a political opinion that is not their own. Again, it just makes me shake my head.
I suppose there’s no real reason to this post other than to ask whether there are any others on here who at times feel at odds with worldview of the large part of our supporter base? I love the club. Having been to the city I love the people, politics and economics aside. I love the sense of community. The club has always been a club full of class for me. There’s a feeling around Liverpool Football Club that no other club comes close to. The club has been a massive part of my life, even though I’m thousands of miles away. I suppose my question is to other non Merseysiders. Are you ever conflicted by issues such as this?
Does true support of a football club mean fully buying into the entire philosophy and worldview of the core support base, or is it just about what happens on the pitch?
Firstly, I’m South African and live in Cape Town, SA. I’ve never lived in the UK, and have only been over on a few occasions. I’ve been to Liverpool 3 times, specifically to watch football. Secondly, as I’ve gotten older I’ve become more attuned to politics, economics and generally what’s happening in the world (I’m 36 now). I’ve supported Liverpool since 1990, and vaguely recall the last title triumph.
What’s bugged me lately though is how at odds I am with the economic and political view of many supporters who are from Liverpool. I think the differences have been there all along, but only now am I noticing it. I follow some prominent LFC Twitter accounts of local Liverpool people, as well as spend time on the side forums of RAWK – not the football forum – those people are a little loony. The Liverpool geographic area is and always will be a socialist stronghold. Indeed, even the great Bill Shankly spoke of his socialist beliefs. And yet I struggle to see how socialism in its truest form has ever really worked anywhere in the world, but Liverpool people will continue to believe in this.
Let’s get one thing straight, I’m not a raging right wing in terms of politics or economics. I suppose I’m quite middle of the road. Like the Liverpool public in general, I think Thatcher was an old witch who destroyed communities and UK jobs. I also see the Tories for what they are. But I look at Corbyn’s policies and shake my head. Not sure who I’d vote for in the UK if I lived there. But I don’t share the Liverpool people’s love of the socialist system. It doesn’t make economic sense to me. I have an economics post grad degree and run a business, so I’m not viewing this blindly. In my time in the business world and observing the world in general my conclusion is always that a predominantly capitalist system is the one that works best. That’s just my opinion, and I don’t really want to debate economics on here. Socialism in its truest form just doesn’t work – and hasn’t in the world. It only works partially. I do agree that healthcare and education should be state provided at a decent level of quality though. But ultimately I believe in as much freedom from state as possible to let business thrive. Private business has the ability to create real wealth and jobs. Socialism is limiting in this regard. Once again, just my opinion, but one that leftist Liverpool people would spit at.
Reading threads on the RAWK’s Current Affairs forum and Twitter I see Liverpool people in support of Bernie Sanders. I despise Bernie Sanders and his supporters. I also despise this sense of political correctness and social justice warriors who seem to be as bad as right wing fanatics. Worldwide there seems to be a fascist left movement creeping into society – offended by everything and spewing out words like Privilege etc. And then I see Liverpool people on social media sympathise with stuff like this. I’m not a Trump supporter either by the way. Although, shoot me if you want, but I do see the appeal of Trump. I think the man himself is the problem, not necessarily his viewpoint. I can understand the need to protect your own culture and strictly control immigration. Yet most Liverpool people would disagree.
What shocks me most is the anger you see when disagreeing with something. For example, someone on Twitter today pointed out that the Muslim refugee influx in Europe was possibly causing problems, only to be called a “Disgusting Racist” by a very prominent LFC supporter and Liverpool resident. This is a trend I see with many Liverpool people. An immediate anger and inability to engage with a political opinion that is not their own. Again, it just makes me shake my head.
I suppose there’s no real reason to this post other than to ask whether there are any others on here who at times feel at odds with worldview of the large part of our supporter base? I love the club. Having been to the city I love the people, politics and economics aside. I love the sense of community. The club has always been a club full of class for me. There’s a feeling around Liverpool Football Club that no other club comes close to. The club has been a massive part of my life, even though I’m thousands of miles away. I suppose my question is to other non Merseysiders. Are you ever conflicted by issues such as this?
Does true support of a football club mean fully buying into the entire philosophy and worldview of the core support base, or is it just about what happens on the pitch?
