For Sale

[Hagar]

Cricket was always a class-conscious game. Gentlemen & Players with the Players being the ordinary working man. This is not so apparent now.

[denishc]

CraigL,

 Is it any different than here in the U.S.  Think of all the kids across the nation that play baseball evey summer and look at how many actully make it to the majors!!  Don't you think that a kid like Bobby Bond's son, Berry, got a leg up when being scouted.  Yes, a nobody kid from Podunk can make it to the Pros, but he's gotta be really, really good.

[Craig.]

its a very selective game, although like hagar said its not so noticable these days, but even a few years ago, players wouldnt be selected from your average school, its a higher class game. And like i said it doesnt matter how good you are if you dont goto these posh schools and colleges your chances of getting picked are slim to none. Thats why i never bothered to play in college, the short time i was there..
In the US you stand a good chance of being scouted into a bigger university from say a small community college, and then the pros obviously scout you from there, long process but it doesnt matter if your from the lower classes.

[denishc]

 Another reason why the U.S. is a great place to live!

[Craig.]

and the reason i am gonna be going to college there this fall.

[Felix/FFDS]

I never figured out why you guys take all this stuff so seriously. It's only a game for goodness sake.
A load of overpaid, overgrown schoolboys running around a field chasing a ball for a few minutes.

Don't even try to mention that during a UF/FSU or FSU/Miami or UF/Georgia football game ..  For many people, these games are crucial battles emotionally at a par with Agincourt, Waterloo, Somme, Stalingrad, etc.  the Fates of Bragging Rights are at stake!

[Hagar]

[quote]Don't even try to mention that during a UF/FSU or FSU/Miami or UF/Georgia football game ..

[Felix/FFDS]

I haven't lost all marbles just yet. At least, I still had a few when I last checked.
That's why I sit here & make fun from a safe distance - I hope.

We have exactly the same situation here with proper football supporters - that's soccer to you lot on that side of the big puddle.
These guys are practised in all the not-so-gentle arts of unarmed & sometimes armed combat. I wouldn't dare tangle with them myself.

On the other hand, I agree that proper football has an overall advantage over the US football - Everybody participates - fans, spectators - I believe that sometimes the "action" is in the stands and not in the field!

The best sports-related bumper sticker I've seen spelled out: "Give Blood - Play Rugby!"

[denishc]

 We've all heard about 'soccer hooligans'.  Makes you wonder how many people go there to support their team and how many go there just to fight?

 And talk about taking your spot to heart, didn't Uruguay and Paraguay go to war over a soccer game?  There must be something about soccer that brings about the worst in people.
 Come to think of it, didn't the origins of soccer have something to do with someone digging up an enemies skull and out of anger for that enemy began kicking it around?  And becouse it was a skull nobody wanted to touch it, thus the "no hands" rule?  Alas poor Yorick!!

 Old joke that could apply, "Once I went to a fight and a soccer game broke out!!"

[Hagar]

The best sports-related bumper sticker I've seen spelled out: "Give Blood - Play Rugby!"

Rugby is a tough game & played all-out on the pitch but both players & supporters are generally well-behaved. It's more of a family game & supporters of both sides are usually quite safe mixed in together.

We've all heard about 'soccer hooligans'.  Makes you wonder how many people go there to support their team and how many go there just to fight?

You got that about right, The genuine soccer supporter is passionate but OK. As usual, it's the minority that spoil it for everone.

[Felix/FFDS]

[quote]

[Hagar]

If Rugby players are like they used to be they bash the heck out of each other on the pitch & then have a piss- booze-up together in the bar after the game.