Arsenal America feature

[tim_love99]

Hi guys,

I have interviewed Mike for a feature on Arsenal America on my site. I hope all of you guys are as passionate as he is and that you feel well represented by his answers! Thanks to Mike for agreeing to the interview, it is most appreciated. Hope you enjoy it, and please give me any feedback if there is something about the association you think would be interesting for readers in the future.

Cheers,

Tim

[phishy]

are you american?

[tim_love99]

Nope, I'm a London boy.

[Skizz]

AI:It is often clear on message boards that people question Americans’ knowledge of football. What kind of reception does Arsenal America get from English fans?

WTF sort of question is that? I can't find one example on this board of this happening and I don't think it's right that you make the assumption that it happens here. It doesn't.

[KevTheGooner]

Nice interview...well done to both of you.

[Guy Fawkes]

Are you Tim LoveJOY?

[tim_love99]

WTF sort of question is that? I can't find one example on this board of this happening and I don't think it's right that you make the assumption that it happens here. It doesn't.

Calm down! This is a nice site, and I am sure you are aware of the fact that a)English fans generally do not pay attention to American opinions on football and b) regularly ridicule them. If you are unaware of that then I apologise for bringing it to your attention. Do you live in England? If so I am very surprised.

The whole reason I did the interview is because I want people to realise that Americans can be just as passionate about the game and Arsenal as an Engish fan is, and I believe Mike's words confirm that.

[Skizz]

I was born in, and live in London - in all my years going to Arsenal and my three years on BigSoccer I have never seen or heard a foreign fan, let alone an American, have their opinion ridiculed either on the basis that the are not English or on the basis of stereotypes associated with their nationality.

We obviously tread in different circles, and considering this season at least I've been at Arsenal matches with Americans every other week I'm not sure from where you got this opinion.

[tim_love99]

I don't know why you are getting so upset, and please don't suggest that I mix in circles of morons. I am absolutely stunned that as someone who lives in London and has done forever that you are unaware of the general ridicule that English fans pose towards American ones.

Here is an example of the opinions many fans have:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A27883272

It is nothing to do with them being anti-American, just very close minded. The people who say these things are not all that intelligent, but it is a lot of them- all you need do it look at message boards across the internet.

[Skizz]

I'm not getting upset, stop using that as part of your reply because I'm genuinely not. Neither did I suggest that you hang around in circles of morons.

Like I said you have seen more of it than I have (with me obviously having not seen it), so therefore to come to the conclusion that the general consensus among English fans is one of ridicule when discussing American football supporters surprises me.

True, as you can see on the link you have supplied some people have a moron-like belief that America will take over the game and "change it to suit them" as one person said, but again I find that with Americans, English, European, Asian football fans, you generally get ridiculed if you don't know what you're talking about. Half the Americans on this board know more about football than a fair few English supporters I know.

The point I was making (which perhaps I think you missed) is that you should perhaps have reworded the question to acknowledge the fact that there ARE some English fans who question Americans' knowledge, but as football becomes evermore popular in the US, this is happening less and less as it's simply not true that the majority of English fans ridicule the idea of American supporters of football.

Also perhaps consider the fact that not every Arsenal, nay football fan posts on a message board. I've never seen this ridicule occur outside of the internet. Apart from Rick cussing Nick :D

[surfcam]

I'm not getting upset, stop using that as part of your reply because I'm genuinely not. Neither did I suggest that you hang around in circles of morons.

Like I said you have seen more of it than I have (with me obviously having not seen it), so therefore to come to the conclusion that the general consensus among English fans is one of ridicule when discussing American football supporters surprises me.

True, as you can see on the link you have supplied some people have a moron-like belief that America will take over the game and "change it to suit them" as one person said, but again I find that with Americans, English, European, Asian football fans, you generally get ridiculed if you don't know what you're talking about. Half the Americans on this board know more about football than a fair few English supporters I know.

The point I was making (which perhaps I think you missed) is that you should perhaps have reworded the question to acknowledge the fact that there ARE some English fans who question Americans' knowledge, but as football becomes evermore popular in the US, this is happening less and less as it's simply not true that the majority of English fans ridicule the idea of American supporters of football.

Also perhaps consider the fact that not every Arsenal, nay football fan posts on a message board. I've never seen this ridicule occur outside of the internet. Apart from Rick cussing Nick :D

I will say that in my travels in London and surrounding areas, I usually never get a complete disregard of my knowledge of Arsenal or football, but many are skeptical until they talk with me. I think mostly it is because many know that football isn't as big of a sport in the US and are surprised someone follows something so deeply, at such a distance. I've even heard Rick say that he has always been surprised at the level of support many from all over the world have for a club in London.

I guess I'm saying that there isn't a general concesus of ridicule for us, but more of a surprise. In the end, I've found most English fans more impressed than anything with this after a few pints and a conversation.

[antifan]

Hi guys,

I have interviewed Mike for a feature on Arsenal America on my site. I hope all of you guys are as passionate as he is and that you feel well represented by his answers! Thanks to Mike for agreeing to the interview, it is most appreciated. Hope you enjoy it, and please give me any feedback if there is something about the association you think would be interesting for readers in the future.

Cheers,

Tim
Was this "interview" conducted via email, perchance? Because i have a tough time believing Mikey is that well spoken. :D

[surfcam]

Was this "interview" conducted via email, perchance? Because i have a tough time believing Mikey is that well spoken. :D

Be nice to Mikey or else he'll set you on fire!

[tim_love99]

I will say that in my travels in London and surrounding areas, I usually never get a complete disregard of my knowledge of Arsenal or football, but many are skeptical until they talk with me. I think mostly it is because many know that football isn't as big of a sport in the US and are surprised someone follows something so deeply, at such a distance. I've even heard Rick say that he has always been surprised at the level of support many from all over the world have for a club in London.

I guess I'm saying that there isn't a general concesus of ridicule for us, but more of a surprise. In the end, I've found most English fans more impressed than anything with this after a few pints and a conversation.

I guess that is the best way of putting it- scepticism. The main problem is that many English fans who think they know absolutely loads about football disregard the opions of those who disagree with themselves. So when they hear an American voice, being very close minded they choose to complete dismiss what is being said to them. Intelligent football fans obviously do not do this.

[Skizz]

That's what happens with most sports. Rugby, Football, Cricket - all invented by the English hence the belief they are the best and know most about it. Both of which tend to be wrong...

[surfcam]

I guess that is the best way of putting it- scepticism. The main problem is that many English fans who think they know absolutely loads about football disregard the opions of those who disagree with themselves. So when they hear an American voice, being very close minded they choose to complete dismiss what is being said to them. Intelligent football fans obviously do not do this.

I wouldn't go that far, I would use "some". When I meet other other Gooners, there is always instant bonding because of being a Gooner. With others, they aren't usually dismissive, just surprised I know what I'm talking about and not just someone who thinks it is neat-o. Most conversations start with me saying I am over for some Arsenal matches. They are surprised, ask about it, and I tell them how I started supporting the club and go on about history etc. I even had one older gentleman at a pub overhear my conversation and come over and shake my hand. Of course, like anywhere, there are closed minded idiots, but that is a whole different issue.

I think the feelings fall between tim's and skizz's.

[tim_love99]

That's what happens with most sports. Rugby, Football, Cricket - all invented by the English hence the belief they are the best and know most about it. Both of which tend to be wrong...

That might well be true, but I'm discussing football! We'll just have to agree to disagree :)

[Frankgarrison]

I don't know about yall, but I love soccer games! I wish there were more goal points, sure, and it seems silly that they can't use their hands AT ALL (except on passes from the sidelines, of course!) and it's dangerous not to put on some padding while they play, but it's fun to watch! I do wish there were more timeouts so i could get some refreshments, though.

My favorite is the London Arsenal Emirates....

[YankAbroad]

I don't know about yall, but I love soccer games! I wish there were more goal points, sure, and it seems silly that they can't use their hands AT ALL (except on passes from the sidelines, of course!) and it's dangerous not to put on some padding while they play, but it's fun to watch! I do wish there were more timeouts so i could get some refreshments, though.

My favorite is the London Arsenal Emirates....

:D
Oh man, that is great..

[tim_love99]

I don't know about yall, but I love soccer games! I wish there were more goal points, sure, and it seems silly that they can't use their hands AT ALL (except on passes from the sidelines, of course!) and it's dangerous not to put on some padding while they play, but it's fun to watch! I do wish there were more timeouts so i could get some refreshments, though.

My favorite is the London Arsenal Emirates....

And unfortunately a fine example of what many Europeans believe American football fans actually think.