OK, I'm Canadian, I play hockey, a passive Montreal Canadians fan, and haven't watched one game of this years Stanley Cup playoffs since the first round. Obviously I can't be Canadian, there must be something wrong with me.
Maybe it's the fact that one of the teams in the final is on the west coast - LA Kings, and the other plays the most bland brand of hockey since, well they have always been bland - NJ Devils. Maybe it's because they are not Canadian teams, maybe it's just that people outside of Beverley Hills and Newark couldn't list more than 3 players on those teams. (although I really can, I am Canadian after all)
So, what's the issue? Media not giving enough coverage? Nope TSN is doing their best to make it seem interesting. West coast games are on too late? Nah, that's not it.
I believe the reason fans are not really into this final (speaking for Canadian fans only here) is that we really don't care about these teams. Yes, these are "hockey markets", yes, the greatest even played in L.A., but there is nothing like the Stanley Cup playoff with a Canadian team in the late stages. When Montreal is in the playoffs and make it through a couple of rounds, the perception of the playoffs is different. Even Vancouver being in it last year made it worth watching, although I'd argue that Boston is as much of a "Canadian" team as you could get without being in Canada. Sorry Leafs fans, I can't really remember the last time your team was relevant in the playoffs, they just need to concentrate on making them, however if you ever did make it to the playoffs, I will watch, I promise.
So, as an open comment to Gary Bettman: stop trying to force NHL hockey on American fans, for the most part they are not interested (see Boston comment). Hockey is a Canadian passion and you need Canadian teams for fans to get passionate about it. Canada is why this league has grown to what it is today and it's what you need to move it forward.
By the way, has the game started? Oh, yeah, it has? meh, nevermind, I'll just catch the highlights in the morning.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Saturday, April 23, 2011
"ManU" - is this really an insult?
I just finished watching Manchester United defeat Everton 1-0 on a fantastic goal by steal of the year - Chicarito.
While watching the game, I followed the live blog on the Score Mobile Application. Throughout the blog and comments by other readers, the term "ManU" was used quite often. As a fan from Canada, I think I follow Manchester United closely, although, I would never consider myself as in touch or up to date with the club in terms of history and news as someone who lives in the UK, espeically Manchester, but I do consider myself somewhat knowledgeable, at least compared to North American soccer fans. As I've grown in my knowledge of the club, I was correct early on that the term "ManU" was insulting to use when referring the club. I always refer to the club as Manchester United, United or if I'm writing in a hurry Man.Utd. But should I be so careful around this subject?
The reason most United fans believe referring to the club as "ManU" is insulting as due to songs by rival clubs. Liverpool and Leeds and West Brom for example:
West Brom:
"Duncan Edwards is manure, rotting in his grave, man you are manure- rotting in your grave".
Liverpool and Leeds came up with something to the effect of:
"ManU ManU went on a plane ManU ManU never came back again"
and "ManU Never Intended Coming Home" Notice the first letter of each word spells Munich, of course referring to the disaster of 1958.
Based on the information, I had, I always refer to the club as Manchester United. So, when I see posts in blogs, forums, etc using the term "ManU" I often think of them as casual fans that don't know the history. I don't correct them, because I used that term in the early days of supporting the club myself and eventually came to know some history. I figure they will do the same.
In Canada and the US, we see and hear the term "ManU" throughout the media, I think it's a bit unprofessional, however the vast majority of North American fans and especially media have no idea of the clubs history. We are learning - Be Patient!
When I decided I would write about this, I figured I would do a little bit of digging to try and get my facts straight before someone who knows them sets me straight. I came away from this investigation, a bit confused. There seems to be substantial debate on whether the term "ManU" is an insult or just a myth. Many fans with ties to older generations of United fans claim that the term "ManU" was used by the media and the club.
So, the question is should United supporters get upset when the club is referred to as "ManU"?
My own personal opinion is that although the term may have been used prior to the disaster, the songs and insults by other clubs is enough for me to not use that term since they now seem to be connected - at least in my mind. I have, however, now realized that there seems to be two sides to this debate and perhaps my own feelings towards the phrase "ManU", do not reflect others feelings in using this phrase.
Bottom line: Support Manchester United, call them what you think is appropriate, we are all Red!
My two cents....
While watching the game, I followed the live blog on the Score Mobile Application. Throughout the blog and comments by other readers, the term "ManU" was used quite often. As a fan from Canada, I think I follow Manchester United closely, although, I would never consider myself as in touch or up to date with the club in terms of history and news as someone who lives in the UK, espeically Manchester, but I do consider myself somewhat knowledgeable, at least compared to North American soccer fans. As I've grown in my knowledge of the club, I was correct early on that the term "ManU" was insulting to use when referring the club. I always refer to the club as Manchester United, United or if I'm writing in a hurry Man.Utd. But should I be so careful around this subject?
The reason most United fans believe referring to the club as "ManU" is insulting as due to songs by rival clubs. Liverpool and Leeds and West Brom for example:
West Brom:
"Duncan Edwards is manure, rotting in his grave, man you are manure- rotting in your grave".
Liverpool and Leeds came up with something to the effect of:
"ManU ManU went on a plane ManU ManU never came back again"
and "ManU Never Intended Coming Home" Notice the first letter of each word spells Munich, of course referring to the disaster of 1958.
 |
| Commemorative Plaques in tunnel at Old Trafford |
Based on the information, I had, I always refer to the club as Manchester United. So, when I see posts in blogs, forums, etc using the term "ManU" I often think of them as casual fans that don't know the history. I don't correct them, because I used that term in the early days of supporting the club myself and eventually came to know some history. I figure they will do the same.
In Canada and the US, we see and hear the term "ManU" throughout the media, I think it's a bit unprofessional, however the vast majority of North American fans and especially media have no idea of the clubs history. We are learning - Be Patient!
When I decided I would write about this, I figured I would do a little bit of digging to try and get my facts straight before someone who knows them sets me straight. I came away from this investigation, a bit confused. There seems to be substantial debate on whether the term "ManU" is an insult or just a myth. Many fans with ties to older generations of United fans claim that the term "ManU" was used by the media and the club.
So, the question is should United supporters get upset when the club is referred to as "ManU"?
My own personal opinion is that although the term may have been used prior to the disaster, the songs and insults by other clubs is enough for me to not use that term since they now seem to be connected - at least in my mind. I have, however, now realized that there seems to be two sides to this debate and perhaps my own feelings towards the phrase "ManU", do not reflect others feelings in using this phrase.
Bottom line: Support Manchester United, call them what you think is appropriate, we are all Red!
My two cents....
Sunday, February 20, 2011
What is wrong with the FA cup? Absolutely Nothing!
After a fantastic Saturday of FA cup matches I tuned in to the BBC Radio 606 Podcast Saturday night to catch Robbie Savage and Mike Parry discuss the action from the day, fully expecting to hear how amazing it was for the minnow club Crawley Town to nearly pull off a monumental upset at Old Trafford. I hoped to hear from both Crawley Town and Manchester United fans congratulating Steve Evans and his players on a memorable day for the Non-League club. I also wanted to hear the reaction to Everton's incredible win at the Bridge over Chelsea. I was looking forward listening to the Chelsea faithful's reaction to going out of the cup at this stage. Truly this is the spirit of the FA cup isn't it? As they say in Football on this side of the ocean, "Any given Sunday". Basically any day, any team, could beat another. The true beauty of sport. Although, it doesn't happen on a regular basis in English football like we see here in the land of salary caps and revenue sharing to promote parity, the opportunity for it to happen it never more present during the FA cup.
However, the phone-in was dominated with a ridiculous idea put forth by Mike Parry to introduce a seating system into the FA cup. In spite of every caller , with the exception of a Martian (Robbie Savage - nice one!), shot down the idea. From what I could tell, Mike's intent was to insure that a team like Millwall, for example, doesn't get to the FA cup final. The basis of his argument was that sports fans outside of England wouldn't care about a cup final involving a team like Millwall, therefore would not tune in. Mike - the problem is that outside of England (US & Canada at least) the masses are not tuning in anyways. It doesn't matter if it was a Manchester United - Chelsea final, the casual sports fan in North America is not going to watch. Does Mike, really believe that come May 14th, that sports fans in Canada and the United States are going to be watching the FA cup final? I could be wrong, but my money will be on the vast majority of sports fans tuning in to see the Red Sox and Yankee's play that day. The sad fact is that our sports media is dominated with Baseball, Football (NFL),Basketball, Hockey and Nascar, Soccer comes in somewhere just ahead of the Professional Bowling Tour. Coverage is getting better every year, but Canada and the U.S. still has a long way to go in nurturing it's love of soccer before the casual fan even knows a game is taking place.
Bottom line, the FA cup is perfect. It's a chance for dreams to play out and occasionally come true. It's an opportunity for kids to see their home town hero's play at venues like Old Trafford. It's inspirational and grows the game at the grass roots level. Competitions like the FA cup is why England is the home of soccer. Please don't ever change it.
My two cents...
However, the phone-in was dominated with a ridiculous idea put forth by Mike Parry to introduce a seating system into the FA cup. In spite of every caller , with the exception of a Martian (Robbie Savage - nice one!), shot down the idea. From what I could tell, Mike's intent was to insure that a team like Millwall, for example, doesn't get to the FA cup final. The basis of his argument was that sports fans outside of England wouldn't care about a cup final involving a team like Millwall, therefore would not tune in. Mike - the problem is that outside of England (US & Canada at least) the masses are not tuning in anyways. It doesn't matter if it was a Manchester United - Chelsea final, the casual sports fan in North America is not going to watch. Does Mike, really believe that come May 14th, that sports fans in Canada and the United States are going to be watching the FA cup final? I could be wrong, but my money will be on the vast majority of sports fans tuning in to see the Red Sox and Yankee's play that day. The sad fact is that our sports media is dominated with Baseball, Football (NFL),Basketball, Hockey and Nascar, Soccer comes in somewhere just ahead of the Professional Bowling Tour. Coverage is getting better every year, but Canada and the U.S. still has a long way to go in nurturing it's love of soccer before the casual fan even knows a game is taking place.
Bottom line, the FA cup is perfect. It's a chance for dreams to play out and occasionally come true. It's an opportunity for kids to see their home town hero's play at venues like Old Trafford. It's inspirational and grows the game at the grass roots level. Competitions like the FA cup is why England is the home of soccer. Please don't ever change it.
My two cents...
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