MY father once told me “you only find things offensive if you wish to be offended”. It is in that spirit I write in answer to all those who think Scots sports fans should be above the “Anybody but England” mantra.
The history of Scots finding pleasure in English defeats is not a recent one, there is a long history of this sentiment which predates Bannockburn in 1314.
It is the reality of sharing an island with a nation which has long held predatory designs on Scotland and been seen as a blowhard and a bully lang syne.
READ MORE: Italy's victory over England sparks wild celebrations in Scotland
In the past the retribution Scots sought to contain our larger, bullying neighbour was often in raiding the English north as far south as York and on one occasion, with London at our mercy, we turned back at Derby.
These days we Scots no longer raid, kill, rape and pillage to keep our still-bullying neighbour in check. We do this, instead, through the safer prism of sport, where there may still be the odd injury on and off the field yet in the main it passes peaceably in comparison to earlier years.
So it is deep in the Scots psyche where the enjoyment of England’s failings as a nation are embedded. It is a vicarious pleasure but serves the same purpose as seeing any bully and blowhard being taken down a peg or two. It is not and never has been about the people of England but the self-proclaimed image of their nation state and arrogance of their ruling class.
Some may think the “Anyone but England” mantra is politically incorrect or outdated and should be done away with, they are welcome to their view yet I do not see many Scots will be in agreement as we yet again suffer under a bullying, blowhard Tory government which epitomises the Flanders and Swan view of the English national sense of superiority, reflected in one of their satirical songs, “The English, the English, the English are best. I wouldn’t give tuppence for all of the rest.”
Peter Thomson
Kirkcudbright
IT was with total disbelief that I read the letters page today. The rivalry between Scotland and England over any kind of sport has been legendary, if usually only one-sided. I have NEVER heard 1966 mentioned so much as I have this past week. The hype placed on this one game has been totally out of proportion.
Of course, as is usual, the Scots will favour Italy, Denmark, or whoever over the “auld enemy”, but had it been Scotland against Italy, would we expect the England supporters to rally around us? I think not.
READ MORE: Spectator's Rod Liddle claims 'performing geese' are better than Scotland
Would we also expect the BBC to cover up the destruction in Leicester Square, and Wembley, Italy supporters being attacked, England supporters fighting each other, AND the totally disgusting and offensive racial abuse of the players had this been perpetrated by Scotland fans? I wonder.
We Scots are well prepared to laugh at ourselves, THAT is what gives us the right to laugh at others.
Jim Mc Gregor
Kirkintilloch
IN recent days I have seen and heard several people on the TV and radio complaining that many Scots will not be supporting the English football team. They seem to believe that we have a duty to do so because we are British.
I was interested to see that only 30 million people in Britain actually did tune in for the final. That suggests to me that at least half of the English population were not interested in the game.
Why then should non-English people be more supportive of the English team than the English themselves?
Harry Key
Largoward, Fife
I THINK that letter-writers Lewis Waugh and Pete Rowberry missed the point completely about Saturday’s front page. We Scots have a strong sense of humour and it was against a sometimes wildly imbalanced media arrogance that The National chose the cheeky front page.
They should also recognise that we can be equally cheeky and critical about the Scotland team. Whether or not the best result was achieved in the final, there’s nothing wrong with many Scots feeling pleased, even amused.
KHW Campbell
Troon
WHY did the breakfast programme deliberately keep quiet about the dark side of the English fans and media?
The complete indiscipline with regards to Covid, the break-in at Wembley by hundreds of so-called supporters, the injury to 19 police officers, the incredible amount of rubbish and litter thrown on to the streets, the fans attacking and fighting on the streets, the booing of opponents national anthems, the disrespect of taking off their runner-up medals immediately and so on. And finally the racial hatred meted out to the black players, which is possibly the most repugnant.
D Gill
Kinross
IT is of course very sad that England’s “55 years of hurt” must continue, but as a large percentage of the population north of Hadrian’s Wall have apparently discovered Italian branches on their family trees, does Italy’s win mean that Scotland can have a bank holiday?
Ruth Marr
Stirling
IT’S not surprising that Gary Neville attacks Boris Johnson after the racial abuse of England stars, as Boris Johnson has no concept of what is acceptable given his history of dubious comments based on race, ethnicity and nationality. His attitude and obvious contempt for Scottish MPs and Scotland at PMQs every week is ample proof that this English leopard has not changed his spots.
John Jamieson
South Queensferry
I WOULD like to thank with all my heart your support to the Italian team in the final against England. Since ever I admire Scottish people, and I hope that one day your dream of independence can become true. I’m sincerely grateful.
Marco Castelli
via email
I WOULD just like to say, Saturday and Monday’s front pages were without doubt the best front pages on a newspaper I have ever seen.
I live in England but buy The National regularly on my regular trips north. I only hope the front pages can be made into T-shirts.
Well done, absolutely brilliant.
Andy Drummond
via email
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