Date: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 18:32:31 +0100
From: Iain McKay <iain.mckay-AT-zetnet.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Monty Python on BBC


hello all...

Andy wrote:
>
> >> I suppose this will be your first experience of the bitter-sweet
> experience
> >> that is supporting the [never make it to the second stage] Scots.
> >
> >Better that than being a bunch of arrogant wankers who think they have a
> >good-given right to win every tourament then join
> 
> Well, win it every so often, anyway.

yes.... how long ago is it now?

> >(even if its via the
> >back door to the playoffs as in this case). And we have the best fans
> >in the world (if not the best team).
> 
> This is a myth perpetuated by the orange be-wigged, pseudo-ethnic
> kilt -wearing classes [e.g. Alex Salmond who confessed to wearing the wig on
> Radio5 yesterday]. I defy anyone to go to an Old Firm match and not be
> impressed by the belligerent antics of the crowd, whipped up by fife-miming
> imported fat-boys.

You misunderstand. Old-firm games are different. In scotland games we
unite
against the common enemy -- England. Thats why we are so nice to
everyone
else -- they all hate England too.
 
> >I also remember Ally's tartan
> >> army [snigger], and Billy Bremner passing sideways in 1974.
> >
> >I remember 1978! England did not qualify (like all through the 1970s!).
> >We got the best goal of the world cup. Just to check, from 1962 to
> >1996, how many times did England qualify the hard way? Let me think...
> >not 1966, not 1970, nothing in the 1970s, 1982? or was it 1986?
> >Help me out here...
> 
> 62, I thinking winning it in 66 counts as a hard way for 70, not to mention
> 90, 98

Nope, winning in 66 does not count for 70. They did not have to play any
games to qualify. And as proved in 1967 against Scotland, the 66 team
was lucky.

So, when did Scotland qualify -- 74 (the only team to not get into the
next
round and not to loose a game), 78, 82, 86, 90 and 1998. Not bad for a
country 
of 5 million.

So less about 78! Thanks very much.

:)

<snip>

> How does an anarchist society deal with football strife?? Do we still get a
> month off every fourth year to indulge tribal hatreds, bigotry and violence?

I should hope so! Anyways, there is only football strife at
international levels
when England fans are involved (okay, broad-generalisation!).

> [mixed blood but definitely no Scottish stuff in my veins]

Thats a shame. Perhaps we could arrange a transfusion.

anyways, football, got to love it!

Iain