St George's Day. Let's face it, the day needs revamping. At the moment, it is a sorry excuse for a national celebration. It usually passes with a quiet whimper and a bit of flag waving, failing to be embraced by the vast majority of the English nation. Here is why.
We have a poorly educated, Roman soldier, allegedly born in what would be modern Turkey, who was possibly persecuted and executed for his religious beliefs in a made-up emerging cult nearly 1800 years ago. He also slayed a dragon that didn't exist ( most likely a graphical representation of victory in battle ) and then magically re-appeared to lead troops in to battle, approximately 1000 years after his death. Mumbo-Jumbo.
This military, religious icon was thrust upon us through war and tyranny. His myth is celebrated throughout many countries including Egypt, Ethiopia, Russia, Syria and Romania. As a figurehead of 'Englishness' he has very little going for him. He never even set foot in our green and pleasant land.
A small group of people 'celebrate' his holy-englishness by draping themselves in red and white flags, drinking ales and singing religious/football songs in pubs before vomiting in a bin and being thrown out for fighting. It is fairly lame
Showing posts with label England. Show all posts
Showing posts with label England. Show all posts
Saturday, 23 April 2016
Tuesday, 3 March 2015
Time for a new English National anthem. Here is my suggestion.
Time for a new English National anthem. Here is my suggestion.
"God save our gracious Queen..." - the opening line to the English national anthem. As a non-royalist and an atheist, singing these words at sporting events such as the World Cup or Olympics with passion and pride is next to impossible. I am proud to be English, we have a great country that should represent fairness and equality, providing a beacon to emerging nations around the world, a modern and advanced society. Our national anthem should represent this nation and be uplifting and inspiring, with lyrics that fill people with pride and awe, not divide the nation along religious/royalist/nationalistic lines by banging on about gods, a ruling monarch and an historical warring past.
The idea of singing about national pride at sporting events seems a little silly in the first place but, if we are going to do so, then we should at least be singing something that all involved can feel connected to. There are even other verses to the English national anthem that seem more appropriate than the one we currently use. ( Same Tune ) Check out the lyrics for the 4th verse:
The idea of singing about national pride at sporting events seems a little silly in the first place but, if we are going to do so, then we should at least be singing something that all involved can feel connected to. There are even other verses to the English national anthem that seem more appropriate than the one we currently use. ( Same Tune ) Check out the lyrics for the 4th verse:
Friday, 18 July 2014
England fail & fall to 20th in the FIFA rankings. Get used to it.
England have fallen to the dizzy depths of 20th in the latest FIFA world rankings after a pathetic and entirely predictable performance at the Brazil World Cup. This is the lowest ranking since 1996 which happened after failing to reach the finals of the 1994 tournament.
We have to resign ourselves to the fact that, in a world game, we are going to struggle to be a top 20 team. The EPL is a demonstration league, great for showcasing the talents of some of the highest paid players from around the world. This often happens at the expense of English players, tactics and the national team. Surely, it is time for a mandatory number of eligible English players in every starting lineup within the PL and, maybe, the football league in general? This, however, is not the only problem. The Colombian national team is made up of players that, almost all, play overseas in other leagues - they have risen to 4th in the latest rankings.
Population also plays a part. The USA have a potential pool of 315 million people from which to find a national team. England have 55million. As the participation in football increases across the USA, so does their ability to maintain a top 20 ranking (currently 15th). However, Belgium have a population of only 11million and they are 5th in the latest rankings.
As countries around the world aim for World Cup glory, we have to be realistic that many will overtake us and the England team will find it more and more difficult to maintain a top 20 ranking. There could be an answer to staying higher up the table. It may involve 'B-team' leagues made up entirely of English players. It may involve player quotas for PL teams. It may involve a dedicated national team that only play international matches. It may be that we need to completely overhaul the youth and professional game structure. However, the FA are not likely to adopt any of these possibilities and, therefore, I can only see a long term falling of our place in the global game. A top 10 place for England? No, not from a rational and realistic POV. Discuss.
We have to resign ourselves to the fact that, in a world game, we are going to struggle to be a top 20 team. The EPL is a demonstration league, great for showcasing the talents of some of the highest paid players from around the world. This often happens at the expense of English players, tactics and the national team. Surely, it is time for a mandatory number of eligible English players in every starting lineup within the PL and, maybe, the football league in general? This, however, is not the only problem. The Colombian national team is made up of players that, almost all, play overseas in other leagues - they have risen to 4th in the latest rankings.
Population also plays a part. The USA have a potential pool of 315 million people from which to find a national team. England have 55million. As the participation in football increases across the USA, so does their ability to maintain a top 20 ranking (currently 15th). However, Belgium have a population of only 11million and they are 5th in the latest rankings.
As countries around the world aim for World Cup glory, we have to be realistic that many will overtake us and the England team will find it more and more difficult to maintain a top 20 ranking. There could be an answer to staying higher up the table. It may involve 'B-team' leagues made up entirely of English players. It may involve player quotas for PL teams. It may involve a dedicated national team that only play international matches. It may be that we need to completely overhaul the youth and professional game structure. However, the FA are not likely to adopt any of these possibilities and, therefore, I can only see a long term falling of our place in the global game. A top 10 place for England? No, not from a rational and realistic POV. Discuss.
Saturday, 14 June 2014
Time for a new English National anthem. Here is my suggestion.
"God save our gracious Queen..." - the opening line to the English national anthem. As a non-royalist and an atheist, singing these words at sporting events such as the World Cup or Olympics with passion and pride is next to impossible. I am proud to be English, we have a great country that should represent fairness and equality, providing a beacon to emerging nations around the world, a modern and advanced society. Our national anthem should represent this nation and be uplifting and inspiring, with lyrics that fill people with pride and awe, not divide the nation along religious/royalist/nationalistic lines by banging on about gods, a ruling monarch and an historical warring past.
The idea of singing about national pride at sporting events seems a little silly in the first place but, if we are going to do so, then we should at least be singing something that all involved can feel connected to. There are even other verses to the English national anthem that seem more appropriate than the one we currently use. ( Same Tune ) Check out the lyrics for the 4th verse:
"May just and righteous laws Uphold the public cause, And bless our isle. Home of the brave and free, Fair land and liberty,
The idea of singing about national pride at sporting events seems a little silly in the first place but, if we are going to do so, then we should at least be singing something that all involved can feel connected to. There are even other verses to the English national anthem that seem more appropriate than the one we currently use. ( Same Tune ) Check out the lyrics for the 4th verse:
Wednesday, 23 April 2014
St George? Who the what?
St George's Day. The day needs revamping. At the moment, it is sorry excuse for a national celebration. It usually passes with a quiet whimper and a bit of flag waving, failing to be embraced by the vast majority of the English nation. Here is why. We have a Roman soldier, allegedly born in what would be modern Turkey, who was possibly persecuted and executed for his religious beliefs nearly 1800 years ago. He also slayed a dragon that didn't exist ( most likely a graphical representation of victory in battle ) and magically re-appeared to lead troops in to battle, approximately 1000 years after his death. This religious icon was thrust upon us through war and tyranny. His myth is celebrated throughout many countries including Egypt, Ethiopia, Russia, Syria and Romania. As a figurehead of 'Englishness' he has very little going for him. He never even set foot in our green and pleasant land. A small group of people 'celebrate' his holy-englishness by draping themselves in red and white flags, drinking ales and singing religious/football songs in pubs before being thrown out for fighting. It is fairly lame
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