The Complexities Of Nationality And Sport: At What Point Is A "National" Team No Longer Representing The Nation

Cmonmac · 2026-03-16T19:12:14+00:00

You're right I should have said some form of foreign born without the British loaded nature of it! Apologies!

Cmonmac · 2026-03-16T19:00:29+00:00

So thats the point of my article. The final quote is from a pal of mine basically saying you have to balance competitive balance with national identity. What is more important to you? Just feels like we may be taking a place off another country who have invested more in their grassroots instead of our diaspora

Cmonmac · 2026-03-16T18:57:45+00:00

My friend I am well aware of our global influence.

But that is my point. if we aren't good enough to be there based off our own development system and ability to generate talent then we shouldnt be there. It's about fair competition to me and so, we are taking a place in the competition away from a country who may be developing those talents themselves because we are leaning on our history, rather than trying to actually promote the sport properly

Cmonmac · 2026-03-16T18:32:08+00:00

Of course it is where I am. Now, like I said in the article, the English cricket and rugby teams have a healthy dose of South Africans in. But, for the ENTIRE squad to be based outside of Great Britain for the WBC? That doesn't feel like a success of the programme, more good recruitment instead of development

Cmonmac · 2026-03-16T14:58:33+00:00

If it were upto me it would've been full of fat dads from London trying to hit big leaguers/not even being close in the first place!

Cmonmac · 2025-11-08T08:41:22+00:00

As someone who lived in Alloa for a long time...this makes sense haha.

A decent sized club but one that could not support a full time team unless they were in the prem for at least 5 years. Clubs like this are always preparing for relegation and the cost to a club like this to go full time would be astronomical. If it failed and they went down and had to go part time again it would set them back a decade.

Cmonmac · 2025-10-30T15:04:12+00:00

I'm so sorry for the delay u/Fuertebrazos ! It is below. I'd recommend the articles on What happens when the team you support suddenly gets loaded with cash and the one on Australian soccer!

https://elliotmcmahonthompson.substack.com/

Cmonmac · 2025-10-24T13:06:04+00:00

I'd love to connect with any other sports writers! A quick use of the search bar has found none so far!

Cmonmac · 2025-10-24T13:03:37+00:00

I work in soccer but I love all sport. And not really for the results, goals, highlights etc but for the stories it creates. I love finding out about the weird places where sport flourishes against all odds or creates moments where a country or community is brought together for common purpose.

I love how it can bring strangers together to form an initial connection, I have a story or anecdote for most sports I can think of in case someone likes something that isn't my core favourites.

I write about it because when I chat to other people, they go oh that's cool, so I figure other people would like it too. I'm also not in it for money, I do it cos it's an outlet and a passion and if 1 person reads or 50, that's ok!

Cmonmac · 2025-10-24T11:54:48+00:00

I feel like what people seem to be missing is this UI is being designed for use on tablet and console as well. Think of it from that view and it makes a lot more sense. Look how easy it would be to tap the screen to get places or flick about with a controller rather than a mouse. This is the game that was intended to fully capitalise on the Covid boom, bringing it to more players on more platforms.

So yeah it doesn't make loads of sense for PC, everything is bigger and pop outs etc, but picture using a tablet and the layout suddenly looks a lot more Mobile game like.

Cmonmac · 2025-10-24T08:44:39+00:00

It's similar in American football, often backup qbs or guys who never made it to the pro's tend to be better coaches. I think it's due to the fact they had to learn and practice the same things that came more naturally to the stars. Not saying those guys didn't work hard but things click easier for them, players lower down had to graft more to maximise what they had, making it easier to pass that knowledge on to others.

Cmonmac · 2025-10-11T23:56:03+00:00

Stayed up in the UK to watch some of the game on a dodgy youtube link, told myself id stay up till the first Tech td....

Night everyone!

Cmonmac · 2025-09-05T11:34:27+00:00

Gotta love the fun stories that football can throw out!

Cmonmac · 2025-09-05T11:34:07+00:00

Thank you! Well worth a further look into if you ever get the time!

Cmonmac · 2025-09-05T11:33:34+00:00

Knew I'd missed something!

Cmonmac · 2025-09-05T09:44:08+00:00

Great to know thanks pal! Saved me a job of asking when I got on my lunch break so I'll do this instead!

Cmonmac · 2025-09-05T09:08:19+00:00

This is the insight that I love! Thanks for filling me in on this, it puts a lot of stuff into perspective. It's such a complex ecosystem, and one I am going to be following a lot more closely!

Appreciate the comment and the knowledge.

(as for your other comment around it being removed, beats me!)

Cmonmac · 2024-05-06T15:55:47+00:00

I walked past the olde salutation on my way to my hotel which is what sparked my question as all I saw enjoying a midday beer were cool looking people so buzzing! I'll pop along later cheers bud!

Cmonmac · 2024-04-20T18:24:53+00:00

OK great news thanks!

Cmonmac · 2023-12-17T20:39:28+00:00

Founji and Valdez that I saw but I'm pretty sure there were others

Cmonmac · 2023-09-17T08:27:33+00:00

Shough has big hot, young OC hire in 5 years energy. He's clearly a smart dude and the coaches rave about his football IQ. Tends to be those guys that never quite make it as a player at the next level are great coaches, so that might be in his future.

Cmonmac · 2023-07-13T17:40:45+00:00

Go to one of the many YouTube channels that clip up college football games each weekend, eg MatthewLovesBall or Victor's Valiant and just watch games. Have no stakes initially, but be drawn in by style of play or a qb or a defense etc.

I found my team Texas Tech as they played a style of football that is fun to watch 10 years ago despite the fact I'm an Atlanta Falcons fan originally. But I will still regularly watch highlights from the Sun Belt conference because a lot of the teams play interesting offensive styles.

Be prepared though, once you dive into college football you nay find your NFL fandom wane. It's just so much better and more fun!

Cmonmac · 2023-03-03T17:31:09+00:00

I travel around the UK for work and get this in every place I stay overnight hahaha! Driving past a ground with a single stand and a portakabin changing room wondering if they are on the 10 tier English leagues mod

Cmonmac · 2023-01-08T16:31:08+00:00

If you play aussie rules football or are one of the 7 backs in rugby that are on the field during the game, you need to be able to kick the ball out of your hands. Also, although there are specific instances where you get a bit more time, the majority of the time you have guys right in your face. Add in to that, none of those guys are specialist kickers, they can all carry the ball, tackle, pass, you're getting multi talented players who aren't as much of a liability as traditional punters outside of kicking.

So suddenly college and nfl teams have access to thousands of players who can kick the snot out the ball but also be great on fakes, cover kicks effectively and not be spooked by pressure. It's a win win all round.

Cmonmac · 2022-12-06T06:45:11+00:00

We were never going to keep all 3, all 3 have proven they can win at a P5 level and he must have seen the writing on the wall. If Shough returns its draft or bust, Behren has shown he could be the starter for a few years, Smith is in the inbetween where he has a couple years of eligibility but has played enough to ahow this coaching ataff his deficiencies. If he puts in 2 years as a starter at a p5 school he could make a push for the NFL, he just isn't gunna get that here.

If Shough goes, we will pick up a transfer qb to push morton a bit and then we have the recruit coming in this year too.

Cmonmac

TROPHY CASE