I don't go to England games for just that reason

Yes I'm English, yes I'm a football fan and Southgate has me much more interested in the national team than I've been since Euro 96, if I'm honest. Plus it's extremely likely that Madders will be playing for England in the next few years.

But I instinctively shy away from groups of "England fans" because my reflex association is with racism - somehow all the "trigger, trigger, trigger" chants of yesteryear and "keep St George in my heart, keep me English" become conflated with what are doubtless mostly perfectly reasonable, non-bigoted people.

I'm sure it's a problem with me, not them; but I don't see me ever going along to an England match because of it.

Posted By: Old Man, Sep 30, 13:09:50