Football / Rugby...class distinction?

[Artie Fufkin]

During a recent disscussion with a friend, the subject came up regarding upper class rugger-types and scummy footballers.

My friend insisted that those days were long gone and rugby [as a participating or spectator sport]was now for everyone, regardless of class or wealth and that football has come out of the slums and is played and enjoyed by toffs too. He stated that there is absolutely no difference in the type of person who plays and/or watches rugby and those who play/watch football.

I think he has a point that there has been a gradual change in the last generation or two. But I don't believe that it is anywhere near the level which says it is - rugby is generallyfor people who are more well-to-do than footballers. Am I wrong?

[KevD]

Originally Posted by kherm

Am I wrong?

Yes

[Badger0-0]

Rugby league was started by us rough northern types.
Union is full of posh twits

Footy was started by us rough northern types.
And is in danger of being taken over by posh twits from London

(Dons flak jacket)

[Spacecat]

Football is a classy game played with skill and pace


Rugby is like watching cattle chase a deformed football

[LFC_SL]

Originally Posted by Badger0-0

Rugby league was started by us rough northern types.
Union is full of posh twits

Footy was started by us rough northern types.
And is in danger of being taken over by posh twits from London

(Dons flak jacket)

True

[ash]

Mmm...

Don't take it too seriously but I find that many ethnic minorities are not into rugby, but more into football. But I don't blame them, football is better.

As for "classes", I think that divide is long gone, esp. when we see out Princes watch and participate in both sports.

[Ian J]

Rugby is a classy game played with skill and pace


Football is like watching cattle chase a deformed rugby ball

[Spacecat]

Originally Posted by Ian J

Rugby is a classy game played with skill and pace


Football is like watching cattle chase a deformed rugby ball

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

[overkill]

Rugby Union is still pretty much a 'oh do come on the quinn's' game. Went to see Wasps play a few years back, and nothing had changed. The 'clientèle', sorry 'fans', where much the same middle and upper class lot of the 70's when I last went.

Rugby Leauge, is, and always was a Northern working mans game. I haven't been for years, but I doubt the crowd at Bradford is any different now to when I went last (1988). I went to Warrington a few years back, and they were a 'bit posh' (for RL), but then Warrington is a pretty posh town. Well, most of it.........

Football has never been an exclusively working class game. Hence it's much wider appeal. It's core terrace support, which until the 70's were by far the largest part of any ground, were solidly working class, but the stands were normally 'for the toff's. These have always had higher prices, hence they put off the working classes, and been areas for season ticket holders, who in days of yore, could only be people earning a decent wage.

I enjoy all three codes. But football is my biggest interest. I would have said 'enjoyed the most', but I'm decreasingly sure of that.

[DJT75]

Originally Posted by overkill

I enjoy all three codes. But football is my biggest interest..

Oh Oh Oh...

Originally Posted by overkill

I would have said 'enjoyed the most', but I'm decreasingly sure of that.

So close!

[overkill]

Originally Posted by DJT75

Oh Oh Oh... So close!

Hey, you have to be consistent!

[WelshBluebird]

I disagree with you.
Rugby is still the biggest sport in Wales (and in the Rhondda) depsite the area being mainly working class. Also, with football tickets still increasing in price, it seams to me Football is turning into a sport for the upper classes, as working class people are being priced out.

[overkill]

Originally Posted by WelshBluebird

I disagree with you.
Rugby is still the biggest sport in Wales (and in the Rhondda) depsite the area being mainly working class. Also, with football tickets still increasing in price, it seams to me Football is turning into a sport for the upper classes, as working class people are being priced out.

RU in Wales is a different species to RU in England or Scotland. It's the national game, and as such appeals across class. On the football, the upper classes aren't interested in football. The upper middle yes, and that's where football main support is heading with it's bizzare wages and ever increasing gate prices.

[Spacecat]

Originally Posted by WelshBluebird

I, it seams to me Football is turning into a sport for the upper classes, as working class people are being priced out.

People always think working class people dont have any money, when in fact loads of people you would call working class : tradesmen, mechanics, Black cab drivers etc earn LOADS!

[Badger0-0]

I can do a grand a week, net, no problem, as a tradesman
But need to do about 70 hours a week

No time for watching sport, if you're working those hours

I wake up thinking "I wish I could go to sleep"