Another factor is the decline of religion amongst most younger people in Ireland (both North and South) and Scotland. The sectarian stuff doesn't cut it any more. I speak as a first generation Irish Mancunian with a huge extended Irish family.Agree but I think we need to be more precise about what meaning bigger is, without just saying "we are bigger" as it is open to interpretation and is ambiguous.
If we go back over the past 60 years, Celtic are the bigger club. Trophies galore (yes in a 2 horse race mainly, a 3 horse race when Aberdeen had their Fergie time and a one horse race when Rangers went bust) but a Euro Cup winner and a Euro Cup finalist in 3 years late 60's put them on the map.
But since the last 15 years despite still being the dominant side in the country, the club (and the league as a whole) have been going backwards both on the pitch and financially off the field, failing to make the CL qualifying rounds year after year.
And this is where City have become a bigger club. Both on and off the pitch. Matching Celtic's European Cup / Champions League record of being a winner and being runners up over a 3 year period, reaching the knockout stages for 11 years running on the pitch and going off the scales financially into a new stratosphere off the pitch.
Added to that, the rate of which City's world wide support has grown where as Celtic's will always remain as it is with Irish expats keeping the faith (literally) in all 4 corners of the world and that is why City have over taken Celtic in every aspect of the Football club
West Ham and Palace are playing at the Tampa Bucs stadium which holds 60 odd thousand. Can't wait to see the crowd for that one!there was 15.641 at chelsea v wrexham ,, last night and13.000 at arsenal v b'mouth last night , lots off empty seats at both grounds .. think they have got the pricing wrong for these games in the usa
There are 2.4 million people in the metro area. It's plenty big. I don't think some college students being home for the summer had any effect at all.Tickets for the 4 games are costing between $110 - $125 to City supporters clubs when they went on sale.
Chapel Hill is a one horse town, not in a densely built up area / corridor like Washington6 DC / Baltimore / Philly.
It is a student town - and guess what? The students have all returned home for the summer.
It looked a very good venue but the isolation of the town (and North Carolina as a whole) made it a very strange choice to play a game
At least 75% City.I watched the game on YouTube and was surprised at how poor the Celtic support looked.
Looked far more City than Celtic.
I'm sure that was all about liability. They didn't want to be responsible.Yep, I was there with my fam and the security folk were telling everyone they had to leave the stadium due to severe weather approaching. Apparently they deemed it safer for us all to venture out to our cars (20 min. walk for us) than stay under the COVERED concourse section of the stadium. I politely told one security guy, you're gonna have to forcibly make me leave...I'm staying sheltered here if there's lightning out. Bunch of other peeps held firm too. Literally a few moments after he fucked off, they announced over the PA system that the game was back on and we could go back to our seats. Like you say though, tons of people had already left the stadium and had to go through reentry with their tickets and everything. Fucking shambles. I just don't understand the mindset of, hey...there's severe lightning, so run out to your deaths everyone rather than stay in this covered stadium. Insanity!
That's being generous, I'd wager more like 90-95% city fans.At least 75% City.
As I keep telling my wife, it’s not as good as if the big dogs were involved, but it’s better than nothingI think the US based city fans are being cheated, given the European championships, there was no way they were going to see the real City team, they are being short changed and ripped off.
And most of the Celtics fans were only there to catch a glimpse of Joe Mazzulla’s bestie PepThat's being generous, I'd wager more like 90-95% city fans.
When we have squad full of top internationals that have just played in 2 major international tournaments that's understandable as they need a rest.I think the US based city fans are being cheated, given the European championships, there was no way they were going to see the real City team, they are being short changed and ripped off.
And none of the US based fans were aware of this until last week, of course...... (shakes head)I think the US based city fans are being cheated, given the European championships, there was no way they were going to see the real City team, they are being short changed and ripped off.
He will be sold then lol!Callum Doyle has flown under the radar for many.
He's been superb on his loans and has a lot of first team experience of 'mens' football in a relentless division.
We are covered with CBs but I wouldn't like to see him sold....he's got a good future !!
I think all of our players played in Euros or Copa (Haaland and Grealish aside) be better not having Int'l football. Proper rest..then a late pr season tour with top players working on new systems etc in front of fans.. Players must get mentally fatigued as well as physically. It's not like our jobs where we just have to plough on, they have to be creative, inspired, energised to play well...can't do that 50 weeks in a year..something has to giveWhen we have squad full of top internationals that have just played in 2 major international tournaments that's understandable as they need a rest.
They'll get the full throttle city at The Club World cup and we will go balls out to win it to boil national piss whilst the rest of the world reveres us.
That's a bit harsh pal..they are a football club doing their best! This arrogance is new to me as a long standing blue. We used to be self deprecating, enjoyed the games, had a laugh..now we have some of this!! We struggle against Celtic first team or not usuallyThey’re just a sad group of fuckers desperately trying to be relevant.
Correct. I was at Celtic park for the 3-3 draw champions league match,a crazy 90 mins ..and a crazy 24 hours in Glasgow.That's a bit harsh pal..they are a football club doing their best! This arrogance is new to me as a long standing blue. We used to be self deprecating, enjoyed the games, had a laugh..now we have some of this!! We struggle against Celtic first team or not usually
Restrict the number of players released for the first two international breaks.When we have squad full of top internationals that have just played in 2 major international tournaments that's understandable as they need a rest.
They'll get the full throttle city at The Club World cup and we will go balls out to win it to boil national piss whilst the rest of the world reveres us.
Boo fucking hoo. We deserved to win. Get over it. And it wasn’t offside. Anyway, I hope you win against the Italians.My post from the post-match thread sums them up:
Edit: I somehow forgot to mention the officials who were truly woeful, ignoring three penalties for us (two pretty clear ones, the first of which should have seen the Celtic player sent off for DOGSO), one of their goals being given despite being miles offside, numerous wrong decisions for throw ins, and letting the Celtic players continually kick ours (especially toward the end) with nary a stern word.
It’s only a friendly, but add this with all the other issues, and it really made the game feel like an American SoccerAid at times, but with even less polish.
Boo fucking hoo. We deserved to win. Get over it. And it wasn’t offside. Anyway, I hope you win against the Italians.
Boo fucking hoo. We deserved to win. Get over it. And it wasn’t offside. Anyway, I hope you win against the Italians.
My post had nothing to do with the result (as I said in the post and many times elsewhere) and everything to do with the amateurish production of the match, including the standard of the referees, which many that actually attended the match have agreed was the case.Having difficulty believing that people really take the results of these pre-season warm-up games seriously, apart from the club accountants, obviously.
The bottom line is none of us here are complaining.I think the US based city fans are being cheated, given the European championships, there was no way they were going to see the real City team, they are being short changed and ripped off.