Ross Slater: The Britons who want Nigeria to win
When it comes to the World Cup, black football fans look abroad.
The flag of St George sticks out of every other van, hopeful anthems fill the charts and England, once again, expects. But expects what, exactly? Not to win the World Cup, that's deep in fantasyland, but at least that everyone in the country should jump on board the same rollercoaster and share the pain.
There are some of us, however, who feel things differently. One recent letter to the weekly black newspaper, New Nation stated: "The British, are, on the whole, less arrogant, more tolerant and have a better sense of humour than white people on the continent. So, why is it that I take such perverse delight in seeing England get stuffed at sport?" Others soon wrote in admitting to suffering the same syndrome.
And then, horror of horrors, Sir Trevor McDonald confessed that, should England make it through to round two and play France, he'd like France to win but he'd be happier still if Nigeria put England out of their misery in the group stage. Twelve years after Norman Tebbit issued his infamous "test" to ethnic minority Britons (who do you cheer for at cricket?), even the most qualified are struggling to pass.
For some, this is surprising. After all, there are good reasons to think that, this time round, English football might unite the country. The team have a Swedish coach and a squad with no fewer than nine black players (there were four in 1998 and never more than two before that). But when New Nation asked a cross-section of 100 Britons of African and Caribbean descent who they would be cheering for next week, most failed the Tebbit test.
While England was the most well-supported team and 34% wanted them to win, 66% would rather they didn't. That same 66%, would rather see Nigeria beat England.
In part, this lack of English patriotism is explained by family ties. Just as any self-respecting Scot living south of the border will cheer for Scotland, so anyone with ties to Nigeria will feel a sense of loyalty to the Super Eagles. But it doesn't come close to explaining why Ghanaians or those of Caribbean descent want them to beat England too.
For some, it is linked directly to politics and a sense of alienation. One respondent said: "It's tied to how black folk are seen in this country. If you regard me as an outsider then why should you be surprised when I choose to support Brazil or Germany?" The lack of a sense of belonging is amplified at moments like these. If you feel uncomfortable with your work colleagues, if the tabloid press make you feel nauseous, then seeing them wildly celebrating can turn the stomach.
There is also the uncom fortable fact that, even with a multiracial team, England have not yet learnt how to win gracefully. Success quickly turns into triumphalism and, before you know it, everyone is singing Rule Britannia.
However, a core of black English patriots is emerging. For a minority (15% of those surveyed), supporting England is so natural that the question seems bizarre and that figure rises steeply when prominent black Britons are asked the same question. Unsurprisingly, it seems that the better your lot, the greater your loyalty.
Many of the patriots are recent converts who see Sven's England as standing for something refreshingly progressive (many black Britons believed racism played a part in Ian Wright's omission from previous World Cups). David Blunkett, too, can take heart from how those surveyed performed in the ultimate nationality test - 75% of black Britons said they will support England against Argentina, and some even labelled the "Argies" as "cheats" - a clear indication of integration.
But perhaps, when Tebbit's test is recreated in 2002, the most striking thing to emerge is a simple love of sport played well. Few ethnic minority Britons would agree with Dennis Skinner who, when asked whom he supported at sport, replied gruffly: "Anyone but England." Instead, they look for success. France is a key example. Minorities in France will be more generous in supporting their national side. Partly this is because circumstances have politicised their team (players threatened a boycott if Le Pen won the presidency), but more than anything it is due to the seductive powers of victory.
But, as that 5-1 miracle in Germany showed, things are beginning to change. Should England surprise us all, that 34% would soon swell. Ethnic minorities in Britain are loyal to the sport they love rather than to a nation that has historically shown them so little.
Yet, just as happens with music, fashion and language, black Britons will prove to be ahead of the game. After all, once England's rollercoaster does come off the rails, won't we all be looking for someone else to support?
The flag of St George sticks out of every other van, hopeful anthems fill the charts and England, once again, expects. But expects what, exactly? Not to win the World Cup, that's deep in fantasyland, but at least that everyone in the country should jump on board the same rollercoaster and share the pain.
There are some of us, however, who feel things differently. One recent letter to the weekly black newspaper, New Nation stated: "The British, are, on the whole, less arrogant, more tolerant and have a better sense of humour than white people on the continent. So, why is it that I take such perverse delight in seeing England get stuffed at sport?" Others soon wrote in admitting to suffering the same syndrome.
And then, horror of horrors, Sir Trevor McDonald confessed that, should England make it through to round two and play France, he'd like France to win but he'd be happier still if Nigeria put England out of their misery in the group stage. Twelve years after Norman Tebbit issued his infamous "test" to ethnic minority Britons (who do you cheer for at cricket?), even the most qualified are struggling to pass.
For some, this is surprising. After all, there are good reasons to think that, this time round, English football might unite the country. The team have a Swedish coach and a squad with no fewer than nine black players (there were four in 1998 and never more than two before that). But when New Nation asked a cross-section of 100 Britons of African and Caribbean descent who they would be cheering for next week, most failed the Tebbit test.
While England was the most well-supported team and 34% wanted them to win, 66% would rather they didn't. That same 66%, would rather see Nigeria beat England.
In part, this lack of English patriotism is explained by family ties. Just as any self-respecting Scot living south of the border will cheer for Scotland, so anyone with ties to Nigeria will feel a sense of loyalty to the Super Eagles. But it doesn't come close to explaining why Ghanaians or those of Caribbean descent want them to beat England too.
For some, it is linked directly to politics and a sense of alienation. One respondent said: "It's tied to how black folk are seen in this country. If you regard me as an outsider then why should you be surprised when I choose to support Brazil or Germany?" The lack of a sense of belonging is amplified at moments like these. If you feel uncomfortable with your work colleagues, if the tabloid press make you feel nauseous, then seeing them wildly celebrating can turn the stomach.
There is also the uncom fortable fact that, even with a multiracial team, England have not yet learnt how to win gracefully. Success quickly turns into triumphalism and, before you know it, everyone is singing Rule Britannia.
However, a core of black English patriots is emerging. For a minority (15% of those surveyed), supporting England is so natural that the question seems bizarre and that figure rises steeply when prominent black Britons are asked the same question. Unsurprisingly, it seems that the better your lot, the greater your loyalty.
Many of the patriots are recent converts who see Sven's England as standing for something refreshingly progressive (many black Britons believed racism played a part in Ian Wright's omission from previous World Cups). David Blunkett, too, can take heart from how those surveyed performed in the ultimate nationality test - 75% of black Britons said they will support England against Argentina, and some even labelled the "Argies" as "cheats" - a clear indication of integration.
But perhaps, when Tebbit's test is recreated in 2002, the most striking thing to emerge is a simple love of sport played well. Few ethnic minority Britons would agree with Dennis Skinner who, when asked whom he supported at sport, replied gruffly: "Anyone but England." Instead, they look for success. France is a key example. Minorities in France will be more generous in supporting their national side. Partly this is because circumstances have politicised their team (players threatened a boycott if Le Pen won the presidency), but more than anything it is due to the seductive powers of victory.
But, as that 5-1 miracle in Germany showed, things are beginning to change. Should England surprise us all, that 34% would soon swell. Ethnic minorities in Britain are loyal to the sport they love rather than to a nation that has historically shown them so little.
Yet, just as happens with music, fashion and language, black Britons will prove to be ahead of the game. After all, once England's rollercoaster does come off the rails, won't we all be looking for someone else to support?
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