Pats will play Bucs in London in 2009 [mergedx2]

[Tunescribe]

Don't be so f*cking condescending.

You'd be surprised at how big the game is over here, if you broadened your horizons a bit, you'd understand that the fans in the UK are as mad about the game as Yanks.

I doubt you've ever left your home shores with a viewpoint like that though

I've been to England several times and have done business there. I don't mean to be condescending, but honestly -- aside from folks like yourself, do you really believe these games have any appeal beyond the novelty factor? What percentage of the 80,000 attending these games really care who wins?

 

[jmt57]

Oh, Tune! That's really not true.

When TV coverage started in the 80s it was really excellent at introducing the game -- the presenters took a lot of time and trouble to explain and analyse what was going on. And since then, when the main NFL (stupidly) was taken on to satellite, there's still been excellent coverage on Channel 5 with a first-rate analyst (Mike Carlson). Because they don't load up on advertising the way the U.S. networks do or break every ten seconds for "an up-date from JB in New York" and show us some guy running the ball in from three yards or plug the latest episode of some dumb reality show, there tended to be a lot of time in live games for replays and analysis. In fact, I found the TV coverage in the U.K better than in the U.S. (although obviously there was much less of it). Anyway, there's a surprising number of fairly well-informed football fans there -- even though we're getting a bit long in the tooth.

I don't disagree in the slightest that the game belongs in the U.S., by the way. I'm just happy for U.K. Patriots fans who won't be able to get to games here (he says, gloating over his tickets for the Arizona game).

I don't know about the amount of interest over there but I will absolutely agree with you regarding the television coverage. I watched two games on the internet that originated from the UK and the analysis and commentary from the announcers was far superior to anything on of the networks here in the US. I was really surprised at the level of understanding and ability to break down what was happening during the game, and quickly get that analysis to the viewers in a manner that was neither condescending or would go over the head of many fans.

 

[JAYHAWKS34]

At least we are not losing a home game

 

[signbabybrady]

So who from the US is interested in attending?


I do a road trip every year and I am seriously considering making this my road trip next year though New Orleans is really calling me as I was there for SB 36 and it would be a real nastalgic trip.

I have been wanting to go to Europe for a while now and had a few trips that didn't work out. This might finally get me over there. take 2 weeks off go to Amsterdam for a few days and than fly up for the game do some sight seeing and leave a few days on the return to recover.

 

[gomezcat]

I've been to England several times and have done business there. I don't mean to be condescending, but honestly -- aside from folks like yourself, do you really believe these games have any appeal beyond the novelty factor? What percentage of the 80,000 attending these games really care who wins?

Anyone who pays £70 for an average seat is there for more than the novelty. I would guess, as someone who attended both games, that 80-90% of fans were really into it.

If you think that we aren't that knowledgeable, then you'd be right in comparison with the more knowledgeable posters and fans in the US. I tell you what, though. I bet many of us could go head to head in a quiz with the average armchair fan in the US and win.

Is Football a popular sport in the UK? Nope, but it is getting there. It will never be as popular as Soccer which is way ahead of anything else in terms of popularity, but it could have half a million real hardcore fans. I think it could grow to double that.

 

[Mike the Brit]

I see this as nothing more than a cynical marketing maneuver by the NFL, and it robs fans here of one-eighth of their home season.

Yes, it's a cynical marketing manoeuvre (are there any other kind? ) but it is very important to the NFL. Football is not and never will be a world participation sport in the way that soccer is -- played by kids in backyards, parks and beaches all over the world. But that doesn't matter.

What matters is that there should be a world audience. Why? The really big global brands want to be associated with a product with a global audience: they get their name on a soccer shirt and it is sold around the world (in Asia especially). You only have to look at most of the advertisers on the football broadcasts for a contrast: domestic beer (Coors Light, Bud Light, Miller Light), financial services (State Farm, etc.), trucks (Ford F150, etc.), Southwest Airlines -- pretty much all U.S. companies with domestic markets (I'll say nothing of Cialis and Viagra!!!)

That's why the NFL is desperate to go global. I can understand their reasoning, although I think that staging games abroad is a short-term gimmick and there are better ways to do it.

 

[SoCal Bong]

Being in California, I'm thinking that it would be cool to see a home game the week before and then fly to London on Monday or so but the drawback with that is that you can't book your flights until April when the NFL schedule comes out.

I realize that each team will have their bye following the London game but I was also curious to see if past teams have played home games prior to going to the UK. Neither the Saints nor the Chargers played at home in week 7. In the Chargers case, it makes sense that they played in the East Coast as it minimized their travel by going straight out.

Anyone think we'll get more info about the 2009 schedule earlier than the release date in April?

 

[Rossmci90]

But if the NFL is so popular in the UK, why weren't the Monarchs able to last?

Then again, if your country is as football-crazed as ours, maybe you didn't like the NFLE for the same reason we didn't - it was a minor league farm system with third-rate players?

I'm not arguing with you, just curious. I know there are a lot of NFL fans in Britain, but I still don't like the idea of playing games that count over there.

Well there was a number of reasons.

After awhile, the novelty of having a team wore off with having very poor players. People who couldn't even get on the PS of most NFL team and we took them on board.

But for the Monarchs, it was because they moved from (the old) Wembley to White Hart Lane, home of Tottenham Hotspurs Football Club. Whilst a fine stadium, the pitch was only long enough for a 90 yard pitch with shortened endzones which kind of ruined it for the fans. So they stopped turning up, the team started losing money and they were got rid of.

 

[Calciumee]

So who from the US is interested in attending?


I do a road trip every year and I am seriously considering making this my road trip next year though New Orleans is really calling me as I was there for SB 36 and it would be a real nastalgic trip.

I have been wanting to go to Europe for a while now and had a few trips that didn't work out. This might finally get me over there. take 2 weeks off go to Amsterdam for a few days and than fly up for the game do some sight seeing and leave a few days on the return to recover.

Any of the US fans come over, should pop down to the tailgate at 'The Green Man' a pub just round the corner from the stadium! Awesome time this year there!
It's usually full of BAFL players aswell! And the Revolution are known for their drink there!

 

[ScottishPatriots]

But if the NFL is so popular in the UK, why weren't the Monarchs able to last?

Then again, if your country is as football-crazed as ours, maybe you didn't like the NFLE for the same reason we didn't - it was a minor league farm system with third-rate players?

I'm not arguing with you, just curious. I know there are a lot of NFL fans in Britain, but I still don't like the idea of playing games that count over there.

I can't speak for the Monarchs but we had the Scottish Claymores and our best ever player was Dante Hall and Joe Andruzzi and that just about sums up the standard of NFL Europe, Hall is a bit-part player on the Rams and in NFLE he was the probably the best player the Claymores ever had.

 

[TrueBeliever]

I can't speak for the Monarchs but we had the Scottish Claymores and our best ever player was Dante Hall and Joe Andruzzi and that just about sums up the standard of NFL Europe, Hall is a bit-part player on the Rams and in NFLE he was the probably the best player the Claymores ever had.

Actually the Claymores were my favorite NFLE team, mainly because their helmets and uniforms were the closest to the Pats from that league. I watched their games whenever I could when they were on telly here.

Pray tell, what is the BAFL?

 

[Tunescribe]

So who from the US is interested in attending?


I do a road trip every year and I am seriously considering making this my road trip next year though New Orleans is really calling me as I was there for SB 36 and it would be a real nastalgic trip.

I have been wanting to go to Europe for a while now and had a few trips that didn't work out. This might finally get me over there. take 2 weeks off go to Amsterdam for a few days and than fly up for the game do some sight seeing and leave a few days on the return to recover.

I'd think about going if I could get a ticket. How would we get tickets?

 

[gomezcat]

Actually the Claymores were my favorite NFLE team, mainly because their helmets and uniforms were the closest to the Pats from that league. I watched their games whenever I could when they were on telly here.

Pray tell, what is the BAFL?

British American Football League. It's our league for amateur players; we don't have a professional one.

 

[Tunescribe]

British American Football League. It's our league for amateur players; we don't have a professional one.

BAFL ... as in, "baffled"? Sorry, I couldn't resist that one.

I sincerely want all my fellow fans in the U.K. and Europe to know that your support and enthusiasm for the Patriots is very much appreciated and you have my respect. I know I've raised a few hackles in this thread with my comments, but as a season ticket holder I'm sensitive to the prospect of someday losing a home game to this overseas "event." If any of you land tickets and would like the company of a diehard Yank, send me a PM and we'll work out the details. I doubt that tickets will be available on this side of the pond.

 

[TrueBeliever]

Oh I'm sure tickets will be available, you'll just have to take out a second mortgage to get them.

 

[Ciara's Dad]

BAFL ... as in, "baffled"? Sorry, I couldn't resist that one.

I sincerely want all my fellow fans in the U.K. and Europe to know that your support and enthusiasm for the Patriots is very much appreciated and you have my respect. I know I've raised a few hackles in this thread with my comments, but as a season ticket holder I'm sensitive to the prospect of someday losing a home game to this overseas "event." If any of you land tickets and would like the company of a diehard Yank, send me a PM and we'll work out the details. I doubt that tickets will be available on this side of the pond.

Not only do we have the BAFL, Official Website of the British American Football League, we also have the BUAFL, BRITISH UNIVERSITIES AMERICAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE OFFICIAL SITE, just to confuse you further!

As a season ticket holder, you should be guaranteed an offer for tickets. Probably decent ones as well, better than the endzone ones my workmates have been given for the 2 previous Wembley games. We will be applying again this year and if we get spares we'll keep you in mind. Likewise, if you get the chance of tickets and you have spares, could you let me know.

What's a PM?

 

[TrueBeliever]

Thanks for the links! +1

 

[Marshy]

Another brit here, looking forward to the game. I didn't manage to get over to a stateside game for this season, but i was in attendance at Jets@Pats last.

To all the yanks stating that there isn't enough support for the NFL for this to survive, i look forward to seeing your reaction when we bring the noise on every Bucs 3rd down.

 

[Ice Cold Bruschi]

Re: NFL International Series 2009

normally I would be opposed to this but we essentially gain an away game vs. another team that is away that would have otherwise been playing at home and there will obviously due to our success there will be more Patriots fans in London than Bucs fans

 

[VJCPatriot]

Hopefully the field will be in better condition than the slop the Dolphins and Giants played in. That was an ugly, ugly muddy game. It was like whoever doesn't mess up worse is gonna win this clunker. Bucs perenially have a tough defense so it's likely not going to be a high scoring game either way. Unless the Pats D gets even worse that is.