Following on from a recent comment by The Paper Pen Lady around sporting allegiances, I’ve been reflecting on the strange business of Irish people supporting English football clubs whilst paying little or no attention to their own local teams.

In my younger days Home Farm were my local club and to don the famed blue and white hooped jersey in ones teenage years meant that you could play. My own footballing career entailed a brief period in the orange and black of St. Kevin’s. Liam Brady once played for Kevin’s. He went on to star for Arsenal, Juventus and Ireland, amongst others. So what went wrong for me? Too long a story.

Tolka Parlk was where Home Farm played their League of Ireland games and although I got along to several matches there, I was never a regular. I’ve probably been to almost as many games at Anfield and Old Trafford than club games here.

And given that I listen far more to the BBC than RTE, I have decided to renounce my Irish citizenship in favour of a new gig.

I am hereby announcing the formation of the group that will be known from here on in as the West Brit Dubs.

All are welcome, even United fans.