[2013 EOYT] England

[Patchey]

Also, I don't think there is any specific group of people who would define themselves as 'Saxons' anymore.

 

[Crapspray]

Not to be a... Fuddy. Duddy. But isn't the name 'England SAXONS' racially discriminatory.

How so? It's not like people think the Irish Wolfhounds only accept dogs.

In all seriousness, it just doesn't figure in people's minds. It's clearly a brand and not a specified characteristic. If it was Anglo-Saxons then it might echo distantly of far-right dogma, but Saxons alone isn't particularly nationalistic or racial in tone in England- after all, the Saxons were only one of many tribes that formed the English. The Saxons ceased to exist independently around 1100 years ago, so it's impossible to define anything today as 'Saxon' in England; compared to the large, contrasting presence of Maori culture in modern New Zealand.

As you said, if it required proven Saxon heritage then it would be; though that would be impossible to prove, and only southerners would stand any chance of doing so. In that case it'd be swiftly stamped out by the powers that be.

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Edit: Looks like I joined the club.

 

[McTallshort]

The England Saxons sounds better than the England Angles so Saxons is fine. I suppose The England multicultural and diverse team of many origins, sexual orientations and genders who are all really guilty about the crimes of the empire might be of PC but you could never fit it on a shirt.

 

[Big Ewis]

Nothing wrong with the name "England Saxons"......moving on. :i-m_so_happy:

 

[Wasps For Life]

Nothing wrong with the name "England Saxons"......moving on. :i-m_so_happy:

Think that needed to be said

 

[Patchey]

Just feel I should add that the England Saxons have a member who has also played for NZ Maori. I quite enjoy that nugget of information.

 

[Big Ewis]

Think that needed to be said

that kind of comment is always a lot more acceptable and tolerated if it comes from a foreigner !
I mean who knows, maybe if an Englishman had said that, he possibly could've been called...oh I dunno...that adjective, from a Latin root.....starts with an 'a'...

 

[Peat]

Nothing wrong with the name "England Saxons"......moving on. :i-m_so_happy:

Well there is. Its a pretty stupid name. It reeks of PR rebranding imbecilism and isn't really representative of England. It doesn't even sound cool. It should be England A and I might start calling it that.

But there ain't anything racially discriminatory of what not about it

 

[Big Ewis]

Well there is. Its a pretty stupid name. It reeks of PR rebranding imbecilism and isn't really representative of England. It doesn't even sound cool. It should be England A and I might start calling it that.

But there ain't anything racially discriminatory of what not about it

I wasn't talking about the aesthetics of the name, but merely why it's fine to use such a name in the sense that after all it's English history. People see connotations everywhere, and I sure would in another given situation being French, but they want to call the team 'Saxons' they should feel free to. People see it as too proud, too in-your-face and as having an imperial/conqueror's edge to it I'm sure.

 

[j'nuh]

Well there is. Its a pretty stupid name. It reeks of PR rebranding imbecilism and isn't really representative of England. It doesn't even sound cool. It should be England A and I might start calling it that.

But there ain't anything racially discriminatory of what not about it

Not to be the bore, but I think the England A team needs a distinctive name just for communication. "England Saxons" is easy to google and you're sure to get results, whereas is it "the England rugby A team", "the England rugby union A team", "the England A team", "the English rugby A team", "the English national rugby A team", "the English national rugby second team" ...? Everyone would write it differently and it would be a nightmare to search for. Also, if you're talking about a person's achievements, "he's a Saxon" has a better flow than "has played for England A". There are other similar problems. Saxons works because it gives the team a unique identity.

But echoing everyone else... nothing racist about it. I didn't even know "Saxon" could be used in a racist capacity :huh:

 

[ratsapprentice]

But it's not a traditional "A" team anymore.
It's the wider England playing squad and the development squad all in one.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Thanks guys and I agree and didnt mean to derail the thread at all! In SA it certainly raise some eyebrows but here you can;t ask a guy to get in line at the back withuot being called a racist ATM.

BTW good luck for your tests! Stop the ABs from topping Lithuania's record unbeten streak where we failed! We'll resume the hostilities next year when I assume we'll face off again.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Well there is. Its a pretty stupid name. It reeks of PR rebranding imbecilism and isn't really representative of England. It doesn't even sound cool. It should be England A and I might start calling it that.

But there ain't anything racially discriminatory of what not about it

This. The whole thing about trying to generate support around a side like this is that there has to be something that makes them more than just a bunch of players who aren't good enough to play for the main team. The Maori have a cultural/racial identity, the under 20's have the whole youth thing going, but A teams are always just the not so great players. No matter what you call them no one is actually going to care.

 

[Draggs]

This. The whole thing about trying to generate support around a side like this is that there has to be something that makes them more than just a bunch of players who aren't good enough to play for the main team. The Maori have a cultural/racial identity, the under 20's have the whole youth thing going, but A teams are always just the not so great players. No matter what you call them no one is actually going to care.

Well, England could have called their second team the Maori a few years back.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Well, England could have called their second team the Maori a few years back.

They could've called their first​ team the Maori a few years back

 

[Feicarsinn]

Well, England could have called their second team the Maori a few years back.

Are you implying that a Hape-Flutey midfield isn't as English as taking land away from natives?

 

[Feicarsinn]

Are you implying that a Hape-Flutey midfield isn't as English as taking land away from natives?

I'm so edgy that this comment got a rep off BG8. Fellate me, mortals.

 

[Draggs]

It's all down to me, you are just sponging off my intelligent and humourous remarks, the rep is mine, rightfully.

 

[Peat]

When has an A team not had a development role? I don't accept that its a different beast. A more distinctive name might be more useful, but I still cannot care for such gilding of the lily, and if you must do such a thing 'Saxons' is a poor choice. The only possible thing going for it is that it might be better than all the alternatives.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Name is clearly alluding to Saxon, the NWOBHM band.
Wake up sheeple!