What's with the Benfica's pennants?
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — In the Name of the Father
TsubasaPT — 16 years ago(September 09, 2009 08:36 AM)
In a scene when Gerry is in prison I think
Here's a pic:
http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/7821/imagem1aj3.png
Why??? lol -
mikeyg24 — 16 years ago(September 22, 2009 01:09 PM)
The link doesn't work and your post isn't very informative. I can only assume you're talking about the Benfica poster on the wall in his cell. It commemorates Manchester Uniteds victory over Benfica in the 1968 European cup final (now known as the champions league). I pressume Gerry is a Man United fan.
Awe Skinny you got blood all over my trousers! Jeez I'm real sorry sorry Frank -
TsubasaPT — 16 years ago(September 24, 2009 01:05 PM)
Sorry, here's a new working link:
http://i33.tinypic.com/ngtylc.jpg
And yes you're right. There are 2 banners:
One from Benfica only, and one from the European Cup final between Man Utd and Benfica -
mikeyg24 — 16 years ago(September 25, 2009 05:17 AM)
Ah I see, maybe I was wrong about him being a Man Utd fan. SL Benfica are a Portugese football club and were considered one of the best clubs in Europe during the sixties, despite losing that final, much like Real Madrid and AC Milan have been in times past. It might be possible Gerry was a fan. Manchester United are obviously an English club. Someone more knowledgeable than I can probably confirm if supporting English football clubs was the done thing for a Belfast catholic during the troubles. The banners themselves are often exchanged between club captains before the kickoff of a high profile cup match.
Awe Skinny you got blood all over my trousers! Jeez I'm real sorry sorry Frank -
McEwansExported — 16 years ago(January 30, 2010 12:38 PM)
I've no idea what team he supports and care even less.
As for Belfast catholics and Man U, absolutely. Man U are an 'Irish' team that came about from Manchester being one of the cities on the mainland Irish catholics emigrated to due to its proximity to the main ports on both sides of the Irish sea. Glasgow and Liverpool were the other main destinations and both these cities have an obvious immigrant population.
Certainly there were other social economic factors that played into which team they ended up supporting but Man U is regarded as a 'legitimate' team for catholics to support. Put another way, you don't get as many loyalists following them despite one of their own, George Best, being perhaps their most famous player of the time.
Things nowadays are less clear cut due to the younger generations being more swayed by success than politics. Got be a go thing. Also, the global branding of the club has introduced a truly global following which, in turn, dilutes the impact of the traditions that diehards may still publicly cling to. Compared to Glasgow, where one team was founded specifically for the benefit of the immigrants, the past associations are a lot less well defined but can still be seen when that Glasgow team come and visit but is more of a novelty factor with the younger folks than a deep routed idealology. -
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ag67-182-841889 — 10 years ago(February 25, 2016 07:46 AM)
In Gerry's book "Proved Innocent" he talks about asking a prison warden just after being moved to a new prison what the Man United score was that day, so I think it is safe to assume his favourite teams were Celtic
and
United, which is a very common occurrence. -
kellehc — 16 years ago(October 08, 2009 02:26 AM)
Gerry is obviously a football fan, probably a United supporter, but like most Irish football fans he would have a 'soft spot' for different clubs on the European mainland. Benfica must be a particular team on the mainland whom either himself or Guiseppe have a liking for.
