Our Wee Country

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Our Wee Country is a supporters' association of the Northern Ireland national football team. Rather than an official supporters' club, it operates as a fans' website. The phrase "Our Wee Country" is a nickname for the team, as well as Northern Ireland itself.

Healy's goal against England in 2005.

The website contains links to official supporters' clubs, reports on past matches and pictures of Northern Ireland football murals. Our Wee Country has been responsible for some of these, including the mural depicting David Healy's goal against England in 2005. However the website forum is the most popular part of the site.

The website, and the forum in particular, has been involved in the discussions regarding the proposed relocation from Windsor Park to the former Maze Prison site. Many Northern Ireland supporters oppose the move, taking the stadium out of Belfast. They also oppose the further increase in capacity to 42,000, arguing the team's limited support may result in a half-full stadium in some matches.^[1]

The website also raises money for football related causes. In November 2006 they sponsored the Northern Ireland cerebral palsy football team, supplying them with kits and equipment.^[2]

The forum members generally take a very hard line against their opposite team in the Republic of Ireland, with many forum regulars referring to the Republic's football team and their supporters as the "Beggars" or the "Darkside". Practically all OWC forum posters also vehemently oppose any proposed mergers between the Republic of Ireland football association and the Northern Ireland association, citing the example of the Irish Rugby team as proof that it's organisation would not treat both nations' symbols with equality.