For as long as I can remember I've had a problem with lads who pull their socks up when playing football and hurling. I don't know why but to me it just doesnt look right. Mind you, I know most soccer players do this and I don't have any such problem when they do it- in fact I would've done it myself. But for some reason when I see GAA players with their socks pulled up it just doesnt sit right with me. Obviously I have too much time on my hands if I'm thinking about this but i'd be interested to hear other people's opinions. Can anyone shed some light on my 'sock-prejudice'? Am I being unfairly critical here? I 'd like to hear from both sides of the divide explaining if they're an 'upper' or a 'downer' and why?

stanley (None) - Posts: 434 - 03/09/2009 22:51:22    414970

The up or down debate can indeed be interesting in a clothing context however Socks or collars never concerned me

Though I would be in the down camp - In relation to your soccer point presume the preference to wear them up is determined by the widespread use of shin guards. Do many players wear them up ? KMAC, P Joyce being the more famous ones is there many more ?

ruanua (Donegal) - Posts: 4966 - 03/09/2009 23:49:13    415050

I pull mine up and tape them, at least when someone stick their studs into my leg there is a chance that it won't break the skin.........or leave two stud marks down my shin.

Cranky360 (Mayo) - Posts: 834 - 03/09/2009 23:53:51    415056

When i see a lad with the socks pulled up first thing i think is soccer player.. Soccer players shouldnt be allowed play a manly game like Gaelic!

Omen (Monaghan) - Posts: 205 - 03/09/2009 23:55:57    415060

I agree completely. Socks must be down on the gaelic field.

In soccer the rules now insist you have all sorts of shin pads so the socks MUST be up.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 04/09/2009 00:52:49    415093

to me socks up make players stand out. Maby its just me but i when i see a player with their socks up i think the flash so and so...
i always wear my socks down, but then as a small 18 year old in cavan division 2 and 5 football you dont really want to stand out or else you will get a good dunt to put you back down again!

bountyhunter (Cavan) - Posts: 302 - 04/09/2009 02:10:53    415115

Soccer players have to because of the rules. And also you'd look daft with a pair of shin pads and your socks around your ankles.

Puddersthecat (Kilkenny) - Posts: 1692 - 04/09/2009 09:21:24    415161

I love the way players have to pull up their socks for the parade or they'll get fined. Then as soon as the parade is over ... down they come again. Only in Ireland!!

RMDrive (Donegal) - Posts: 2202 - 04/09/2009 10:05:50    415191

1 sock up one sock down and jersey out

castlemaine (Kerry) - Posts: 546 - 04/09/2009 10:30:49    415205

Its really up to the player, if they have worn socks up all their careers then its a mental thing, having your socks up for past 5 yrs then putting them down may be a big change for a footballer, even though to the supporter it may not mean a thing.

I really don't think it makes a difference but I find that having socks up nice and tight around your leg feels better than having a big piece of rolled up sock down around your ankle..

What about the ronaldo style white socks up to your ankles outside the football socks??

mr.blue (Mayo) - Posts: 71 - 04/09/2009 10:31:22    415206

mr. blue, there are any Gaelic players who go for the white sock outside the football sock up to the ankle, peronally think it looks stupid, poser kind of thing. Also I am in the sock down camp, but have nothing against players who have their socks up, I just never found it comfortable having them up

updaroyal (Meath) - Posts: 1132 - 04/09/2009 11:17:24    415264

Very true bountyhunter- a player with his socks up can look cocky- though im not really sure why! maybe cause most lads dont do it and they're trying to stand out! I'd be like you on the field- i.e. don't draw any unnecessary attention to yourself- just get the ball and pass it to the young lad running past!

stanley (None) - Posts: 434 - 04/09/2009 11:24:19    415270

It depends on the width and length of your legs. I have skinny long legs so if i pull the down it just makes them look even skinnier. If i had big tree trunks now i'd leave them down.

sammaguire09 (Kildare) - Posts: 101 - 04/09/2009 11:28:34    415279

Ciaran Hanratty of Monaghan is another who likes his socks touching his shorts. Got some abuse at a Donegal V Monaghan championship game in Omagh a few years back about the socks, though that might gave been a lot of huffy Donegal fans down where i was standing..

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1403 - 04/09/2009 11:32:03    415282

I always wore my socks up. Anything to keep my skinny wee legs warm from that biting Atlantic wind.

Fredthered (Donegal) - Posts: 1144 - 04/09/2009 11:33:27    415286

Who cares! When you have the GAA "Fashion Police" out & about..... the days are definately getting shorter. Personally, if Pearse O'Neill sticks one or two between the posts against Diarmuid Murphy, socks up or down, collar up like Kieran McDonald/Cantona style, jersey arms cut down like Trevor Giles/AFL style, he can wear crown topper for all I care. Let it up to the individual player.....its not Wimbledon!

THE OBSERVER (None) - Posts: 112 - 04/09/2009 11:54:58    415315

bountyhunter
County: Cavan
Posts: 249

415115 to me socks up make players stand out. Maby its just me but i when i see a player with their socks up i think the flash so and so...
i always wear my socks down, but then as a small 18 year old in cavan division 2 and 5 football you dont really want to stand out or else you will get a good dunt to put you back down again!

Ha so true.

beer baron (Cavan) - Posts: 3916 - 04/09/2009 12:00:23    415320

There seems to be a variation to the Socks up or down scenario...one sock up and one sock down! And also a spin off of that is to have a different coloured sock up under the appropriate team coloured sock and the other socks down!!!! Madness I tell ya.

On a similar note, a thing that really annoys me is seeing county players, but I have mostly seen it on county 'panellists' is wearing the county shorts for clubs games! Great you are on a county team...whoopee but your playing for your club so wear your club colours!!!

Rocksteady (Cavan) - Posts: 64 - 04/09/2009 12:15:50    415339

That is a very fair point on the wearing of county shorts there Rocksteady- how dare these people rub their success in my face!!

stanley (None) - Posts: 434 - 04/09/2009 13:07:28    415419

Definitely down.Dont know why,Ive never had them up,its probably just a mental thing.

ACtribe (Galway) - Posts: 401 - 04/09/2009 13:12:08    415423