I know it's wrong, and I feel really dirty..............

Quote: Deano G "They are both.

Merseyside is a county for local government administrative purposes. As is what is left of the old Lancashire administrative county and Greater Manchester.

Lancashire as a historic county is still very much in existence and both Wigan and St Helens are in it. Have a look at this website.

rlhttp://www.forl.co.uk/003/confuse.htmlrl

Some people don't share the views of the Friends of Real Lancashire, but they miss the point that even if the reforms to local government did abolish/amend counties in all senses for the rest of England then Lancashire's unique status as a County Palatine, which most definitely did survive the boundary changes, means that Lancashire in the form of the Duchy of Lancashire lives on (the Duchy comprising the entire historic county of Lancashire).

The Duke of Lancaster is of course none other than the Queen herself. It is interesting (well, not that interesting!) that technically it is that way round (i.e. our present Queen is Queen because she is descended from the house of Lancaster and therefore has the best claim to the throne of England, rather than the Queen being Duke of Lancaster because it is a courtesy title given to monarchs). The Duchy of Lancashire had had special status long before the House of Lancaster became the ruling family of England, and perhaps unsurprisingly, that special status was not removed by the House of Lancaster when they became our monarchs.

We are therefore legally and historically Lancastrians first and English second. One thing we Lancastrians - and that includes Scousers, plastic and otherwise provided they are from within the historic county boundary - will always have over proud Yorkshire folk who go on about the importance of their county, is the unique status of Lancashire... unless of course we get rid of the monarchy!

Having said all that, while normally as a proud Lancastrian I would cheer for a Lancashire club against a Yorkshire club, I can't bring myself to cheer for Saints. Psychologically its just too difficult. It would make me feel quite ill. It would just feel WRONG. I don't like Leeds but I can't persuade myself to cheer for Saints. Sorry Andy!'"