For someone whose football education has only recently commenced, I’m not doing too badly. Last Tuesday I actually visited Anfield as an away fan supporting Luton Town and I know plenty of Liverpool fans who have never visited the spectacular ground, let alone Luton fans. Even though Luton suffered an inevitable defeat, the atmosphere was fantastic and I suddenly had an enlightenment. Amongst the screaming Luton fans, at the famous stadium with its perfectly manicured pitch, it suddenly dawned on me what the appeal is.
Football is not just about a bunch of overweight men, shovelling in the pies, guzzling down the beer and shouting abuse at the opposition. Although the above is indeed abundant, football is also about camaraderie. It’s about feeling united and passionate about your team, however well or badly it may be doing. It’s about encouraging your team by singing your heart out, even though many football songs / chants are rather unsavoury. It’s about family outings and rituals, as young children gaze up to their parents and formulate views about the game. There at Anfield I felt a rush of emotion and warmth I’d never before associated with football. At that moment, a previously intolerant girlfriend became more forgiving towards the game and more appreciative towards her boyfriend’s love of the game.
Of course I can’t promise to voluntarily watch every single televised match. There are far too many dull ones, but perhaps the big ones will capture my attention. I am in fact looking forward to watching Liverpool versus Aston Villa tonight. Come on Villa! I also can’t promise to ever learn the offside rule, but surely my new found enthusiasm will counteract my lack of technical knowledge? Likewise I can’t promise to refrain from committing the cardinal sin of referring to football as ‘just a game’, but it will now be limited to times of pure frustration, not just mild annoyance.
My sudden change of heart is of great significance. I have always been of the ‘I hate football’ disposition and to some extent I still feel like a traitor towards mutual female haters. A few more home matches though and who knows….a Hatters season ticket?!?
P.S. I’m still not impressed by the notion of being ditched on Valentine’s Day for football, however much notice I’ve been given!
Football is not just about a bunch of overweight men, shovelling in the pies, guzzling down the beer and shouting abuse at the opposition. Although the above is indeed abundant, football is also about camaraderie. It’s about feeling united and passionate about your team, however well or badly it may be doing. It’s about encouraging your team by singing your heart out, even though many football songs / chants are rather unsavoury. It’s about family outings and rituals, as young children gaze up to their parents and formulate views about the game. There at Anfield I felt a rush of emotion and warmth I’d never before associated with football. At that moment, a previously intolerant girlfriend became more forgiving towards the game and more appreciative towards her boyfriend’s love of the game.
Of course I can’t promise to voluntarily watch every single televised match. There are far too many dull ones, but perhaps the big ones will capture my attention. I am in fact looking forward to watching Liverpool versus Aston Villa tonight. Come on Villa! I also can’t promise to ever learn the offside rule, but surely my new found enthusiasm will counteract my lack of technical knowledge? Likewise I can’t promise to refrain from committing the cardinal sin of referring to football as ‘just a game’, but it will now be limited to times of pure frustration, not just mild annoyance.
My sudden change of heart is of great significance. I have always been of the ‘I hate football’ disposition and to some extent I still feel like a traitor towards mutual female haters. A few more home matches though and who knows….a Hatters season ticket?!?
P.S. I’m still not impressed by the notion of being ditched on Valentine’s Day for football, however much notice I’ve been given!
1 comment:
well. I see I missed my whole life by not beeing ever in a football game....
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