Look, I’m Gonna Say It
Football fandom is completley bonkers. It’s irrational. It’s expensive. It’s physically exhausting. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
I’ve been a Manchester United fan since I was six years old. That’s 32 years of highs and lows, triumphs and heartbreaks. I’ve seen them win the Premier League six times, the FA Cup three times, and the Champions League once. But I’ve also seen them finish seventh, get knocked out of Europe by some no-name team from a tiny country I can’t pronounce, and watch as my heroes grow old and leave for pastures new.
And I’m not even sure why I’m still here. I mean, honestly, what’s the committment? It’s not like they pay me or anything. But here I am, still bleeding blue, still screaming at the TV, still arguing with strangers on the internet about why Marcus Rashford is actually a decent player, thank you very much.
Last Tuesday Night
Last Tuesday night, I was at my mate Dave’s house watching United play Liverpool. It was 11:30pm, and I was on my third pint of some craft beer that cost £87 a bottle (which, honestly, nobody asked for but here we are).
Liverpool scored first, and I swear, Dave’s dog started laughing at me. I told him, “Mate, that dog’s got more respect for Liverpool than you do.” He just shrugged and took another sip of his beer.
Then, out of nowhere, United scored. And I mean, it was a proper goal, the kind that makes you jump up and down like a maniac. I screamed so loud, Dave’s wife came downstairs to see if I was having a fit. (Which, fair enough, I probably looked like I was.)
But that’s the thing about football. It’s unpredictable. It’s chaotic. It’s a beautiful mess. And that’s why I love it.
But Let’s Talk About the Bad Stuff
Now, I’m not gonna sit here and pretend that everything is perfect. Because it’s not. Football is also full of crap. Like, alot of crap.
Take, for example, the whole transfer window fiasco. I’m not sure but I think it’s the most stressful time of the year for any football fan. You spend months hearing rumors about players you’ve never heard of, only to be disappointed when they sign for someone else. And don’t even get me started on the whole “he’s not for sale” thing. Because, honestly, we all know that if the right offer comes along, he’s as good as gone.
And let’s not forget about the whole VAR debacle. I mean, I’m all for using technology to get things right, but come on. It’s taken longer than an English summer to make a decision. And by the time they finally do, everyone’s forgotten what the original decision was anyway.
A Quick Tangent: The Time I Met Eric Cantona
Okay, so this is completely off topic, but I have to tell you about the time I met Eric Cantona. It was about three months ago, at a conference in Austin. (Yes, Austin. Who knew he was a fan of BBQ and live music?)
Anyway, I was standing in line for lunch when I heard this French accent behind me. I turned around, and there he was, the King Eric himself. I asked him if he remembered the old days, the 90s, when he was the best player in the world. He just smiled and said, “Of course. But you know, football was different then. Simpler.”
And I thought about that for a while. About how football used to be simpler. About how it used to be just a game. But now, it’s so much more than that. It’s a business. It’s a brand. It’s a lifestyle.
But it’s still a game, too. And that’s what I love about it.
So, What’s the Point?
I don’t know. I guess the point is that football is a beautiful mess. It’s chaotic and unpredictable and full of crap. But it’s also full of joy and passion and pure, unadulterated emotion.
And I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Even if it does cost me £87 a bottle.
So, if you’re a football fan, I feel your pain. And I feel your joy. And I feel your frustration when Marcus Rashford misses a sitter. (But, seriously, he’s not that bad.)
And if you’re not a football fan, well, I don’t know what to tell you. You’re missing out. But, hey, maybe you’re into something else. Something that makes you feel alive. Something that makes you scream at the TV. Something that makes you argue with strangers on the internet.
Because, at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about. Finding something you love. And sticking with it. Through thick and thin. Through victory and defeat. Through the good times and the bad.
And if that something happens to be football, well, then welcome to the beautiful mess. You’re gonna love it.
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About the Author: I’m Sarah, a senior magazine editor with 20+ years of experience. I’ve written for major publications, but my real passion is football. I’m a die-hard Manchester United fan, and I’m not afraid to admit it. I live in London with my husband, Dave, and our dog, who, unfortunately, is a Liverpool fan.
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