Oh how I wish - that soccer were history I mean!
Now, I know I should not be a spoil sport but really! A group of grown men started kicking around a leather filled bag (filled with what I ask!). Then, to introduce competition they decided that whoever's team could get the bag between two jumpers - later developed into goal posts- on the ground was the winning side- I ask you, what could be more daft?

Well, me for one - whatever you think of football it certainly switches something on for millions of men (and women) all over the world.
The simplicity of kicking a ball (far removed from the filled bag) up and down a pitch seeing who can get it through the two poles the most appeals to many people. In some it inspires aggression, chanting of silly songs and hooligan like behavior. In others it inspires camaraderie, sportsmanship and sympathy with the losing side (so long as they are not their own). It also gives people identity and a sense of pride if their team are doing well (and a sense of shame if they are not).
Why is it that football inspires more people to watch, play or criticize the game than any other (apologies to any other fan of any other sport but it is true!)?

From kids on the street in Brazil to top Premiership clubs like Chelsea with their millions of pound deals, dodgy transfer window cases and incandescent managers the essence of the game remains unchanged. The top paid premiere league players are doing nothing more complicated than the bare footed boys playing in Colombo.

Personally I will never understand the attraction (though I have tried - believe me I have tried) but I admit to a real admiration of those who go to matches in the rain, support their teams through good or bad times (though some fans can prove remarkably fickle), and eat those hot dogs (or is it pies if the song is to be believed?).

So, I take my hat off to all you football fans - those of history and those of today - it can be a beautiful game (or it can get pretty ugly) and it can make you whoop with delight or cry but that you love it is clear.
If only I could invent something anywhere near as good!

Learn more about this author, Sammy Stein.
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