[Stiff Little Fingers]

If I'm honest, I've no clue. I absolutely love Leicester, but I don't think it'd be possible to put a finger on why, I've no clue why I do but moments like this I wouldn't trade for the world, to win the title and bounce back after the nightmare of the previous season was brilliant.

I don't think it's something you can actually understand or figure out until you've experienced it.

[dosvidaniya]

Football is a birth right. I have been indoctrinated into loving football by my father/uncle/brother, hell my entire family more or less. I have Everton football club running through my veins, and when you try and think about it logically then it may seem strange to some but it can be a great source of bonding between men (well, primarilly men) and creates a sense of togetherness between families, communities, cities, countries etc. It is a shared experience. Plus football is like religion, it is something to believe in. And it provides a window of meaning to an otherwise crazy and chaotic world, thats how powerful football can be.

[jam277]

I stopped talking to my then ex because she insulted my love for football(true story btw), football before women tbh.

I love the game of football and I like my team, helps you appreciate football more when you support a certain club. I will watch other teams play, but you don't find the same passion in watching a game, which is why I don't watch basketball too much despite me liking the sport.

It's just the same as watching two teams play in the park that you have no affiliation for but they're professionals, who really wants to do that every week.

Makes the match more interesting when you're supporting a team. Hence if swansea were facing stoke I couldn't give a **** about that match, if chelsea were playing wigan or swansea I would be watching the match and actually care.

Also football is my religion.

[Dirac Delta Function]

I think it's basically a form of tribalism.

Interestingly, people don't seem to get as bothered over sports involving single sportsmen as for those that involve teams (ie a collective that transcends individuals).

[jam277]

Add to the fact being dedicated also helps you keep up with the football world. It's a hobby of mine, like music, I play an instrument and I listen to the pros of my instrument, I have a favourite artist who I listen to but I also listen to other artists but I like it more if the artist I 'support' makes a good song over someone I don't like.

[jam277]

(Original post by Dirac Delta Function)
I think it's basically a form of tribalism.

Interestingly, people don't seem to get as bothered over sports involving single sportsmen as for those that involve teams (ie a collective that transcends individuals).

Tennis.
The amount of nadal, federer, djokovic and murray lovers are unreal. Might not be as much as football, but it's a more classy sport with classier fans in the stands, they're not holding beers and screaming you ****ing ****, they're silent the whole match.

[Cll_ws]

(Original post by jam277)
I stopped talking to my then ex because she insulted my love for football(true story btw), football before women tbh.

I've been there

2010 World Cup, my then girlfriend couldn't understand why I wanted to watch every match, as oppose to just England's - I was just like, pfft, coming from the person who never misses an episode of Big Brother or TOWIE -
One day during the World Cup whilst she was at my house she kicked off because I told her I was going to watch a game, so I ended up not watching this one game in favour of doing something no doubt absolutely crap, I don't even remember, but it was probably watching some **** daytime tv like Jeremy Kyle repeats or Super Sweet 16

That was the only game I missed all tournament, I think it was Slovakia v Paraguary haha

With the Euro's fast approaching, i've never been so glad to be single

[Cll_ws]

(Original post by jam277)
but it's a more classy sport with classier fans in the stands, they're not holding beers and screaming you ****ing ****, they're silent the whole match.

And I doubt half of them even know what's going on, they're just there to show off their new hat and act posh for the day

[Gary Barlow]

Football has everything.

[IanDangerously]

It's really difficult to explain rationally to somebody that hasn't been there every week supporting their team, because there's absolutely nothing rational about it. It's a passion and a deep, strong love for a game which is completely irrational if anything, but that's actually part of the magic of it. It brings us closer together knowing that we're a part of something that others perhaps can't get their head around at times.

Days like yesterday make me wonder why I put myself through it all to begin with honestly, but at the same time sum up why I love the game and why I'd never change it for anything. Standing there at the Stadium of Light and hearing the news that Sergio Aguero had just scored back in Manchester is a moment that I'll sadly never forget. Genuine heartbreaker. The idea that our biggest rivals are champions and have been better than us all season is excruciating and agonising, it hurts so deeply but it's the low points that make the highs so good. Whether we win or lose and whether our bitter enemies are better than us or not we still go out and live every minute of it and love it every step of the way. Make no mistake about it, it's all about the emotion. Football is entertainment in its purest form and when you allow yourself to become so immersed in it that it consumes your life, you really get an emotional adrenaline rush that nothing else in this world can even come close to.

Football is not only a form of entertainment though, and it's not just about the game, it's about the experience. What happens on the field is great and its what draws us in, but the whole world surrounding a club like this is even more important than that. It's an all-consuming microchosm that forms its own society, with a deep bond between us all. It brings people that would normally have nothing in common together. I speak to my mates from football more regularly than my family at this point, I'm always tweeting or facebooking about United and getting to know people through there that are fellow regulars at the games, then if I bump into them on an away day I kinda know them anyway. It's hard to explain this weird respect and love that I have for all the other people out there that are like myself.

There's no better feeling in the world than walking into a hostile atmosphere at an away game knowing that you're with other lads you completely trust and are going to have a few beers, a good laugh and an all-round top day whether you win or lose. You don't know whats going to happen and there's sometimes a danger of things going wrong but if it does you just regroup and laugh about it afterwards. It's definitely an us vs them thing, and I know all about that coming from the most hated football club in this country. Everybody hates us and its that hatred from other teams and love for our own club, thats the glue that holds us all together.

I can't wait for the new season to start, more hilarious days out with the boys and more moments and mental images that I'll remember forever. Just one of many examples from this season alone, but something like what happened at Athletic Club (Bilbao) away is something that I'll still think about with a smile on my face when I'm an old man. We walked out of the away end that night after a 2-1 defeat and all their supporters were standing there clapping for our supporters. Suddenly the game was forgotten and fans of both clubs walked down into the town together and this huge street party atmosphere unfolded. We'd been knocked out of the competition but they extended their friendship to us and we shared in their happiness. We'd been beaten by a better team and we stayed up drinking with their supporters all night long. Once in a lifetime is the only way to describe it!

Anyway I could probably ramble on forever on this subject but I'm sure nobody really cares anyway. All I know is that whatever goes wrong in life and however bad things get, my football club is always going to be there! People come and go, times change but the club is an ever-present. It always has been, and always will be. It was here when my grandad was watching the Busby Babes before the disaster in Munich, it's here for me now and it'll be here long after I'm dead when the next generation(s) take over. This isn't just a football club, it's one enormous red family with a rich and emotional history that has been beared out before the world through both triumph and tragedy, and I'm so honoured to have had that feeling of being a part of it.

[mau5]

(Original post by nextplanet)

This is what I dont understand, how come man city fans are sooo elated when the result has no effect on their own lives? Or maybe im overestimating the feeling.. is the feeling when your fave team loses similar to heartbreak when one of your relationships ends (some fans cry for days)?

Bitch please, it's far worse than a relationship ending. A football club is probably the one bond a person has throughout their whole life. Most fans will invest more time, energy and money into the club and the game than they do anything else.

[sleep99]

(Original post by shezshez)
I'm a football fan first, a man united fan second.

I'd much rather watch a decent game of football and united lose, than a **** game and united win...

I guess I'm a neutral, just hoping united do well, gotta admit I was a bit gutted at the weekend, though no tears were shed and I didn't get the hump on, 'cause I'm not a fanatic.

You can't be serious...

[jam277]

(Original post by Cll_ws)
I've been there

2010 World Cup, my then girlfriend couldn't understand why I wanted to watch every match, as oppose to just England's - I was just like, pfft, coming from the person who never misses an episode of Big Brother or TOWIE -
One day during the World Cup whilst she was at my house she kicked off because I told her I was going to watch a game, so I ended up not watching this one game in favour of doing something no doubt absolutely crap, I don't even remember, but it was probably watching some **** daytime tv like Jeremy Kyle repeats or Super Sweet 16

That was the only game I missed all tournament, I think it was Slovakia v Paraguary haha

With the Euro's fast approaching, i've never been so glad to be single

You should have told her to follow the world cup rules for women. They can only talk at half time and are not allowed to be in the living room unless they are there to watch it in silence.

But yes, this thing happens, bloody hate it. Can't football lovers be left alone in peace? I'm not a big fan of international football, but football is football, sorry about the players though, they don't even get a break. Hernandez has played football for 3 years in a row without a summer break.

(Original post by sleep99)
You can't be serious...

He shouldn't even call himself a united fan. They're not known as king of the 1-0s for nothing.
Who says they're a fan of a team and congratulates them for losing because they played well? Ask liverpool fans whether they're happy about their team dominating a game and inexplicably losing 1-0?

(Original post by mau5)
Bitch please, it's far worse than a relationship ending. A football club is probably the one bond a person has throughout their whole life. Most fans will invest more time, energy and money into the club and the game than they do anything else.

It's true. I can honestly vouch for that, watching chelsea lose 2-1 to united last season and seeing them lift the trophy on the tv screen in front of my london manc friends was heartbreaking.

[shezshez]

Obviously I want united to win but I don't wear red-tinted glasses when we play, if we don't deserve to win I won't bemoan the referee or the opposition...there's nothing wrong with not being fanatical about 11 random players just because they're wearing the shirts of the team you've chosen to support...

[Stevo112]

(Original post by Mr Dangermouse)
Hmm you can't look past the Giants until someone beats them, but for more of an NFC sleeper hows about Philadelphia? Very talented roster finally with that full offseason to put it right. Dallas look talented maybe a year away. Washington will be better with RG3.


I think the Packers have been figured out, the Saints will have a rough year, San Francisco can only go so far with limited QB play, Atlanta always flatter to deceive and Carolina aren't quite there yet.


Ultimately I think the NFC championship comes down to the Detroit Lions and the Philadelphia Eagles.



AFC you just can't see past the Patriots with the additions of Hightower, Chandler Jones, Brandon Lloyd. Pittsburgh lost a lot of experience, Baltimore lost their best 2 OLBs and Lewis and Reed, Cincinnati and Houston should be there or there abouts but my team the Denver Broncos and Kansas City are a year away.


AFC championship I'll say New England Patriots v Houston Texan


And the Patriots to win the Super Bowl over the Lions.

man you know a hell of a lot Last year was my first season watching it

[penrithkeswick]

A desire to hide from reality by obsessing over something that's meaningless?

[Mr Dangermouse]

(Original post by Stevo112)
man you know a hell of a lot Last year was my first season watching it

Ha. I've been following religiously since the 2008 season and do a lot of reading about the technical side of the game.


I can evaluate a Quarterback's footwork, I can tell you the difference between a 3 technique and a 5 technique, I made a 3 round mock just before the draft



Ask anything you like.

[crocker710]

(Original post by jam277)
I stopped talking to my then ex because she insulted my love for football(true story btw), football before women tbh.

Also football is my religion.

I hope you're trolling

[Mr Dangermouse]

(Original post by crocker710)
I hope you're trolling

Wenches come and go, your team is for life.

[Mr Dangermouse]

(Original post by Cll_ws)
I've been there

2010 World Cup, my then girlfriend couldn't understand why I wanted to watch every match, as oppose to just England's - I was just like, pfft, coming from the person who never misses an episode of Big Brother or TOWIE -
One day during the World Cup whilst she was at my house she kicked off because I told her I was going to watch a game, so I ended up not watching this one game in favour of doing something no doubt absolutely crap, I don't even remember, but it was probably watching some **** daytime tv like Jeremy Kyle repeats or Super Sweet 16

That was the only game I missed all tournament, I think it was Slovakia v Paraguary haha

With the Euro's fast approaching, i've never been so glad to be single

Special rules should be enforced during the world cup and Euros. I change all my clocks to simulate local time.