It is difficult being a football fan; perhaps even more difficult than being a player. You cannot switch sides like a player on form; you are bound to a club like Gollum to the ring; it is your precious. For me it all started with Bergkamp's goal at the 1998 World Cup against Argentina.
With no google to my aid it took sometime before I found out that he played for some English club called Arsenal. That it was managed by a Frenchman armed with a degree in economics, who is a philosopher of football: the game was a thing of beauty; and that was the only truth out there.
With no google to my aid it took sometime before I found out that he played for some English club called Arsenal. That it was managed by a Frenchman armed with a degree in economics, who is a philosopher of football: the game was a thing of beauty; and that was the only truth out there.
I have watched The Invincibles go through an entire season undefeated; I have also seen 8 trophyless years. I have seen some great players and some not so great players play and leave. And I have realised that there are thousands like me who watch their teams play with the same, or even greater, devotion.
One such tribute to the fan is 'Fever Pitch' by Nick Hornby, with the memorable opening line: 'I fell in love with football as I was later to fall in love with women: suddenly, inexplicably, uncritically, giving no thought to the pain or disruption it would bring. . . '
[ Fuckin' awesome footnote : there is nothing called soccer.. ]
