We see grown men crying because of it, we see fat* people take off their clothes (while downing cans of alcohol) and shout their voices off, we see hooligans at each other’s throats because of it, we hear of old men stealing money and lying about it, and a lot of other insane things are done.
It is football that causes all of the above and even more. The hold that twenty-two people kicking around a round piece of leather within a rectangle area covered with grass is unfathomable. Some of us live and breathe football. Football has taken over our lives and we aren’t complaining.
The first united game of the premier league season of 2010/2011 against newly-promoted Newcastle United, it was on a Monday night and I still remember the feeling of emotion that went through me when the players stepped out on the pitch. It was indescribable. Of course, United (no disrespect to Newcastle) went on to win three goals to nil. The night was complete.
That same feeling came over me when I saw Ashley young take to the pitch in the first game of pre-season. It was like a vital component of my life, that was missing previously, had been restored. I enjoyed the game and although the game was goalless in the first half, there was a goal-feast in the second as United ran out 4-1 winners. Job done!
And now, I’m excited. I can’t wait for the next United game next week and the one after that and after that and so on. The flame has been lit once again; the next ten months will be about following United avidly and structuring life around every United game.
With the kind of emotion that football arouses in people, not least me; I could go on and say “football is life”.
Bring on the new season!
*I have nothing against fat people. I’m just writing what I see in football stadia.
