General Chat

Hi Derek, I too, grew up with rugby and cricket. South Africans been crazy about both. We were told as children that "Soccor was a gentleman's game played by ruffians and Rugby a ruffians game played by gentleman" Or is it the other way around? For the life of me I can't remember. lol...lol.. Lindy;-))))

G'morning everyone, for Phillip, I will be in grade 6 of your synopsis. Raised on footie, school team, then at 11 yrs old a new game, rugby. Back in the late 40's, it was a pleasure to play sport, never going to be an international. To me, rugby has been my life, especially forming a regimental team on arrival in Germany, from a couple of officers, a few other ranks, including me, and the regimental goalie as fullback. You would not believe the great times we had while touring in a Three ton truck, a tent and compo rations. Sport is an adventure, love it! Where ever "Ingerland" is, hope you win! Derek in France PS to add to Sylvia's observation, Football is for sportsmen trying to be gentlemen and rugby is for gentlemen trying to be sportsmen, so long, folk

I am approaching my 60th birthday so I feel entitled to say that I have 3 passions in my life, each of which satisfy a specific need:- 1. Gardening---which satisfies my desire for beauty and creativity. 2.Family history---which satisfies my curiosity and keeps my brain alive as a detective. 3. FOOTBALL which provides the excitement otherwise missing from my life, and provides an adrenaline rush!! Nothing beats seeing your team win, especially if it's England[or Newcastle!]. How sad is that? Wendy--NB This is WENDY replying, not Robert John, my husband, who is not at all interested in football.

Hi Philip, It's definitely NOt in the genes! My husband has no interest in football whatsoever, but my our son is football crazy. Husbands brother is football mad, but his son can't be doing with it at all. They always joke that they have the wrong sons!! Debbie

Lynda I love you too XXXXX

Hi Philip - heard on the radio just now a Sports Psychologist saying the reason that people are watching Euro 2004, even if they don't normally have ANY interest in footie, is because it is a way of all of us having a 'shared experience'. Apparently our lives are so diverse nowadays that there is not much that we all have in common - eg there is so much choice we don't even all watch the same TV station, church attendances are low, work experiences are varied etc - so this is a way of us all coming together and benefitting (spelling?) from the shared feel-good factor - hopefully! Seems rather a nice idea to me! By the way Mrs Gooner Pace, I DID get the book from the library!! Felt SO sorry for poor old Nick Hornby that his dad managed to obsess him with the Arsenal!! Actually, because it was written before their current run of form, it was much more readable. As a Spurs fan (Philip, for your info Spurs are cr*p!!) I could really identify with his frustrations as they failed and failed again to recapture former glories. Bet he's a right gloater now though!!! INGERLAND INGERLAND INGERLAND!!!!! Maz. XX

Hi Philip, IMHO football is overrated. It costs a lot of money to watch the game and why all those police? It beats me! Players' "wages" - don't get me started on that. Do they do a real day's work? If they paid them c£18,000 would they still do it? My dad used to support West Brom in the 1950s and my grandad used to play in several local Tamworth teams in the early 1900s. Their genes haven't rubbed off on me!! After all that, I hope England do better in the rest of the tournament.

Many thanks, everyone, for your replies so far. Themes emerging: 1. folks who get involved in playing the game benefit from the physical activity, and so want to continue 2. people introduced to it as children "inherit" the interest from their parents, and then pass it on to their children 3. people who aren't necessarily interested at one stage in their lives can become interested if they're socialising with other folks with an interest 4. participating in a match crowd is very stimulating ("gets the adrenalin flowing"), which many people prefer to watching on TV 5. equally, people who may not have attended a match still enjoy it as a "tradition" or family/ social custom at home 6. folks who may not have an active interest in the game will still support it at a certain level (eg international competitions) as a statement of patriotism Thanks for the book reference, Maz, and thanks again, everyone. I'll let this run for a little longer, in case other folks would like to contribute. Philip

Philip if you are really interested, then get a book from the library by Nick Hornby called 'Fever Pitch'. I have just read it and it is such a true account of an obsessed fan! Maz. XX Personally, my dad was a huge footie and cricket fan, and I used to watch with him. Now am an armchair (and terrace when possible) fan in my own right.

What can be more boring than watching a footie match on TV. Now in the stadium that's different. I hate the sport but can let myself be carried along by the atmosphere-I remember the old days of Man city against Man United - OK as long as you weren't behind the goalposts. And it's so poltical nowadays

i can only speak as a mum at this point and my son is footy mad, hes 13 now and it took me a few days to realise recently why he looked so depressed, he couldnt say why as he felt fine he said, i then realised the seasons off, so he doesnt train or have matches. he supports man utd, but will equally watch most teams. his dad supports west ham. if my son always shows an interest in sport, be it footy, rugby, golf, running, then hes active and not making mischief. as for real men for real sports, philip is this how you judge a real man. lol

Hi Philip, Personally, I can`t stand football,but do like to watch the country against country games. It must be a national pride thing I suppose.

Shinty is a proper mans game! I can only say that my dad is a fanatical Glasgow Rangers fan and I have no doubt that is where my love of the game stems from. Many a happy Saturday or Sunday afternoon lying in front of the fire at my Dads feet watching the match. Hubby and I have both moved about a lot and so like to watch a lot of clubs although we have follwed Stoke City for 12 years now. I think going to a live match is like being at a pop concert, it gives you a real adrenaline rush sometimes. Some games are dire to watch so it's not all fun.

John, Oh no a proper man's game is Rugby - really rough but not foul. You have to be tough to play rugby.

ITS A GIRLS GAME WITH JESSE PLAYING IT AND THERE OVER PAID. NOW A PROPER GAME IS HURLING, THATS WHERE THE PROPER MEN PLAY A MANS GAME, LOL

Debbie, It ain't over till its over! Lindy;-)) P.S. I love the flags Bright Red and Green PORTUGAL!!!!

I dont think it is in the Genes, My boyfriends dad absolutely loves it. Yet my boyfriend cannot stand it. I cant either my Dad didnt watch it that much as I had 3 sisters and no brothers. Until 2 of them got married and the Husbands love it which my Dad now enjoys. I want my 5 year old son to like it but it's a bit hard when we dont watch it. I dont want him to feel left out. I just detest anything about it. I cannot understand why people like to watch stupid grown overpaid men kicking a football about. And those stupid flags on cars that is something I dont get. they are still on there today and England lost Hehe. arnt people embarassed that England lost. And please dont have a go at me. to all the people that love it I dont mind that at all, I was just stating my opinion. Debbie

I think it's something in the genes! My husband has always been a keen Spurs supporter, as his first flat was just down the road from White Hart Lane. Our son was then born in the area, so his dad has always encouraged him to support what were our local team! I've been to a few matches in my younger days, but wouldn't sit down and watch a match on tv - I'd much rather be rooting around amongst my ancestors! My brother is a very keen player and supporter, and one of his sons is exactly the same. I think the dads (or mums) are eager to keep up family traditions! Mandy :)

Hi Everyone, At the risk of seeming extremely dumb(!), I'd be genuinely interested to hear why some people are devoted to football while others aren't. I appreciate the current interest in Euro 2004, Beckham's flop etc. but I'm more interested in the underlying motivation. For example, is this something primarily inherited from childhood, went to matches with parents etc? Or is it to do with personal/ local/ national identity? Or possibly some other reason? It's clearly not a gender issue, given recent threads on the subject. Many wives obviously are great fans, while husbands find it a bore! We're told that football is the main national sport, although probably a minority of the population actually either watch or take an interest in it. (Other sports presumably feature even less on this measure.) Anyway, please let me have your thoughts. Now, don't all rush for the keyboard at the same time..... Philip