The United Kingdom’s National Obsession…err…Pastime

What would a UK blog be without a mention of football? (How many of you thought I was going to say cricket? Okay, put your hands down. Truth is I know less-than nothing about cricket and am likely to stay that way. Sorry.  Also, just for the one or two that are scratching their heads, I mean soccer, y’all.)  Truly, my co-author would probably be better at tackling this topic from a purely logistical perspective (he’s seen it live, I haven’t yet)…so I’m going to stick with how I see football as a cultural icon in the UK.

The season is slowly coming to a close, and the line-ups for next season’s leagues are starting to come into focus, as are the teams that will be competing for championship titles in their respective leagues (and across Europe, for that matter).  In this house, we support Newcastle United and are proud members of the Toon Army (well, one of us is anyway, and it’s really not me).  Personally, I love soccer/football.  I tried to play it when I was in middle school, but am sadly just NOT that athletic…or coordinated.  America is slowly but surely catching on to the worldwide obsession love of football, and while I have friends in the US that stay up to watch matches broadcast in real time, their obsession devotion to the sport pales in comparison to what I’ve seen here.

Just ask my co-author here at TOB, Dave, about his love for University of Alabama football.  Then take that emotion and quadruple it times infinity.

Since we‘re still in what I think of as one of two peak travel seasons for the British Isles, I thought I’d recommend something to do if you really want to see a part of the heart of Britain.  Go to a football match.  I have not been to a match yet, mainly due to the cost of travel to mecca St. James Park in Newcastle but also due to the cost of tickets.  Even with the Magpies (who currently look like lemon sherberts in their away kits, bless them, but I digress) down one from the Premier League, tickets are still not cheap.

One of the best sites to visit to catch up on which team is what and who is where is simply the BBC Sport page.  My husband is on that page multiple times a day during the season, and I’ve found it helpful when I need to know what he’s on about while we watch matches on tv.  In addition, you can find there links to the individual league tables (do click on that one, won’t you, and notice who’s at the top of the board? Sorry, Dave.) as well as all kinds of information for football around the world.  There’s probably even a story or two on Mr. Beckham, if you’re so inclined.

Football is a means to start a conversation in the UK.  It provides ideas, albeit not particularly feng shui-approved ideas, for decorating one’s house.  It makes or breaks friendships and even marriages.  It is something that unites and divides, and I’m sure that our readers who are familiar with British footie-types would agree with me that there is something about UK football that is unique.  Bill Bryson commented in Notes from a Small Island about a particular area of Britian producing lots of football players because that was the only way out of that town.

So how do you go about catching a match while you’re visiting?  I’m so glad you asked!  The Stadium Guide provides a comprehensive (if slightly dated) look at worldwide football, including a page that advises on buying tickets to matches in the UK and elsewhere.

Now, hit the pitch and experience a truly British cultural event…one of the best things about the United Kingdom!

Oh, and before I forget, Go Magpies! (Sorry again, Dave.)