Thursday 29 September 2011

Fabulous Fall Blog Challenge: Day 9

Favourite Football Passtimes

Living in the UK there are two sorts of Football in my life. The first is what anyone in this country will think of when you talk about football (i.e. soccer) and the second is what anyone in the US will think of when you talk about football (i.e. NFL).

On the Hallowed Turf

Uploaded by nat_mach on September 19, 2011
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I was introduced to the 'beautiful game' in my early twenties by a guy (of course) - my family were more cricket/rugby orientated. I started my love-affair with Charlton Athletic... it outlasted the guy, and brought me and the Better-half  together!

When I started watching them Charlton played in Divison 1 (now the Championship) I saw them promoted to the glory of the Premiership, and relegated down (and down again).

At one time I had a season ticket, but the whole work life balance thing and having to go and watch what was becoming increasingly poor football didn't really work for me.

I still try and get down the Valley once a season though - there is nothing like the walk to the ground (downhill) or the struggle home (uphill) - the slightly warm and not very fizzy beer from plastic cups on the concourse before the game and at half time... the conversations during the game when not much of interest is going on... it's more than just watching the game... it's a whole community.

The promotion to the Premiership at Wembley is still the stuff of legend... the Bank Holiday before my Uni finals - and I was off watching football instead of studying!

Outside the Home of Football

Uploaded by nat_mach on September 29, 2011
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NFL is oddly something from my childhood. NFL was very big when my brother was around 8 or 9. I have a photo somewhere of one of his birthday parties and half a dozen little boys all dressed in the turquoise of the Miami Dolphins. In order to play various games it was necessary for me to learn the rules of the game - and once learnt you don't forget! 

Our NFL tradition (5th year at the end of next month) is when one of the regular season games is played at Wembley. It doesn't really matter who is playing (although the first year it was rather thrilling as it was my Giants) as once again it is more than just the game... it is the whole day out. The entertainment before and at half time, the (more expensive) warm and not very fizzy beer... our game of shirt bingo (trying to spot a shirt representing every franchise) - just a great day out.

NFL10

A set by nat_mach

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My other favourite football pass-times are statistics. I keep spreadsheets. The Better-Half and I have a score prediction competition (which I lose every year) and we take part in a pool as well. I also play a fantasy game on-line - so knowing the form and stats are very important.