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Who on here dislikes football?

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najaB

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All sport is tribalism, it is an almost direct replacement for war, it replaces our very basic and fundamental animal territorial instincts
Team sports, definitely. Solo sports like athletics, gymnastics, etc. not so much.
 
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Techniquest

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Ah, but you could ask a long-term enthusiast of the UK railway scene (OK the interest is lower these days but still...) that same question and not get a correct answer. I certainly couldn't tell you for sure, and I've been around on the scene to various extents since October 2003. Altrincham is one of them, of that I am certain, but are we only looking at where the trams run from Manchester city centre, or are we including the other end of the routes too?

Two of my friends are Manchester United followers, who occasionally get to go to Old Trafford. They both have differing anxiety issues, so would rather not go on their own, and to go together is challenging due to their both working different days/nights/hours and have drastically different commitments. However I suspect neither of them could tell you which tram to get for a trip to Old Trafford, certainly not without getting a map. Yet they are keen followers, so it's a little unfair to say any supporter should know!

This thread came to mind this morning, as I was sat in front of two girls talking about shopping amongst other things. One bit of the conversation I heard bits of, while reading a book, was discussing places to go and I could feel the passion and enthusiasm they had for it. I've no idea how someone can love shopping, but like many of us on this forum will never understand football it's always interesting to observe other people's passions.
 

J-2739

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I find going to a game is the best. It could be any level you want - amateurs in the public park right through to the Premier League.
I think there may also be some games live on BBC TV in the FA Cup this weekend if you’d rather watch a game on TV.
I used to go to the games a lot; I even had a season ticket, but school work and other things caught up with me. I think for now, I will only purchase tickets for singular matches.

A problem I have is that I'll probably have no-one to come to games with me, as none of my friends/family support the team I support (or even support football). Football watching is no fun if you have no-one to share it with.
 

AlterEgo

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And that’s because the questioner is vastly likely to be a fake supporter. One can only support a professional team by contributing financially and/or vocally.

So if they buy the shirt and watch the team on Sky and have an online subscription, then this is fine, but:

Man Utd fakes are particularly fun. Just to get back on to a rail topic, when you next come across one of their zillions of fake supporters, just ask him, or possibly her, what the destinations are of the trams that stop at Old Trafford. You are remotely unlikely to get a correct answer. Just about any genuine supporter will know.

Okay.
 

satisnek

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I've no interest myself but have nothing against those who do (although I'm specifically referring to the type who can be heard earnestly discussing the technicalities of the game, rather than the boorish, lagered-up oafs which the sport so readily attracts).

Now here's something. We all have different voices - so much so that when two people have similar vocal characteristics, its an unusual enough occurrence for the lesser-known person to be branded a 'soundalike'. So why do groups of chanting footie boys, at large railway stations all over the country on Saturday evenings, always sound exactly the same?
 

Shaw S Hunter

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All sport is tribalism

Team sports, definitely. Solo sports like athletics, gymnastics, etc. not so much.

Some notable exceptions to that idea. Wherever Simona Halep plays you can guarantee the presence of vociferous Romanians complete with Romanian flags and some wearing replica shirts of their national football(!) team. And US inter-collegiate sports are highly tribal with gymnastics very much a part of that.

Now here's something. We all have different voices - so much so that when two people have similar vocal characteristics, its an unusual enough occurrence for the lesser-known person to be branded a 'soundalike'. So why do groups of chanting footie boys, at large railway stations all over the country on Saturday evenings, always sound exactly the same?

If you think that then I suspect you are not paying close enough attention!
 

najaB

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Some notable exceptions to that idea. Wherever Simona Halep plays you can guarantee the presence of vociferous Romanians complete with Romanian flags and some wearing replica shirts of their national football(!) team. And US inter-collegiate sports are highly tribal with gymnastics very much a part of that.
Oh, of course there are exceptions. The US collegiate sports scene is a notable exception, but there's nothing normal about US collegiate sports.
 

Shaw S Hunter

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Oh, of course there are exceptions. The US collegiate sports scene is a notable exception, but there's nothing normal about US collegiate sports.

The point is that just about any sport is capable of provoking a tribal response from spectators. See Malaysians watching badminton or Chinese watching table-tennis. The question is how to prevent that tribalism from taking an aggressive turn. In this country Rugby League is pretty good in that respect though modern stadium rules tend to segregate fans of the two teams thus undermining what always used to be a very friendly banter-laden mixing of fans.

As to the more general question of why people do or don't like football it does seem to be quite closely related to childhood experience ie those who genuinely enjoyed playing when younger, to whatever standard, are far more likely to be fans as adults while those who were sufficiently poor at it as to be unable to derive any pleasure from it grow up to be disinterested at best.
 

Calthrop

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Both of my parents have always been into football, but personally I've never managed to find how watching some players kick a ball around keeps people amused for 90 minutes.

From memories of being (reluctantly) dragged to football matches by my parents, I usually treated each trip as a special opportunity to tuck into a burger or hotdog along with some other various snacks, whilst everyone else around me stood up and roared every so often, expressing blissful delight at something I had absolutely zero interest in.

Although of course, each to their own, as I'm sure many would find my interests just as dull. But football? It just isn't for me!

My father was a hearty fan of assorted sports, including football (he had many other interests too): it would seem that he regretted my showing early, very definite signs of being a cerebral, totally non-athletic type and inveterate "indoor plant". He died when I was 10 -- in his last couple of years of life, he took me on several occasions to home matches of our city's football side, hoping against hope that I might thereby in some sort, get the bug. Sorry, Dad, you were completely on a hiding to nothing there: I tried to endure it uncomplainingly (or so I like to remember), but opined privately that watching paint dry would be considerably more interesting and exciting.

I have two brothers, significantly younger than me: they have no memories at all of our father -- however, one is a fairly tepid; and the other, a white-hot fanatical; football fan. Funny how things work out. (Neither brother is into railways.)
 

JohnMcL7

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In what way is football "forced" on folk?

In the way it's impossible to escape it between the huge amount of coverage it get on TV, news, any form of media never mind when there's a bit football event on at which point nothing else exists in the world apart from football. Rugby occasionally comes close but far less often whereas football is just non-stop and inescapable pretty much the entire time.
 

Bantamzen

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In the way it's impossible to escape it between the huge amount of coverage it get on TV, news, any form of media never mind when there's a bit football event on at which point nothing else exists in the world apart from football. Rugby occasionally comes close but far less often whereas football is just non-stop and inescapable pretty much the entire time.

Well all I'll say as a football fan is that it is very easy to escape it. The vast majority of TV channels do not cover it, many news channels have timed slots for sports news, and failing that there is an entire world out there not associated with football. Honestly, it isn't hard to find.
 

DarloRich

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Well all I'll say as a football fan is that it is very easy to escape it. The vast majority of TV channels do not cover it, many news channels have timed slots for sports news, and failing that there is an entire world out there not associated with football. Honestly, it isn't hard to find.

Agreed!
 
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Well all I'll say as a football fan is that it is very easy to escape it. The vast majority of TV channels do not cover it, many news channels have timed slots for sports news, and failing that there is an entire world out there not associated with football. Honestly, it isn't hard to find.

I hardly ever watch TV these days, but when I do it does seem difficult to escape it, especially if you're watching the news. If you don't like football then simply don't watch a channel that's showing it. In the days of on demand TV it's not exactly hard.
 

SteveP29

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I'm finding that my interest is waning, an amazing thing to say when I subscribe to Sky Sports and have a season ticket.
I won't be giving up the season ticket but I am finding myself less and less likely to watch live games on TV.
I don't miss not having access to the Champions League, I just don't bother with it, except for dipping into the final, now that it has to be shown for free somewhere.
I'm disillusioned with the cheating, diving and general sh*t attitude of modern day players, that and transfer fees and wages are far far far too high

You have to be careful on here if you ever cast Chelsea in a less than perfect light too, as I found to my cost when I opined once that John Terry was less than an admirable human being!

Can't stand them, I don't care what anyone says about them, and you were right, he's an odious individual.

I don't know how off topic this is, but I'm just asking for advice on how I could get back to being engaged in football, like I was about three years ago. My interest had dropped recently due to other commitments (GCSEs, etc.), but everything has calmed down a bit, so I would like to renew my interest. Is there any best ways I can?

If you're wanting to play, have a look at your local Gumtree listings, teams often advertise for players there, that's how I got myself back into playing once I relocated to Scotland, and although too old an unfit to play on their team, I did really enjoy the training sessions and small games on a Tuesday night during the season and pre-season training was always brutal.
Now that injury has stopped me playing properly, I am enjoying playing walking football immensely.
 

DarloRich

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Fair game, I do wonder how many people are paying members of a football club.

Me. My club is 100% owned by the fans. I am a member of the DFC Supporters Group. I pay a yearly sum for membership plus a bit more in lottery and fundraising initiatives. Darlington FC Supporters Group holds 78.5% of the equity of Darlington Football Club and is therefore the major shareholder as well as being the Corporate Director of Darlington Football Club 1883 Ltd.

I am also part of the other 21.5% as i own a couple of my own shares in the club.
 

trebor79

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I hate it...always have. I find it duller than a burnt out candle. I cannot see why its such a draw to people.
It's as if its compulsory to like it!! Almost everyone I know likes it but I really can't see why.
Yep, me too.
Can't understand why people get so passionate about 22 thick millionaires kicking a ball around, spitting and shouting insults.

I recall the one time I actually put some effort into a footage during PE. I attempted to tackle the top school team player. Instead of using his skill to avoid losing the ball, he just hoofed it straight into my face.
After that I just went back to escaping through the hole in the fence and mucking about in the woods with a couple of mates.
 

scotrail158713

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I'm finding that my interest is waning, an amazing thing to say when I subscribe to Sky Sports and have a season ticket.
I won't be giving up the season ticket but I am finding myself less and less likely to watch live games on TV.
I don't miss not having access to the Champions League, I just don't bother with it, except for dipping into the final, now that it has to be shown for free somewhere.
I'm disillusioned with the cheating, diving and general sh*t attitude of modern day players, that and transfer fees and wages are far far far too high
That’s everything I hate football for as well.
I watched the Merseyside derby on Sunday on TV, and must say I much preferred going to Ormiston v Preston Athletic in the East of Scotland League on Saturday. It was a much more entertaining derby game. I just find live football on TV is so dull for me.
 

Howardh

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Must admit I'm looking forward to Daisy Hill v Bury next season. Clapped out ground, half the lights not working, pint in hand....who needs the EFL and Premiergreed??
 

Journeyman

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It's not the sport it's the idiotic rivalry and behaviour it leads to in some people. But then - it's not just football...

That's absolutely the biggest problem I have with it. The cretinous mob mentality is just not something I've ever felt a need to be part of.

My dad tried very hard to get me into sport of any kind, but failed dismally. He badgered me into playing golf with him once, but made the fatal error of choosing a golf course next to a railway line!

Back to footie - it just doesn't engage me at all. Loads of games end with 0-0 draws, and that just strikes me as the dullest thing in the world. If you could guarantee fifty goals per game, I might show an interest, but it just seems slow and dull and pointless to me.
 

Journeyman

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Probably in the way that it's not often looked at as acceptable for blokes not to like football. Still the case in some parts of society, not so much in the age of the nerd thankfully, but there's still so much of that sort of nonsense going around.

"What football team do you support?" is still the first thing I'm asked by a surprising number of people, as if it's just a given that I'm passionate about it, because of what's between my legs.

I'm still frequently stared at like I have two heads when I tell people I couldn't give a toss about it.
 

krus_aragon

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Back to footie - it just doesn't engage me at all. Loads of games end with 0-0 draws, and that just strikes me as the dullest thing in the world. If you could guarantee fifty goals per game, I might show an interest, but it just seems slow and dull and pointless to me.
That would drift toward the territory of basketball, where teams can expect to score roughly 100 points each (2 or 3 points at a time) yet be within a few points of each other at the end. If the teams are going to be within one score of each other at the end (as they spend much of the game trading scores), I sometimes wonder "why bother with the first three quarters: just leap straight into the final quarter?"
 

Journeyman

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That would drift toward the territory of basketball, where teams can expect to score roughly 100 points each (2 or 3 points at a time) yet be within a few points of each other at the end. If the teams are going to be within one score of each other at the end (as they spend much of the game trading scores), I sometimes wonder "why bother with the first three quarters: just leap straight into the final quarter?"

Well, about the only sport I can stand watching is tennis, because although matches can be pretty long, they're very fast-moving, and even if a player wins a couple of sets comfortably at the beginning, they can still go on to lose, and it's much more engaging for that.
 
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