It begins with singing, banter, or lively goal celebrations – and evolves into much more. Six groups of fan friends discuss how they met.
Like many football enthusiasts, I have my own set of routines and rituals that shape the home games of a league season. Last year, one such ritual included the older gentleman seated to my right. I’d nod a greeting and, over the loud pre-match music, inquire about his thoughts on Norwich’s chances – 23 times I asked, and 23 times he responded with remarks like: “We’ll probably get thumped” or “I don’t see where our goals are coming from.” He always had a slight disdain for the referee. The referees were always known to him, and I’d invariably be warned that the referee in question was an “arsehole”, a “wanker”, or – once – “an arsehole and a wanker.”
This neighbor of mine was a retired engineer, a Norfolk native, and a fan of both the first team and the academy, attending games both home and away. He was one of thousands with a season ticket at the back of Carrow Road’s lower Barclay stand: a Saturday afternoon companion, a stranger at the start of the last season who became a little less strange as the matches progressed. I learned, for instance, that after many years of devoted (if somewhat pessimistic) support, he would soon be moving to Yorkshire with his partner, drawn by dreams of the Dales. He had already decided against renewing his season ticket. My first year in this section of the ground would be his last.
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com