I’m sure everybody reading this will know somebody who has a completely irrational level of love for their football team, to the point where it makes you wonder if it’s actually a healthy kind of love or something which has gone far beyond what football supporting was supposed to represent.
Most of the football clubs in Britain have been around for well over 100 years, and for the vast majority of that time life has been pretty tough for the working class masses. After a gruelling week of work the escape was a Saturday afternoon at the football, cheering on the local side whilst temporarily feeling free from life’s stresses and strains. Whilst the result has always been important, success and trophies were always viewed as a lovely bonus as just being able to spend a Saturday afternoon with your closest mates singing your heart out and having a few drinks was enough.
As time has moved on it seems people feel consumed to show just how passionate they are about their team as if it makes them a more genuine supporter, and they go to some pretty extreme lengths to show it:
By Rob Boulton
Play up Pompey
John Portsmouth Football Club Westwood
Yes indeed the man who has ruined many a decent Saturday afternoon at the match for anyone in his vicinity, John felt it necessary to add the name of his football club to his actual name. Covering himself in Portsmouth tattoos and walking around in a stupid hat with no top on making angry faces apparently makes him Portsmouth’s staunchest and certainly most infamous supporter - though ironically the big bell he also feels compelled to bring to matches is actually a pretty accurate reflection of how most Portsmouth supporters feel about him and his constant craving for media attention.
Would you get a tattoo of your team?
Topless Geordies
On a Friday night out in Newcastle, topless Geordies (of the Female variety) can be a very nice treat to your evening – however on a Saturday at the match the last thing anybody wants to see is a fat lad whipping his top off to reveal a Newcastle tattoo across his belly. The people around him seem to be laughing at him rather than with him, but he doesn’t care at all as by doing this he can go home and tell his Mum he had a great time at the match and loves Newcastle with all his heart… which is fortunate as it’s doubtful many females would find love for him.
Stephen Pearson taking his Celtic top home in the middle – Are they full kit wankers?
Full kit wankers
With the boom in five-a-side football in recent years, you see a number of lads wearing the full kit of their favourite team to play in. This is cringe-worthy enough, but at least they are actually playing football – whereas these people feel it’s perfectly normal to wear the full kit in everyday situations, when they really should know better.
They’ve become something of an internet phenomenon and are known as FKW’s (Full Kit Wankers), though the creepy lad in the middle appears to be taking that title a little bit too literally…
Is Patch Adams taking it too far?
Football clothing patches
More of a European match-going ritual, covering a cheap denim jacket in patches devoted to your football club appears to be the in thing – and if that doesn’t show your love clearly enough then tie a few team scarves around your wrists as well to literally be a walking show of devotion to your club.
British supporters from the 1970s will give this look the nod of approval, which doesn’t make it any better and merely goes to show there are lots of strange people in the world.
Too much love?
Flags
The flag says it all really, and possibly also shows why divorce rates are on the increase…
Is this all a bit too much? What lengths have you seen people go to in support of their club? Give us your thoughts @talkingbaws or comment below.
