The very complicated life of a female football fan

As a female football fan, I’ve always struggled with where I belong exactly. With the guys, it’s like you’re a magical unicorn, beamed from outer space by the football gods or just one of those girls who doesn’t understand the game and is just watching for the men.  With the girls it’s like you’re some crazy weirdo, watching a sport liked mostly by guys. So it’s no surprise that I get some of the craziest reactions from both guys and girls when it comes to my deep and undying love for the beautiful game.

I can’t even begin to tell you the comments I’ve heard from people throughout the years when I happen to reveal that I like sports; and lo and behold football. It becomes an even bigger fuss when they realize that I support Arsenal.  I remember one time, I was wearing my beloved Arsenal shirt to work and a male colleague asked, stone faced; “Did you borrow that from your boyfriend? Is that his shirt?”. Another fine gentleman, having spotted the trade mark red and white of the Arsenal said:” Do u support Arsenal cos you’re an arse?”. Then come the constant barrage of questions when I try and buy a football jersey at the store. Once a male shop assistant boldly asked me if I was buying my Arsenal shirt for my boyfriend or dad, and then proceeded with the famous line” I’ve never met a girl who likes football”.

And that’s just the tip of the ice-berg compared to the dumbfounded looks of surprise and somewhat confusion I’ve received throughout the years. But that’s much better than the guys who simply want to test my football knowledge by asking the most ridiculous questions to catch me off guard. Guys will literally want you to recite the Champions League anthem word for word, want you to peddle stats on the Messi vs Ronaldo debate or ask you who scored the winning goal at the 1990 World Cup final.

But that’s even worse compared to girls who’ve asked me flat out why I love football or who just give me a crazy demented look.  Girls who straight up find you weird for liking a ‘guys sport’ and feel the need to ask why you willingly torture yourself; as if watching football is the most torturous act of self-infliction on Earth. Or girls who think you watch the sport just cause you’re trying to get in with the guys, trying to make yourself relatable to them. Girls, just because I love football doesn’t mean I’m impartial to the cuties all over the field that you seemingly notice as well. I see them too, in all their hunky glory (and I’m not ashamed to admit that I do scan the teams to see the cutest guy in the squad; I am a girl after all).

But I have to admit, I appreciate those guys who give you props for being a female football fan. The ones who make you a part of the ‘brotherhood’ and don’t see you as a band wagon fan, who don't approach you with a condescending tone and don’t feel compelled to test your football knowledge. From the bottom of my football loving; THANK YOU!!

I have to say I’m quite petty when it comes to football stanning. I understand the importance of rivalry and a derby. I plain out refused to hug a colleague once cos he was wearing a Man United shirt. I’m all up for banter and give props when props are due to player; even if they are my rivals. But it comes with the territory of loving the game; it’s instilled in me, it’s in my blood.

Signed

Goonerette93