World Cup South Africa 2010- feast for the Armchair Footy Fan

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by fensterbme

World Cup South Africa 2010- feast for the Armchair Footy Fan

In the old days, not so very long ago, you donned your scarf  and bobble hat and with flask in hand set out in all weathers to follow your favourite team and, win , lose or draw,  you’d be there the following week. For away games you listened to second half commentary on Radio 2, if your team was top of the league.. ‘We join listeners to the World Service.’

The advent of local radio and a wise up by the BBC gave us full match commentary either regionally or nationally. The FA Cup Final meant something and was the only domestic fixture given full coverage, with an early morning start with special editions of ’it’s a Knockout’ and ’Alas Smith & Jones’  to whet our appetite for the main event. We made do with Match of the Day with it’s main game and second fixture, not always from the top flight,and definately not all the goals. Going to the match was the best option by a country mile.

This was how we got by until the Premier League landed and ITV’s ’The Big Match’ and the advent of Sky and ‘Monday Night football’ with fireworks, dancing girls and inflated sumo wrestlers at half time. Live coverage started hours before and after  the match and analysis of every incident with ‘new technology’ meant we saw the legs of the presenters as they trotted over to ever more elaborate flashing mock ups of the action. Referees became the 23rd player on the pitch. Controversy  was given more air time than the goals  as broadcasters had to fill the extra program time afforded to them by having  a dedicated sports channel. We were enticed into watching all the action from Scotland, and crunch clashes between Hibs and Arbroath were given build ups previously reserved for World Cup Finals.

And thus the armchair fan was born. Fans who went to the  match, who had forked out hard earned cash on season tickets , rather than a subscription, found kick off times moved to facilitate live coverage. People with only a passing interest in the game  were able to divert their tv viewing from  invasive reality shows to live football coverage several times a week and became authorites on the match spoon fed by the TV directors and rolling news channels. Suddenly everyone had an opinion. The argument ‘what do you know , you weren’t there’ held no weight. We were all there ! whether snuggled up at home in our armchair or sat cramped in an under faciltated stadium, taking an hour to leave the car park etc etc.

In this multi media saturated age  we are all ,whether we admit it or not, armchair footy fans  to some degree. In June 2010 most of us will have no choice. All credit to those going out to South Africa, bring back the cup with you. I have no axe to grind . I am a footy fan who goes to the match when I can (come on you Blues !) I have a sky subscription and watch quite a bit of live footy on TV.  I do not know who holds the moral high ground . There are those who detest armchair fans with a vengeance. Informed debate and banter is good for the game.

So this summer , give into it, stock your fridges, buy your merchandise, memorabilia and souvenirs from a favourite outlet like that linked below and cheer on England to glory !

from lp Of Two Minds – Dischord Rec.

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