I discovered the joys of watching football in Italy almost by accident. Back in 2001 my team, Liverpool, drew Roma in the last 16 of the Uefa Cup. I had always wanted to see the Stadio Olimpico as it had been the venue for two of Liverpool’s European Cup finals. I had missed both glorious victories and was keen to get a taste of what it would have been like to be in the stadium. The draw presented me with my opportunity. Continue reading
Tag Archives: football
Women in Football – Slow Progress
I have loved football since I was a small child. When I was five years old in was my weekend treat to be allowed to stay up to watch Match of the Day and for years I was desperate to start going to matches. At the age of 14 I was finally allowed to go and once I had seen a live match I was totally hooked. For more than 30 years I travelled the country and farther afield following my team and as a teenager I played the game. I also refereed matches at university and so knew the game from every angle but I always understood that I would never have a career of any kind in the sport because I am female. Continue reading
FIFA Madness and the 2022 World Cup
I can still remember the hours leading up to the announcement of the venue for the 2022 World Cup Finals. I have never had the privilege of attending a tournament but would love to do so in the future and so the potential venues were of great interest to me. I was very concerned about the presence of Qatar in the bidding as I was aware that football authorities in general and FIFA in particular have a long history of making decisions based on money rather than the interests of the game or the fans. They always try to explain away their rulings with claims of high ideals but they don’t wash with me. I was not, therefore, surprised when the tournament was awarded to Qatar but I was angry and I still am! Continue reading
Can Football be Exciting as a Neutral?
I am a Liverpool fan and have attended hundreds of matches over the years. I can still remember the first time I saw my team in 1977 and I always loved the excitement and atmosphere of the games. It is easy to get wrapped in proceeding s when it is your team on the pitch but can a game still be thrilling when it does not feature your team? Continue reading
The Premier League 2013
There was a time when the beginning of a new football season would fill me with excitement. I couldn’t wait to see which teams would dominate the league and I grew to know and love the players at the club I support which is Liverpool. This year I found myself simply thinking here we go again! These days I know that either Chelsea, Manchester United or Manchester City will win the league, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool will battle for the fourth spot, Everton will probably finish 7th and everyone else will be fending off the threat of relegation for most of the season. Continue reading