Football fan tips?

Question

I an american who is a die-hard football fan, but as most of you know, the u.s. has very few class footballers (who play here). I now live in London (Balham) and will be attending my first Premier League match. Are there any things that I need to know? I have researched team songs, ect, So I will fit in a little, but would like to know if there is any info that I just need to know. i.e. is it true you dont sing if your team is behind?
Cheers,
Matt

I will be at the Plymouth v Watford match.

P.S. thanks for all the tips...When I now what im doing at these matches, will people care that im an american? or will people just see me as another fan of the same club?

Answer 1

If this is really your first ever game, then I strongly recommend that the best thing to do is just keep quiet and watch! Regular hard-core fans have little time for novices ...and if you shout out something slightly inappropriate or awkward, you'll only make yourself look foolish and will instantly mark yourself out as a "newbie", which can be kind of embarrassing when you are in the middle of several thousnd die-hard fans who know everything about their club and the game!! The best way for a raw begginner to fit in is just to watch...you can do the obvious basics like jump around and cheer when a goal goes in, moan about the referee, and say "sh1t" through clenched teeth when the opposition score...but apart from that just keep schtum and learn.

The best way to learn "how to be a fan" is to attend matches regularly, you'll soon pick it up after a season. Dependending on where you are going, and also where you are sitting in the stadium, you should expect a generally friendly but very macho atmosphere with constant bad language, even in front of kids. Normal British public behaviour goes out the window at football. Actual violence is extremely rare these days, so dont worry about that. Generally, at most stadiums the more expensive the seats, the more quiet and demure your immediate neighbours will be...the real passion is in the cheaper seats.

Oh.. and no, its absolutely NOT true that you dont sng if your team is behind. That is exactly when you should be singing most loudly to encourage them, although its a fact that most fans will spend the next five minutes feeling sorry for themselves when their team conceed a goal. A common chant of fans whose team have just scored is "You're not singing anymore!", which is intended as a taunt to the opposing fans for exactly that reason.

EDIT: Ok, if you are going to the Plymouth V Watford game on Sunday evening, then be aware that its NOT a Premiership match..its an FA Cup match. Plymouth are in the Championship ( the division below the Premiership) and the FA Cup is the oldest and most prestigious knock-out compertition in English football.

Because of the odd kick-off time and the travelling distance involved, I would expect that only around 500-600 Watford fans will be present, and the fact that its live on TV will also mean that Plymouth probably wont have as big a crowd as they ususally would..so the match may be fairly low-key in atmosphere. Just sit back and enjoy the game, and dont worry about "joining in"..if you live in Balham then I very much doubt you are going to become a regular Plymouth supporter anyway! Maybe you could cheer for Watford, although they will be expected to win this game.

And no-one will be bothered that you're American, although you might be regarded as something of a curiousity...Plymouth is quite an isolated city and they dont even meet people from London that often!

Answer 2

This is a prime example of bandwagoning...people jumpin on a team who has good records... I dispise bandwagonners. This is the reason why there are so many Patriot, Steelers, and Saints fans.... Here's a tip. DONT LOOK FOR TEAMS THAT ARE DOING WELL!!!!!!!!!! You cant become a fan of a team over nite. Sit down and watch NFL teams play on Sunday, Monday or Thursday. Take time to study... when i say "study" dont look at the winnings a team has had. Go for the way the team looks or the teams preferences to you. Don't bandwaggon.

Answer 3

hi matt
OK first tell me which football team u are going to see play and then ill edit this answer
right that guy below me is a idiot he is putting u off
i have never been to a prem game but i have seen enough on TV
he is right in a way that they shout at the ref but that's cos they have passion for the game

that guys a Liverpool supporters he's obviously on a high after they just beat barca (champs of Europe and Spain) but he shouldn't spoil everyone's day

anyway in my opinion u sing wen ur teams winning and u sing even louder wen ur teams loosing.

good luck hope that helped
and i really hope u have a Nice time

Answer 4

Hey Matt,

Best not be going to see Chelsea! Sing when you are losing, it brings up The motivation of the team, often the crowd can act like a 12th man on the pitch, intimidate the opposition and encourage your team. Take a football scarf if you have one, you hold this above your head whilst chanting and singing.

All the best.

Answer 5

you should know that football fans that go watch prem games are a bunch of hooligans. they will be shouting abuse, disputing every opposing call by the ref, and threatening the opposing fans for the duration of the game. by the way, when a team is down is wen they need the most support... so as a 'die-hard football fan' i suggest you sing most passionately. but yes, some supporters will stop singing (twerps!)... i suggest on this issue you follow the example of liverpool supporters- now they are die-hard!!

Answer 6

Come and watch a league two game at Shrewsbury - if the pitch ever dries out!!

Answer 7

Make sure you were the home teams shirt in the home team end of the ground or you could be in trouble.