First steps into London football

Karunya Keshav; Mar 12, 2009

Crowds swarm Wembley Stadium before the Football match begins. Photo: Baya Agarwal

I’m here in London, in the middle of English League, European and FA Cup football, and football weekends still seem surreal.

I’ve spent years sitting before the tele, surrounded by a collection of fake club merchandise, watching and cheering on the English football teams from the other side of the world.

But being so close to all the football action and taking in the highly charged atmosphere every week is like seeing a giant wheel at the fair for the first time. The sheer thrill of it all!

Home to four premier league sides, and various other less illustrious but equally competitive leagues and divisions, you’re never too far from a footie match in London.

The football season runs from August through to May the next year. The sport is probably one of the most enjoyable ways to mingle with people and feel a part of great rivalries in English sport.

There are the delectable prospects of many and frequent matches with other top league and European teams. And of course, internationals and the friendlies to be a part of as a spectator. For the faithful, every match is a big match.

So how do you get in on it?

Live football!

It doesn’t take too long to learn the hard truth that getting good (read: any) tickets to the big football games is like getting one past Van Der Sar – possible but highly improbable.

Tickets for the big games are generally sold out, held for registered club members or involve an investment of half of next month’s budget into the Beautiful Game.

For my first encounter with football in England, I settled for being outside a stadium. Wembley. Hallowed ground. I stood gaping as 90,000 ticket-holders, and a couple of hundred more like me hanging around for last minute tickets, walked under the sparkling Wembley arch. I took a couple of cheesy touristy pictures just to send back to envious friends.

But of course, this can’t compare to watching a live match.

“It’s electrifying!” says student Parishmita Gogoi, speaking of her first experience inside a stadium. “I was slightly surprised at how much the fans sweared at each other and at the players, but I fully enjoyed myself. I can’t wait to go to Emirates next,” she adds.

And while you’re waiting for your ticket to the Emirates or Stamford Bridge, it would be a good idea to follow a championship, league one or league two team playing in or around your area. Nothing like joining the good folks in the neighbourhood for a pint as you cheer on the local football team!

Tickets are cheaper, club loyalties are as strong and you could be watching the next biggest footballer before the rest of the world.

Screw degrees and jobs. Because secretly, we’re all here for live football.

Leave your comments about your experiences with English football.