[Closed] The stigma of not liking football

Oh I give Up

tried to quote someone and just couldn’t.

This forum is “challenging”

anyway

dont like footy.. don’t care what anyone else tjhinks...

You could make exactly the same argument about cricket, tennis, athletics etc. Do we have to be interested and knowledgeable in them all?

Spot on. @lunge, are you really saying it behoves us all to have a working knowledge of everything which is "popular"?

I dislike the game. I really find the football 'rich and couldn't care less' culture distasteful.
I've never got why the papers dedicate pages daily and TV hours every weekend to it.
And I agree op, there seems to be a bafflement when I say I don't like it, that I don't receive when I say I'm not interested in golf or another sport.

Spot on. @lunge, are you really saying it behoves us all to have a working knowledge of everything which is generally popular?

I’m saying that I don’t think beIng wilfully ignorant of a topic, football in this case, that is huge part of culture in this country is a good idea. I think it’s important to know what is going on with topics that influence and are important large parts of the populous.

Clearly many disagree and that’s fine. But I feel you’re missing something if you don’t have that knowledge.

Tennis, cricket, and athletics are very different. Football seems to have a following and culture of people who assume everyone is the same and likes the same thing.

@lunge OK. I respect your view but disagree and don't think I am missing something. There is a difference by the way between ambivalence/disinterest and "willful ignorance".

Tennis, cricket, and athletics are very different.

Not really. I also follow all of those sports as well as Gaelic football.
You'll find there's a lot of cross overs as many athletes, crickets and tennis players also watch football.

I’ve thought for a long time that mountain biking is a bit of an outcast/ loner sport.

It’s always seemed to me that people that don’t play/ aren’t interested/ aren’t very good turn to individual sports like this one so this forum will probably give a very biased answer.

I play football and mountain bike, always have. Prefer the team sports but also appreciate time on my own/ with mtb mates which is different to team sport.

Just My thoughts though. I might be wrong.

Using your example, I’m no Love Island fan but I know what it’s all about and know enough that I can see why people would like it, even if it’s not for me.

I'm pretty sure folks that don't like or follow football still know enough about it that they can see why people like it, even if it's not for them. But to the Op's point, prople expect you to know who the likes of harry mcquire are. Yet If you said you didnt know who Georgia Steel was (google her) no one would bat an eyelid.

I used to quite like football I followed leeds went to a lot of games then one day on my way home on leave from the army just as I got off the wrong train in Leeds a leeds fan stabbed me for being whatever he thought I was , ive not really watched it since despite me being treated like an oddball from everyone in the fire service for not being into it

I’m pretty sure folks that don’t like or follow football still know enough about it that they can see why people like it,

Guy at a business I visit was bemused that I couldnt name a single Man City player(bearing in mind I have grown up not 10miles from Manchester), thought I was winding him up.

I agree it seems to be a opener when you meet new blokes and they then appear at a loss of how to proceed with the conversation when yo say you have no interest in the sport, probably why I get on with women better as conversations seem to be more varied.

I don't dislike any sports, I've no interest in them however, well, except for motorcycle racing and I struggle to stay awake watching that half the time 😀

No interest in football, no one in the family does. If England got to the world cup final I'd watch but that's it. Don't like what footballers get paid or how intertwined it is with the culture of this country. Not interested in ball games in general although football and rugby are right down the bottom for me. So of course I didn't fit in well for PE classes at a school where it was almost always ball games and they even put a staff car park over the almost new swimming pool.

I've found that when conversation turns to football I say I don't follow it and we start talking about something else. I used to be one of those people who took umbrage at assumed fandom but eventually realised that made me as annoying as the other person.

The difference between football and all the other sports/passtimes mentioned (maybe with the exception of Rugby and the Welsh but I don't know) is that there is an expectation that you will "have a team" etc... and there are definitely people who struggle to comprehend that a "bloke" doesn't like football.

because most football fans (in my experience) seem to assume that any adult British male they meet will share their enthusiasm and be utterly baffled if they don’t.

But you are making that up aren’t you? I love football but don’t expect others to like it. If I mention football to someone and they don’t share my love of the game I am not baffled - it’s quite easy to understand that not everyone likes all the same things as others. I am sure it’s the same for other football fans just like it is for fans of any other sport you care to imagine.

I have no team. I follow no team. I just like the sport as I played at quite a high level and the fitness levels I reached have lasted into middle age.

My indifference to the beautiful game is worn as a badge of honour.

I generally find people that know me and know that fact are happy not to try and engage me in bladder-kicking related conversation.

But like it or not, for a large part of the populous it’s an important part of their lives. So knowing a little is a good thing. You don’t need to have any “toxic baggage”, just know a little about what’s going on.

So?

Why is it so important to you that people know a little about football? I can't think of a single reason other than not having anything else to talk about.

In fairness, nobody has ever given me grief for not having any interest. Although when I say I don't follow football most folk once again assume I'm a Pars fan.

Next time anyone asks about it, just saY you very much enjoy ‘soccer’ and that you loved it when *insert name of premiership player most recently arrested* hit a head strike in the score zone.

I bloody love football.

I’d rather remove my own kidneys with a teaspoon than watch a game of rugby

Each to their own. Like what you like. You don’t have to justify it to anybody

I have zero interest in it and don’t suffer from what the OP mentions. Each to their own and all that. Never been a fan of any team sport really or watching sports. MTB, skateboarding, climbing, boxing and martial arts are all things I have or do enjoy though.

I’ve been to a couple of games when friends have asked and will occasionally watch World Cup matches. It’s just really boring to me though. Can’t fathom why people get excited or emotional over a game either. I find how emotional some folk get over it a tad disturbing if I’m honest.

Am I the only one?

Nope!

I like football. It’s a useful couple of hours to get out on quieter roads.

When the footy world cup is on, it a guaranteed few hours of totally deserted forest, and not a single soul in the way when MTBing 🙂

speaking of which, normally a thread or comment like this tends to occur around the footy world cup or euros or something, when *everyone* becomes a fan for 6 weeks. I know it's been and odd year, but I seem to have totally missed both cups for a change (they always seem to follow me around for some reason and are based wherever I move)

why the heck would anyone want to watch a sport where the average score is 0-0 ? And then decide the quality of the game on tackles and passes or something and not the actual goals scored? IMHO they should score it with 6 point 0's for the acting skills for those diving and those feigning near fatal injuries when an opponent trips them up!

Oh and just mentioning wendyball, so the fans can tick that one off the bingo card.

I agree it seems to be a opener when you meet new blokes

Imagine that? Someone trying to instigate a rapport with someone they’ve never met before, opting to initiate a conversation about a sport referred to as ‘the National game’ and watched by billions of people around the world.

Why on earth would they do that?

Maybe they should have gone for an opener about what wheel size they prefer?

Why on earth would they do that

Lack of imagination or anything interesting to talk about? 😉

But you are making that up aren’t you? I love football but don’t expect others to like it.

Really? You are questioning my honesty because you are projecting your views onto football fans you've never met but I have?

56 years old and it's happened to me countless times. "What! Really? You don't like it!", "But you must follow some team, where are you from" etc.

I was in the army for 23 years, posted to a new unit, going on a course etc. it was guaranteed I'd be asked within 5 minutes. I have genuinely been asked "what the **** is wrong with you"? or "are you some kind of (insert homophobic insult)" multiple times

It's happened twice this week FFS which is why I posted it. Your not expecting others to like it is commendable, rejecting someone else's experience out of hand because it's not the same as yours and calling them a liar is not.

There's football and there's football.

At the basic level it's a group of humans kicking a ball around. I love that level of it. I love the community spirit of a small club and the hope that fills you on a sunny afternoon. Don't bother going to many games (Stirling Albion is my local but may drop down a division to the Lowland league).

The media and what most of you take as "football" is a commercial enterprise that is of no interest to me, and many thousands of real football fans, whatsoever.

If anyone starts a conversation with "did you see the game last night" or anything along those lines I just say "No, because I think football is shit". Conversation swiftly moves to another subject.

I do however know what football is, have an understanding of the structure, the culture around it and so on but I still didn't know who that bloke was who couldn't lie to save his life.

I have no problems with people not liking football. I can take it or leave it.

I have a problem with people who do think it's a problem.

I also have a problem with people who make a fuss about how they don't like it, in the same way I have a problem with people who make a fuss about how they don't watch the news or don't follow politics. "Look at me, I know nothing about this subject...." isn't a great look.

I dont like football,dont like a lot if the culture that goes with it and find the amounts of money involved in a game abhorent. But I maintain a passing interest in Aston Villa just to enable me to have conversations with some kids at school.

IME I find there's a small group of men who will insist on telling you that they have no interest in football, and then stand back and expect you to be shocked and stunned by this revelation as if they are somehow superior beings or have had some special knowledge conferred upon them.  It's also my experience that people that tell you this are generally as dull as ****, as folk who think they're special tend to be.

So you don't like football?  Get over yourself, what do you want, a badge?

It's happened to me countless times. My first day in my first "proper" job, we all went off to the break room for morning brew. The football talk struck up straight away, someone asked me who my team was, I told them I don't follow football (I was tactful, didn't just say I can't ****ing stand it) and the look of disappointment spread like someone had farted. A few moment silence then they all just carried on and ignored me!! We got past it, I'm still there 20 years later!

There's a lot of things I don't like about it, but one thing that frustrates me and is happening right now whilst I type this is how much time is devoted to it on the news. It's not news, it's sport. There's sport channels for that. Or they'll bang on about something on the main news, then repeat it on the regional then MOTD will be on!!

"If you don't want to know the score, leave the room because MOTD follows this programme......" Just talk about it on there then FFS.

Edit - haha, should've read the previous post before submitting this, turns out I'm a right boring b4st4rd! Sorry everyone.👌

I have no interest in football but only best mate is really interested in it.
I don't mind it or take offence by it just not interested.

One night out, friend of friend was chatting about football reeling names and clubs out, I was being polite (rule #1) as the bloke was alright as just chatting. Mate jumped in saying I had no idea about any of the names mentioned 😆, other bloke looked bit confused then we changed subject and carried on.

On the other hand years ago when I worked in a factory the cleaner started talking about football and last night's game, said I don't follow football. He just stopped talking and walked away.

So for some it must be more than a game, bit like for some a bike is more than a way to get somewhere faster than walking.

Try explaining why your bike cost more than your car.

How the bloody hell did Gary Linekar end up on a £1.75 million salary to present MOTD, before the gender unequality uproar? 😮

How the bloody hell did Gary Linekar end up on a £1.75 million salary

He has a sports management company do his negotiations for him, who , y'know, are generally hard-arsed contract lawyers.

It’s also my experience that people that tell you this are generally as dull as ****, as folk who think they’re special tend to be.

😄 You've got me to an absolute tee, spot on! This is a cross I have to bear. You on the other hand, as is clear from your wise and incisive words are incredibly interesting 👍

Really? You are questioning my honesty because you are projecting your views onto football fans you’ve never met but I have?

56 years old and it’s happened to me countless times. “What! Really? You don’t like it!”, “But you must follow some team, where are you from” etc.

I was in the army for 23 years, posted to a new unit, going on a course etc. it was guaranteed I’d be asked within 5 minutes. I have genuinely been asked “what the **** is wrong with you”? or “are you some kind of (insert homophobic insult)” multiple times

It’s happened twice this week FFS which is why I posted it. Your not expecting others to like it is commendable, rejecting someone else’s experience out of hand because it’s not the same as yours and calling them a liar is not.

Fair enough then. You win. Have a nice (football-free) day.

I get a fair amount of what the OP is talking about.
I don't care one way or the other about football.
If someone likes it good for them if they don't also good for them.

I visit a lot of different factorys in a lot of different industrys up and down the country and always get the your lot played well/shit last night conversation starters.
Even from people that know I don't follow football.
Some of them just can't help themselves.
Some of them seem to genuinely not believe me that I don't follow a team.😂
I've had people say well you must at least follow a local team even if you don't like football?
Seems a little odd to me that they can't accept that someone doesn't follow the same sport they do.

Yup the worst thing is when you tell them you don’t like football they still talk at you about it

I know someone who lost their job because they didn't like football. Their director said that you cant be a sales person and not like it !

I walked out* of a job interview after 10 minutes due to the 3 interviewing me talking about football and asking me about my team

(*not really walked out, said thank you for their time and told them that I didn’t think the job was for me)

I've no real interest, I'll happily go see a live game though when mates with season tickets invite. But I don't support a team or follow any matches, I'll only watch England if they get to semi finals - this really pisses people off.

I've better things to do with my time (like posting on MTB forums), than following that. I will religiously watch the MTB DH though which my football following friends think is nuts.... I just rattle off the UK wins that year and they shut up.

I went to uni in Exeter and watched a fair few live matches their as a mate had a house overlooking the grounds, so I usually tell people in a work situation I support them but don't follow it any more as I've moved away, usually gets them to shut up as they have no idea who plays for them and where they are in the tables, and I get respect for 'supporting' a smaller team.

I also don't drink so have little reason to watch it in a pub.

This:

Quite like playing it, no interest in watching it.

Don’t drink alcohol either which thoroughly confuses a large part of the population.

And this:

You should try living in Wales and not being bothered about rugby!

Have been to the odd rugby game and it just doesn't hold my interest. I only watch the Six Nations as to admit you don't here is akin to admitting some heinous crime!

I bloody love football.

I’d rather remove my own kidneys with a teaspoon than watch a game of rugby

That interests me though.

Have you ever thought about why that is? Because at a purely mechanistic level in the big scheme of things (when compared to say ski jumping or cricket) they are incredibly similar. 2 teams of some people on a rectangular bit of grass trying to get a ball/vaguely ball shaped object to the opponent's end of said field with nothing but their bodies to propel it. To like one and hate the other to me is a bit like someone saying they love spag bol and loathe laragne.

It's even stranger when rugby league/union fans can't fathom the love for the other version.

It has to be down the tribal aspect or the intimacy with a known culture. If you LOVE football in this life but were reborn into a world without football but rugby still existed I can't imagine you wouldn't gravitate to that if the actual game was the most important aspect of your current attraction.

To that end I bet a lot of us who 'don't get' football largely came from non football households. It was never ingrained in us. Exceptions to every rule but it does seem not dissimilar to religious indoctrination. Most Jews were born into Jewish families and most Liverpool fans grew up with a Liverpool supporter father.

You on the other hand, as is clear from your wise and incisive words are incredibly interesting

Well, I at least can have a conversation with some-one based around what interests them rather than me. If that's football, cool. I'm not a huge fan, but I'm also not self centered enough to realise that regardless of my opinion of it, it's still pretty popular, and as binners points out, imagine! The trauma of some-one engaging you in conversation...Oh the horror!

Mleh, everyone's different (shocker), but this strikes me as particularly idiotic. It's like Judge Pickles asking "Who are the Beatles?"

Most Jews were born into Jewish families and most Liverpool fans grew up with a Liverpool supporter father.

& most Man Utd fans were born in Surrey