Lootman wrote:bungeejumper wrote:For those with an FT subscription, the FT's Robert Shrimsley has a great piece on how it feels to be a non-football fan at a time when the England squad getting ready for a game gets a higher ranking in the BBC's news agenda than Gaza, Ukraine, the election or [insert earth-shaking story of your choice.]
And about how not being a footie fan can seriously undermine your social standing, for a few months at least.
It helps in business too. One of my sons started a new job a couple of years ago and everyone in his office followed footie. My son felt left out of the banter so I tried to give him a crash course. During which I realised that it takes years and decades to really get that knowledge, because so much of the knowledge is historical and if you weren't there, you don't know. Think 1966 and 1996 for example.
But to your first point I think people are fed up of hearing about Gaza, Ukraine and the election, and want some light relief. And the England team is certainly providing light comic relief.
"Light relief?", "Light Relief?"... ...let me quote a certain Mr Clough.." They say football's a matter of life and death, but it's more important than that."