Football. A game that thousands of people around the globe would describe as nothing less than beautiful. And while many football following families will settle down and gather around their television sets to catch the game, groups of friends will keep up with the scores and champions league fixtures over their phones, or some people will go old-school and tune in through their favourite sport radio station, my personal favourite way to watch the football is by getting right into the action at a match in person, cheering on the Hull City boys from a crowd of black and amber. Absolutely nothing beats it. And here’s why…

The anticipation as you make your way to the grounds…

You might think a match day doesn’t start until you’re at the grounds, but you’d be wrong. In fact, a match day starts way before the games kicks off. A home match sees me wrapping up and ambling down Anlaby Road, amongst other black and amber clad fans, stopping in busy pubs for a pint or two en route, checking out the line-up, and eagerly discussing how we think things might turn out by the end of the game. As for the away games, the match day spirit kicks in in full force as dedicated fans cheer and chant on trains and coaches, anticipation practically tangible in the carriages (and usually a whiff of beer in the air, too!).

The unmistakable sound of chanting football fans…

When approaching a stadium ahead of game, you’re often – if not always – greeted by a wall of sound in the form of passionate chants. Chants which would likely be inaudible to anyone who is a stranger to football, but to the fans, every word rings loud and clear. Once inside, I lend my voice to the rowdy masses, joining them in burly chorus, knowing full well it’s likely I’m going to have a bit of a croaky throat the next morning. And it will no doubt be entirely worth it.

The pure elation when the ball hits the back of the net…

A joy that doesn’t necessarily come around every game, but a joy that never lessens the more it happens – the beautiful moment your team scores a goal. Sometimes the goal is strikingly obvious, and other times the ball is sent hurting in between the posts so quickly that you barely even see it happen, but the violent shaking of the net gives it away immediately. And in that moment, pure elation courses through each and every fan in the crowd. A special kind of elation that sees me cheering, hugging like-minded strangers in celebration, and grinning like a madwoman. A passionate madwoman, though, of course.

Are you a bit of a football fan like me? What’s your favourite way to tune in to your team’s football matches each week? Are you an in-person match-goer like me, or do you prefer the comfort fo your sofa and TV?