Football is the most popular sport in the world and citizens of many countries are obsessed with the football teams that they support. According to Bill Shankly, a former manager, and a footballer, “So many people have the belief that football is a matter of life and death. This is an understatement and I am very embarrassed with that description. I can guarantee you that football is much more than that, It is more important than that, it is a religion, a lifestyle, a way of life, an exciting culture and way more.” Walking hand in hand with football popularity is sports betting, check here for the best football odds.
There is no iota of doubt that football is regarded as the most important sport in many countries all around the world, however, the obsession associated with this sport in the UK is way overboard and supersedes how other countries feel about this sport. This may not be unconnected with the history of football in the nation.
Football as a Lifestyle
What is the reason behind the popularity of football? Why is football regarded as a lifestyle? Why is football so popular? The reasons are quite simple, football is a very easy sport to play. You don’t need a large number of players to play this beautiful game. With just a ball, two goal posts, and some close friends to play with, you are good to go. You don’t need any special equipment to enjoy this wonderful sport, you can design goalposts using clothes, you can also mark the grounds to draw out the important parts of the field and your ball can be designed with either strings or plastic bags. The rules of football are simple and fewer to that of other sports.
Why Do We Consider the UK as The Home of Football?
The citizens of the United Kingdom have adopted football as a lifestyle, and many people hold dear the belief that the beautiful round leather game has its origin in England. England is therefore regarded as the home of football. Here are some of the reasons why we adopt the same:
- The game of football was first played on the soil of England. This match was played in the medieval period and there is written & justifiable evidence to prove this. The game was played in 1170.
- The FA (Football Association in England) was formed in 1863. The rules of the beautiful game were also set up that same year. The rule of that year is still the same as we know it today, although with little alterations.
- The first football team in the world was formed in England and the name of that club is Sheffield FC. Established in 1857.
- The first football national competition in the world was the FA Cup. It was launched in 1871 by the Football Association of England and it is still in play today.
- The first national football team in the world is the England national team.
- The first international football game to being witnessed by the world was played on the soils of England in 1872 between England and Scotland.
- The first domestic football league started in England in the year 1888.
- There are currently over 50,000 registered football teams in England. This figure is way more than that of any other country. Coming at a distant second is Brazil with 29,000 teams.
- The English Premier League is the most popular domestic football league in the world.
- English clubs are doing so well in European competitions such as the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League.
