The smell of hot dogs, the excitement from the rowdy fans, and the tears of joy after your favorite player scores the game winning goal! These are all things that make football a tradition that the English do not take lightly. While leaving in London I had the opportunity to go experience this tradition for myself. I went to the England vs. Mongolia World Cup qualifier match.
Mind blowing, this would have to be the word that best describes going to a football match. That night England won 4 to 1, I can still feel the excitement that was pumping through each fan, with each one of those goals.
England's tradition with football started way back way back to the 15th century in Brittany and Normandy. Back then they did not play the game football like we understand today, but it was a game with very similar rules and structure. The first modern global game was first codified in London in 1863. Because of England's long history with football they can boast that they are home to the oldest football clubs in the world ( dating from 1857), the world's oldest competition ( the FA cup founded in 1871), and the first ever football league.No wonder 363,000 fans showed up to the game I went to, They have a reputation to uphold!
England even has tradition inside the tradition of Football. During every or most home games the fans hold up white or blue papers during the national anthem. This is a great way to involve the fans and in my opinion was beyond cool to see. This tradition just makes me think how separate we are nothing, but together we can make extraordinary flags out of paper.
If you are ever in England I highly suggest taking time in to enjoy this tradition, you won't be disappointed!
- Stephanie Kight
