Football Fanaticism

Manchester United v Manchester City in the FA Cup Semi-Finals, Photos by The Observer

Although we've been told that the Anglican church is the official state religion, football seems to be celebrated more.  The passion of football (aka soccer) fans is akin to the wars between rival cultures.  Tried to get some tickets, but most matches are completely sold out - still trying.  This weekend sees big matches - the semifinals of England's club championship with four teams from the northwest.  Over 200,000 Manchester fans made a pilgrimage into London (only 100,000 seats in the stadium) for the semifinals, in addition to regular weekend matches.  Thus the streets and pubs were full of young to older men, all with a general shortage of hair.  We've been serenaded all last night and all this morning.  Watched one match in a rather genteel local pub, a sedate, mixed crowd in the afternoon.  Went back later that evening to the same pub to a completely different crowd.  Sat with a small group of Germans who wandered in to watch the evening match between Barcelona and Madrid like me.  Most of the 100+ crowd were obviously backers from Manchester United (the losing side) and were commiserating in loud song and numerous pints.  Teams of Bobbies wandered through the pub every half hour or so just to keep things relatively quiet. Not quite a religious experience, but it was like sitting in a different church pew.