Until about 10 years in the past I despised soccer. That's to not be confused with passive indifference – I held a real disdain for it. The way in which it smugly held cultural dominance and arrogantly took over each dialog repelled me. It had a historical past of stats and characters I wasn't invited to study and, worse, it was suffering from the ugliness of poisonous masculinity and racism. It earned my loathing.
This all began in Cornwall. Although Truro Metropolis have not too long ago gained a historic promotion to the Nationwide League, within the Duchy within the 90s the alternatives to see nationwide degree soccer have been sparse. My buddies would make the two-hour journey up previous the border to Plymouth Argyle to get a style of that. It was comparatively far and undoubtedly not inexpensive for everybody.
Soccer subsequently appeared to occupy a form of paradoxical state the place it felt on the similar time all-encompassing and inaccessible.
Of all issues, it was Fantasy Premier League that grew to become my nerdy, mentally draining entry level to soccer. A cynical try to slot in? Positive, nevertheless it led me to comply with my favorite group within the Premier League and, slowly, the sport grew to become demystified. I grew to become an avid listener to the Guardian's Soccer Weekly podcast. It fed my intrigue however I nonetheless didn't really feel I used to be sufficient of a actual fan. As an alternative I used to be some form of imposter. I had a rudimentary understanding of the sport, its stars and its politics however that was about it.
It was solely by the 2024-25 season, by which period I lived in south London, that I found AFC Wimbledon have been a 20-minute stroll from my flat. Intrigued, and by no means having investigated a neighborhood group of my very own, I ventured to Plough Lane – house of the Wombles. I had no actual information of them past that they rang a distant bell because the membership of John Inexperienced, an writer and creator I adopted in these early days of YouTube. He was the architect of a geeky neighborhood through which I comparably had no downside feeling at house.
The anxiety-inducing stroll across the nook conjured fears of the native Dons smelling my imposter syndrome or someway penalising me for the cultural appropriation of daring to sit down within the house finish. I'm not Louis Theroux, I can't casually look at some bizarre subculture. Panic was effervescent.
With phrases of encouragement from my companion, we went to Wimbledon's Carabao Cup fixture in opposition to Ipswich. They'd not too long ago been promoted to the Premier League, three divisions above Wimbledon. Positive sufficient, Ipswich took an early lead however Wimbledon recovered and compelled the sport to penalties. I didn't suppose I'd really feel a gut-wrenching illness for a group I barely knew however I used to be flawed. Throughout the shootout, an older gent strewn in membership pins rotated from the row in entrance and mentioned to my girlfriend: “That is going to provide me a coronary heart assault.” It didn't and AFC Wimbledon gained 4-2 on penalties.
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Aid. Celebration. After which … realisation? I discovered it exceptional at how current I'd been through the recreation. My thoughts didn't wander into the acquainted corners of fear or panic. The emotional ebb and movement of the sport, the neighborhood and the characters – and the pies. Irresistible. This felt vital.
Because the season went on I attended extra matches. AFC Wimbledon's refined matchday seduction would start with their £3 programme – a nostalgic relic from a bygone age however an invite to study. An affordable price ticket was additionally hooked up to tickets, foods and drinks. After video games I might get sucked into membership tales, test fixtures and store the merchandise. I used to be amazed on the method the membership enveloped the followers, who on this case owned them. There was little distinction in supporting this membership to the nerdy pursuits I had as a child.
I felt as if I had a stake in AFC Wimbledon. I had discovered it, I had dedicated myself to preserving updated with the entire newest information, I'd proudly put on the headscarf within the native space. What have I turn into?
Curiosity grew to become connection and I even invited some seasoned “soccer buddies” to Plough Lane. I used to be insecure, I felt as if I used to be exhibiting off a brand new house; however not my pupil digs – this was my flat, a spot that meant one thing.
With a Glastonbury-esque effort, I secured a seat on the playoff ultimate at Wembley and watched the Wombles win promotion to League One. On the stadium concourse it was dizzyingly thrilling and I felt I might discuss to anybody anxiety-free. Following this accessible soccer membership had genuinely given what to me was a superpower.
It could be naive to suppose that there isn't some heartbreak in retailer for me in some unspecified time in the future. I do know it's a ceremony of passage and it'll harm, greater than when my Premier League favourites lose or my Fantasy League group inevitably fail once more subsequent season. However for now I wholeheartedly credit score the Wombles for giving me a confidence increase and a love of the sport.
As the brand new season begins I'd encourage anybody football-curious to provide their native group an opportunity to imply one thing to them. There's something kinder and extra inclusive about soccer fandom on the market.
