August used to be known as the ‘silly season’ in journalism. Journos were off on their own holidays and there were no real news stories. At the moment, of course, there are three major local wars going on in the world.
August used to be known as the ‘silly season’ in journalism. Journos were off on their own holidays and there were no real news stories. At the moment, of course, there are three major local wars going on in the world.
Nevertheless, the Financial Times has a lot of pages in its weekend edition and by the time it gets to its supplement, it is running out of ideas. It usually likes to run something on football, and the pieces by Simon Kuper are of a superb standard. However, my heart sank when an announcement that Simon Kuper was on his hols was accompanied by an article by one John McDermott entitled ‘Life 1, Football 0.’
When I read that ‘Football is being outcompeted by life’ my heart sank further, particularly when the ‘revelation’ that men are spending more time with their children was trotted out. However, he did have some interesting points to make, although I think a lot of it is based on generalisations about his own mates in the media.
He points out that the number of registered male adult amateur teams has declined from 30,701 in 2009/10 to a forecast 28,300 in 2014/15. That’s a decline of nearly eight per cent. However, on a conservative estimate of the number of players per team that still works out at over half a million players, even if they are turning out on Sundays for a pub side.
Four out of five pitches are provided by local authorities. Spending cuts have hit local government particularly hard, and the standard of pitches has declined, even where they are provided. McDermott reckons there is a particular problem in London, Hackney Marshes notwithstanding, because land is so valuable.
There are now more five-a-side teams in England than 11-a-side teams. One of my sons-in-law plays for one called Harwell Dads, which says it all really (they can be relied on to go nuclear). It’s a good way of keeping fit and having a break from the stresses of work and bringing up children. The evidence suggests that men are least happy in middle age. Powerleague, one of the biggest five-a-side operators is owned by a private equity fund.
McDermott points out that individual endurance sports such as cycling are gaining in popularity and I certainly know a number of middle aged men who squeeze into their lycra at the weekend. He argues, ‘For the urbane urbanist [like him presumably] there is an expanding offer of festivals and live entertainment … Low-cost airlines make partying in Berlin an alternative to playing football in Barking.’
As I pointed out in an earlier post, one can enjoy the arts and football. For me, Saturdays are incomplete if I don’t go to a live football match. Although I enjoy a summer break, I get a buzz once the season starts.