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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to lol at 'football related sadness'

252 replies

TequilaMockingbirdy · 05/05/2014 22:34

Man on my facebook reckons he needs a day off work because of emotional stress, I said he should have one if he needs it and asked the reason why.

He said the footy results.

he is being deadly serious and saying he's suffering from 'football related sadness' and that he feels so alone and upset, he is crying.

Now I fully understand mental illness having suffered/suffering from it myself... but really?

Maybe a sign of something underlying you may say but I've known him for a good few years and football really does seem to get him down when his team loses!

Anyone else glad they don't have a partner who is obsessed with the football?!

OP posts:
PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 06/05/2014 07:49

Just be grateful (or commiserate if you are!) not to be involved with junior football...

At least when it's the professionals you don't have to worry about them coming up against teams who are all about a foot taller and three stone heavier, or if they'll burst into tears if they miss a penalty (ok, maybe this one a little bit).

Tbh, I've used up that many nerves on the sidelines of the junior league (cup final, and six-point grudge match to decide league winner to come!) that 'real' football is passing me by this season.

CrackleAndPop · 06/05/2014 07:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MinesAPintOfTea · 06/05/2014 07:53

I'd be inclined to suggest that if it has such a detrimental affect on his mental health maybe he should stop following it Wink

Gennz · 06/05/2014 07:56

I openly cried at a pub on Upper Street when the All Blacks were knocked out of the World Cup 07 at the quarter final. I cannot judge this man!

JonesRipley · 06/05/2014 07:57

I think the problem with football is wasting your passion on an industry that is contemptuous of you

BringMeTea · 06/05/2014 07:58

Whilst not allowing a bad result to affect others I totally agree that being a fan is an emotional thing. I fondly recall the consuming pmt (pre-match tension) when walking the street sof Moss Side to see my team play. Invariably we lost but the hopeful feeling and excitement was always there.

deemented It has gladdened my heart and still managed to surprise me that you named my club as one of the 'Big' teams at Swansea. We were so long the Fool to Man U's Lear it is still with me!

And as we all know the Fool was actually the wise man.... Shakespearean analogy. Don't try and tell me it's not theatre...

thebodylovesspring · 06/05/2014 07:58

Oh people like to sneer at football as it's seen as working class don't cha no. These same types usually like rugby and cricket but can't follow the rules. They also like Tim Henman.

My dh likes the footi, my oldest son couldn't give a Crap while my second ds loves it with a passion.

For some people supporting their team is all consuming.

Everyone's different. Why sneer just because you don't feel that way

JonesRipley · 06/05/2014 07:59

Arsenal is not working class. Tell you that

JonesRipley · 06/05/2014 08:01

OTOH, I can see that football is an outlet for emotions.

Which is fine when it doesn't impact on your family

Morgause · 06/05/2014 08:03

I don't dislike it because it's working class. I find watching most sport tedious. Participating is different, when I was young and agile I enjoyed a few sports but I've never enjoyed watching them much.

It's not sneery to not like it.

It's OK to be cross at the amount of money some people spend on season tickets to the detriment of their families. I know 2 such families and I think it's the height of selfishness to spend money on that when they can barely pay the bills or buy clothes for their DCS.

I get a bit sneery about that. And I'm fine with that.

JonesRipley · 06/05/2014 08:08

morgause

Me too. It's time and money taken away from the family, and it's not questioned in some cases because it's "what men do"

Gennz · 06/05/2014 08:10

my family and I watch sport together.

Susiesue61 · 06/05/2014 08:10

DH definitely has FRS. DD and I went to the pictures last night so we didn't have to be here - I think we chose wisely!

Sunderland fans, at least you have an interest in the last weekend. It's awful being mid table and nothing to be bothered about. (I'm not a Red!)

I explained to my sister that the emotions at football are similar to seeing a band you love. If you're into it, it's fab. And I love seeing the kids going off with DH, all excited in their shirts

Susiesue61 · 06/05/2014 08:13

Morgause, I understand what you say about the money, but that's DH's social life. We only live half an hour away, so he's not gone all day, he takes the kids on a rotabasis (!) and he has mates there that he doesn't see any other time. They spend all summer texting each other! He doesn't go out drinking every weekend like some men.

Lagoonablue · 06/05/2014 08:15

Jones ripely -nail on head.

I used to get very upset about my team and was heavily invested in them emotionally. Ridiculous really. I got over it when I had kids and no time to worry about goal difference etc.

I can see where he is coming from but he needs perspective.

Floisme · 06/05/2014 08:15

It helps bring my family together. Watching football is one of the few things I can still do with my teenage son.

thebodylovesspring · 06/05/2014 08:18

No of course it's not sneery to not like it as I said my oldest son couldnt give a crap.

What I said was I hate the sneery attitude from some people to those who do like it.

thebodylovesspring · 06/05/2014 08:21

And agree if one person is spending the family money on themselves then that's selfish be that on football, fishing equipment shoes or booze.

Selfish is just selfish and had nothing to go with sport.

DesperatelySeekingSedatives · 06/05/2014 08:22

I really don't see the big deal coz a few people are gutted coz their team has lost something big Confused just let them wallow a bit and then get over themselves. it doesn't hurt you to let them be in a bad mood about it.

I see no need at all to sneer at people who have different interests you either Hmm it makes you look like a snobby dick head tbh. I don't like tennis, most boring game EVER (after golf of course) but I don't sneer at people who watch Wimbledon every year and get emotionally invested in the idea that a Brit will actually take home the title or whatever.

I do sneer at the daft clothes golfers wear. but I think that's expected.

Floisme · 06/05/2014 08:22

Exactly thebodylovesspring. There are lots of things I don't like but I don't join discussion threads to mock those people who do.

CloverHeart · 06/05/2014 08:28

We are a family of Norwich fans - It's like a big black cloud of doom in our house at the moment. DH is still holding on to some sort of imaginary piece of hope Hmm

thebodylovesspring · 06/05/2014 08:29

Floisme yep I love the way sport in general can bring the generations together.

Off topic I am always amazed at the different ages/sexes who watch snooker. If you look at the audience it's really mixed.

Costacoffeeplease · 06/05/2014 08:36

I think one reason (not the only one) that I detest football so much is the way it is thrust down our throats - moyes being sacked was headline news FFS - above ukraine, syria, you know things that actually matter. I don't watch any sport - tennis, rugby, golf, athletics - all like watching paint dry, but for the most part they can be easily avoided

Buffoons like Eamonn Holmes bring football into as many unrelated subjects as he can making sky news unwatchable in the morning

And yes - the fans are taken for a ride and exploited by the clubs and can't even see it

BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability · 06/05/2014 08:37

I have frs today. I will live, its not quite on par with chronic depression, but it does feel sort of delflating.

And shock, horror, I'm a woman! Can't bellieve none of the others have noticed the "its what men do etc"! Shock

lylasmam2012 · 06/05/2014 08:42

I always remember years ago when United lost a game to City, we were driving to work the next day and DH gave a big sad sigh. Asked him what was up and he said "United", he looked so sad and deflated.

It's absolutely ridiculous, but I would never say that to him. He loves football and is very passionate about it. I would feel the same about Chuck Bass in Gossip Girl. We all have our stuff!