Soccer

It's no more "dangerous" than attending a professional sports match in this country. For every media report you hear about "troubles" at some match, there are literally a thousand other matches that day without incident. Just make sure you're wearing the appropriate jersey for the stadium your in. Just like it wouldn't be appropriate to wear a Galaxy/Beckham shirt at an Earthquakes match;)

Thank you for your reply. I have jerseys for all of them, so I am well covered! Can you give me an idea of how much I might pay? I have heard anywhere from 20 to 100, depending on location, as always. I have also heard not to sit in the ends behind the goalie as that is where the most problems occur. Your thoughts?

Whenever I've attended matches in Europe the seats have always been behind the goals as they are the cheapest seats. Like I said there won't be any "problems", don't get hung up on this:) Getting tickets to Arsenal and Chelsea matches is very challenging. You may have to pay big bucks at a ticket resell site like viagogo.com, or a scalper outside the stadium. For the other teams one can usually purchase tickets directly at the team's own website; prices are very reasonable.

Mike, thanks for everything. I love Premier League soccer. I know that they also have stadium tours. One of the things that Rick doesn't do is talk about soccer-very frustrating! I might hit you up for some more good advice the closer it comes to the trip.

Randy Although it would be an experience to go to one of the top premier league matches. Dont give up on some of the lower league games. Easier to gety into (and out of after the game) and some pretty good football.

While it may be soccer in the US, its Football in the UK, and similar names in Europe.

The chances of anything happening are minimal, realistically. Stadiums are well regulated and safe. There are also family stands, where people will be with young children - the idea being that the more exuberant (and sweary) fans aren't near kids. I recently attended the Scotland vs Brazil match at the Emirates Stadium - it was a good natured affair, although naturally there was a certain amount of banter. There's probably more of a chance of danger outside the stadium than inside - specifically in pubs close to the stadium that are for one team or another (for example, when I lived in Sheffield there were pubs that were labeled for Sheffield United, or for Sheffield Wednesday). Your biggest concern in the stadium won't be the potential for crowd violence, but the queues for the toilets / concession stands at half time. Bear in mind too, that if you take a bottle of water in, the cap will be confiscated at the gate. Go, you'll enjoy it.

"...While it may be soccer in the US, its Football in the UK, and similar names in Europe..." The word soccer comes from the UK, it's slang for football. Most Brits know it's one in the same:) Also I'm sorry to do this, but I'm, legally obligated to say the following: For the next three years the US of A is officially better at football/soccer than England, Italy, and France;)

Michael, you sure? According to the latest FIFA World Rankings (18th May 2011), England is ranked 6th in the world, Italy 9th, France 19th, and the USA 22nd. Unless, of course, you're referring to our tactical withdrawal from the World Cup in 2010, part of a cunning plan to lure the world into a false sense of security before our inevitable triumph in 2014? disclaimer: come the inevitable England team collapse in 2014 I will not be eating these words.

and? Call it soccer if you like. The term is not used commonly in the circles I travel in. Its Football. No wonder your football has improved. You removed Beckham. Well done.

I also frequent the Bigsoccer.com message boards, and of course the soccer/football debate often comes up like shorts does here:) There are people who have taken time out of their lives to watch an entire day of broadcasts from the Sky Sports News channel (meant for British consumption) and have tabulated that the announcers use the word "soccer" at least two or three times and hour to refer to the sport. Perhaps they're just trying to break the monotony:)

I have two follow up questions 1) Prices-can anyone give me a rough idea of how much I will expect to pay. 2) If I went to a Championship league match (I am a big West Ham supporter...what can I say?), is it a bit rougher crowd or is it pretty much the same? Thanks for all of the reply's so far. I feel a ton better. I am going to the SJ Earthquakes v. West Brom Albion match here in July.

Michael: you're wrong Randy: safe, expensive (go to club website), careful about stating "although I can live with Chelsea" S ;0) man u and Barcelona

Hi Susan I like Chelsea, but I am Arsenal all the way. I should have said that Chelsea is okay too, but not so much if Drogba goes to Milan. I am so happy I posted on here. I love the sport and could not imagine not seeing a match on my first trip to England.

Yes, I plan to go to West Ham as they got relegated this year. I also really enjoyed the Reading v. Swansea City match on Fox Soccer this year. In many ways, it was the best match I saw this year as my Arsenal was disappointing. I am also a Blackpool fan and want to go and see a match there as they supposedly have great fans. I know there are a lot of C-League teams in London too.

According to my OH, a diehard football (Everton anyway!) supporter, the use of the "s" word makes somebody sound like a superficial football tourist. He did use some other less polite words but that was the gist! He says how about trying Fulham, nice ground in a nice setting. Although if they are hosting one of the big names, tickets will still be hard to get. And don't get him started on ticket disitribution for away games!

Randy, this might help, its a list of all the football teams in London that play in the top 9 tiers of English football (Premier League to the Kent League) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_in_London

" ...According to my OH, a diehard football (Everton anyway!) supporter, the use of the "s" word makes somebody sound like a superficial football tourist. He did use some other less polite words but that was the gist..." Charming. Next time a British tourist asks me where the nearest petrol station is I'll remember that;)

Hi Linda Everton...oh no. I am a big fan of football and know all of the leagues. I have a huge cable TV soccer package and get a lot of the games. I love the Championship League and League 1 and 2. I also just got a book called "Around the Grounds" that has all of the leagues and stadiums in it. I just want to make sure that I can get into some games. My teams are 1) Arsenal 2) Spurs 3) West Ham 4) QPR 5) Leyton Orient 6) Blackpool 7) Chelsea 8) Man U Not 1) Everton 2) Sunderland 3) Blackburn 4) Crystal Palace 5) Cardiff City
6) Man City (although they are playing in San Francisco in mid-July and will being going) However, I would just be happy to go to anyone and will cheer on the home team of whomever I would go to. One last thing-Michael was the first to respond to my posting. He is from NY. So, I used the word soccer because he is another American, but I would know to use football to anyone else out of the US because my wife is from Mexico and she uses football as well. I think I started a little problem and I didn't mean it.

Not to stir the pot... but OK, I'll do it anyway. In my experience, the British are generally pretty laid back and do not anger particularly easy. With that being said, how many times have I heard or read "It's called "football" not "soccer!"? I've never heard or read "It's a lorrie, not a truck!" or "It's a lift, not an elevator!". Easy explanation- soccer was barely on the sports radar in the US until the 1960-70s, and we've been playing a different game that goes by the name of "football" since the 19th century. I couldn't care less that the Dutch use the term "honkball" instead of "baseball"...

The US isn't the only country that uses term soccer. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Ireland also use it, and 4 out of 5 are part of the British Commonwealth;) Come to think of it, last summer's final between Spain and Holland was played at a stadium called Soccer City.

Sorry if I have offended anyone (and I prefer cricket to football!) but having lived with the OH for 30 years I have come to appreciate that football is, unfortunately, akin to a religion. IMO golf widows have it easy! And like most religions its terminology and rituals are sacrosanct. Edit - Randy - the OH makes a wry face when he tells anyone he is an Everton supporter. He has even travelled to Chile because of the link with a team of the same name formed after Everton toured there in the early 1900's. I was roped in to doing some genealogical research for a book on the subject. Anyway enough off topic from me!

Well, thanks to all of you. I am planning for about Feb or March of next year. I will be sure to post how it went. I can see by the postings that this sport just brings out people's passions. There are two teams that are touring this year: Man City (yuck) and West Bromwich Albion to my area (San Jose) and I will be seeing both games. I feel a lot better and am looking forward to this part of the trip. My wife and I compromised on three games for our trip plus one stadium tour. I always enjoy Rick Steves, but he comes across as someone (I could be wrong) that was picked last on the playground. Football, especially in Europe, is just such a religion and I think it would be cool to see him attend a match, where you can really become a temporary local. Also, thank you for the posts about wearing jerseys. I work part time during the season for the Oakland Raiders Football team and I know that wearing the wrong jersey at the wrong place invites bad Ju Ju.

You're welcome Randy...have a blast! Who knows, perhaps the US National Team will play a friendly in Europe when your're around. Happened to me in Switzerland a few years ago...they played in Basel. Since your wife is Mexican, you may want to make a pilgrimage to one of the othe cathedrals of Soccer in Mexico City: Aztec Stadium. Here's video I shot after the WC qualifier two years outside the stadium: http://tinyurl.com/plmfd3 http://tinyurl.com/ohp95j Don't worry the reception won't be like that in London!

Hi randy, I'm really glad you posted here too ;0) I think rs tours to some European countries should incorporate a football visit ( eg nou camp in Barcelona). To be in Europe and ignore football is impossible. I commend you in your quest to get a good ticket!
S :0)

Thanks Mike for yours and everyone's help. I just got my tickets today for West Bromwich Albion's Friendly against the San Jose Earthquakes and Man City v. America at ATT Park, the home of the World Champion SF Giants. Everyone in the Bay Area loves Chivas or Cruz Azul, but they are selling the tickets for about 250 a piece. I have a friend that works for the Quakes who got me a deal.

"UP the Baggies!!!"