Ice and Dirt.

I know that most of you are surprised at my enthusiasm concerning sports lately. Generally, I don’t give two craps about sports. But in the past year, I developed an interest in football. Or rather, what the rest of the world calls football. We in the states call it soccer. And I don’t particularly find the sport intriguing for any other reason than I was assigned an English football club as an assignment in my History of England class and I became a fanatic for good measure.

I figured that if the English, and the rest of the world, were crazy about footie, then I should be too. So, I donned the helm of crazy football fan, and rocked the ever-loving-shit out of it.

It didn’t take long before Furious Jessy, Dave, Don Chulius, and Lucky Lady were picking clubs and joining in. For friendship. And English breakfast.

15 years ago or so, while house sitting for Teacher Sis, I stumbled upon the Stanley Cup playoffs on cable. The Jersey Devils won it that year and I became intrigued by hockey. Here’s a sport where toothless dudes on ice skates use sticks to push around a tiny rubber disc and beat the living crap out of each other. What intrigued me about hockey is the same thing that intrigues me about roller derby: friendship.

There is this weird sense of family among the players. Both on and off skates, regardless of team affiliation, they look out for each other. They laugh and drink beer together. But as soon as that whistle blows to begin a jam or the puck hits the ice, they are sworn enemies set to draw blood and hear the lamentations of the other teams women. This dynamic is captivating.

Much like the rivalries I now have with my friends among football clubs. We rise and fall with each other. I care how Man United or Aston Villa or Arsenal, okay maybe not Arsenal, does during a match because it effects my friends. I want Villa to win against Newcastle today and Man U to beat Crystal Palace because the enemy of my friend is my enemy too.

That all changes when we play each other. In the same way as if we played on opposing teams personally. If West Brom steps foot on Old Trafford or Man U steps onto the Hawthornes, FJ and I are now enemies until half time.

And because of all of this, it dawned on me the other day that I’ve never seen a sports game in person. Sure I’ve seen junior holla high school games. But never a college game or professional. Add to bucket list: see English football game in person (doesn’t matter which clubs, preferably WBA).

So, today is a big day for me. I am going to my first sporting event. I am heading to Springdale to watch the University of Arkansas hockey team play… no idea. Doesn’t matter. Hockey. In person.

Before I go, I will be rooting on my beloved Baggies as they face Fulham at Craven Cottage. Boing Boing Baggies!

I don’t need to root on Man U at the moment because they are 2-0 with Crystal Palace, but if they need rooting for later I’ll do it. Don Chulius, good luck against Newcastle today. And Dave, Arsenal is playing Sunderland.

Wish me luck on my sporting adventure. Have a great weekend. More soon. ~SC, WBAFC4LIFE