My last trip to Upton Park’s Boleyn football ground was special as a lifelong hammer fan. It was to see the Uefa qualifier against Birkirkara FC. West Ham won one-nil. Jame Tomkins scored at the last minute, although we deserved more goals, we played well.
It wasn’t a fantastic win or a particularly memorable match, but it was still a game full of West Ham magic. Oh, and bubbles, of course! I was with my dad and my husband, but the memory of this game was made extra special by the fact that, although I didn’t know it yet, I was pregnant with my son. Although Upton Park would be no more when he was old enough to watch a game, he went there with me before he was born!
Why do I love football?
My interest in football came from my dad. He grew up with his mum, a single parent with no interest in football. When his friends all had teams they supported at school; dad decided to get a map and draw a line to his nearest first league team – which, living in kent, happened to be West Ham. From that day on, he’s supported the hammers.
When I was a child, my dad would buy me and my brother chocolate every time West Ham won. And yes, I’ve heard all the jokes, “no wonder you were so skinny as a kid”. But the days that West Ham won and we got a box of Maltesers as a result were great days! We called the treats “West Ham Wins”, and it made us always interested in the match, the scores and the results!
Kids and Football
I wish I had been born later so I could have been able to play football at school. Netball was the only real option for a competitive team sport when I was a kid. Sport today is much more inclusive, which is great to see, and I love that my son, now 5, plays football with both boys and girls!
My son enjoys playing football, and it’s something I encourage. Football is great for children for many reasons. These include:
Health benefits
It goes without saying that football is exercise and that exercise is good for you. It improves agility and coordination, as well as cardio. A fun way for kids to keep fit and healthy!
Commitment
If you are part of a team, you are committed to that team. It helps children learn work ethic and commitment.
Teamwork
While there may be heroes in football, ultimately, it is a team sport, and the players work together to play well.
Mental Resilience
You win some, and you lose some. Teaching kids about defeat and setbacks is an excellent lesson in life at a young age. It will help kids become more determined to succeed and help them manage how they deal with defeat.
It’s fun, and you make friends
If you ask my son why he likes football, he would tell you, “Because it’s fun, and I love it.” As simple as that! I remember picking him up from football club and asking him if he enjoyed it, and he told me in amazement, “A boy just hugged me!” I asked him why, and he said something about the ball and the net – I still haven’t worked out if he saved a goal or scored a goal. Either way, he was delighted that an older kid had reached out to him in celebration. As a shy child, it’s a wonderful way for him to gain confidence and make new friends.
