As the football season starts, there will be women grumbling up and down the country that they have lost their husband or boyfriend to the 'beautiful game' for the next 9 months. I used to be one of them. Until I saw what a positive impact my husband's love of sport has on our relationship. It took me a while to figure it out. And during that time I really struggled to see why, as an intelligent man, he would act as if he's taking part in some kind of tribal warfare on Saturday afternoons. Then I realized, just because a man can say 'I love you' in five different languages, doesn't make a bit of difference where sport's concerned. Because when men watch sport, they all act the same. Not too dissimilar from cavemen.
After speaking to various non sport loving girlfriends, a pattern started to emerge. When it came to Saturday evenings, whether their partner's team had won or lost, they noticed how much more relaxed and open they were. And here's the conclusion I came to. Watching sport is one area in a man's life where he has permission to express his emotions. Even crying is OK. For 90 minutes, his sport of choice acts as a vehicle for him to jump for joy, as well as offload any anger and frustration he's accumulated during the week. Meaning Sir Alex and Wayne Rooney get it in the ear instead of any one of us.
We all know that as far as his health and happiness is concerned, a man expressing his emotions is good for him. Which is why I want to encourage any woman reading this, who feels as passionate about football as Victoria Beckham does for flats, to try and support him in his love of the 'beautiful game'. And for any woman who wants to be the perfect partner, try loving his football shirt too. Or at least liking it. Or if that seems too much of an ask, just try not saying anything negative about it. I know, it's unflattering and the synthetic fabric gives him body odour, but it is something that he holds close. Why? Because it's full of memories. Happy and sad. Which means if you say you don't like it, he could take it personally. On the other hand if you like it, you're validating and expressing your appreciation of his emotional side. Which is exactly what will encourage him to be more emotional long after the final whistle.