CALL ME a sad sod, bur ever since Big Chief I Spy sent me a red feather for spending hours down the garden looking for insects in the cabbages to tick off in my spotters guide I’ve worn my geek badge with pride
Yesterday’s kick off gave all of us covert anoraks and fact absorbers the perfect chance to study form and become instant experts on the back row of Honduras. Of course, it’s all bluff, I haven’t really got a clue who’s who and 442 sounds more like my bra size, but the great thing about fantasy football is that it gives you a reason to become acutely interested in men is shorts form faraway lands with names you struggle to pronounce.
Apparently, record numbers of us this year are pitching our wittily named teams against each other. Not surprising ,it’s free, online, easy and it gives you an instant reason to slump in front of the telly for a month saying,’ Just managing my team’ while ticking the numbers on the Indian takeaway menu which have a curious similarity to the team I picked.
It’s concept we’re told was the brainchild of Wilfred Winkenbach, otherwise known as Bill, in 1962 in Oakland, USA. I don’t why he started it, but I’d like to thank him, for how else would I have found myself at midnight worrying about Nani’s collarbone injury and wondering whether Torres will be fit enough to pop them in the back of the net.
It’s so much better than all that other dross around football like the pools and ‘pick the score’ because what fantasy football gives you is bodies. Ok they are torsos, no legs or arms, or heads but, nevertheless, you have this sense of power.’ Don’t play well and you’re out my friend’, on the bench, along with the cheapest player I could find, who happened to be from New Zealand.
Then there’s the choice of name, in our own league the mysterious Omada el Cap el O, obviously done after a few pints and the witty Hardly Atheletic FC., but my favourites are remembered from past years Dyslexic Untied ; Multiple Scorgasm and Blood, Sweat and Beers.
Ah, and as you read this, from Ayia Napa to Aldershot, Petersfield to Paphos there will be those awaiting the boys from Blighty. Along our small Sussex High St shops are festooned with red and white flags, except, naturally the Health Food Shop which has got rainbow bunting. Every pub is offering big screens and chips, and somewhere on Sky Big Chief I Spy is already totting the stats and taking the facts. Oooh yes, it’s a great time to be a geek.
