It only makes sense to post this blog because I too was part of a group who wanted to get into football but had no idea how to. I figured like me, there must be hundreds and possibly even thousands of people out there. People who would love to know more about the sport. Who would love to get their hands dirty with banter and fun but don't have anyone to guide them through this process. Don't you worry, I'll try and help you as best as I can. I’ll also be sharing my own personal experiences so that you guys can relate more through my stories.

I was a massive cricket fan and maybe still am, but currently, football has occupied a new place in my heart. My love for football began when I moved back to India. I remember how we used to spend hours and hours playing football on cement pitches. Summers were all about aamras and football. We had so much fun. The boys used to often talk about football and top players and clubs around the world. I had no clue about anything they ever talked about. The sensation of being lost and not knowing what to say served as a catalyst for the development of my interest in football. This interest was more than merely playing the sport but was more to do with understanding it.

I remember when my dad used to watch the FIFA World Cup on the television. It was him who introduced me to this sport on a global platform. He was a proud German fan and quite naturally that rubbed onto me. It was a bit weird for me because I was so accustomed to wearing the blue jersey. I had supported India throughout the Cricket World Cup and hadn't seen anything like this in my whole life. Since the FIFA World Cup, Football started to mean a lot to me, even more than I thought it did.  

#1 TIP

Do not indulge into something because of your friends, do it only if you have a genuine interest. I used to play football all the time and loved it and that's why I decided to dip my hands into the depths of its knowledge. If you don't have that kind of connection with football or anything as a matter of fact, then take your time and find your niche.

Since I was a German fan, I had decided to follow a German club. That club was Bayern Munich. It's arguably the biggest club in Germany and one of the biggest brands in the world. I had chosen Bayern because of the star-studded German line-up they had. Players like Thomas Muller, Mario Gotze, Jerome Boateng and Manuel Neuer were the faces of the world cup winning squad of 2014. This was the principal reason that drove me into Mia San Mia. Watching Gotze score that extra-time winner to seal the world cup will always be one of my fondest memories of football. But I do admit that I had mixed feelings while watching Bayern play. This team always had a typical way of operating. Maintaining possession, quick passes and before you know it the ball would be in the opposition's net. They were masters of controlling the tempo of the game. If the game was boring then that's because Bayern wants it to be boring.  

#2 TIP

Pick a team that you relate to, even if that means you must choose your minor league team. Do not try to pick a team because your friends support it. It's not necessary to choose a successful team. If the quality of football soothes your inner soul then that's your team. This can take a lot of time. It took me six months until I finally found my team. So, don't worry and keep searching until your heart tells you otherwise.

The story of finding my team is truly fascinating. I discovered my team completely by accident (fact). I was watching Bayern destroy another team and that’s when I changed the channel by mistake. And just like that, I found my soul-team. Arsenal were playing West Ham United. It was one of the best games that I had ever watched. What more does one want than a 3-3 thriller full of end to end action and high octane adrenaline? My brain was begging me to change the channel back but my heart just wouldn't listen. The quality and intensity that I had witnessed was too good. I then became an Arsenal fan and haven't looked back ever since.

Yes, being an Arsenal fan isn't easy. It's a lot of heartache and frustration. It's like being in a toxic relationship. It's strange because I've been annoyed so many times that I've now lost count. I've actually even tried changing clubs, but that's the thing about football. Once you’re attached, it’s so hard to change colors. I would love to be a Manchester City or a Liverpool fan because of their recent success. But I would also lay down my life before that. I'm a Gooner and nothing changes that. Success and failure are all relatives, one day you're celebrating a trophy and the other you're crying because of relegation. Things change in football and that's a very important point to understand.

#3 TIP

Once you find your team never think about switching. It's almost criminal to even consider the possibility. Yes, there's going to be a lot of pain. But trust me nothing feels better than watching your team beat a hated rival or win a trophy. It feels even better when you've been riding the lows and things finally start to look bright for the team. That's what being a real fan is all about. Be loyal to your club, no matter what because one day, they will reward you with happiness if they haven’t already.

Once you find your team, make sure to watch their games on a regular basis. It's okay if you don't find time but if you do, it's essential that you get into live-action. Some people prefer a fifteen-minute highlight of a match over the two hours sitting. But trust me when I tell you that live-action will always give you some moment to cherish.

#4 TIP

Always stay ahead of the game. Once you find your team and start to watch games, always check out analysis and expert shows. They teach you a lot about your team. Pundits might not spend more than five minutes talking about it. But their analysis would elevate your knowledge even more. Also, keep checking the latest news on your club. Indulge yourself completely into the club. Try and learn about its history and players who played for it in the past. Rewatch matches if possible and relive past glory. Don't leave any stone unturned.

Once you start diving into football and you start reading the news and know the history. Don’t forget to watch the “big” games. Even though it might not at all concern your team, make sure to at least get glimpses of such games. In the first two years of being a fan, I never watched rival matches. In fact, I only started this season and I must say that it makes things even more fun. The pressure of performance completely washes off. You're basically watching a match from a neutral perspective. You're watching it as a fan of the game which makes things all the more interesting.

#5 TIP

Follow the social media accounts of your club and Youtube channels that provide genuine football content ( Like B/R Football or 433 ). You may also follow accounts of other teams but getting caught up with important news is vital. Teams announce rescheduling, postponement, and other important information through their social media accounts. Also, Listen in to podcasts and web shows whenever you can.

At last, This is all the information you need to get into football. Note that it takes months and even years ( my case ) to actually understand what the game is really about. Do not get disheartened if your team loses, rough patches can hit anyone and anything. The most important thing is not to make this process very mechanical. Learn and grow at your own pace. Don't refrain from Dishing out open banter and try to have fun because that's what football is all about.