The idea that the British press is self-censoring about anything (except its editors' salaries and sex lives) is truly, truly absurd.

And the idea it'd avoid printing stories about Scousers punching each other - or better yet, punching Southerners or foreigners - is absurdity on stilts, in spades, cubed.

As hetismij says, casual visitors - if they can get a ticket - haven't even got to worry about what's in a wet Echo anymore. The biggest safety hazard is eating the ghastly food on sale at Anfield or Goodison.

Sure there are hooligans. Somewhere. But I've never seen them! I'm a female Everton fan, living in the south, but I've been to many games at both Goodison Pk and Anfield. I haven't been alone, but wouldn't hesitate to go alone if I needed to. Your husband will be perfectly safe and will enjoy the experience no end! (When in San Diego, earlier this 'summer', we attended a baseball game and we enjoyed the experience a great deal!)

The biggest danger to your husband is to his wallet!

Christ on a bike walkingaround where do you live?

There is nothing to fear at most football grounds. There are few that I would think a bit carefuly about (THFC v CFC, WHUFC v MFC etc) but I've been to them and there's not a mark on me.

Yes there still is hooliganism, but if you didn't know you wouldn't see it. I haven't seen it for years and me and my mates are hardly shrinking violets.

Your wallet is in for an almost inhuman hammering but the rest of you will be fine.

The biggest problem with most grounds is actually getting to them.

"most civilised adults are increasingly being turned off by this rubbish too...you don't have to fear for your life to be turned off by this crap."

A fair and balance viewpoint !

I have spent the large parts of the past 15 years following a football team that are now in the Premiership.

Have I seen Violent incidents? Yes, a minor scuffle between fans and police at Loftus Road in a game against QPR about 10 years ago, and some ugly incidents where fans were herded onto trains by the Thames Vally Police at Reading station - regardless if they had arrived by train or wanted to depart from Reading.

There are certainly drunken people in the crowd who use abusive language, and possibly the odd fight, but this is no different from most town centres on a Friday night.

As for civilised adults, I have, on several occassions, listed the professions of some of the people with whom I regularly attend games - these include Professors, Drs, accountants, screenwriters, journalists and musicians. Several of them now attend with their children - so my experience does not match yours.

I'm by no means an expert on English football hooligans, however I am a Canadian living in London who's been to an Arsenal match at the Emirites Stadium.

Coming from Canada and being used to what I thought were pretty energetic crowds at the (ice) hockey games, I wasn't really prepared for the level of enthusiasm and VOLUME of the Arsenal supporters. There was constant cheering and chanting, but it all seemed good natured for the most part.

The opposing team's supporters were in a specific section of the stands and security made sure everyone stayed where they were supposed to (unlike hockey games where they let Leafs fans mingle with normal people).

At no point did I feel unsafe or threatened in any way. I have heard that there are occasionally issues before and after matches in some of the local pubs, but I didn't see any of it. 99.9% of the people at a football match are there to have a good night out and watch the game, not start fights.

The biggest issue your husband is going to have is finding tickets to a Premiership match - as far as I know you have to be a member of the supporters club to even buy them (to prevent supporters of other teams from buying up home supporters tickets).

Zeus I guess that is in contrast to a bunch of grossly overweight men that hit each other, then stand around for several minutes while the beer companies run their adverts, then hit each other and then stand around for several more minutes, and then hit each other and on and on and on, thus dragging out what should be a 60 minute event into 3-4 hours of utter boredom. I just HATE it when the telly interrupts my adverts with a few seconds of American football.

I wasn't really prepared for the level of enthusiasm and VOLUME of the Arsenal supporters. <>>>>

To put this into context; Arsenal have the quietest fans in teh league. Their old stadium was known as the Highbury Library.

Try one of the noisier grounds!

I apologize for being so late with my replies to all your wonderful emails. If anyone is still out there, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!

My friend went to two games while in England last week: Arsenal v. Manchester-United (in London) and Chelsea v. Blackburn (in Blackburn). He had a wonderful time, even though it rained the whole time!

He is a true fan of "the beautiful game," I assure you. It is I who am the philistine . . .. calling it soccer. Well, my heart is in the right place, anyway.

Thanks again for all the encouragement!

<i>It is I who am the philistine . . .. calling it soccer.</i>

Nothing wrong with calling it soccer. There is only one Football, and it ain't played by bad actors that pretend they are hurt every time someone comes within a couple of feet (sorry, meters) of them...

In all seriousness, soccer is a great game. I think women all over the world should be encouraged to play it.

&lt;&lt;There is only one Football, and it ain't played by bad actors that pretend they are hurt every time someone comes within a couple of feet (sorry, meters) of them...&gt;&gt;

Would you be referring to a game where the players only appear in full body armour and helmets?

<i>
Would you be referring to a game where the players only appear in full body armour and helmets?</i>

That would be the one...

And thanks for the update Virgo!!

Would you be referring to a game where the players only appear in full body armour and helmets?

That would be the one...&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;

It's a poof's game.

In the US the kids that can't compete in football opt for soccer. American football players see bone surgeons to treat their injuries while soccer wimps need gynecologists. Football players limp off the field unless they have to be carted off. Everytime I watch a soccer match on TV somebody is laying on the turf writhing in pain. Real football players make an effort to disguise their pain. Not so with soccer players. That David Beckham is some macho guy, eh? He;s supposed to be one of the World's elite soccer players? The dude on constantly on the mend from some sort of supposed injury.

By the way, love those cute little shorts.

Well US football certainly represents the spirit of the country - obese, over complicated, too commercial and commented on by men with American Hair.

You can keep it ( a decision that the entire rest of the world has also reached).

Now go and watch some rednecks fall off cattle.

What this american would have done to go alone to the Chelsea match yesterday. Anything!

I mean really, can it be as bad as hockey in Detroit

I'm American and HATE, absolutely HATE, American football. When I was in high school and we were supposed to be supporting the jocks I barely made it to half time. And now I am 54 and live in Europe and am so glad I don't have to watch that painfully boring game played by pumped-up steroid addicted fatties. Give me the cute Beckhams in their short shorts any day.

I have been to Anfield a few times over the years, not because I support Liverpool but because I wanted my kids to experience the unique atmosphere created by the fans that come from all corners of the world to worship their team.

A few times I have been lucky enough (or unlucky really) to experience a 2 min silence for someone or other that had died.
Wow talk about eerie and making the hairs on the neck stand up. There is a total silence and you could hear a pin drop such is the respect shown to the match at Anfield.

So really you have nothing to worry about, the hooligan thing still exists in some areas of the UK in a small way but you would find a far more intimidating atmosphere at for example, some Italian club games, the UK has done a reasonably good job of stamping on it.

Good luck and enjoy that fabulous atmosphere that only Anfield can provide.

Muck

hi virgo,

assuming that this trip is still on, I have 2nd hand experience of Anfield via DH [see my thread Mr. Annhig enters a convent] who managed to combine watching a rudgy match and a football match in one weekend on merseyside, only last week.

staying in Crosby, [north of L'pool on tehway to Southport] he discovered that there is a railway line that goes from the centre of the city right past Anfield, and he had no problem getting a ticket in one of the non-partisan stands. [it was liverpool v WEst Brom].

it's just like any other sporting experience now - stewards show you to your seat, and away from it at full time.

the only shock was the cost - &pound;37!

no need to worry at all.

regards, ann