#21 - Sports

You’d think for someone that is an avid sports fan, not-to-mention an aspiring sports coach, that I wouldn’t be able to hate sports but you’d be wrong. So very wrong. In fact, of the many, many things that I hate in life, sports is very high up the list.

But why do I hate sports so much? Is it because of the amount of money of spent playing and supporting over the years? Maybe. Could it be down to the many number of sports that just don’t make sense? Quite possibly (seriously rugby, what’s with this no passing forward nonsense?!). Or is it down to my own personal lack of success in sports? Well I am incredibly average.

However, if you thought it was any of these things you’d be wrong. It all comes down to the disappointment sport brings us.

Only a small amount of people can support a winning team. Oh sure, I have the memories of that Michael Owen hat-trick against Germany, or those times Ian Poulter became the Stuart Pearce of the golfing world and inspired Europe to victory over the USA. Those were wonderful memories but what have we gained from them? England were knocked out of the World Cup by Brazil that year and Ian Poulter has still yet to do anything in individual competition.

My point is that either as a player or as a fan we can only enjoy so much success unless we become glory supporters. I must admit I die a little inside each time I see a child wearing a Chelsea or Manchester United shirt in Leeds. Some people might be thinking Liverpool should be on that list...

As fans, we all have wonderful memories of our teams winning great games, gaining promotion and if you’re an Arsenal fan, all those famous fourth place finishes. Ultimately, we all end up empty handed having shelled out plenty of money for tickets, shirts and away trips. My shirt collection grows ever larger but are Leeds winning a trophy any time soon, I doubt it.

The worst feeling of all comes about on what many consider to be one of the best days of the season: opening day. We all go in to it with a clean slate, some fancy, new signings that we assume are the missing part in what will make us the Champions (Champions of Europe). If we lose then the season might as well be over. We’re as bad as we’ve ever been and that fraud of a manager needs sacking despite only being at the club for a couple of months.

Winning can be worse. Suddenly, the stars have aligned. It looks as if finally, our dreams can come true and we might in fact have a successful season. Alas, it doesn’t last. It never does. As the season progresses it turns out we’re just as mediocre as everyone else and we must accept that we’ll win some, lose some and most likely draw some (unless you like American sports…).

As they say, “it’s the hope that kills you.” And it truly is. For no reason, we all dream of our team being successful, of winning trophies and homegrown players becoming heroes. I’m yet to see a Leeds player lift a trophy above their head.

A few years ago, I was “lucky” enough to go to see Manchester City play West Ham on the final day of the season. City won and lifted the Premier League trophy which was nice, but I couldn’t help but feel upset. Sure, I’d been in corporate hospitality with free booze and delicious food but none of that mattered come full time. All I could think was, “I may never see Leeds do this.” Up and down the country there are millions of us in the same position.

So thank you sport for giving me false hope year in, year out. As Leeds fans we were once told we lived the dream. Perhaps it’s better to never dream.