Alexander Loughlin
BA (Hons) Fine Art
Greater Manchester
The wrathful loyalty of late middled aged to late adult male football patrons towards their post-war hometown clubs, both during and in-between match days, is a dedication rivalled only by their commitment to their wives. Both relationships have episodes of strenuous tension, often for prolonged periods, but this group of men know they wouldn’t want anything or anyone else.
It is this dying generation of soldiers’ grandsons, usually rooted in the working class, who exert an equal degree of scrutiny towards those who shun them for their refusal to modernise and gentrify themselves, both in their behaviour and in their attitude, that are the most inspirational figures from which a young man derives common life wisdom. Their collective and individual principles span between contemporary moral taboo and essential foresight, only acceptable to be taught if the individual has lived it. These qualities are intrinsically masculine in nature: aggression, violence, competitiveness, pride, authoritarianism. They also show strength, courage, nobility, humility and stoicism. These are eternally essential characteristics which I continually strive to uphold in my lifestyle.
I’ve grown fond of the footballing culture men posses themselves with. An emotional outlet for men to unify in camaraderie and in distain of their rivals (whether justified or not). Although unable to fully comprehend the longevity of their dedication with all the times of high and low, I feel a substantial and intimate familiarity towards their spirit, even when we’re strangers to one another.
As a man, my acceptance of their juxtaposing attributes makes me feel at home while in their presence.
“No one likes us, we don’t care.” Millwall football club crowd chant.
