Footie-watching mates

"Yeh footie ka jod hai, tootega nahin" is the line that flashes through my mind as I recall the number of football-related conversations I have had over the last 4+ years. Living in the UK, it is a definite ice-breaker in most situations, be it with a footie-lover or a 'i-hate-my-hubby's-footie-fetish' wife. Actually, given the popularity football has gained in the world, it is a great topic to have in your conversation hat anywhere.

Pull it out of the hat when needed and welcome loud discussions, passionate "my club is the best" arguments, expert opinions galore. Watch as awkward silences slink silently out of the room. It's party time - and Footie is the guest of honour.

I started watching football only after hubs and I got together, purely because I had no choice - the footie-watching that is, not the tying-the-knot-business. Four years later and I find myself growing despondent when the season ends and jumping for joy when my team wins. I can rattle off the names of the players of not only my team but also a whole host of others. I can read the transfer gossip column and actually have an opinion on why such-and-such club should not pay x million pounds for so-and-so player and so on.

Has hubs successfully converted me to his path? Did he win? Or did I?

Well, my dears, this is one of those win-win situations - surprisingly, they do exist. We are now more than just husband and wife. We are footie mates and that's one strong bond. We are on-side this time and it's a brilliant goal.