Guest post by Sophie Charlesworth
In today’s fast-paced world, young men face unique pressures that can negatively impact their mental health. So, with the new football season upon us, it is the perfect moment to explore how the beautiful game can boost not only young men’s physical fitness, but also their mental health and well-being.
Having spent many a Saturday night in the pub with housemates who were avid football fans, I have been subject to numerous vivid recounts of the day’s football games. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and although I am a female with no previous interest in football, I became intrigued by the intangible effect that the game has on its fans. As my friends and I approached the end of our time at the University of Leeds, we were increasingly anxious about the start of adult life. This period between 18 and 25 years old is often a daunting and unstable time for many. Studying psychology and my final assignment looming, I decided to investigate whether the love of the beautiful game could positively impact the mental health and well-being of young men during this challenging phase.
To research this topic with my supervisor, Dr Mike Jestico, I conducted interviews with five young men aged 18 to 25 who identified as passionate football fans. What I found was compelling: football offers mental health benefits in four key areas—escape, connection, stability, and belonging.
Escape: A Mental Break from Life’s Pressures
Football serves as an escape from the stresses of everyday life, providing a unique arena where young men feel free to release strong emotions that may not always seen to be socially acceptable, like shouting and swearing.
One participant explained that football was his go-to escape from life’s pressures. Whether it was stress from work or tensions at home, he knew that the match day was ‘protected time’ and would provide a welcome distraction. Another participant mentioned that this escape helped him feel more positive and better equipped to handle difficult situations in his daily life.
Interestingly, the actual outcome of the game—whether their team won or lost—was irrelevant to the sense of escape these young men experienced. The focus was on the 90 minutes where they could completely shut out their personal problems and enjoy the game for what it was.
Building and Maintaining Connections: More Than Just a Game
The young men I interviewed found that football was instrumental in establishing and maintaining relationships. Whether with strangers in a stadium or with important figures in their lives, like male family members, football acted as a social glue.
One participant explained that when he started university, football was a common thread that helped him connect with people from diverse backgrounds. Another highlighted how sharing an allegiance to the same football club turned strangers into friends over time. For those with season tickets, sitting next to the same person at every match often led to long-lasting friendships, despite only meeting at games.
Football also provides an opportunity for families to come together, breaking down barriers that might otherwise exist between male relatives. One participant shared that while his relationship with his father could be strained, football allowed them to put aside their differences and bond over their shared love for the game, thus maintaining this crucial father-son connection.
Football as a Constant: Stability in an Unstable Time
For many, a lifelong allegiance to a football team provides a much-needed sense of stability. As young men navigate the many changes that come with adulthood, their loyalty to their team remains a constant.
This stability is especially important during transitions, such as moving away for university. One participant noted that while leaving home for university was daunting, moving closer to his football club provided him with a comforting sense of stability. Attending every match gave him a routine and something to rely on during an otherwise uncertain time.
While football is a constantly changing game—players come and go, and league positions fluctuate—fans’ loyalty to their teams teaches resilience. Even after a monumental loss, their unwavering support helps them bounce back, building emotional strength in the process.
Belonging: A Community Like No Other
Belonging, community and camaraderie is at the heart of football fandom. Fans view their team as an extended family, fostering a deep sense of connection with like-minded individuals. This sense of community is particularly valuable for young men, who may otherwise feel isolated during this stage of life. Football enables fans to feel a belonging to something bigger and reduces feelings of loneliness.
One participant explained that after moving away from home, he initially attended games alone. However, over time, the shared experience of supporting the same team led to strong feelings of solidarity with fellow fans, who ultimately began to feel like his second family.
For many fans, the chance to share exciting and tense moments with others is a huge motivator. This communal experience is crucial not just in moments of victory, but also in times of defeat. One participant shared that following England’s loss in the Euro final against Italy, knowing that others shared his disappointment helped him cope and build resilience.
What Do These Findings Tell Us?
Being a football fan offers significant mental health and well-being benefits, from fostering a sense of belonging and emotional resilience to providing stability and an escape from life’s pressures. While football has a history marred by issues like hooliganism and riots, today’s fan communities can be a source of positive mental health and social connection.
As we enter the 2024/25 season, it’s clear that football’s power to enhance mental health and well-being should not be underestimated. By embracing the positive aspects of fandom, football can continue to be a source of joy, connection, and personal growth for millions of fans worldwide.
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Passionate about the intersection between psychology and everyday life, Sophie is a recent psychology graduate from the University of Leeds. She’s just about to head off to Southeast Asia for a couple of months. On her return in January, she hopes to embark on a career in clinical psychology.
While she hasn’t grown up a football fan, since writing her dissertation on the topic, Sophie has come to enjoy a Watford game on a Saturday afternoon. When she’s not diving into research, you’ll find her on her spin bike, in a karaoke bar, or at Vicarage Road! #hornets
