Football fans have revealed their love of the beautiful game – including banning rival team colours in their home, watching 100 hours of matches a year, and naming kids after players.
The poll of 2,000 adults who watch football found their obsession has resulted in them pulling sickies at work so they can watch key games and booking their holidays to avoid matchdays.
Tattoos, football-themed weddings, and personalised car number plates are also ways fans have demonstrated their affection for their favourite team.
More than half (51 per cent) even admitted their preoccupation with soccer has led to them forgetting important things – like anniversaries and birthdays.
And when it comes to Christmas shopping or other festivities, 31 per cent admit it isn’t going to happen until all this winter’s international matches are done and dusted.
Even then, 84 per cent said their thoughts will immediately turn to the domestic league re-start.
Match can often make fans ‘forgetful’
Snickers, which commissioned the study, has teamed-up with Ross Kemp to create personalised ‘Matchday Reminders’ to help fans remember significant things while their thoughts are elsewhere.
Ross Kemp said: “Like most fans, for 90 minutes the beautiful game and my team come first.
“That can lead some of us to forget the other important things in life that our friends and partners have asked us to do.
“Such as putting the dinner in the oven, feeding the cat, taking the dog for a walk, doing the washing up and – oops – picking the kids up.
“As a guilty party, I’m turning over a new leaf and will be sending out match day reminders to other fans to keep them on top of their game and the washing up – and give them a laugh too.”
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