So, in May I will be going to Carrow Road with the American father of a bride who is marrying a friend to watch Norwich v Villa. I've been told he pretty much knows nothing about football. My top two priorities are to make sure he says football and not soccer and to convince him Norwich are the greatest team in the world. Any other tips?
Speak to Canariessoccer he'll have a useful list of Americanised football terminology and names which should help.
My firm has taken american clients to games before and they find it good but can't believe the strong language and chanting. American sports are very family based. You won't find many US crowds chanting "The referees a ****er" or "hey Neil warnock! Ohh!Ahh! we wana knoooow why your such a ****" they mainly stick to "U-S-A!" while munching on hot dogs.
I've been to an American baseball match before, Beef! So dull! Was outside the stadium when they did the national anthem (don't know why they need to do that) and the man checking the bags stopped, and put his hand on his chest and did nothing else for the entire national anthem. I'm not too bothered about patriotism, I'm a proud Brit, but there's a limit! The Americans also love their stats, which of course in football can often mean nothing! I'm in the N and P but maybe I should feed him to the snakepit! He will love the Lambert chants!
I went to an Ice Hockey game in the UK recently, which is the closest I've come to a USA-style sports fixture. It was hilarious seeing every look awkward during the national anthem.
Get him to call Canary Call after the game. He'll probably have more insightful input than the regulars
Tell him that supporting Norwich is good exercise.... gets the heart going and lungs a good work out when bellowing chants/ abuse in equal measure. Maybe get the national anthem on headphones for him. If kamara is playing say he is on loan from the USA erm hope it's an exciting game Norwich 3-2 last min Grant Holt goal should do the trick with Villa being relegated and lambert sacked the following day
Also tell him it is a tradition for a 'foreign guest' to pay for your drinks before and after the game
Nah, just tell him Wes is the quarterback, Holty the Fullback and Snods and Pilks are the Wide Receivers. He'll catch on soon enough. Oh yeah, and that no one can touch the ball with their hands.
Took a Canadian friend the season we got promoted to the PL. He only went to the one game but still sends me pics of himself with the NCFC scarf he bought, and still sends me messages about the results. He told me the best part was the atmosphere and chanting, they simply don't do it over there. Just get him singing OTBC, lol.
Surely the goal keepers can? And the people taking throw ins? And how about the deft adjustment to the free kick placement?
Not to mention throwing the ball at the Ref, Pablo (sorry Leon). Don't forget the bit about when a player is interfering with play in offside decisions, Carla. .
