I didn’t want to take my daughter to an England game – but this World Cup changed my mind

As a father of young children, I am approaching a moment of great anticipation – the time to take my daughter to her first football match. Even though I attend Premier League matches regularly, the subject evokes as much trepidation as excitement. The Women’s Super League will certainly be frequented, but there are enough concerns over what my daughter would see and hear in the men’s game to make me think twice about taking her. The World Cup has changed my outlook. The Euro 2020 final acted as a stark reminder that the dark days of unruly football fandom were not over. An estimated 2,000 ticketless supporters stormed into Wembley amid scenes several eyewitnesses described as a warzone. In total, 19 police officers were injured with 51 arrests made around the stadium alone. In the US this summer, the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) conducted a report after the group stages, revealing that there had been no reports of any violence or disorder involving England supporters in America, with just two arrests made in total in two weeks. Lots of England regulars have been priced out of the trip, but those who have made the journey across the Pond, however, have made friends around the country and very few enemies. England fans in Mexico City (Photo: Supplied) There are a number of reasons why the atmosphere has remained so jovial and unconfrontational in the US, Mexico and Canada this summer – starting with the remarkable resources available to supporters. “We came out in March to do a research trip which helped put us in a strong position to be able to offer supporters advice on locations and anything else they need,” Thomas Concannon, from England’s Football Supporters’ Association, tells The i Paper. “We spoke with all local authorities in host cities and they were more than happy to help us set up our support network for this trip. Everyone has been so welcoming, and that leads to everything being trouble free.” What the FSA are doing is beyond commendable. Not only do supporters always know where to go to meet up with other fans, they get a comprehensive guide to each host city. The Free Lions magazine is an English football fan’s Lonely Planet. It is the support network they offer which sets them apart. There is a 24-hour hotline if fans need advice on anything from pubs to pharmacies. If you lose your passport, the FSA will help you retrieve it. That peace of mind acts as a catalyst for good vibes only. Such sophisticated networks are invaluable. They also encourage everyone to help each other out with recommendations, adding to the sense of community. Social media is awash with supporters letting others know hotspots they have found, with locals dipping in to add their tips. What the Premier League gets wrong Tribalism is what sets football apart. But there is a sense in many top European leagues that it can still go too far. The fact the Premier League remains in the perennial struggle of reiterating to supporters that tragedy chanting is a bad thing shows how far we still have to go. The Mexicans nailed it in the breathless Azteca epic with England. There were warm embraces ahead of kick-off, but once the match started, there was the right level of needle without it becoming offensive. Then, even after the most heartbreaking defeat, they lined up to congratulate England supporters, one by one. The lack of segregation has only helped the camaraderie. The Premier League is a long way from that, but perhaps without a line of police between them, away supporters wouldn’t feel comfortable enough to shout the same obscenities. “It’s all about the fan experience here,” Georgie, originally from Berkshire but living in New York, tells The i Paper. There are lessons to learn for the Premier League (Photo: Getty) “It’s much more commercialised, but it’s more of an event. People get to stadiums early because there’s so much going on. In England, you get to your seat two minutes before kick-off and just watch the match and go home. Fans sit together here, no violence.” The Americans have lapped it up. Those poignant Wonderwall scenes after England matches? Yes, lots of supporters who have made the long journey, but there are just as many Americans in Three Lions’ jerseys. “The Premier League is huge here,” Sam from Charlottesville, Virginia tells The i Paper. “NBC cover it so well. I have a buddy who has the Chelsea lion tattooed on his forearm and he’s never been to England in his life. “I tried to get a ‘Come on England’ chant going on the way here and there was silence. The whole train was in England shirts like me. But Americans.” Female fans who feel safe Most importantly for the decision-making process over my daughter’s footballing initiation, the stadiums are packed with families. For women, in a male-dominated environment, football matches can be uncomfortable. The World Cup has shown a wider demographic can enjoy such events without fear of being harassed. We are not completely there yet. But we are seeing there is another way to be. Read more Michael Hincks: Thomas Tuchel is taking us all for fools Kat Lucas: Help! I’ve been sportswashed by Trump’s America “99 per cent are absolutely fine, but there’s still the odd comment,” Libby McElhinney, who follows England and Wealdstone home and away, tells The i Paper. “I know football banter, but there is that line between banter and just being wrong. “It’s only happened once on this trip where I’ve maybe felt slightly uncomfortable. I had a few issues at the Euros, more than I’ve had here. So I’d say there’s been a change.”