Football Twitter: 10 Things You Should Know Before Joining

Twitter is a social media platform where you can link up with people of similar interests.

It’s even better if you’re a football fan; you’ll meet an online community of avid football fans and participate in discussions surrounding the sport.

Here are 10 things to remember before you join Football Twitter:

1. Banter comes around, and it will touch everybody

The Oxford Dictionary defines ‘Banter’ as “The playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks.”

Banter is the glue that holds Football Twitter; without it, it would be a soulless community devoid of any fun. Banter may take the form of random “subs” or insults thrown at one’s favourite player.

It may also take the form of online “roasting” which consist of making lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek comments aimed to rile up fans, especially after a bad result.

No matter how good your club or favorite player, they will have disappointing matches.

That means must be ready for banter all through the season. Don’t react angrily to banter: you’ll get your chance to dish it out when the opposition player or team underperform.

2. Take your ‘L’ with dignity

This follows from the previous point: if your team loses, be graceful enough to accept the trolling in good faith.

‘L’ is shorthand for ‘Loss’ and refers to some failure. Say your club lost a final, you, as a supporter,  just received an L.

We advise taking your L with dignity; show character, even in the face of defeat.

You will get many troll comments which we encourage you to take calmly.

Don’t get bitter or lose your top because your club is getting trolled. Just say to yourself “my time will come”. 

If you don’t have enough mental fibre to calmly react to banter, try staying off Twitter.

Lie low for a few days until the storm has blown over, and then show up as T’Challa did in Black Panther.

Nonetheless, you should understand that the memory of your L will forever live on in the memory of rival fans.

And it can be used against you anywhere, anytime.

For instance, Barcelona fans may 8-2 see this right now, but we’ll never forget their humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich in 2020.

3. No resorts to personal insults

Under no circumstances should you make personal insults in the name of football banter.

Moreover, if someone does, feel free to use your block button because such individuals are unworthy members of the FT family.

Remember, it is banter; avoid taking it to heart. In other words, no let am pain you.

4. Agenda >>> Facts

Merriam-Webster defines ‘agenda’ as “an underlying often ideological plan or program”.

On Football Twitter, agenda means a narrative that may or may not be truthful but serves a purpose.

For example, you could decide to push an agenda insisting Pele is a fraud.

Or that Rashford is the best player to come through Manchester United’s academy.  

Agenda doesn’t have to be completely rooted in reality or facts.

For instance, everyone thinks Pele is the greatest to ever play.

But if you can selectively choose and manipulate facts to push an anti-Pele agenda, you’re free to do so.

In pushing an agenda, here are some things you should avoid:

A. Bring info from a no-name site: Don’t tell us your source is Wikipedia or some unknown site. There are plenty of trusted sites with reliable information: Goal.com, BleacherReport.com, etc.

B. Make up fictional facts: Nah bro, don’t do this. If you will push an agenda, push the agenda with sense. You can choose facts that align with your agenda and discard the others. You can manipulate the facts to fit a certain narrative. But avoid spinning lies while creating the narrative. You may get some retweets and likes, but eventually, someone will question your sources and expose you.

Alternatively, you can quote the following as your source(s) to save your ass:

• “Trust me, bro”
• “Why will I lie to you?”
• “You know I’m saying the truth”

But even this may not save you sha because you will be dragged all over the place.

5. Rub your wins in the eyes of the opposition

Yes, give those rival fans what they deserve: premium trolling. If your club wins, banter fans of the opposition without mercy.

Do not hesitate; they would not if they were in the same position.

If you want, you can hype your team as much as possible after a win.

You can say your club’s striker is the best thing since slice bread anytime he scores a hat trick.

It is your time to shine; shine well!

6. Always have your drafts ready

Be like the proverbial hunter who carefully prepares his weaponry before hunting.

If your team is playing, have drafts for any occasion: if they lose, if they win, or if they draw.

This way, you are always a step ahead of the opposition.

7. Get creative with your banter

You should always aim to come up with creative bants.

Don’t give us run-of-the-mill banter – you’ll only get few marks for effort.

Give us the premium banter and you’ll get all the adoration and respect you deserve.

Are you a novice at the art of creating first-rate football banter?

Here are some FT-focused Twitter accounts you can learn from:

8. You are football fan, not an idiot

We don’t dabble into ageism, misogyny, racism, xenophobia and all that nonsense on Football Twitter. We may exchange words but we understand it isn’t that deep.

Thus, we try as much as possible to remain within the realm of sensibility.

Here are some things you should avoid doing on Football Twitter:

Sexism

You don’t tell a girl “What does she snow about football?” This is downright sexist and suggests football is only for males, which is quite the primitive view. Yes, football was, for a long time, predominantly a man’s sport. But times are changing and more females are getting interested in the beautiful game – both online and offline.

Ageism

You don’t tell a younger person “When did you start watching football?” Bro, YouTube has footage of thousands of old matches. I may not have watched Pele growing up, but I’ve watched enough footage to know he was not spectacular. If this seems like blasphemy, it is still none of your business.

Racism/Xenophobia

Don’t insult a player on account of his skin color or nationality. Of course, you can criticize players and even troll them harmlessly – but leave it at that. Understand that players are humans first. They have their struggles and emotions, and dealing with online abuse will compound their problems.

9. Learn the lingo

Like every other community, Football Twitter has its own language, which its members use in discussions.

Words like “dub”, “idolo“, “ratio” may pop up during discussions, and you have to understand them.

Do not use a term you are barely familiar with – if you no sabi meaning, ask.

Three Chelsea Players Join #EndSARS Campaign In Nigeria

10. Remember to have fun!

Football Twitter is perhaps the best online community for football lovers.

Follow the tips we’ve mentioned previously and have plain-old fun. Ciao!

Written By Emmanuel Awosika

The post Football Twitter: 10 Things You Should Know Before Joining was first published on GoalBall.