SUPER-FAN REAL LIFE
Beth Wood, 26, from Sheffield, has a football fanatic on her hands...
Watching my girl march towards the gate, her Stone Island badge stood out amongst the pink of her coat.
It was match day and my daughter Chopsy, six, and my fiancé, Mick, 29, were excited.
Inever normally went to watch Sheffield United perform –football was more Mick’s thing –but as Chopsy liked to say, what else you gonna do on aSaturday?
Chopsy’s love of football was definitely inherited.
Mick was ahuge fan, as was his dad and grandfather.
And with Mick never missing agame –he was even at Millwall away when Iwas in labour with Chopsy –it was inevitable that she would follow in his footsteps.
We took Chopsy to her first game at just six months old, before going to afriendly away game when she was atoddler.
But it was during lockdown that her interest in the game really peaked.
Unable to go to the games, Mick would have to watch the football on the TV.
Going into the living room, Chopsy and her little sister, E, three, would be sprawled across Mick, engrossed in the game.
Mick and Chopsy bond over footie
Getting more and more interested, Chopsy didn’t want to miss agame.
And when the turnstiles opened once again, Chopsy was given ashirt by footballer Luke Kelly –now she was totally hooked.
Chopsy had fallen completely in love with football and Sheffield United. Just like Mick, she’d never miss agame.
Going with Mick and her grandad, Adey, Chopsy would always be buzzing when she got home. As Ewas only a baby, Iwouldn’t go to the matches but I always got afull rundown from Chopsy.
Tracking on my phone to see how the team were doing –not very well usually –Iwanted to see what mood everyone would be in when they got home.
But Chopsy was never stroppy about the results. ‘Oh, they lost,’ she’d tell me. ‘That’s abit rubbish, isn’t it?’ I’d reply.
‘But Mummy they did try their best,’ Chopsy said.
Behind her, Mick would be shaking his head –he’s alittle more about the winning side!
On the occasions Ihave gone to watch the game with Chopsy, Ialways play dumb.
‘Who’s that in the number nine?’ I’ll ask.
‘That’s Oli McBurnie,’ Chopsy would t
