One of the forbidden topics, amongst polite society, sure to unleash from the darkest depths, our inner demon; who to root for ? What team, in our newly transplanted country should we devote our attention and energy?
Footba  ll (soccer), rugby, cricket even?

For every person we asked, where do your loyalties lie? There is an equal number of different  offerings. No clear cut answers. None of the simplicity of one city, one team.
Here in the U.K. it seems to be one team for every person. A plethora of colors to sing for, swear for and in some cases bleed for.
Back home, even in multi-team cities, like Chicago, the choice is fairly clear cut, one or the other. Mostly geographically derived, a birthright so to speak.

However, here in the UK, or in Europe itself, a deck of cards is fanned out with the mantra, Pick a card, any card, but you have to pick one.
So, to try and narrow our focus, we googled football teams (do not misconstrue my substitution of football for soccer) a whopping 135 teams appear, spread across the top eight leagues, from the uber exclusive, high priced Premier at the top  hosting 20 teams, to Level Eight, a geographical based division with regional league names, each hosting 22 to 24 teams.
Teams play on a point system within each level or league, and can be promoted or relegated depending upon the point totals. Three points for a win, one point for a draw and no points for a loss. The top point getters can be promoted up to the next league, while the bottom three with the fewest points are relegated downward. It ensures a level of competition among clubs and an incentive to perform. The season is long, almost nine months. From July/August to the middle of May.

Geography doesn't count. Fans living in London follow Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle. Colors don't count. The color palette uniforms are cut from is tonally similar, with minor variations of style. History does count.   Most of the clubs have histories that extend back in time  for a multitude of decades, and have strong loyalties spanning generations.
So to that end we begin our  search, our quest. For whom shall we root for.
We took in our first ever  Premiership club/match. The Tottenham Hotspur FC versus Newcastle FC. The match took place on the pitch of Tottenham in the north of London. Traveling to the Spurs stadium, White Hart Lane, required two underground stops and a bus ride. In reality a fairly easy commute. Being without a car is almost a blessing.  But like any great game day event, the trail to the stadium is easy to follow. Point yourself in the direction of those fans proudly wearing the colors of the day the blue and white.
The Spurs stadium is a little older, worse for wear. It sits on the edge of a construction site that will ultimately be their new home across the street.
Unlike NFL stadiums standing alone, isolated with acres of asphalt surrounding them, moat like, this stadium is in a neighborhood. Similar to Wrigley Field in Chicago.  Serviced by train and bus and tube. People do drive but, the parking lots are not immediately visible and as we traveled the last leg by bus, the pop up parking lot, on private property, seems to be an universal experience.
Streaming off the bus we walked in the midst of thousands of fans on a pilgrimage to their personal Mecca. Outside the stadium the atmosphere is universally festive. Droves of fans in team colors, and kiosks dedicated to their needs.  Player jerseys, custom made on the spot, food, souvenirs, programs, everything to make the game day experience memorable. We waited in line for a n eternity to get the obligatory souvenir, a scarf with the Spurs logo and colors. Babes in the woods, newbies, we wandered, circling  the stadium, trying to find our gate. Maybe it was the accent, the subtle differences in language, but we could not find the gate listed. Despite asking multiple people, multiple times and always heard the same thing, turn the corner and go two streets up. Frustrated, finally we found it.
Despite leaving well in advance,  arriving on the scene with almost an hour till game time, we made it to our seats just as Ref blew the opening whistle and the match began. My usual good sense of direction has been continually challenged these past few months. I miss the grid system. But, that is the adventure, always move forward around the next corner. I always had a cocky attitude to that game show Amazing Race and felt pretty confident I could ace it. Not so sure any more.

The stadium is full. The seats are tight and the feeling electric. The Newcastle fans, situated enmasse in one corner, sing the entire match.  Security in bright orange ring the pitch and the game goes on. The highs and lows, mirror the groans of the crowd. Jeering and cheering the sentiment is universal, whatever sport you're watching. Excellence is demanded and punished if not realized. We love football ( Marcia, my wife, a nd I had two of our three children play on soccer clubs in the States and we know something of the game).  We understand it, the need for precision and discipline on the field. The value of vision.  The athletic skill and talent to play at such a high level. It was great. We experienced the Spurs fans and their reactions, as well as the Newcastle fans and their energy. Newcastle defeated the Spurs, this day 2 to 1.

No we are not eschewing our roots. We are just adding another layer to the structure of our lives. A new chapter to our story. The Hawks and Bears and Bulls still captivate our souls. The Sox and Cubs will always polarize our Northside/Southside household, annually thrilling and disappointing all at the same time. No, it's the search for new friends, new color schemes to brighten our disposition. We'll continue the quest, red and white for Arsenal or maybe the blue of Chelsea will win our hearts. It will be fun looking for that answer, as well as what's two streets up and around the corner.

Wait I almost forgot, there's rugby and cricket too?  Whoo boy here we go.