As an English soccer fan living in the United States, a lot of people ask me about my ultimate soccer bucket list. There are many moments that I will never forget that are in the completed section of my bucket list, but there are also some more things that I would like to witness or be a part of.
I have been lucky to have lived in England, so there are many accomplishments that I am able to cross off my bucket list.
Completed
The very first item on my bucket list is the earliest memory I have involving soccer. I was around four years old and went out onto the field at Upton Park at half time. My dad played for West Ham United at the time and took me out onto the field. I dribbled the ball into the box—as clumsily as a four year old would—and kicked into the goal past my dad. To my surprise thousands of West Ham fans all jumped up and cheered as if I had scored the game winning goal. It was terrifying and amazing at the same time.
My next memory that made it onto the completed section of my bucket list comes from Wembley Arena. It was 1999 and Manchester City were playing Gillingham in the Second Division Playoff Final in order to determine the third and final team being promoted to the First Division (now Premier League). My dad was playing for Manchester City at the time so the experience of watching him play at such an iconic venue was one of the most amazing moments. The intense game ended 2-2, with all goals scored in the final 10 minutes, and then went to a heated penalty shoot-out in which Manchester City won and were promoted.
In 2012 I attended a group stage Champions’ League match at the Etihad Stadium where Manchester City played Borussia Dortmund. The game ended 1-1 but the atmosphere of a Champions’ League game was incredible to experience.
As an ex-Manchester City player, my dad spends a lot of time in and out of the Etihad stadium. He was there the week after Manchester City had returned from Spain when they played Barcelona and was able to get Sergio Aguero to sign his Champions’ League shirt worn in that fixture and he gave it to me.
To Do
While I am extremely lucky to have experienced all the great moments in soccer in my life, there are a few things on my bucket list that I still look to witness first hand.
I would love to attend a World Cup game and experience the atmosphere within the stadium no matter which teams are playing.
This next one is extremely hopeful, but I would like to be a part of the celebrations when, or if, the England national team win their next International trophy—although I may be waiting a while since the last cup they won was the World Cup in 1966.
The last thing on my bucket list would be to see my brother—who is an aspiring and very talented player—play for a professional team.
Let us know what’s on your soccer bucket list and what items you have already check off in the comments section below.
