Some people are crazy about football. They worship a team every weekend, following them all over the country – celebrating their victories, mourning their losses, living every moment with their squad as only the true fan does. Whether it’s a team from the upper echelons of the premiership with global class superstar players, or a minnow from the minor leagues staffed with postmen and plumbers – the true football fan will be there, week in week out, come rain or shine.

Watching great football either from the stands or from the comfort of the sofa, is a joy to behold. When two well matched teams are competing against each other with consummate skill and agility, there can be nothing better. And when you’ve been to see a cracking football match,it’s inspiring – it makes you want to kick a ball around yourself.

Just think. Wouldn’t it be great to play football regularly? Just for fun.

Well, now football fans in London can do exactly that. You don’t need to be a brilliant player, you can just get involved for the sheer joy of it. Playing football regularly in a team with a social league is a fine way of getting fit and having a laugh with friends or colleagues.

If you live in London the opportunity to get stuck in to regular competitive matches against committed players is very real. When you join a social football league you not only sign up to play football, you meet a whole new tribe of people all with common interests. Matches between five, six, seven or eight a side teams can be fast, furious and extremely competitive. Played on modern synthetic rubber crumb surfaces in nineteen venues over London, fixtures are taking place all the time so there’s a good chance there will be a meet up near you.

At 5aside.org you can register with the social league online and find out about fixtures and how to sign up for a team. Maybe you have a team already made up from work mates or uni friends? All you need to do is pick a team name, pay your match fees and kick off. All games are overseen by official FA referees, footballs and bibs are supplied – just turn up in your kit ready to play.

Curious? Click on www.5aside.org and learn how to fit even more football into your life!

Or maybe you are more of an armchair football aficionado. Perhaps you prefer being a spectator to a player? If so, there’s an awful lot of football for you to go at in London. There are thirteen professional clubs in the city and during the season the choice of games is mouthwatering. Elite clubs from the premiership such as Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Crystal Palace and West Ham will have their teams out on the pitch in London or playing away somewhere else in the country.

Football barmy fans in London can also take a look behind the scenes at three of the clubs in the city where they open the doors to the public. Chelsea FC has a very smart new museum with interactive exhibits and lots of historic club memorabilia on display. A stadium tour around the ground can be taken which shows you all the hidden gems you never get to see on the TV coverage.

If guided tours are your thing, head north for Highbury where the Arsenal stadium complex is located. You can take a tour wearing a headset and listening to commentary from Arsenal stars from the past. Look into the changing rooms, physio area, conference and media centre, the dug outs, hospitality suites and player’s tunnel to gain an insight into the lives of Arsenal’s star sportsmen.

And if you still need more of a football fix, then head to the iconic home of football in North West London – there’s only one Wembley Stadium and since its recent overhaul it’s more impressive than ever. Stadium tours show you the changing rooms where the national teams prepare for matches and you are able to walk in the footsteps of legends around the hallowed turf of Wembley. Football historians will enjoy learning about the football association, reading the original 1863 rules of association football and viewing the Jules Rimet Trophy (that’s the World Cup!)

If you live and breathe football, either through playing or watching it, there will be few destinations as tempting to you as London. When only football will do, whether it’s for five a side fun or hard fought premiership points – London takes some beating…