A football fan's survival guide
Billed as the 'greatest show on earth', the English Premier League kicks-off tomorrow with 20 teams playing a combined 760 games over the course of the next nine months.
Broadcast in over 202 countries, this feast of football attracts every single conceivable type of audience.
And with only one day till the start of the 2008-2009 season, we at Emirates Business have decided to compile a survival guide for you, the fans.
From the fixture list to a Showtime package, from a stocked fridge to the top must-know football websites – we provide all the information needed to make this season one of the most memorable ever.
And it won't stop here, catch our Premier League Special in tomorrow's edition as well as exclusive football coverage every weekend.
Showtime package
To watch the Premier League in the UAE you need to subscribe to Showtime. Showtime are currently offering a special sports package at Dh87 a month, especially catering to football fans. Showtime is the only company in the world to broadcast every single of the 760 games live – so no matter which team you support, you don't have to wait for a delayed kick-off to enjoy the action.
Big screen television
It would be a sin to watch your team on anything short of the best television available. Shop around for one of the top-of-the-range Sony Bravia plasma televisions so that you can get the maximum enjoyment from every goal your team scores.
Book of excuses
It's no use having the best TV and an annual subscription to Showtime, if your other half is watching Desperate Housewives at 7pm on a Saturday, or insists on an evening shopping trip. What you need is to get your hands on a life-saving, face-saving Book of Excuses. With tried and tested apologies such as: "Honey I'm sorry, I would love to walk around Spinney's with you tonight, but I really need to spend some time researching the perfect gift for your birthday."
Fixture lists
Every true Premier League fan has one of these stuck on their wall. If you haven't got yours already click here to share ours.
Stocked fridge
The excitement of football should be shared. That's why hundreds of thousands of fans make their weekly journey to their team's stadium. In the UAE, the best way to enjoy a match is with friends. A fully stocked fridge and some light snacks always go down a treat.
Radio
Novices believe a football match only lasts 90 minutes, but with pre-match prattle published on blogs before the game and post-whistle radio talk shows, fans are able to stretch the excitement of a single game into two or three days. Some of the best British-based football phone-ins are available online, such as Talksport (www4.talk sport.net), and you can also tune into the Dubai Eye Sports show (on 103.7 FM every weekday from 5pm-7)
Football kit
They may be expensive, but there is no better way of representing your team than sporting the club colours. With all manner of merchandise available now – from bed sheets to bandannas, toilet rugs to turtle necks, if you want it badly enough you can get it with the club crest stitched in. The quintessential item is of course the actual kit itself, and with personalisation now available, you can get any name and number you wish on the back. So even when you miss that shot in the park, at least you'll still look like your favourite star.
Mobile phone
The mobile phone is one of the best ways of winding up your mates after your team crushes theirs. It's a regular occurrence in Britain that when the final whistle goes, fans will be sat, phone in hand, poised and ready to start the banter. But phones are also a handy way of keeping up to date with all the action while on the move. Many companies offer live text services that update you whenever there is any news relating to your team. Although not available in the UAE yet, with the number of football fans growing by the day, it's only a matter of time before etisalat or du introduce such a service.
Laptop
Where would we be without the internet? With transfer gossip, up-to-the-minute score updates and match highlights often posted (illegally) online within hours of the final whistle, it's hard to call yourself a real fan if you don't know what your reserve team goalkeeper had for his breakfast this morning. In the age of information, almost everybody claims to be ITK ("in the know") and often stories break on blogs before they make it on to the club's official website. Here is a list of the top three essential websites every fan should have in their favourites. Fan favourites:
www.liveonsat.com – a comprehensive list of all games televised around the world. From ART to Al Jazeera, LJ Sports has them all.
www.newsnow.co.uk – an exhaustive search engine that trawls the entire web to bring you all the news and views on your team.
www.myp2p.eu – watch games live online. For free!
Copy of EB24/7
Read all the latest Premier League reviews, previews, player interviews and features every weekend in Emirates Business 24/7. Alternatively log on to www.business24-7.ae – where you can also post comments on any issues you feel passionate about.