About five years ago, it became laughably essential for guests at middle-class dinner parties in metropolitan England to proclaim a deep affection for football.

• 大概五年以前，在英国都市中那些中产阶级的聚会上，客人们开始经常宣称自己对足球怀有深深的热爱，虽然有些可笑，但却十分必要。