Fotballidenskap som «religiøs» fortolkningsramme i oppveksten – en analyse av Hornbys Tribunefeber

Abstract

The article discusses whether football culture functions as a religious ritual and identity marker by highlighting key passages from Nick Hornby’s classic autobiography Fever Pitch (1992) (in Norwegian, Tribunefeber (1997)). Here, Hornby portrays his obsession with the English top club, Arsenal, a passionate commitment that began when he was a child and continued into adulthood. The article points to functional religious definitions and liminality theory. It explains characteristics of functional religious understandings and liminality theory as applied to football culture. Secondly, the article emphasizes key aspects of Hornby’s passionate football engagement, focusing on his total devotion to football culture.