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The meaning and origin of the expression: What football is all about

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The expression 'what football is all about' originated in the UK and began appearing commonly in newspaper there around 1970. Being of UK origin it should be said that the 'football' being referred to is what Americans like to call soccer and not what they call football, which all right-minded people refer to as American Football.

Who said it first? We aren't ever likely to know. Let's content ourselves with the fact that the inexhaustible list of answers to the question makes up for the lack of a known origin.

You think that you know what football is all about? These folk know too:

I played in a fantastic team that gave millions of people watching a great time. That's what football is all about.
 Johann Cruyff
The technical development of the game, that is what football is all about. Edwin Snowe, President of the Liberia Football Association
The lack of progress from the top down should be countered by the huge growth at grassroots level. Which ultimately is what football is all about. Anjana Gadgil, The Guardian,
Wednesday January 29, 2003
Motivation, motivation, motivation - The Three M's. That's what football is all about. Alan Latchley (Peter Cooke) in Clive Anderson's Talk Back Special.
'It's really difficult to digest and this is inconceivable for us [losing to Manchester United in 2003 Champion's League] but then this is what football is all about. Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld
They [Germany] came into the tournament [2002 World Cup] lacking confidence as a squad and improved game by game, which is what football is all about. Martin Tyler, July 2002.
That's what football is all about, bringing people together. Lucas Radebe, Leeds player, April 2003.
They [Liverpool] look to have opened up a little gap at the top of the table and suddenly they too lose four or five on the spin. That’s what football is all about. Evening News 24, Jun 2003.
I'm a bit worried about what might happen to it [hair dyed in the club's colours] in the swimming pool with all the bleach. But that's what football is all about. Chris Day, Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper.
I do want to play the short ball and I do want to play the long ball. I think long and short balls is what football is all about. Bobby Robson, Newcastle United manager, 2003.
It would be the biggest win ever [beating Real Madrid in 2003 Champions League]. But that is what football is all about. Roy Keane, Manchester United captain.
The club [Manchester United] has to go on. That's what football is all about Roy Keane, Manchester United captain.

 
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