Five football sketches that scored big laughs
As we get closer to The UEFA European Football Championship 2024 finals, we thought it a good time to look at some classic sketches in which football and British comedy overlapped.
As you'll be able to see below, the nineties were a particularly rich time for TV parodies of the beautiful game. It felt like there were loads of TV sketches mocking football in that decade, sparking laughter in many homes.
1. Alan Partridge Football Commentary - The Day Today (1994)
Let's talk about one of the most famous comedy sketches on football. Steve Coogan's character, Alan Partridge, tries his hand at commentating on some goal highlights before the 1994 World Cup, even though he doesn't know much about the sport.
Football lovers in the UK will remember this epic clip that stoked laughter. "SHIT! DID YOU SEE THAT? HE MUST HAVE A FOOT LIKE A TRACTION ENGINE!"
2. Football School - A Bit Of Fry & Laurie (1995)
Is this a comedy sketch or a brief documentary about youth football coaching in 1990s Britain? It's tough to tell because Hugh Laurie does such a great job parodying the typical football manager from that era.
As Stephen Fry's character mentions, if you want your child to become a "premier" league footballer, you should send them to the Dave Wilson School.
3. Roger Nouveau Football Fan - The Fast Show (1997)
We all know someone who says they love football but doesn't know much about it. In the nineties, it was even worse. The Premier League's new popularity attracted lots of fresh fans who didn't know a thing about the sport, especially those from different backgrounds than the usual working-class supporters.
On The Fast Show, John Thomson hilariously mocked the rise of middle-class football fans with his character Roger Nouveau. Roger switches his support from Manchester United to Arsenal and even considers backing Newcastle Athletic. He's clueless, thinking Dennis Bergkamp only plays for Arsenal, not for Holland. You can see the entire moment in the video below.
4. Watch the football! - That Mitchell And Webb Look (2006)
David Mitchell creates a hilarious football sketch in That Mitchell And Webb Look, poking fun at Sky Sports' over-the-top coverage of the Premier League. Many people still consider this video one of the best football comedy sketches ever. As the parody TV spot continues, the comedian's character gets more and more excited, talking faster and louder, even though there isn't much happening to get worked up about.
Today, fans might remember this sketch while chatting passionately about a match, their favourite football team, or when looking at the latest football odds by BetBrain.
5. We - That Mitchell And Webb Look (2007)
For every football fan who's clueless about the game, there's another who flaunts their team's victories to those who don't care. In another sketch from That Mitchell And Webb Look, Robert Webb's character suddenly claims to be a big Liverpool fan after they win the European Cup, while David Mitchell's character destroys the whole idea of fandom.
We hope you enjoyed these timeless treasures. If you're an England fan, might we suggest you bookmark this page to return to in July, so you can cheer yourself up if when your national team have not made it as far as you hoped in the Euros.