Soccer Scarves

Ian Boles

Geography

GOAAAAL! The ball hits the back of the net – thousands of soccer fans roar, throw up their hands and wave scarves in a vivid display of team spirit. With 3.5 billion fans worldwide, football (soccer in the U.S.) is the most popular sport on the planet.  Why do people love it? And why does Ian Boles collect soccer scarves? 

Behaviorist Desmond Morris says that soccer is popular because the “whole thing is a symbolic hunt,” while the scarves are “costume language.” For Ian Boles though, the scarves are reminders of games he has witnessed, mementos of a decade of travel, and “tangible representations of fans’ passion for football.”

“My love for soccer ultimately stems from my love for travel,” Ian explains. “I was in New Zealand during the 2006 World Cup where I experienced people’s passion for the beautiful game, and it was infectious…Over the next few years, my wife and I attended a few local MLS matches and English Premier League matches. Around 2010, it occurred to me that I should be “documenting” these experiences in a meaningful way. That’s when I started picking up scarves at stadiums.”

Although soccer traces its roots over 5000-years to the Mesoamerican Olmec culture, football scarves originated in late 19th century Britain. Hand-knitted using wool in the team colors, the scarves kept fans warm in a cold climate and displayed their allegiance. 

“The sense of pride football fans have for, and in, their club is special,” Ian says. “Whether their team wins or loses, the football fan wears their emotions on their sleeve.” Boles’s first love is his local club, five-time Major League Soccer champions the LA Galaxy; second is English Premier League team, Everton. The link is 2006 and 2010 World Cup star Landon Donovan, who played for both. 

In addition to revealing his twin-passions for travel and soccer, Ian speculates that his collection might indicate “an unspoken desire to proselytize the gospel of international football.” “I love the opportunity to talk football with other football fans,” he says, “but even more, I love exposing the uninitiated to the beautiful game. My soccer scarves have served as an effective conversation starter in that regard.”

Desmond Morris states that “the roots of our Soccer Tribe lie deep in our primeval past.” If Ian Boles has anything to do with it, his 15-scarf collection will help to ensure a blossoming US future.