Football Fan Survey: Could You Have Played Professionally?
Last updated: by Liam Reaney
“I could’ve scored that!”
Every football fan has shouted this at least once while watching a game. Everyone has that one mate that totally would’ve have gone pro if it wasn’t for that dodgy knee. And, as for your club’s manager, well you could surely do a better job, right?
The Best Betting Sites team wanted to find out just how confident the average man is in their own footballing ability. So, we surveyed 500 fans to find out just how delusional they are – and here are the results.
Survey conducted with 500 UK-based male respondents via Pollfish.
Why Didn’t You Go Pro?
We asked men what stopped them from becoming professional footballers:
Top Excuses:
Reality Check:
Only 31% were brave enough to admit they simply weren’t cut out for professional football. The rest? Well, they had their reasons.
What Level of Football Do You Think You Could Play At?
We asked men what the highest level they think they could realistically reach:
Delusion Alert:
Nearly half think they could grace Premier League pitches, despite most probably never making it beyond Sunday league kickabouts.
The Numbers:
Just 6% admitted they couldn’t hack it at any competitive level. That’s some serious self-belief right there.
How Many Goals Would You Score Replacing Haaland at Man City?
Haaland famously scored 34 Premier League goals in one season for City. Here’s what men said they would score over a full season in his place:
Confident Scorers:
Four in ten are convinced they’d hit 20+ goals playing for the best team in England. Because apparently, world-class service makes everyone a natural finisher.
Reality Check:
Only 7% were honest enough to say they’d blank completely. The rest think they’d at least trouble the scoreboard.
Could You Have Done Better Than Amorim at Manchester United?
We asked fans how they would do if they had replaced Ten Hag at Man United midseason instead of Ruben Amorim:
Armchair Managers:
53% think they’d do better than a professional manager with years of experience and coaching badges!
Tactical Genius:
84% believe they could match or beat Amorim’s results.
Could You Make the England Women’s Euro 2025 Squad?
We asked if they’d be good enough to get a place in the Lionesses’ 23 player squad at this summer’s Women’s European Championship:
Peak Delusion:
3 out of 5 men think they’re good enough to make the England Women’s squad – elite athletes who train professionally!
Gender Reality:
This response reveals just how many people still don’t grasp the skill level of professional women’s football.
Key Survey Findings
Premier League Dreams
42% of men genuinely believe they could cut it in the Premier League – the same league where even seasoned professionals struggle to last a season.
Goal Machine Mentality
Over 40% reckon they’d bang in 20+ goals playing for City. That’s basically saying they’re as good as the world’s elite strikers.
Management Skills
More than half are convinced they’d outmanage professional coaches at United. Apparently, years of watching Match of the Day counts as coaching experience.
England Women’s Squad
62% think they could make England’s women’s team – professional athletes who’ve dedicated their lives to the sport. This might be the most telling stat of all.
The Verdict: Football Fans Are Wonderfully Delusional
This survey perfectly captures what makes football fans so brilliant. We’ve got blokes who genuinely think they could step into Haaland’s boots, tactically outmaneuver seasoned managers, and even make England’s women’s squad. The sheer confidence is both hilarious and oddly endearing.
One thing’s crystal clear: every football fan has that little voice whispering ‘I could’ve done that better.’ And honestly? That unwavering self-belief is probably what makes the beautiful game so entertaining in the first place.
Survey analysis by Best Betting Sites | 500 UK male respondents via Pollfish