Understanding the slang footballers use in interviews

Hi Features,

The World Cup has, naturally, been the main topic of conversation for millions of people over the past few weeks. However, people not so well-versed in the language of the sport may have heard some words and phrases that might leave them wondering what on earth is being talked about.

What exactly is a clean sheet? A gaffer? A GOAT?

As part of their study into slang terminology, the team at Preply have got you covered when it comes to football-centric language. By creating a list of ten must-know football slang words, plus their meanings, you can fit in with the pitch-side conversations.

The Twelfth Man
‘The Twelfth Man’ is a term of endearment for a football team’s supporters. Many say that fans at a stadium can influence the game with their noise and atmosphere, so when the fans are loud enough to influence the game for their team, they’re known as the twelfth man.

This is because a football team is made up of eleven players, so passionate and loyal supporters become part of that team, creating an advantage that’s the equivalent of having an extra player on the team.

Playing as a Number 10
A ‘number 10’ is an attacker who operates in the spaces between central midfield and the front line. They often receive between the opposition’s midfield and defence, a space commonly referred to as ‘between the lines’.

Clean sheet
A ‘clean sheet’ is when a team does not concede (doesn’t let the opponent score) any goals in a match. In America, this can also be known as a ‘shutout’. The aim of defenders and goalkeepers is to ensure the team can keep clean sheets.

People suggest the term started when reporters would note down who scored next to the name of the goalkeeper, and if nobody scored against them, they’d have a clean sheet of paper. Others suggest it’s a term borrowed from the hotel industry, as when a room is not called into use, it still has a clean sheet. Whatever the derivation, a clean sheet remains the Holy Grail for goalkeepers the world over.

Gaffer
The ‘gaffer’ is the manager or head coach of a football team. It’s an informal British slang term for a boss, such as a foreman on a building site. Its origins are thought to date back to the 16th century, when a gaffer was the term used for the head of an organised group of labourers.

Example: “We knew it’d be a tough game, but the gaffer prepared us well and made us get the job done.”

GOAT
Top class players, usually Messi or Ronaldo, are referred to as “the GOAT”. This simply means they’re the “Greatest Of All Time”.

Hat-trick
When one player scores three goals in a single game, it is known as a ‘hat-trick’. It’s considered a great achievement for a player to score a hat-trick.

The perfect one involves three goals being scored with the left foot, right foot and the head.

Worldie
A ‘worldie’ is a term used to describe a goal that is considered to be of such high quality that it’s world class. Worldies tend to be long-range shots from the middle of the pitch, but they can also be difficult manoeuvres past defenders at short-range.

In their pocket
When a player is deemed to be ‘in another player’s pocket’, they are being kept under control. The term is usually used to indicate when a defender has marked an attacker well. In a centre-back’s case, the term “in his back pocket” can also be used.

Tekkers
The word ‘tekkers’ is basically short for technique. If a player has tekkers, it means they have great technique and control of the ball. It’s usually used to describe complicated, fast and extraordinary moves.

Example: “Wow, look at Messi’s tekkers!”

The Treble
When a team wins three trophies, it is described as ‘doing the Treble’. Generally speaking, a treble requires a team to win their domestic league, along with two important cup competitions.

An example is if an English team wins the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League all in one season. The only English team to do this to date is Manchester United in the 1998-1999 season.