The revolutionary, Karl Marx described religion as the 'the opium of the masses.' In the United Kingdom, at least, it is football not religion that opiates the working classes and to a certain extent helps them remain working class. As the clubs and of course the players, their agents and managers have got richer, the main losers of every football match are not the beaten side but the paying public who pay to see their pockets picked at every match. I do realise that football is a Holy Grail of British culture. I know that every nation needs a tribal flag to rally the people under. This does not mean that folk should not from time to time take stock and ask themselves; what is this doing for me? Ultimately and undeniably the fans control football, if only they were to realise it. All they need do is turn the money tap off.Prices and footballers fees, the agent's commissions, shareholders dividends, the managers' assets, would be depleted to a more realistic level.