Fever Pitch: Chapter 14 Summary & Analysis

Looking back as an adult, Nick finds it upsetting that his mother allowed him to travel alone to away games when he was a young teenager. At the time, though, he loves it. Every Saturday, his mom drops him off at the train station and Nick goes to London or another nearby city to watch the game. When he gets home, he tells his mom about his day, and she acts interested even though she doesn’t understand much about football. Nick feels like he’s acting out his father’s role with his mother, except he does it on Saturdays instead of weekdays.

Nick feels powerful when he takes the train to away games and the police escort the mob of fans to the stadium. During the games, though, he is always nervous because violence often breaks out in the stands. Nick hopes the game ends in a tie—the Derby fans seem riled up, and Nick is afraid of being attacked. The game does end in a draw, but Charlie George, an Arsenal player known for his rebelliousness, celebrates his last goal by flashing a “V-sign” at the Derby fans, which provokes them to chase Nick along with the other Arsenal fans all the way back to the train station, throwing bottles at them. The FA sues George for the gesture.