Watching "the Arsenal" play was a central theme in the bestselling novel and movie Fever Pitch - where football clashed with love for a Gunners fan and his long-suffering girlfriend.

But for some, it seems, a football match can actually be the perfect place to "score" in romance.

Posh and Becks first met at a football match

More couples are choosing to accompany one another through the turnstiles, with one expert placing football match dates ahead of traditional evenings out.

In fact "the beautiful game" came top of the league of best dates in recent research.

Soccer matches are seen as great venues for couples to alleviate date-related stress, according to relationship expert Susan Quilliam, whose research followed data from the 2002 National Fans Survey.

Perfect date?

The fans survey - funded by Barclaycard - showed an increase in the number of men and women attending football matches.

In 1994 15% of adults attended football games, compared with 20% in 2003.

Ms Quilliam looked at how football stadiums rated alongside restaurants, bars, theatre, walks and cinema.

She placed them according to how they matched up in five categories deemed necessary for a perfect date.

Football matches came out on top.

As well as providing an easygoing atmosphere the footie game can offer conversation topics, and apparently an insight into a potential partner's character through spontaneous raw emotions.

The five key ingredients for romance included informality, body language, verbal communication, emotional exposure and emotional bonding.

Nick Hornby wrote about the clash between football and love

Ms Quilliam said: "The football terrace may not have the classic romantic elements, such as champagne or roses, but it does offer an arena in which you can share a roller coaster of emotional and physical reactions.

"These are the key factors in finding romance and with more couples going to matches than ever before, the football stadium could become the dance floor of the future."

The terraces can also set off the "love drug" injection, with the shared highs and lows releasing chemicals dopamine and serotonin in the brain.

Have you ever gone on a date to a football match, or would you consider it? Send us your comments by email using the form below.

So that's what you do, you get them to go with you. Ah if I'd known I wouldn't be single again. My fianc� told me that one of the reasons she was leaving me is because I put football and Everton in particular before her. My last girlfriend (by now you think I would have learned) told me the same. Football matches are definitely my perfect date.
John, UK, Merseyside

Footy was responsible for my Coventry City supporting ex-girlfriend and I to split a years ago after I took her to see West Ham win at Highfield Road (yes, West Ham did used to win matches!). I am safer with my current girlfriend - a Brighton supporter! West Ham and Brighton are unlikely to meet any time soon, once both teams get relegated!
Paul Webb, UK

I've stopped taking my boyfriend to the football. All he ever did was sit and play games on his phone for two hours!
Emma, England

I got engaged on the pitch during half-time Chris Harris, USA

My wife and I got engaged on the pitch during a half-time match between arch-rivals (and now defunct) Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny. Before that, we spent many a date on the terraces watching Fusion games. And the first time we ever met was on a soccer field for our company's team.
Chris Harris, USA

I've had a few dates at football matches, but the men were always a bit daunted by my football knowledge. In a lot of cases I knew more than them. I even understand the offside rule, which really annoys them!
Nicky, England

I've had a date at a football match before. A fight broke out and I ended up in A&E. Didn't see the guy again and from now on I would prefer to watch from the safety of an armchair or bar stool.
Michelle, UK

Yes it worked just fine for me. Sheffield United away at Coventry was the date. She'd never been to football match before, let alone an away game with the hardcore supporters, and was a bit nervous at first. In the end she got well into the atmosphere of the game and the date was a total success.
Mike, England