Get your priorities right before online dating

When it comes to online dating, one of the best things you can do is to get your priorities right before you even make a start.

New research by Coral has found one in two football fans put their love of the beautiful game above their relationship with their wife.

The survey of 1,000 supporters and 1,000 long-suffering wives discovered one in seven of the fans admitted their team came first, while one in six said they found it impossible to choose between sport and their spouse.

All manner of activities are affected by a man's love of football, from cutting short family occasions to making sure they are home on a Saturday evening in time for Match of the Day. Some 51 per cent of the wives questioned said they felt as though they lose their husband at times due to football.

A spokesman for Coral said: "Of course it's important to always love and respect a partner, but as the results show, don't expect too much from a football fan during that crucial 90 minutes each week, especially if they are one of the many who enjoy a regular footie flutter."

The representative went on to explain many men feel a lifelong devotion to their team and almost two-thirds are prepared to drop everything to catch a game. Even a commitment like marriage is unlikely to prevent many fans from following the sport.

While some women have grown accustomed to this after marrying a man, it is unlikely that many single ladies you look to get chatting to via online dating sites will be keen on you if you admit to being a football fanatic.

As such, it is a good idea to admit to your hobbies while promising you will always put your girlfriend first – even if it means missing a big match or failing to watch Match of the Day for a week or two.