FIFA has done some great research into the numbers and popularity of playing football globally = the Big Count!.  Everybody pretty much knows that professional football is a global phenomenon, with gazillions of fans out there for whom their team and the games are an essential part of their life.

However this sometimes ignores just how massive the played game is.  Every week millions of people put on their kicks and go out there to play the game.  It may be on the beach, in schools, in local teams, as part of a friendly kickaround, or semi-professional games.  

Check out the numbers and full report here.  As you can see a country like Germany more than 6% of the nation is out there playing the game on a regular basis!  

At Referee Pro we are really excited to be building and adapting technology that makes participating in football that much more gratifying, and we love making it cheaper and easier for amateur teams and leagues to provide the kind of social network presence and excitement that is common in the pro game.  Referee Pro gives real time results direct from the referee's notebook, so fans and family can stay up to date with the action no matter how humble or local your team is.  

www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/bcoffsurv/statsumrepassoc_10342.pdf