Hi Andy,
I saw this thread this morning, and knowing the result of the match I feared the worst. Glad you made it through okay
It's really tough trying to still enjoy things you used to do while drinking. I still went to the weekly Dads night out at the pub after I quit nearly 10 months ago, partly to prove to myself that I could do it sober, and still enjoy it. And I could. But I've noticed I've stopped going. I'd rather spend that time working on my music, to be honest. I've been socialising in other ways that don't involve drinking. I'm taking an evening class and met a lot of really great people through that.
With the football, I don't know when you first started going, but my happiest memories are from when my Dad first took me to matches when I was around 9 years old. For me then, it was all about the excitement of the crowd, the noise, the singing, and seeing my heroes on the pitch (including Stan Bowles and Gerry Francis, just to show how long ago that was). I don't know if it's possible, but if you could try and recapture that time in your mind when you were enjoying matches without drinking, for the sheer love of watching the game, you could maybe help break that connection you're struggling with? Sitting in a different part of the stands, away from your old crowd, is also a great idea. But if football and booze are hardwired together in your head, then I'd agree with the others that maybe taking a break from it for a while is a good idea. Why put yourself through that much agonising if you don't have to?