With the World Cup just days away, husbands and wives are already fighting about who will have control of the television. Women's Editor Christen Pears speaks to one couple about bridging the great football divide.

WHEN her husband Kevin is ensconced on the sofa in front of the television, his eyes riveted on the red and white shirts weaving up and down the football pitch, Alison Atkinson often wonders whether he thinks more of his beloved Sunderland than he does of her.

"When she starts moaning about me watching the football I do tell her I think more even of Newcastle than her," he laughs.

Kevin, a 41-year-old painter and decorator, is a lifelong Sunderland supporter and a dedicated England fan. He travelled to France in 1998 for the last World Cup and says it was one of the most memorable experiences of his life.

"I didn't have tickets for all the matches but it was an absolutely amazing experience. The atmosphere was unbelievable. This time, I'm going to have to settle for watching the games on the TV. It won't be the same but I'll be doing my best to enjoy it - regardless of what Alison thinks."

While Kevin was cheering his team on from the terraces in France, Alison was left at home in Chester-le-Street, but she didn't complain. In fact, she was quite relieved to escape the football frenzy.

"There's just no choice in our house when there's football on the telly," she says. "I wouldn't try to stop him watching it because he loves it so much, but he watches everything - league matches, international games, even documentaries about teams and players. It can become a bit much."

She will occasionally watch a game on television and she's been to a couple of Sunderland matches but she won't be going out of her way to watch any of the World Cup fixtures. And with two young children to look after, she has plenty to keep her busy.

"I don't mind watching the odd game but I can't understand why people get so excited about it. I don't think it's going to be too bad this year because most of the matches are on early in the morning. I know Kevin will be getting up but I'm planning on staying in bed. The only way I'll be up at that time is if the baby wakes me."

Kevin is fortunate that he has such an understanding wife who, over the last few years, has learned to accept his obsession. She doesn't mind that he attends all of Sunderland's games, both home and away. She doesn't complain that he spends all of his spare time organising events for the Chester-le-Street branch of the Sunderland supporters' association. She didn't even balk when he enrolled their daughters, aged two and just six weeks, in the group.

"I've realised that I've just got to accept these things. There's no point in having rows about it because he's never going to change. He's never going to get sick of football and there isn't anything I can do about it. I just try to keep out of the way."

But while Alison isn't likely to be converted to Kevin's cause, he's already passed his passion for the beautiful game on to his children.

His three daughters from his first marriage are all season ticket holders at the Stadium of Light and he's hoping the younger two will follow in their footsteps. Two-year-old Lauren has already been to her first match and, according to Dad, thoroughly enjoyed herself.

"I know Alison whinges about it, especially when there's a match on instead of a soap she wants to watch, but there's no reason why women can't enjoy it," he says. "My three older daughters love it and I'm sure the other two are going to as well."

But women aren't just watching the game: more and more of them are taking part and football is now the fastest growing women's sport in Britain.

There are more than 3,500 girls' teams across the country and the popularity of the sport has been highlighted by the recent film Bend It Like Beckham and the hit TV series Playing the Field. More than 2.5 million people tuned in to watch last week's Women's FA Cup Final and at football academies like that at East Durham and Houghall Community College, young girls are honing their skills on the pitch.

Rob Nicholls, Middlesbrough fanzine editor, is flying out to Japan today. He says: "Football isn't just a man's game any more and there are plenty of women fans. Still, there are going to be some who can't stand the game. I think the main thing you can do to avoid the World Cup is sleep because it's on so early in the morning. It's going to be a lot easier to avoid this time.

"It's also going to be a totally different cultural experience. People aren't going to be gathering round the television or going to the pub to watch the games. You're going to have to get up and watch it at seven o'clock in the morning."

Kevin, who's self-employed, won't have any problems getting time off work to watch the games and, for the weekend matches, he's already planning 'football breakfasts' with his friends while Alison stays at home with the children.

So does he think England have a chance? "I would love it if they did but to be honest, I think they'll be lucky if they make it to the semi-finals. Sven's a good manager but he just hasn't got the players, especially not with all these injuries. France are going to walk it."

And Alison? "Obviously I would like England to win but, at the end of the day, I'm not bothered."