TYPES OF FOOTBALL FANS by Austin Aguocha
TYPES of football fans
1.Within your club
2.Outside of any club
3.Outside your club
1.WITHIN YOUR CLUB
When you talk about fans of a club,one is talking about football lovers who are willing to do more than support a club.Of course,a fan is a supporter.But all supporters are not fans.I support almost all clubs in the premier league but,I am only a fan of Chelsea football club.I support other clubs with my good will and some times financially but I am only a chelsea fan.So many support clubs with their financial resource without realising it.It is so confusing to a lot of football lovers that it is becoming a big dividing issue,today!Of course,it is not often to see someone support a club that he or she is not a fan.But it happens.When you go to watch a football match away to another club that you team is playing-you are inadvertently supporting that other club.It is the way the system works!You have a choice not to attend that particular game,if you wish not to do so.When you pay for TV games between two clubs that are not yours,you are supporting those clubs.You cannot tell me that you never do it?Some even go further by buying stock of clubs that they know would do well in the market,even though they are not a fan.So someone could ask:DOES that not make them a fan of the club that they hold equity?No.It makes you a good business man or woman.A fan is always emotionally involved with his/her object of desire.You want your team to win and succeed...And when they have a falter,it hurts you.If you are just a supporter of a club,you would want them to succeed too.But not against the team that you are a fan.This is the difference.And I think majority of us know it.The difference is the emotional attachment;Size is irrelevant.
Now,within a club there are 3 or 4 types of fans.I have already mentioned one type different from the rest-a supporter.Yes,a supporter can also be a fan,and vice versa.So,a supporter can be a type of fan.
A.DIEhard or sense of belonging type
Some fans identify with their club because they want a sense of belonging.We are ...(you can insert your club name or nickname)It is a way of life.This is not about winning or losing for them.They want everyone and anyone to recognise them by their club.Of course,there are characteristics that they believe that their club exhibit.And they may be bad or good(or just plain neutral)But they want to be associated with them.That is the first type.
B.ON the fringe or fun type
The second type are those who would spend money on merchandise and watch games now and then...for fun.They are not crazy about the club.They identify with the club because it is the “thing”to do!Some do it because they would be bored otherwise.If you ask them which club they support,they would tell you only one club’s name.So it means they are a fan.But they are not like the first type that breathe and eat the identity of the club.The second type do not see themselves as an extension of the club.However,they are more than supporters because they spend financially only on one club.And they feel emotionally let down when their club loses.But that is it!If you “insult”their club or manager you are not hurting them.
C. THE purist or thinking type
The third type are those that are purist and analysers of the game.They do not often spend on the club.But,they have examined the way that all clubs play and manage themselves,and they agree with the way one club does things.It could be how they recruit players.It could how they conduct their finances.And finally it could be their style of play on the pitch.I could say there philosophy of football is working for that person.It may not be working for others looking at it.But for that fan,it is the way to go.You are a fan of that club.They may even inspire you in other areas of life.For these types as well,winning or losing is not the end of it,all.
D.The “winner takes it all mentality”type
And this leads me to final type of fans from within the club.These are the type that winning is everything.Usually,they take losing really badly.There loyalty is not to the players or manager.It is not even to the owner.They have for some reason(left to a psychologist)chosen this club.And now,all they want is that high of winning matches and trophies.It is the make up their whole day.Before a match starts,they are excited and nervous at the same time.Would their team win today?Would they be feeling the happy hormones for the rest of the week?It is an emotional relationship with the results of their club.And it is usually a dysfunctional one.All other types have a give and take attitude to winning.They find some reason to console themselves.But this type take it out on themselves and everything around them.
OUTSIDE OF ANY CLUB:
These fans or supporters that follow the whole game.They could be judicious or flaky with it.But the important thing is that they are aware of the fixtures and results.They are also aware of the gossips of transfer and comments.But they do not belong specifically to any club.I would also include in this group,those that jump from one club to another willy nilly.Today,they are a Man City fan and tomorrow they are with united.If you ask them to explain their stance,they would say that they are just lovers of the game,at the end of the day.And that wherever the winning takes them,they would go!These kind of fans are admirers of whoever is on top of the league at that time.You could argue that they are not true fans.But I would disagree.When that club on top starts to fall,they feel emotionally let down,too.That makes them a type of fan!If I want to explain it,then I would say that the top team losing its status makes things seem like they are falling apart.They like order.The top teams winning.The middle table teams just getting by....And the bottom teams showing why they are there.They want things to just make sense.
OUTSIDE YOUR CLUB:
I included this category so you understand the psychology of other fans.(that are not fans or supporters of your club)You need to understand the feelings and needs of other fans.They want there team to win,always.They do not want your team to beat their team.It does not matter whether your team is better(or deserves it)So,when there are decisions to be made that would either improve or damage your team-guess what they would be wishing subconsciously?Any fan that does not see themselves as a fan of a club would not sacrifice their club for yours.It is not going to happen.Unless,they want to teach their team a lesson.They would never do it willingly.Trying to explain to someone who follows his club for the philosophy that they apply,that they need to change something,is folly.He or she is not going to agree with anything that does not promote their football philosophy.
What is the summary of all these expose?When you hear someone talk about football -figure out first what type of football fan.If you do not do that,you are setting yourself up for a world of confusion(and maybe frustration) And understand that football fans would have opinions and action(complaining and whining)for several different reasons.this makes the social media a minefield.When an opinion is expressed,take it with a pinch of a salt.You do not know what angle they are coming from,sometimes.And you may never know!
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In ,with the BEST-OUT with the better...?
BBC sports website had reported that Mauricio Roberto Pochettino Trossero has been appointed as PSG’s new manager.Of course,we know him as ex-spurs and Southampton manager,here in the EPL league.I am curious about this appointment.On face value,I am probably one amongst many,who are glad for the Argentine.He was a total professional when he graced the English shore.He also proved he was a capable manager of high repute with his exploits at both clubs.It was no surprise to anyone that Real Madrid and PSG were sniffing according to the rumour mills while he was at Spurs.So,many of us asked the question as to whether he would go?In my mind,it seemed he was wrestling with his conscience.Should he show “absolute”loyalty to Levy who showed faith in him by taking him from Southampton to white hart lane?Or should he follow the greater glory and money to Spain?In many football followers mind,it was a no-brainer!He was destined for big things-Real Madrid would offer these and more.But,he did not go.I cannot attest to whether he was offered the job,though.At Spurs he had touched the underlining of the sky but could not break through.Before he had arrived at Spurs,the club had won two league titles,eight FA cups,four league cups,seven FA community shields,one European cup winners cup and two UEFA cups.The last time Tottenham won a trophy was the 2008 carling cup.They beat Chelsea 2-1 in the final at Wembley.It was either Martin JOL,Clive Allen or Juande Ramos who was in charge during this last kiss with glory.My money is on Martin.Anyway,you can understand why Pochettino would have been disappointed with himself when he departed white hart lane without a trophy.Yes,he was a runner-up in the 2018-19 UEFA champions league against fellow English side Liverpool.As,many would tell you-runner up record in your CV is a plus when you start counting at the end of your career but it is also a slight negative when you are looking for a high profile job.Does it count in your favour to the question:is he a winner?I would say,it all depends upon the person asking the question.If they are favourably disposed to you already,then they are likely to consider it a positive thing.If not,then they would assume your luck is not that bright when it comes to winning.You may discard these notions as mere mumbo jumbo but,they have real substance to those who make big decisions.
This brings me to the question as to why PSG decided to drop Thomas Tuchel.This is the guy who presided over a domestic quadruple during the 2019-20 season.PSG have achieved this feat four times,so it may not have taken them to dizzy heights,when it happened the 4th time.Nevertheless,no one can accuse Thomas of not being a winner.But,hey they are winners and there are winners.There are old winner s and new winners-I am correlating it with old money and new money.Unlike in the fortune and wealth world,’new’ triumphs over ‘old’ almost always in football.If you have been winning in the past massively,and somehow you stop winning,the new guy on the block with a two or three years of winning a trophy is going to get your job!Now,surprisingly this does not apply to Tuchel and Pochettino.This is because Thomas was still winning before he was ‘sacked’.In fact he had equalled the ‘best’that his successor could claim to have achieved.So,this is not a case of Old winner losing out to new winner.I don’t know what to call it.
But here is the thing:I can see what PSG are trying to do.I can imagine PSG have looked at the crystal ball with Tuchel in charge.And there seems to be no upside to keeping him.Why?Well,he seems to have reached his peak.One could argue it was PSG’s peak as well.But,the fact remains that if the owners could not see Tuchel achieving better than a runner up in the champion league,then what?They have claimed all the domestic trophies.In fact,they claimed all four in the same season.How much better can it get,domestically? It is clear that they want the big European prize.Now,would it not be a surprise if Tuchel would have accepted that this elusive trophy was not within reach no matter what..?of course, it would be a huge surprise if he believed that....I imagine,he would have explained rationally the reason they fail short in the last champions league campaign .I imagined he would have suggested a remedy,so the next time would be jackpot.And I imagine it would have involved spending.Maybe,making a strong effort to unite Neymar with Messi.This is what I think could have gone down.So,the owners took a step back,and considered the prospect.Should they keep Tuchel who they know can deliver some goods,and hope he had better luck next time?And improve the squad again?Or should they go for a new blood that has proven he can deliver the same prize as Tuchel with even less tools?And not have to commit to spending a lot?Again,it is a no-brainer.If Mauricio delivered for Spurs the runner up spot with the likes of Kane,son and Lloris,then surely if he is given Neymar and co....he would bring back an even bigger prize.But,football does not always work like that,ok!I am the first to hope that PSG and Pochettino duo works out!In fact,I know for certain,that if the players take on board his philosophy,knowledge and instructions they would be a better squad for it.But,this is not the problem.Clubs like Man City ,chelsea and Real Madrid thrive on delivering trophies.When money has been pumped in ,to do just that,and the result is not coming-something has to change.Even if it means ripping off the good to get the better-or the better to get the best!The question here is-where are we with this analogy at PSG?Are we getting the best and losing the better?It is a tricky one?I truly truly wish PSG the best-but Pochettino would need a lot of luck to pull this one off.And if he does,then it would be clear that it was more than luck that delivered him,the greatest club trophy in the world.
It would be real talent.
Austin4sports.com🤜🏿🤛
This brings me to the question as to why PSG decided to drop Thomas Tuchel.This is the guy who presided over a domestic quadruple during the 2019-20 season.PSG have achieved this feat four times,so it may not have taken them to dizzy heights,when it happened the 4th time.Nevertheless,no one can accuse Thomas of not being a winner.But,hey they are winners and there are winners.There are old winner s and new winners-I am correlating it with old money and new money.Unlike in the fortune and wealth world,’new’ triumphs over ‘old’ almost always in football.If you have been winning in the past massively,and somehow you stop winning,the new guy on the block with a two or three years of winning a trophy is going to get your job!Now,surprisingly this does not apply to Tuchel and Pochettino.This is because Thomas was still winning before he was ‘sacked’.In fact he had equalled the ‘best’that his successor could claim to have achieved.So,this is not a case of Old winner losing out to new winner.I don’t know what to call it.
But here is the thing:I can see what PSG are trying to do.I can imagine PSG have looked at the crystal ball with Tuchel in charge.And there seems to be no upside to keeping him.Why?Well,he seems to have reached his peak.One could argue it was PSG’s peak as well.But,the fact remains that if the owners could not see Tuchel achieving better than a runner up in the champion league,then what?They have claimed all the domestic trophies.In fact,they claimed all four in the same season.How much better can it get,domestically? It is clear that they want the big European prize.Now,would it not be a surprise if Tuchel would have accepted that this elusive trophy was not within reach no matter what..?of course, it would be a huge surprise if he believed that....I imagine,he would have explained rationally the reason they fail short in the last champions league campaign .I imagined he would have suggested a remedy,so the next time would be jackpot.And I imagine it would have involved spending.Maybe,making a strong effort to unite Neymar with Messi.This is what I think could have gone down.So,the owners took a step back,and considered the prospect.Should they keep Tuchel who they know can deliver some goods,and hope he had better luck next time?And improve the squad again?Or should they go for a new blood that has proven he can deliver the same prize as Tuchel with even less tools?And not have to commit to spending a lot?Again,it is a no-brainer.If Mauricio delivered for Spurs the runner up spot with the likes of Kane,son and Lloris,then surely if he is given Neymar and co....he would bring back an even bigger prize.But,football does not always work like that,ok!I am the first to hope that PSG and Pochettino duo works out!In fact,I know for certain,that if the players take on board his philosophy,knowledge and instructions they would be a better squad for it.But,this is not the problem.Clubs like Man City ,chelsea and Real Madrid thrive on delivering trophies.When money has been pumped in ,to do just that,and the result is not coming-something has to change.Even if it means ripping off the good to get the better-or the better to get the best!The question here is-where are we with this analogy at PSG?Are we getting the best and losing the better?It is a tricky one?I truly truly wish PSG the best-but Pochettino would need a lot of luck to pull this one off.And if he does,then it would be clear that it was more than luck that delivered him,the greatest club trophy in the world.
It would be real talent.
Austin4sports.com🤜🏿🤛