Who are the real fans?

fritter

fritter

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www.theguardian.com

The cultural division of football fans only serves those who wish to exploit it | Jonathan Liew

The battle between ‘true fans’ and ‘plastics’ weakens the ties between supporters and their inclination to unite and organise
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com

This is a really interesting piece. It shows how things are changing and the way that I believe our owners aspire to.

The final paragraphs sum it up for me.

(PS I haven't put 'non' as I think it relates directly to AFCB.

'In a way these are wider existential questions, striking at the heart of what a football club is, and who it serves. How do you balance the idea that a football club is for everyone against the idea that it is a thing with roots, bound to a locality and a community? How do you balance a fandom expressed through longstanding ritual against a fandom expressed by getting up at 3am to watch Jonny Evans on a tiny screen? How do we reject the false oppositions between “local working class” and “wealthy tourist”, between “true fans” and “plastics”?

A fanbase splinters along multiple planes. But when it does, the only people who really benefit are those with an interest in exploiting it.'
 
Ultimately it’s for brand EPL to be successful to maximise the leagues global reach. That’s what creates the revenue from international broadcasting.

Without that the clubs wouldn’t have an international strategy, as you don’t sell shirts and merchandise to places who can’t watch.

So ultimately a clubs focus should be on its local fanbase, be it corporate for hospitality, or the run of the mill match going fan.

That fan base needs to be nurtured, it can’t all be short term, families need to be welcomed, a family of 4 shouldn’t be looking at £100 odd to attend a single game. Otherwise those kids do not attend very often and thus, don’t get the bug, don’t buy every single new product in the club shop and may not become a match going fan week in week out.

It’s an opportunity lost for the future, chasing match day revenue for today.

The article discusses Chelsea and obviously we’ve had the concessions debate regarding Tottenham previously but in the case of our club, we offer some excellent concession rates and AFCB have probably got this long term vs short term strategy spot on in regards to this. A new stadium would help them no end in improving and expanding this.
 
It seems to me that there are two types of fan, and it's not based on geography or how they watch matches.
Type one: those who loyally follow the team through thick and thin from the moment that their allegiance started regardless of the competition(s) the team plays in. To these fans the club will always be part of their identity.
Type two: those who only follow the team when they are playing at the highest level available to them (preferably successfully) - which in England means as long as they are in the Premier League.
 
LewSwimmin said:
It seems to me that there are two types of fan, and it's not based on geography or how they watch matches.
Type one: those who loyally follow the team through thick and thin from the moment that their allegiance started regardless of the competition(s) the team plays in. To these fans the club will always be part of their identity.
Type two: those who only follow the team when they are playing at the highest level available to them (preferably successfully) - which in England means as long as they are in the Premier League.
Click to expand...
I would add a third. A fan of football who doesn't really follow a particular team but goes to watch a local side wherever they live. My brother in law is one of those, he has followed West Ham (still goes sometimes), Watford, Luton, Rushden and Diamonds, MK Dons and latterly Northampton.
I don't get it but he seems more than happy doing it.
 
LewSwimmin said:
It seems to me that there are two types of fan, and it's not based on geography or how they watch matches.
Type one: those who loyally follow the team through thick and thin from the moment that their allegiance started regardless of the competition(s) the team plays in. To these fans the club will always be part of their identity.
Type two: those who only follow the team when they are playing at the highest level available to them (preferably successfully) - which in England means as long as they are in the Premier League.
Click to expand...
I agree.

You have your fans. (Fanatics)

And, your followers. The two are poles apart.

Never try and get into a football conversation with a follower, utter waste of time.
 
LewSwimmin said:
It seems to me that there are two types of fan, and it's not based on geography or how they watch matches.
Type one: those who loyally follow the team through thick and thin from the moment that their allegiance started regardless of the competition(s) the team plays in. To these fans the club will always be part of their identity.
Type two: those who only follow the team when they are playing at the highest level available to them (preferably successfully) - which in England means as long as they are in the Premier League.
Click to expand...
That’s why I posted on the Reading thread, re what our gates would be if we tumbled like them from Premier League down to League 1.

NON: Reading

They must have known due to planning Wycombe wouldn't buy it. What on earth was going on?
bournemouth-forum.vitalfootball.co.uk
 
afcdibby said:
I agree.

You have your fans. (Fanatics)

And, your followers. The two are poles apart.

Never try and get into a football conversation with a follower, utter waste of time.
Click to expand...
Yeah the type that get mixed up between Frazer and Francis and can’t talk about AFCB without mentioning Harry Redknap .
Still I prefer it now to when the entire town didn’t give a sh*t other than the 5 thousand odd hardcore .
 
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