Information on Soccer Fans in England

**Crazed Rabbit** · 12-04-2005, 23:43

Well, I need a bit of information on soccer fans in England for an essay. Knowing that many here reside in that country, I thought I'd ask people in the know.

What I need to know is information on current and historic soccer fans. What class are they (mostly lower I'd expect), what culture, what do they do for fun besides soccer, how great is their devotion to their team, and why is their devotion so great?

Any information, from general to specific incidents, is welcome, even if its on European fans and not English specifically. It'd be great if you could provide sources or links too.

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read this!

Crazed Rabbit

**Mount Suribachi** · 12-05-2005, 10:59

Traditionally, football fans in this country are working class - however the last 10-15 years, the popularity of the sport has spread to all sections of society - and given the prices of tickets at some grounds you need to be rich to be able to afford to go!!

Regarding specifics incidents to quote. A mate of mine, when asked at a job interview what the lowest point in his life was, replied "England losing to Germany in the 1990 World Cup Semi-Final". He qualified the statement by saying that both his parents were still alive, he'd never lost a job or his house. Losing (on penalties!) to arch-rivals Germany in the semi-final of the biggest sports tournament on Earth was the worst he'd ever felt (and i can relate to that).

Before my son was born last year, the greatest moment of my life was Kevin Donovan scoring a volley from outside the area to put my home town team Grimsby Town up 2-0 on aggregate against Burnley in the 2nd leg of the Auto Winshields Trophy, Semi Final (Northen Section). Probly means nothing to you. But to me, it meant that Grimsby were going to make it to the final, and thus, for the first time in the 100+ year history, play a game at the historic Wembley stadium. Grimsby are a founder member of the Football League, and had never played at Wembley, ever. I'd spent my whole life following them home and away, and at that moment I knew, I knew, they were finally going to play at Wembley and I was going to be there. With my mate who I'd been watching them with for years, we all cried when Grimsby walked out at Wembley in the final. We won in sudden death extra time, yet I was happier at the goal that got us there than the goal that won it.

As chance would have it, Grimsby were back there 6 weeks later in the playoff final. You wait all your life for a Wembley appearance and you get 2 in 2 months

However, if you really, really want to understand football fans in this country go and order Fever Pitch

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...914106-0842857

One of the best football books ever written, and written from a point of view of a die-hard Arsenal fan. Its about 10 years old, so a lot of the stuff in there is history now, but never ever has someone set down in print what it means to be a football fan in quite so eloquent and insightful a way. I cannot recommend this book to you enough. It is the definitive work on being a football fan.

**InsaneApache** · 12-05-2005, 12:37

I can relate to that MS as a Bolton fan (not a sexy club) we are at present having the time of our lives. In European competition for the first time in our history. (we were founded in 1874) and sixth in the Premiership- Bolton
It is a hard thing to define this supporters malarky, I started to support my team from a joke. When I was an anklebiter I had to go and live in Scotland with my parents (oh dear God no!!) and as a Mancunian, man and boy, it was assumed by my schoolfreinds that I either supported Manchester United (I did at that time

) or Manchester Citeh(sic)....as I'm a bit of an obtuse type I replied no to both camps....this left my northern brethren a bit stumped. After asking if I supprted about all the teams in the top division they gave up and asked me who I really did pledge my allegiance to?

I replied...Bolton Wanderers...as a joke at first. After the fullness of time I was moved back to blighty (joy upon joy

) and met up with some old school chums who, as it transpired, had decided to go to Burnden Park to follow the 'Super' whites...I went with them, Cardiff City at home , August 1974, we won 2-0 and the rest, as they say is history. I've been a fan ever since and will remain one until my demise.

**The Blind King of Bohemia** · 12-05-2005, 12:57

I'm a newcastle fan, been for about 15 years and to say i'm suicidal about the state of my team at present would be a slight understatement. Bad defence, constant injuries and the stupity of the geordie fans who all want souness out and look at Shearer to save us. Thankfully i can look at the situation and say that shearer is a pensioner and an annoying old mott who can't even walk let alone run and looking at saturday he can't even take a penalty that good anymore and if we get a new manager in he will bring more changes and ruin the club even more.

If i see Bramble, Boumsong, Elliot, Faye, Ameobi, Bowyer and Babayaro disgrace the black and white shirts again i'm going to cry. We have got Arsenal next week and thankfully owen and dyer will be back but that defence. jesus. Henri will rip it apart by himself with one leg tied behind his back.

I just had to get that off my chest. By the way IA, looks like you might be signing Keane

**InsaneApache** · 12-05-2005, 13:20

A 'barcode' army fan eh BKB you have my sympathy mate...no!!! you really do...I'd be suicidal if we had Sourness as our manager ....after all he managed the 'banjo pluckers'

(Blackburn) for a few years ... (that's our nearest rivals folks)...you are spot on about Shearer and your defence..what!!! you mean you actually have a defence....you're pulling my leg mate...but hey don't worry too much about Arsenal we rolled 'em easy-peasy on Saturday...hang on though..we have a decent team. Sorry mate looks like your stuffed

Yeah I'd take Keane for a season or so, he's still good as a winner and stopper of the ball, sitting just in front of the back four.

**Mount Suribachi** · 12-05-2005, 14:00

Big Sam has made something of an art form out of taking aging stars and getting the best out of them - Hierro, fatty Campo, Speed (he must be nearly 40 by now) etc, so I'm sure he could get the best of Keane

**Red Peasant** · 12-06-2005, 13:12

Originally Posted by Mount Suribachi

Grimsby are a founder member of the Football League,

There were 12 founder members of the Football League in 1888:

Accrington Stanley
Aston Villa
Blackburn Rovers
Bolton Wanderers
Burnley
Derby County
Everton

Notts County
Preston North End
Stoke City
West Bromwich Albion
Wolverhampton Wanderers

Can't find Grimsby in there mate

In fact, dominated by Lancashire and Midlands teams.

**English assassin** · 12-06-2005, 13:52

Interesting Qu. The Gills (as New Brompton) were founder members of the Southern league, which IIRC was assimilated into the Football league in the 20s or 30s. Does that make us a founder member of the league or not I wonder?