You're a Bunch of Factors

Having an interesting discussion with some friends about the Reds Final. We are debating the difference between a fan and a supporter of a club.

We are differing those who like a team, and those who like them enough to buy memberships and go to most games.

Given I have attended just 1 AUFC game this season (Semi Final), I think I'm a fan of the club.

Supporters, in my mind, buy memberships/merchandise.

But others are saying they emotionally support the club, but fans live for the club.

Discuss!

I used to be a supporter of the Reds. I bought a shirt and a scarf, and I went to at least 10 games. Then they acted like little bitches in the GF (the one where they lost 6-0) and I was over their crap. And Aloiso's. Now... I'm not even a fan. If they win its cool, but I won't be shattered if they don't.

On topic: Its kind of a moot point.

Aaron, there were a few players who did perform like little girls after that grand final, but where are those players (and coach) now?

I think its more a positive reflection on the club that the dead wood was cleared out, and now they have a positive team culture.

Keep the faith man, they are a great club.

Its not just that Matty, I've kinda grown out of soccer since then. Or maybe its my natural instinct of not supporting any Adelaide sports team

i think its absolute rubbish what u say about a true supporter buys membership, merchandise etc, what if u cant afford to go to games? does that make u less of a supporter then someone that does

i think loyalty and passion about the club are bigger things then spending your hard earned on the club

money is not object for a true supporter.

but just because you have a membership, that doesn't automatically make you a true supporter.

going to crows games and hearing people shout things that are obviously false is a prime example.

oooo nice topic.


Slightly off topic:
AK - you're a clown. That GF was a disgrace the moment Muscat got away with that horrid tackle right in front of the umpire and it went form bad to worse when we had a legitimate goal (that would have changed the context of the game) disallowed.

I'd have been just as filthy after the game as Kossie etc were and I don't blame them in the slightest for having a rant. Referees and the governing body just don't like hearing the truth sometimes.

Back on topic:
I think fan and supporter largely mean the same thing. I do agree with the idea of a supporter being one who forks out for (official) merchandise and regularly goes to games etc but I'm not sure I can agree that a fan isn't also a supporter because as Steve said they may simply be unable to afford to go or purchase stuff. I'd have no problem saying someone who goes out of their way to at least watch the game and cheer their team on is a supporter.

At the other end of the scale we have 'fairweather fans' who are only there when their team are winning and take off as soon as it goes bad. AK, that's exactly what you are after your comment about the GF. It disgusts me.

Examples (IMHO) of fairweather fans:

1) Spectators who leave the game early because their team is losing. You make me sick. Sit there and take it with the team. You are only making it worse. Traffic is not an excuse and you are lying.

2) Ignoring my obvious bias, a large % of Man Utd fans. If their own captain felt the need to lash out at the 'prawn sandwich brigade' then there's serious issues. As soon as things go bad for Man Utd you can bet those people won't be around. I don't think that's Man Utd's fault though, it's just a typical hopping onto bandwagon thing.

3) People who claim to have liked the Chigaco Bulls (back in the day) because Air Jordans looked cool. The very definition of 'not a fan'.

What I think a real fan/supporter does:

1) Sticks by their team no matter what. Anyone who is still a Richmond fan deserves a medal lol.

2) Accepts if their team has been beaten fair and square and gives credit where it's due. Don't have to like it, just accept it. Port fans don't seem to qualify

3) Makes the effort to either go to the game or watch it or listen on the radio or view the minute by minute or WHATEVER. Must.. support.. the team. It's important. All remote controls are belong to you.




I'm sure I've left stuff out but you get the idea. Basically, if you actually care rather than just pretending to because it's fashionable or whatever, you're both a fan and a supporter in my view.

Knew I forgot something!

There's fans who are just fans of the sport in general rather than supporting any one team. Absolutely nothing wrong with that at all.

A bloke I work with freely admits to liking Liverpool, both Manchester teams, and someone else as well that I can't remember in the EPL.
He'll happily watch any game because it's on and he enjoys it and he makes no claims to being a true fan of any one club. There's just things he likes about the above mentioned clubs so he's happy when they do well. Plain and simple.

Fan of a team, no.

Fan of the sport, absolutely.

personally, i don't like people who say they are fan of the sport and not a particular team.

they are the ultimate bandwagon supporters in my opinion

it is like they don't wanna invest any emotional energy into a team in case that team loses.

very poor form in my opinion.


secondly, real supporters are people who are fanatical about their fantasy teams of that particular sport

to gauge a real supporter or not is easy

i know plenty of suposed liverpool fans, but not many will join me watching them in a champions leauge game at 4 in the morning.

Thats the rulestick by my measure