Is this true? Are there middle class clubs as opposed to working class ones? What about the supporters? Chelsea were always known as having a deep rooted hooligan problem yet now they are attacked for having plastic fans from Surrey, this could be said for a lot of successful teams but what about teams that are not so lucky to have a cup or two? Are your Readings, Brightons and Milton Keynes Dons just johnny comes latelys who can not get to a game of rugby or new fans to the game which shouldeb applauded? Is there a link between good atmospheres (a better one than others as atmosphere in stadiums is something not what it was) and traditional working class support and a lack of one to day tripper fans from afar who want to watch solely a game of football/entertainment as opposed to seeing their local side and therefore a small part of their identity being paraded every other saturday?
Well I was going to rubbish this completely, and I still think that for the most part class doesn't really make that much difference, especially when people have had a couple of beers. But nevertheless the stereotype that pops into my head is of quiet, polite applause when something good happens and indignant tutting when something doesn't go to plan or the referee makes an unfavourable decision. It also reminds me of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J04FRsesBQ
I think it almost has no validity, but there is probably an element of truth there that fuels a stereotype.
How do you define a plastic fan? Just because someone doesn't sing and shout doesn't mean they support the team any less. And just because I do shout and act like a raging lunatic doesn't mean I support saints any more.
On the subject of "day tripper" fans, there is no team that fills its stadium with these kinds of supporters. Any team that is successful enough to attract fans from a long way away also has a ton of passionate local fans. Manchester United, for example, have fans all over the world because they're a massive franchise, but they also have the support of most of Manchester.
It always makes me laugh when people say dont stereotype etc etc , you have to to make a judgement, how would law work? How would systems be put in place if everything was tailored individually? They could not work.
Total crap. Your social standing in no way determines how well you support your team. I would probably describe myself as middle-class, and I am loud at games, probably slightly annoyingly loud.
Manchester United is actually in the City of Salford and City have more fans in Manchester than United.
Which points is he wrong on? I can't think of any teams that fill their stadiums with day-trippers. I can't think of any teams that don't have passionate local fans. United have a huge Manc following, especially their away support, which is almost exclusively Mancs. I think that was all the points Joe raised, and they all seem valid to me.
I thought that too, but apparently it's a myth. 56% of Mancunians have identified as United supporters, and only 15% as City supporters. I'll post the source if I can find it (I read it a few months ago). I've been to Old Trafford and I can confirm that it is in Greater Manchester. Are you thinking of Stretford?
1st point is just being ridiculous, it's like saying our stadium is in St Mary's, not Southampton. Old Trafford is a 15min walk from Manchester City centre. 2nd point is highly debatable. Rightmove did a survey suggesting 56% of Mancunians supported the red team. http://therepublikofmancunia.com/we-support-our-local-team-manchester-is-red/
I think someone who when saints were on the slippery slope to division one abandoned their season ticket and avoided games or even a casual supporter who did not go anymore. The real fans continued their support through this difficult period and when things eventually improved with the arrival of NA more fans returned to support the promotion team. The same thing happened with the rise from the championship as would be expected but the " proper plastic" fans have only this season started to appear in numbers. That is those who only want to follow a premiership side. Season tickets where i sit are now at a premium- slightly different to two seasons ago! When the going is good they come -- when it gets heavy they evaporate- such is life!!!!
My wife works opposite I can confirm its in Trafford, Greater Manchester, Manchester City is in Manchester.
