What makes a fan, a fan?

**Dodge** · 09/10/2007, 1:38 PM

Originally Posted by osarusan

And I have a friend who bought food for his starving children rather than buy a ticket............the lousy b@stard.

I didn't question anybody's charachter, only their devotion to their team.

**Docboy** · 09/10/2007, 3:29 PM

Does anybody really care what category of fan they're in?????

**John83** · 09/10/2007, 3:34 PM

Originally Posted by Docboy

Does anybody really care what category of fan they're in?????

Oh, no. They just tend to insist that their category is above the cut-off for a 'real fan'.

**superfrank** · 09/10/2007, 4:13 PM

Originally Posted by Hibs4Ever

Are your friends only available every match night that Bray are away from home?

I usually go out on a Friday or Saturday night, the same night Bray may be playing away from home.

**Dodge** · 09/10/2007, 4:20 PM

Originally Posted by superfrank

I usually go out on a Friday or Saturday night, the same night Bray may be playing away from home.

So if they're playing on the Friday go out on a Saturday. If they're playing on a Saturday, go out on a...

**Angus** · 09/10/2007, 5:18 PM

Being a fan is about the emotional investment, and therefore, by definition, cannot be measured or judged by anybody other than the protagonist.

I am UCD and West Ham - I go to UCD home and away games regularly - west Ham twice a season approx - but the thing that makes me a fan is the emotional investment - the worry watching ceefax, not just watching ceefax but the worry watching it, the sheer joy when we beat a big side.

That joy is never artificial - when Man U beat fariview Celtic 5 - 0, there are non fans who don't get it and there are also real Man U fans who do - it is all about the emotional investment.

Look in the mirror - you know who you are...........and who you are not !

**osarusan** · 09/10/2007, 5:19 PM

Originally Posted by John83

They just tend to insist that their category is above the cut-off for a 'real fan'.

Very true.

But I think there is a mistaken idea on the part of some posters that being a better fan makes you a better person.

Given the choice between attending a family member's birthday, or a game, I'd choose the party. Some fans would choose the game.

Given the choice between watching my child play in a football match, or watching my club team, I'd choose the former. Some fans would choose the latter.

Given the choice between a 10 hour round trip to watch my team, or just not going, I'd stay home about 50-75% of the time. Some fans would go EVERY time.

If people who do the opposite from me in the above cases argue that they are more devoted fans, then it is hard for me to argue back. Do they care more about the team??? They might.

But I'm not sure I want to be so much of a fan as the above cases (and I've tried to come up with examples which make people look "obsessed", or just losers). Some fans are willing to go to greater lengths than others.

What I do know is...when my team wins, I feel truly happy. When they lose, I feel truly saddened. Living in Japan, one of the things that truly bothers me is that I can't watch them on a regular basis, or at all. I'm sure that 10-12 years of live home games, and a decent number of away games has created these emotions. I'm happy considering myself a real fan. Others may disagree. So be it.

**Poor Student** · 09/10/2007, 8:10 PM

Originally Posted by osarusan

Living in Japan, one of the things that truly bothers me is that I can't watch them on a regular basis, or at all.

You heard Dodge, price of flight is no excuse.

**Green Tribe** · 09/10/2007, 9:04 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

So if they're playing on the Friday go out on a Saturday. If they're playing on a Saturday, go out on a...

Maybe not all superfrank's friends are into Bray/EL games, maybe they want to do other things perhaps...

**superfrank** · 09/10/2007, 9:18 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

So if they're playing on the Friday go out on a Saturday. If they're playing on a Saturday, go out on a...

Or I could just save my money (I am a full-time student after all) for the thing that I'll enjoy more, which in this case is going out.

If long trips around the country on crowded buses to see football games doesn't thrill me then I'm not a 'proper' fan.

**pineapple stu** · 09/10/2007, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by superfrank

If long trips around the country on crowded buses to see football games doesn't thrill me then I'm not a 'proper' fan.

Quite baffled how this wouldn't thrill (or some less dramatic word) you. Agree with Dodge; nothing like a trip to Derry or Longford or Salthill. And you can go on an away trip and go out with your mates.

Bottom line I think is that a lot of people don't accept that there's different levels of fans. So yes, the person who goes to every single game is a bigger fan than someone who goes to only home games. Whether that makes them sad, less of a person or whatever is another topic.

**superfrank** · 09/10/2007, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

So yes, the person who goes to every single game is a bigger fan than someone who goes to only home games. Whether that makes them sad, less of a person or whatever is another topic.

I'd go with they're more commited to the cause which would make them a better fan, though I find the "someone who makes away trips is better" debate a tad simplistic and I'm one who loves to simplify.

Like you said, everyone has different ideas about fans and there's no rules set in stone.

Personally, as long as you have an active interest in football, you're a fan in my books.

**Dodge** · 10/10/2007, 12:54 AM

Originally Posted by superfrank

Personally, as long as you have an active interest in football, you're a fan in my books.

Fine, but if you only go to home games you're a part timer in my books. I'm sure you're worried...

Originally Posted by osarusan

But I think there is a mistaken idea on the part of some posters that being a better fan makes you a better person.

I'm not sure thats true tbh. I certainly don't think like that. I mean I do think I'm better than most buts its not all down to Pats

**superfrank** · 10/10/2007, 7:56 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Fine, but if you only go to home games you're a part timer in my books. I'm sure you're worried...

My sentiments exactly.

**Bottle of Tonic** · 10/10/2007, 3:26 PM

Good debate.

How about (like superfrank) you are relatively skint? I was unable to afford to go to all matches until this year (still struggle). I'm not that long out of college. Was I only a 'barstooler' or a 'part-timer' before the newfound wages started going on match tickets and travel? (technically I know I was but in essence?) Are you only a true supporter when you are middle aged, settled, have disposable income and the missus has given up on convincing you to miss the game and stay in with her and the kids?

[QUOTE=osarusan;786545]Very true.

But I think there is a mistaken idea on the part of some posters that being a better fan makes you a better person.

Given the choice between attending a family member's birthday, or a game, I'd choose the party. Some fans would choose the game. [QUOTE=osarusan;786545]

Recently I had to miss a season book match after unholy uproar from the missus and attend her uncle in laws 60th over 160 miles away! i had to drive her family there too. As i sat down in their gaff approaching 3pm all I could think of was getting off the bus, going up the steps, greeting the lads who sit around me etc etc. I really wanted to be at the game!
The nest wednesday I stomped off on a freezing night to a dismal CIS cup game in Dundee, am I back in the real fan brigade?

**Angus** · 10/10/2007, 3:30 PM

[QUOTE=Bottle of Tonic;787318]Good debate.

How about (like superfrank) you are relatively skint? I was unable to afford to go to all matches until this year (still struggle). I'm not that long out of college. Was I only a 'barstooler' or a 'part-timer' before the newfound wages started going on match tickets and travel? (technically I know I was but in essence?) Are you only a true supporter when you are middle aged, settled, have disposable income and the missus has given up on convincing you to miss the game and stay in with her and the kids?

[QUOTE=osarusan;786545]Very true.

But I think there is a mistaken idea on the part of some posters that being a better fan makes you a better person.

Given the choice between attending a family member's birthday, or a game, I'd choose the party. Some fans would choose the game.

Originally Posted by osarusan

Recently I had to miss a season book match after unholy uproar from the missus and attend her uncle in laws 60th over 160 miles away! i had to drive her family there too. As i sat down in their gaff approaching 3pm all I could think of was getting off the bus, going up the steps, greeting the lads who sit around me etc etc. I really wanted to be at the game!
The nest wednesday I stomped off on a freezing night to a dismal CIS cup game in Dundee, am I back in the real fan brigade?

NO !! Fan - dom is only partially evidenced by physical or financial commitment - it is not a contest to see who can spend the most money or take the most time off work - it is primarily about the emotional investment one makes. Impossible to measure but obvious when you have it. Sweaty palms, walking around the house like a madman becase your game has not been udpated on sky / radio for 10 minutes etc etc etc

**bennocelt** · 13/10/2007, 10:25 AM

I always try to get involved in football no matter where i am

when i was in asia, i set up a few football teams with locals, set up a few games, had good fun
in wales i went to a few Welsh league games, etc
and when i have a chance i hope to build on my coaching badges, and get involved again with my local team (after christmas hopefully)
(arent i great

)

Dont always have to go to the "top" games to enjoy the benefit of the beautiful game...............................wonder how many at todays game in croke park have a deep love and understanding of the game (and thats just the FAI!!!)

**Dodge** · 13/10/2007, 12:38 PM

Thats nothing got to do with being a fan though. You know from the word fanatic...

**osarusan** · 15/10/2007, 1:34 AM

Originally Posted by bennocelt

I always try to get involved in football no matter where i am

when i was in asia, i set up a few football teams with locals, set up a few games, had good fun
in wales i went to a few Welsh league games, etc
and when i have a chance i hope to build on my coaching badges, and get involved again with my local team (after christmas hopefully)
(arent i great

)

I'd say that makes you a fan of the game itself (obviously a good thing too), rather than a fan of a specific team.