Newcastle fans top of
the table for making sacrifices
independent.ie
Wednesday September 26 2007
MOST people wouldn't agree with Bill Shankly's tongue-in-cheek
claim that football is more important than life or death -- but
many fans admit to putting their teams before family, friends and
holidays, according to new research.
More than 10 per cent of Premier League season ticket-holders claim
to have passed up job opportunities to continue following their
teams, and most would be prepared to make even greater sacrifices
if they knew that it would bring success to their clubs.
A survey, carried out in August by
Virgin Money reveals that followers of Newcastle United are most
willing to give up quality time with loved ones at home to watch
their loved ones in black and white stripes. Despite not having
seen their team win a trophy since 1969, 47 per cent of Newcastle
fans regularly attend matches rather than staying in with the
family -- unless they're at the game too.
After Newcastle come supporters of Birmingham City (35 per cent)
and Sunderland (34). Chelsea, whose fans are often accused of being
Johnny-come-lately glory-hunters, are in a surprising fourth-place
with 32 per cent. Wigan Athletic, whose small numbers mask their
fervour, are joint sixth with Manchester City.
About 93 per cent of fans surveyed admit they had made sacrifices
because of their football club. Two thirds have rearranged their
social life to fit in with matches, while 45 per cent say they
spend less on other forms of entertainment in order to buy match
tickets and 42 per cent say they give up time with their partner in
favour of watching football. About 28 per cent say they spend less
time with their family and children to go to games. And 72 per cent
say they would sacrifice even more to see their team win the
Premier League or Champions League. Eight per cent of supporters
claimed they would give up "anything" to see their club become
Premier League champions or win the Champions League.
Four per cent would forgo their holidays and three per cent would
even give up alcohol. "If you want a definition of the word
dedicated, then football fans fit the bill perfectly," said John
Franklin, of Virgin Money. "The financial cost of following a team
continues to rise and rise, but that doesn't seem to deter
fans.
"It is more than just a money game, though, for fans, as many of
them seem to base their lives around the game. Friends and family
come second to the game for many and some will even give up job
opportunities to continue to keep backing their team.
"Clubs are genuinely lucky to have such dedicated fans. Modern fans
can hardly be dismissed as glory-hunters as most clubs in the
Premiership don't get that close to glory nowadays."
Nevertheless, for some supporters enough is enough. Twenty-eight
per cent of those questioned feel their current level of sacrifice
and expenditure is more than sufficient, and no wonder.
