Manchester United has long been the most popular team in the world, with fans ranging from the estates adjacent to Old Trafford, to the depths of China and Africa. But what exactly makes so many foreigners support the club?
There is a long standing debate that most Manchester United supporters aren't from Manchester, many are from London and the majority are not even from England. And it's true, the club has a huge national following and an even bigger international following.
Many are genuine fans, who watch every game, agonise over every stat and judge every player. But there are more who are simply referred to as 'glory supporters'. Individuals who have chosen to support Manchester United simply to be safe in the knowledge that sooner or later, they will deliver victory.
The phenomenon is somewhat of a snowball effect, the club has long since been on a winning streak and has become a team worth watching, as a result television networks are keen to broadcast the games and gain viewers.
These viewers become accustomed to expecting victory from the club, they enjoy it, and become 'fans'. They know that the next time they tune in to watch the team play, they can expect victory, if not at least a good game.
Companies realise this and are willing to sponsor the broadcast of the game in their country, therefore more and more people get to watch them. Soon enough these fans have families and children are brought up fans of the club, just as any child in Manchester might be.
The long and short of it is that people like to feel good, supporting a team that almost always wins is a sure way of being able to celebrate and enjoy the game. In the absence of a local team or a decent league to follow that is broadcast, it is only natural that people will choose to follow Manchester united.
It is very common to travel through an impoverished village in deepest Africa and see someone in a Manchester United Football Shirt or kicking around in a pair of Nike Mercurial boots.
No comments:
Post a Comment