Introduction
Different people go to football stadiums for different reasons. There are those who may not be necessarily fans of a particular team or club, but they would only go there for entertainment. It is sometimes difficult to recognize such a group, and these are actually the true football fans. On the other hand, there are the club fans and loyalists and these would normally prefer to attend a match only when their club is playing. But the most confusing bit is that often a football fan would also be a team fan, and this makes the line between the two very thin and at times difficult to distinguish. But there are some clues that can help pick out football fans.
Step 1
One of the most common behaviors in sports is the collection and buying of things related to the game. In football, such paraphernalia include team jerseys, balls, boots and badges, among other items. Football fans will buy and collect such paraphernalia regardless of the team. On the other hand, a team fan will restrict themselves to collecting items related to a certain team that he or she fancies. A clear example of this difference is a Manchester United FC fan and a person who collects football badges as a hobby. The latter goes into it for the love of the game, while the former will only stop after acquiring the badge of his favorite team.
Step 2
In their collections, football fans pay attention to the fine details like the original effects, the color, autographed stuff and so on, regardless of the team. The team fan may also like collecting these types of paraphernalia, but their interest will not extend beyond the team’s collections.
Step 3
Knowledge base is the most interesting line of distinction. Football fans never tire of acquiring knowledge about the game as a whole. They are more knowledgable about the latest news and developments in football. On the contrary, a team fan stops at the team level in acquiring knowledge about football. If asked anything about the match that has been postponed the next weekend due to bad weather, he/she wouldn’t have any clue, but they would be the joke of the day if turned away at the stadium gates because it is actually their team’s game that was postponed. In other words, they only follow the crowd without knowing what is actually happening.
Step 4
There are various recognitions for both the football fans and the team fan. These are not so common at the club level and professional level of the game as compared to the college level of football. And now, the social media and networking sites are taking the issue to the next level, all in the name of football.
Step 5
Fans of football with items such as balls, jerseys and so on might not appear to be that significant to a person who is not a fan of the game. However, to the fan, these rewards are the ultimate pride in being a fan of the game. And some rewards are instant, for instance, a star player throwing his shirt to the fans after a game.
Tips
Next time a fan passes by with a “vuvuzela” and wearing a football team jersey, do not be quick to rank them in the football fans football. If you are able to, try asking them a few questions about the opposing team and you might be shocked at the revelations. It is typically a case of not judging the book by its cover. But all the same, both the football and the team fan are good for the game and having a blend of both at a match adds to the entertainment.
