Young fans in Asia turning to City - "Why support a team that loses?"

Psychedelic Casual said:
Sad wankers.
Click to expand...

Cellarite said:
How is this even a news story on BBC, never mind thread worthy on Bluemoon? Some glory hunters in Asia have stopped pretending to support one team, to pretend to support another.
Click to expand...

isn't the article about new fans not choosing United anymore? That City and Liverpool are a bigger draw for new fans of the game looking for a team? i dont think it even mentions fans changing allegiance does it? i mean, it's the same as people in the UK choosing City with no previous connection.
 
shemnel said:
isn't the article about new fans not choosing United anymore? That City and Liverpool are a bigger draw for new fans of the game looking for a team? i dont think it even mentions fans changing allegiance does it? i mean, it's the same as people in the UK choosing City with no previous connection.
Click to expand...
Yep, and they should support their local clubs as well.
 
It is also, of course, a salutary reminder that success is fickle and if City don't continue to win (i.e. this season is the aberration) then we will also be discarded by global fans. There will be some that don't care about that, of course, but remember that global fanbase = global exposure = better sponsorship deals = more money for players and continued success. A vicious circle of decline lays in wait if we don't stay on top of the pile - as United may be finding out as there is only so long that they can trade on their past glories.
 
The thing is, with the coming of the internet, social media, and satellite television about thirty years ago, the whole notion of what being a supporter is changed radically. Personally, I'm an unapologetic absolutist about this — a supporter is someone who goes to the stadium, at least occasionally, pays through the gate, and above all gives their voice and presence to the team on the pitch. I'm well aware that our contribution to financing the club is now a drop in the ocean — that matters not a jot, it is our money, and in many cases involves a considerable sacrifice out of our weekly budget. For myself, I don't tell myself that I'm “supporting” City when I watch them in a bar or wherever, whether wearing my top or not. Since I don't think I'm capable of communicating with the team telepathically, or that my shouts of frustration or appreciation will mysteriously get through that screen and down onto the pitch. The only people I'm communicating with are the other poor souls in the bar who simply wanted a quiet drink and a game of arrers and who have to put up with it willy-nilly. At home the furniture hears me (and nods appreciatively) — I suppose.
We all saw during the two Covid seasons how truly pathetic and meaningless it is to have football being played to empty stadiums, or with people dotted around with vast windy spaces between each supporter. And even more pathos, with canned “atmospheric crowd noise” if you're watching it on television.
It's where I make a distinction between a supporter and a fan. It's my arbitrary distinction, but I know what I understand by it. People out in Asia (or the States, or Latin America, or wherever) may be fans — fanboys, or fangirls — of City, but they're not what I understand by supporters.
Just my take.
 
Does this mean we have 659 million fans now? Maybe next season we can have a go at winning the trophy for most tweets liked. Tweets? X's?

Honestly, if I'm walking down a street in Ho Chi Min City and see a blue shirt or a picture of Kev in a bar, I'm going to love it. I'm going to order a beer and chat about it. I accept that there's a portion of seats now that someone will be sat in who has paid hundreds to be in, from flight to ground, that's ok. It's inevitable with success.

But it's not what City is to me. It's comradeship. It's win, lose or draw. It's dog poo alley and Glauber Berti. In a way it kind of ties in with the ticketing issues city matters and others have been promoting recently. We have fans overseas, great. But the heart is in Manchester, it's where this club began and where it should always remain, and we should protect that responsibility as a club and a community.

We have the perfect example of arrogance and assumption over the road, if we do end up in division two again then I certainly know who will be there to watch us struggle against Swindon in the Manchester drizzle.
 
MCFCTrick said:
Become what we once mocked ...
Click to expand...

Betterdeedthan red said:
Unfortunately we have
Click to expand...
Lots of people who couldn't find the swamp if they were stood on Chester Road holding an A-Z of Manchester now couldn't find the Etihad if they were stood on Ashton New Road holding an A-Z of Manchester.
Progress I suppose.
For once we can blame the fickleness of the "fans" rather than the club.
 
Gremlin said:
It is also, of course, a salutary reminder that success is fickle and if City don't continue to win (i.e. this season is the aberration) then we will also be discarded by global fans. There will be some that don't care about that, of course, but remember that global fanbase = global exposure = better sponsorship deals = more money for players and continued success. A vicious circle of decline lays in wait if we don't stay on top of the pile - as United may be finding out as there is only so long that they can trade on their past glories.
Click to expand...
I think most of us will be long gone before utd start losing serious numbers of Asian fans but it’s started and will continue if the rags don’t get their act together.
The more that turn their backs on the rags whatever club they choose the better as far as I’m concerned and hopefully I see it in my lifetime.
 
shemnel said:
isn't the article about new fans not choosing United anymore? That City and Liverpool are a bigger draw for new fans of the game looking for a team? i dont think it even mentions fans changing allegiance does it? i mean, it's the same as people in the UK choosing City with no previous connection.
Click to expand...
We’re big in Dungeness and Leominster.
 
bluetonium said:
Does this mean we have 659 million fans now? Maybe next season we can have a go at winning the trophy for most tweets liked. Tweets? X's?

Honestly, if I'm walking down a street in Ho Chi Min City and see a blue shirt or a picture of Kev in a bar, I'm going to love it. I'm going to order a beer and chat about it. I accept that there's a portion of seats now that someone will be sat in who has paid hundreds to be in, from flight to ground, that's ok. It's inevitable with success.

But it's not what City is to me. It's comradeship. It's win, lose or draw. It's dog poo alley and Glauber Berti. In a way it kind of ties in with the ticketing issues city matters and others have been promoting recently. We have fans overseas, great. But the heart is in Manchester, it's where this club began and where it should always remain, and we should protect that responsibility as a club and a community.

We have the perfect example of arrogance and assumption over the road, if we do end up in division two again then I certainly know who will be there to watch us struggle against Swindon in the Manchester drizzle.
Click to expand...
Try Little Japan town in Saigon... if you dare....lol
 
roach3 said:
I think most of us will be long gone before utd start losing serious numbers of Asian fans but it’s started and will continue if the rags don’t get their act together.
The more that turn their backs on the rags whatever club they choose the better as far as I’m concerned and hopefully I see it in my lifetime.
Click to expand...
I don't think fans who strongly identify with a football club ever change colour, but they might lose enthusiasm.

Man Utd have muddied the water on overseas fans claiming a global community of 1.1 billion fans and followers based on market research by Kantar Worldpanel who sampled 54,000 people in 39 countries. That's clearly nonsense.
 
MCFCTrick said:
Become what we once mocked ...
Click to expand...
All well and good having fans from afar, but it has started to become a problem when they turn up here in large groups, and pay 500 quid for a seat and a meal. Because when that scenario is presented to the powers that be, they no longer want your 40 quid a game anymore. And before you know it, you are a stranger in your own ground.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Unread Posts

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top