Being a "Supporter"

Not even one person in my group of mates knows anything about, let alone follows the local Australian game. Some have shown a passing interest when I talk about it or they see me wearing a jersey but wouldn’t be able to tell me when or even where the games are played.

A lot of them would however class themselves as “football fans” over most other sports available to them. Being a football fan to them however is following one of the top 4 English Premier League sides because they were the team they first saw play on TV amongst a whole other group of similarly lame reasons. Does this make them a supporter of the team or just merely another bandwagoning glory hunter, trying to associate them self with success?

I really feel connected to Sydney FC because it is MY team, representing MY city and where I am from and live. I go and stand and sing for team rain, hail or shine. Through the tough times and the good times I feel connected to the club. There is just something about going and standing and singing for your team. Going to a football game is like no other sporting event and the FFA needs to market this. It just still isnt on 80% of peoples minds.

Now I have had my share of overseas teams. With the likes of Everton in the EPL, Barcelona in La Liga to my most recent bandwagon hop with current Serie A leaders, Palermo. I do however not consider myself a true supporter of any of these teams. Sure I’m happy to see them play but I don’t have any emotional connection with anything these clubs stand for.

I don’t quite know what I’m trying to say in writing this piece but I’ve shared my feelings on following the local game and your local team. I hope I can encourage the many European football bandwagoning “fans” to get behind something closer to home and maybe you will one day feel the same way.

DANE