What is football fan culture? Ultimately it means different things to different people and different traditions in different countries.
When I started going in England in the early 90s it was the tightly packed terraces, going mental when your team scored, running the gauntlet in another town at an away game, the unmistakable smells - whether it be cigarette smoke or just plain old farts. Your mates in the pub, a pre match chippy. The culture of football fans to me, is more important than the actual event of 22 men kicking a ball around. I enjoy watching a game of football on TV but it's not my favourite thing to do. I enjoy the culture of the clubs playing, the aesthetics of the stadium, the noise, the colour, knowing what the result means to the people of those towns and cities a lot more.
As football fans I think we have a habit, like a lot of things in life, of looking back and reminiscing about the past and saying things like "the games gone" or "it's not like it used to be".
Undoubtably people older than me (45) will look back on decades earlier than the 90s and believe wholeheartedly that theirs was the best era. Maybe the best era of football is just simply the one you enjoy the most, at a certain age or moment in your life.
Shortly after I started going, football changed in England dramatically. The big new shiny Premier League with all the glitz and glamour that Sky Sports started to beam into our homes. Terraces start to die out. All seater stadiums brought new demographics of fans, money started to flood into the game. Foreign players were everywhere, foreign coaches were everywhere. The game started to change, the experience changed.
Now in 2023 the richest clubs in the world are mostly owned by authoritarian states in the Middle East (sometimes disguised as glorified shell companies) or American business men looking to expand their sporting empire. We came very close to a European Super League before it was ultimately shouted down by guess who? Fans.
In early 2022 I went on the trip of a lifetime to Buenos Aires, taking in games at Boca Juniors, San Lorenzo, Racing Club and Gimnasia. The experience took me back to a bygone era, like the country was frozen in time. The money hadn't reached them. The billionaires were pre occupied elsewhere. The stadiums contained packed terraces, flares, fireworks, flags and unrelenting noise. This is what football should be like everywhere I thought. But is that selfish? Is that even right? Some people love football the way it is now and would never have stepped foot in a stadium in previous eras.
So where are we in football culture today? Has the game "gone"? Was it better before? What is the experience like for the kids of today? Ultimately they are the future of fan culture. How do they feel about super leagues and match days with their dad?
I went in search of answers, asking fans of different eras, and different teams to see how they felt about everything from non league football, podcasts, super leagues and money men.
Darren, 48, Manchester City.
What’s the match day experience like at the Etihad?
"Very busy. I've learnt to get to the stadium with my sons two hours before kick off. Before the match there's lots of entertainment outside the stadium, ex-players being interviewed on stage, music, highlights from matches on large screens, plus plenty of food and drink options.
There is also the Kids Zone which you can pre book. This is hosted at the Etihad Campus, a short walk from the stadium. Kids can play games, play football, have pictures taken with trophies.
The stadium itself is brilliant and was purpose built for the Manchester Commonwealth games. The access is great and the views from all over the stadium are great".
If you could move City back to Maine Road tomorow would you do it?
"Maine Road was a classic old school football geound. None of the stands matched or were in sync, they were all built at different times. I've still got my seat from the Kippax stand, I think I paid £10 for it.
I've got fond memories of Maine Road, in particular the atmosphere which was much better than the Etihad. However we've moved on from Maine Road, the Etihad campus and facilities suit modern day football plus there is room to continue to develop and increase the stadium capacity. Maine Road didn't have the same potential for growth".
How do you feel about City's owners and the whole sports washing debate?
"They've have kept their promise to invest in the team and invest in the community. East Manchester is unrecognisable thanks to their investment.
These are the best times a City fan has experienced with all the success and league titles. In the late 90's, early 00's we were a bit of a yo-yo team, getting promoted and relegated in quick succession. Without the owners the current Manchester City wouldn't be possible. I get asked the question about our owners a lot. I ask the same question in return and there is definitely an envy about the financial support we have had. Ask a Wrexham fan how they feel about their new owners, they are all buzzing with excitement in anticipation of the investment that will positively impact their squad, ground, training facilities and community. On the other hand, ask United fans about the Glazers and their response is negative and full of resentment. The Glazers funded their purchase on debt, there has been minimal investment in the ground and facilities, which has coincided with them not winning a trophy for years. To rub salt in United fans' wounds, the Glazers have put the club up for sale and will make a fortune on the equity made during their ownership.
How did you feel about the Super League and your involvement in it?
"I'm against it, it's a bad idea for the football pyramid. It was an idea from the establishment, the so-called traditional elite of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Liverpool. As far as I understand City were persuaded to join very late in the discussions and went on record that they regretted this decision.
The Champions League format works well, though this has changed somewhat from the original European Cup to accommodate three to four teams from some leagues, so hardly a league for Champions".
What’s it like watching Altrincham in the National League?
"It's grass roots football and it's brilliant and a much different experience to the razzamatazz of the Premier League. Moss Lane is a tight ground, mainly standing room only and has a strong community spirit. The atmosphere is different but still generates good noise. You can hear the players communicate with each other.
I went to a recent game versus ex league club Oldham Athletic and the attendance was 3,000. This weekend, Wrexham are visiting and they've sold 1,600 tickets and the attendance is expected to be around 4,000 and will also be on TV".
Which direction do you think football culture is going in?
"Football is too expensive these days. Match day tickets, parking, refreshments are all increasing. The price of football kits is also ridiculous. Every season a new one is released and to purchase a full kit with name and number on the back is over £100.
The game is pricing out the working-class, these are the fans that supported their teams and kept their clubs funded through gate receipts, long before TV money so I think clubs need to look at this.
That said, the money in football is crazy and my team has contributed to this. Footballers' wages are out of control and it is time a salary cap is introduced. There also needs to be a review of the transfer system and club spending. With the recent spending by Chelsea for example, financial fair play regulations need to be much tighter for all teams, including my own. The clubs with the deepest pockets, generally are more successful".
Jonathan, 46, Manchester United.
How has the match day experience at Old Trafford changed down the years?
"Personally, my match-going experience has been the same for close to 25 years - the Main Stand at Old Trafford. Very little singing other than perhaps three times a year when the whole place wakes up. Lots of grumbles. Away support running through the ‘Top 20 songs to sing at Old Trafford’. I love it.
I’ve known some of my neighbours over 20 years and see them more regularly than friends and even family. My heart says a new ground is needed, my head says keep what you’ve got as it will never be the same. But I know that around me the culture has changed and my little pocket of tradition or footballing habit is dwindling. I am not sure I could cope with online ticket portals and (*spits*) the dynamic pricing policies that squeeze every last drop from sales. Season ticket holders of my like are a dying breed and the struggles of the fanzine Red News to stay in print is a clear sign of that".
You take your son to matches a lot - do you feel sorry for him that he missed out on our era or do you think this era has its merits for young lads?
"By our era you mean going to the match with your mates, ballooning around and generally feeling free. So yes, he can’t have that at United. If there’s a flavour of that available it would be at youth cup games where tickets are plentiful and a far more local, young crowd get in. My son isn’t far off being able to go to Chester on his own and I expect he’ll see a bit of “life” that way. The flip side is I am glad he won’t ever suffer dangerous terraces or have to deal with some of the truly mental people that used to approach us at games. Nor will he (hopefully) ever get picked on by grown men for wearing the wrong colour".
What direction do you think football culture is going in?
"Even less spontaneity. More scapegoating. And lots of bullshit moral panics about football as a sign of wider society. Football supporters literally have different laws: take a flare to a gig, no problem. Carry one a mile from a football ground and face a three year ban and criminal charges. Follow @FairCop_ for daily examples.
And yet, and yet… I do not take for granted the fact that a few times a month I am part of a national / international narrative and it’s me and Will who are there for the live event. Every game I see people losing their shit (as you yanks say) at their first visit to Old Trafford. Yes, watching a girl take over 400 photos for insta can be wearing and the “can I have you shirt” trend is just bad parenting. But my season ticket affords me a pitchside seat to one of the most popular sports in the world. And the pandemic proved supporters ARE part of that after all. There are signs the clubs are coming round to that point of view and taking us for granted a little less and that can only be a good thing.
Side note, I would ban non-match going supporters influencing social media in a heart beat. They are an absolute cancer on the supporter culture and the sooner everyone realises this the better. Paid-for, manipulated outrage to create revenue. Wake the fuck up anyone who follows them".
Russ, 42, Stockport County.
Award nominated Podcast host.
Why Stockport County and not the Manchester two?
"My Dad is a big City fan, home and away in the 70s and my middle name is Colin after Colin Bell so if anything it would have been City but in the 80s he couldn't afford to go to Maine Rd with his mates so when I was four or five he started taking me to County. A few years later my Mum got a new fella and he was a County fan and we lived on Bridgehall - so it was easy to go to County over the monkey bridge, on to Edgeley to the matches and it's just really stuck since then. I had a bit inbetween where I did support Liverpool for a bit but it was very fleeting".
Best/worst thing about watching football in the lower leagues?
"The best thing is definitely the community. When you go to County you know a lot of people. Where I'm sat now there's a big group of us, about 25, aunties, uncles, cousins, friends. I imagine in the top leagues its more sanitized, you're not sat in the same seat unless you're dyed in the wool and been there a long time.
Worst thing at County at the minute is newcomers. Just as recently as AFC Wimbledon away last week there was a lot of cockneys in our end, certainly not County fans, maybe one of a group was County and the others with them were cockneys so that does sanitize/dilute it a bit.
In general there aren't many best and worsts - it's just what I do now! I'm in my 40s, been doing it 30 years".
Biggest changes in match day experience down the years?
"I suppose everything's become a lot more modern. When I started going to County we didn't really have a scoreboard. Everything was a bit more mechanical and old, nothing was new and digital like now. That comes with money but even when were in the National League North a few years ago and had no money there were still things that were made better through digitalization like tickets on your phone rather than a paper ticket, really big changes that do enhance the match day experience".
How do you feel about the Premier League, foreign ownership and proposed Super League?
"I think it's abhorrent to be honest. I think they are using people, clubs and communities for political gain - I don't think theres any other way to put it. All these different oil rich nations positioning themselves politically. Money talks, influence talks.
I'm so glad at County we've got local Stopfordian ownership and he's got a lot of money to boot so we're going to be ok for the foreseeable future.
Even at Salford City and the "Class of 92" I find it really really, uncomfortable even though they're not in it for political gain obviously.
The Super League is a money making scheme and It's going to turn into an American franchise league where you have to be the richest to get in and that's not what football in this country is about - which is ironic with the Wrexham lads, Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mallhenny who have got into it with a love of the game and the proviso that they could potentially get them into the Premier League - well that door might be shut with the way things are going. That's taking away the romance of it and that's really what we value the most in England. It's the rich getting richer and men with power wanting more power".
Best and worst part of being a podcast host and in general how have pods changed the dynamic of football fandom?
"The best part is the connections you get with the people that listen to it. Just the fact that people sit there and listen to us is beyond my wildest dreams. When we started in January 2015 it was an iphone on my desk in a meeting room, just me and my mate and we gave ourselves different names in case it was rubbish and we didn't get recognized - but now people come up to me at the match and say I really like what you're doing, cheers for putting it out and that's all we're after you know what I mean? We're never going to get rich from it so it just people listening and getting that instant feedback which is great.
Worst part is having to be very balanced in terms of not upsetting any particular element of fan bases and not being too controversial in our language or our views, which is easier said than done. We have to put out good content, keep it fresh, light, funny, up-to-date, not being political. Football does cross over into politics, it can't not. I try to say to Nick and to myself, keep politics out of it, it's just an extra dynamic of complexity that you don't need.
I think podcasts have changed the dynamic of fandom, they've given people more of a voice and that voice is recognized by the clubs, ours certainly is and it's a modern day fanzine. Like fanzines, the good ones aways stay around, evolve and progress and the not so good ones fall off the radar. There's been a few at County that have tried to do one but its difficult, you've got be there every week, know what you're talking about. You've got to live it because if you don't live it and lack that authenticity then fans see right through you".
What direction do you think football culture is going?
"I think it depends what level of football you're at or watching. Certainly in this country football is getting better the further down the leagues you go, the standard is squeezing up to the top. Even at grassroots level, I was coaching my sons team for a while - they're playing football now like they're on FIFA. It wasn't like when I was a kid, it was all kick and rush and we didn't get any real coaching. They're getting loads of coaching now at a very young age. I think the standard of our pyramid is a lot stronger than other countries.
Off the pitch I think social media has changed it dramatically. There's an everything now type culture, an immediate success culture and social media brings that out. You can't have a balanced opinion on social media without someone disagreeing with you and that culture needs to go. I think it's a reflection on society to be honest and that's bleeding into football culture. Some fans can't see the bigger picture when they lose a match, they want someone sacked - it's someone's fault and they want them replaced. If you said that to someone in another industry they'd say you can't sack me, l've only made one mistake - but for some reason its ok in football.
In general I think it's going in the right direction In term of racism, sexism, misogyny - we've still got loads of work to do but I think we're better than most around the world in this country. I go to a lot of matches and I don't hear racism or sexism and if I did I'd probably call it out".
Evan, 11, Manchester City.
What do you like most about going to a match at the Ethiad?
"The atmosphere is good and I get to experience watching good players play at the top of their game. I also get to experience it with my Dad".
Is there anything you don’t like?
"I don’t like the crowds of people sometimes and can be quite unnerving when the opposition are loud and feisty".
Would you rather watch City in a Super League/Club World Cup against the best teams in the world every week or stick to the Premier League as it is now?
"Stick to the Premier League as it is now because I feel like every team puts up more of fight to remain in the league. You also get to watch different young talents breaking through from the academy".
You watch Nantwich Town in non league quite a bit - how is the match day experience different from City and what do you like about it?
"Perhaps even though when I go to the Ethiad it’s a great experience and everyone is friendly amongst the fans - when you go to a small non league club it’s more of a community and you get to engage with the players and managers at your local team".
Will, 12, Manchester United.
What do you like most about going to a match at Old Trafford?
"I like the singing the most – bantering with opposition supporters. I also like the traditions of United such as the music they play and all the history of the club that you can see every game".
Is there anything you don’t like?
"I wish our stand sung a bit more against the away supporters who are near us but Old Trafford is not very well organised for atmosphere. I don’t like half and half scarves and kids with “shirt signs” is tragic when they are nowhere near the pitch and no player will ever see it even though they carry the sign for the whole day".
How do you feel about the richest clubs in Europe including yours getting richer and trying to form super leagues? Would you like to see that in the future or do you like football the way it is now?
"I don’t like the idea of a super league because in our country the “pyramid” is part of sport culture. Even my own football team is in a league structure that you can be relegated from. I think that is important. If United get even better then it will be all the sweeter because of all the stick I've been getting. A super league basically means not as many highs and lows and that's what sport is all about.
You’ve been to a few non league games - how is the experience different and what do you like/dislike about it?
"Non-league is a very good atmosphere. I’ve been to Chester the most and it’s good seeing people I know and it’s a local team. When I am older I will go with friends hopefully. Even at that level, the players are really good and it’s good to see their skills close up."
There are you have it, the kids have spoken, down with the Super League. Although it may inevitably be part of our future whether we like it or not.
Maybe the younger generation of today will make it their own in the stands, maybe they'll be the driving force of fan culture, we can only hope.
As much as football changes, evolves, gets richer, the game seems more popular today than its ever been. On one of my three trips to the UK in 2022 it struck me that you can still walk into a pub in any town on a Saturday lunchtime and there's a gang of people sitting around big screens watching Southampton vs Fulham.
Some of the crowds in the lower league and non league these days are staggering. Maybe people crave that authenticity and tradition that lower level football brings. You can sense that in the answers of young Evan and Will above, despite their age they recognise it and enjoy it. That's a beautiful thing.
The worlds most popular sport is ingrained in millions of us. Culture is what you make it, it gets handed down from generation to generation and evolves. Despite the insane amounts of money flying around the global game and the questionable ethics and motivation of the most powerful, fans will always be the most important factor.