Home
Creators
Search Recent Random
Posts
Search DMs Popular Hash Lookup Tags Random
Importer
Import FAQ
Register Favorites Keys Review DMs Logout
Community
Telegram ThePornDude
Home Creators Posts Import Register Favorites Logout

The Forum - Who are the real fans? (Patreon)

Published:
2023-11-14 07:00:03
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:
haven't archived this post yet. have a subscription? use the importer!

Downloads

  • Who are the real fans?.mp3

Missing 1 full-res photo, 1 file, as this post has not yet been imported.

Content

Football fandom comes in all shapes and sizes but are there really levels to this game or is the question itself too simplistic? Martyn is joined by Andy McGowan and Laura Clarke to discuss modern football fans, the difference in home and away experiences, watching avidly from abroad and what the future may have in store for us all.

Files

Previews only

Comments

Gordon McCool

Commenting before listening, looking forward to this, as a former season ticket holder I travelled home and away before moving to Australia 16 years ago. I’m not looking for any sympathy as no one forced me to move but it can be a nightmare at times following Rangers from over here. 😂 I pretty sure the sleep deprivation is taking its toll. 😂 hopefully Big Phil will make it easier to get to sleep after games that are on through the night, rather than lying in bed in a rage like I have so many times over that last decade.

Charlie Nicolson

I used to live 100 miles from Ibrox, now I'm ten minutes walk away. It's great to be home quickly but there's also something great about the whole day out with your mates including the journey and pub stops.

David Herd

Looking forward to listening to this one, I can see why it's over an hour. A subject with a lot of depth and complexity, but also for some it's very simple. I personally went home and away for decades but stopped going to away games after the actions of so many clubs towards us in 2012 and ever since. By doing that, I totally accept there are plenty others who are now more "loyal" fans than me and who deserve a ticket for a big Hampden game before me. The MyGers system puts that order of ticket priority into numbers, and although hard to argue with the principle it also means the same people get the gold dust tickets all the time so never lose their place at the top. Some of the most passionate and knowledgeable fans I know don't attend that often for a multitude of reasons, some of those I know who hardly miss a game seem to enjoy the social side more than the football. Hopefully get an hour tonight to have a listen and hear how Martyn and the team make sense of it all.

John Walker

As a bear now in Australia I found it a very interesting pod which probably relates to me in many ways. From the early 80's I would be home and away every week also going away in Europe it took a lot of effort and time, but getting. up in the wee hours to watch games can take as much effort . The cup final will be at 1.30am but we will be in the supporters club with everyone booking Monday off. My passion will be the same as it was when I was at the games.

Martin Boyd

Very interesting discussion re fans. I went with my Dad late 60’s started going by myself mid 70’s then from London early 80’s until early 90’s. Basically stopped going , moving around , family etc watched on tv when I could and still had the same feelings as when I went. Now we are back in the country I watch on Rtv I’m I suppose a legacy fan who many wouldn’t call a real Rangers fan. I go to watch Cambridge Utd as a 2nd team but the difference in feeling is huge , I just shrug my shoulders when they lose ( often) but still hate it when Rangers do , not as much as I did though. My youngest Son who has never lived in Scotland and only been to Ibrox once , lives abroad , he has the fury I used to have with performances and players. He also wouldn’t be considered a real fan by many .

George Higgins

First went with my uncle in 1964. Was a bit sporadic over the next few decades then a lot from early 80’s. Dropped off again late 80’s Picked up again late 90’s. Used to go away and abroad and virtually all home games. Now only home games. Catch every match I can’t attend on tv. Travel is the biggest drag. I live in East of the country. I suppose my experience is quite common. Personal circumstances dictate people’s attendance. I’ve never thought I’m a better or lesser or more real fan than anyone else. If you’re a fan then that’s it for me.

Max Todd

Enjoyed that as a Bear who has lived in SE England for 30 years but still has a shared season ticket with a relative in Glasgow. I regularly meet people down here who proudly tell me that Rangers are their favourite Scottish team but who then can’t name a single player. We have a great ‘brand’ but not sure how we can build it outside of Scotland and NI. Current tv deals and the rise of the women’s game now make it even harder to get mass media attention. Only our European performances get noted. Another run to the final will help! 😁

Scott Dickson

As a bear who lives in Newcastle (but with young kids and commitments), I struggle to get to more than a couple of games a season. I pay for heart and hand, buy some kit, but despite my love of the club, give very little contribution to it financially.

Iain Campbell

Great pod guys, really fascinating subject matter. The duality of supporting clubs really is intriguing, and I thought Laura, from her own prospective, really brought that into context

Chris Scott

Laura is like the uncle from Derry Girls.

Greg

This was really interesting, Laura a welcome addition. The last time I remember anyone sitting at an away game was probably Hamilton in 09/10 kind of time.

Paul Holst

Excellent listen guys. #andymcgowansflares will be trending on Twitter. If you offered me a season ticket for away games at the expense of home games I’d bite your hand off - Ibrox is too often like a library. The thrill of an away day makes it a completely different fan experience to a day at Ibrox. That said, other grounds must be really grim as I say that with the experience of supporting West Ham from the back road of the Sir Alex Ferguson stand a few years ago. Disney stuff indeed.

Paul Holst

*row not Road 🤦‍♀️

Kev Roberts

This could be a ramble and most probably won't be interested. I have never been to a Rangers game and up until a few years ago would of said I was an Everton fan. I was brought up in North Wales and was an Everton season ticket holder for the best part of 15 years. Before moving abroad. I do however have family from Northern Ireland and always watched Rangers on TV with my grandparents During covid I discovered heart and hand and started taking much more of an interest in Rangers especially the 55 season. As you can imagine it was a little difficult to take to Gerrard having been hurt by him so many times over the years in the Merseyside Derby. But I soon took to him and was devastated when he left. I was also gutted when Patterson went to Everton Before I knew it I was listening to H&H match previews while Everton games were on and always watching Rangers games before Evertons games. These days I don't even look for Everton results it's Rangers and no one else. Am I turn coat? Maybe! Some would say I am not a real fan! I don't really care as long as Rangers win. One day I will definitely come and watch some games until then I will watch on TV and listen the heart and hand every day. Thanks for reading if you did lol WATP Kev

Laura McCrimmon

Great listen today on a fascinating matter. I had to laugh when Andy spoke about the conversation he had with his wife when she was pregnant as the same conversation happened in my household. When I was pregnant I was told if we couldn't find a babysitter for Lucas then it would be me staying at home 🤣🤣. I also agree there is a conversation to be had on whether away games are for everyone. Our daughter lily, who I must say is obsessed with this team, is now 8 and went to her first away game at aged 5 and I was not keen at all for her to go and thats to do with my irrational feeling that she isn't as safe at an away game. She loved it of course but there is still away grounds that I wouldn't let her go to the now.

Martyn Ramsay
>>122177565

Had a look there and majority still sitting through the 2011 LCF against Celtic. I’m sure it became the norm once we returned

Laura Clarke
>>122177396

Haven’t watched the show myself but asked friends there and I understand he is dull and boring?

Grant McNeil

Great listen. It’s such a hard thing to really gauge what a real fan is but something ive always felt is when you speak to someone you can get a real sense if they are a “proper bear” or not. Had conversation with guys at Euro Aways etc and you sometimes get the impression they aren’t really as invested in it as some and have met people who have lived aboard for years and not been to Ibrox for 30years but you get the vibe from them that lets you know it really matters to them! I suppose its really hard to judge when your coming from the viewpoint that it totally controls most of your life and mood🤣. I don’t think it can be labelled as some are better fans that others etc but mibi just the level of emotional investment is different in some cases.

Craig McCrimmon

I love the pyro generally, I love the songs, I love the flags and the banners. But against Hearts at Hampden a line was crossed punters shooting rockets from hand is not on, a fella in front of me in the west stand was hit on the back of the head with a rocket & still the punter setting them off contiued 2 more times during the game. It's that lack of regard for other supporters that splits opinion & play's into the hands of the authorities. Similar to the punters trying to revive the Billy Boys they think only of themselves & not the club that is why the argument for with football support always falls on the side of banning it. I think pyro has a place but it needs organisation in some way.

Gary Brown

Another great episode. Super discussion, great viewpoints. Thanks Martyn, Andy and Laura.

Alan Stewart

Great pod. Regarding following 2 teams, I honestly don’t get it? Football for me is about emotion. If my team gets beat, it completely ruins my week or until we next take to the field. It genuinely hurts. Pathetic I know, but that’s me. If we win, my mental state is one of elation and excitement, I could never replicate that feeling following another club.

Lianne Fyfe

Great pod. Really enjoyed it. Laura was a great addition, always find her points resonate with me. Great listen. Thanks everyone!

Neil Casey

A great listen. I can relate to everything both Laura and Andy have said have always travelled to watch Rangers and now as a first time father, finding a way to be there 😂

Rab

Interesting point about post Covid and wanting to go back more etc. I spent my younger days going home and away from Fort William. I moved to Glasgow, and still did the same all the way up until the shutdown. After the games started again, I went to a few and realised I didn’t want to go anymore, I didn’t and still don’t find it enjoyable, and much prefer watching the games on RTV now. Anyone that would say now that I’m not a real fan, I’d say they aren’t exactly people worth listening to.

Eric Stewart

I can speak to a couple of the points raised in this episode. Firstly on pyro, I’m a firefighter in London and also work as a fire officer for events at Wembley Stadium & Fulham FC. It is illegal to bring pyrotechnics into a football stadium and I know that Wembley will prosecute anyone seen to be using them. I’d imagine you’re more likely to get away with using them at Dundee than inside Wembley as I assume different levels of CCTV in operation, but is it really worth the risk of getting yourself banned from seeing Rangers play? As for the two teams issue: I was raised in Manchester by exiled Glaswegians so grew up supporting City with a strong affinity for Rangers. No doubt in my mind that City are my number 1 but Rangers certainly a strong 1A than a #2. All my family are Rangers on both sides so the passion is definitely there - and by the way Martyn Ramsay I’m a descendant of the Stewart clan that left Govan for the USA in the 1950’s so we’re cousins and you’re Dad knew my Dad Andrew Stewart 🤣🎺 My daughter often asks me who I’d support if the two teams met and I always answer I’d hope City don’t embarrass Rangers. Strangely I certainly hate celtic more than I hate united, can’t stand the plastic fans both attract but at least united aren’t as vile off the field as them.