The die-hard soccer fan: what it means to bleed your team’s colours

Soccer fans are some of the most dedicated sports fans, and it’s not always easy to figure out why they’re so in love with their team. While die-hard supporters may have been born into the family of soccer enthusiasts, many things make it impossible to walk away from their team no matter what happens on the field or with the scoreline. 

For those who enjoy following their local soccer team, nothing compares to the feeling of watching your team compete live in front of you.  Being a die-hard fan of any sport takes dedication and passion, but soccer seems to have more than its fair share of die-hards. Here are some things only true soccer fans know about being a die-hard fan.

It begins with support

Your first experience with a match might be with one of your parents who, on occasion, would catch a game on TV or invite friends over for beers and snacks during a big game. It’s easy for kids to become fans at that point because all they know is their parent’s love of their team; kids don’t understand loyalty yet. As an adult, you may decide which club (or teams) you follow based on what sports channel you watch or which uniforms are more fantastic. There are far more ardent supporters who can explain why their team is better than yours—and they will defend their position fiercely.

Attending the matches

Sports events are a great way to spend time with friends, no matter how significant or insignificant they may be. Sports are a good choice if you’re looking for an activity that allows you and your buddies to unwind because there’s rarely any stress involved. Sports also provide a good opportunity for everyone in your group (whether it’s a couple of friends or all of them) to bond over something other than everyday life. Sports games tend to cause everyone in attendance to get along and cheer together—it almost always brings people closer together instead of pushing them apart.

Staying up late to watch or waking up early on game days

Football leagues are a huge deal—not just in England but all over. While most matches are scheduled to be played during regular business hours in Europe and North America, people will likely set their alarms for 4 a.m. or more during prime-time games. And if you don’t have tickets to see any of these matches live, check into bars—most will be airing them on TV screens and offering drink specials that encourage game-watching camaraderie. 

Connecting with other fans online or in-person

We already mentioned how important engaging with others who share your interest is. Online communities, chat rooms, message boards, and social media platforms like Twitter or Facebook are great ways to connect with other fans of your favorite teams and players. And don’t forget that friends and family members can also be fellow supporters of a favorite sports team (or even players). Your best bet for getting involved in online or offline communities is through promotion; if you create quality content regularly, you will attract an audience looking for something similar. As they say, if you build it, they will come.

Loving everything related to your team’s logo/colors/history.

Being a true soccer fanatic is an all-encompassing lifestyle. These fans love everything related to their favorite club, including attending games and memorabilia, watching replays on TV or online, and socializing with other fans. They cherish the jersey of their favorite team the same way golf fans hold golf shoes in high esteem. Some people might dismiss these as simple trends, but if you’re a true fanatic, then you know that isn’t accurate—to become a fan of one particular club is ultimately about more than just following its games. It’s about identifying with the club and aligning yourself with a community that shares your dedication and passion for soccer and for supporting your team.