The Rational Ref | Fans flawed in their blind loyalty to clubs for eternity
Following one team doesn't make sense as managers, players often switch allegiances
What is the definition of a true soccer fan? Would it be someone like middle-aged Malaysian Richard Wee, still a virgin when it comes to attending live EPL matches, whose plight at Goodison Park last week caused a media circus?
Wee, an Everton supporter for 30 years, made the pilgrimage to his team's home ground for the first time only to be disappointed when the match against Crystal Palace was postponed. Fortunately, someone at the club read Wee's tweet, got in touch and gave him a tour. Wee even got to meet manager Roberto Martinez and defender Leighton Baines in the dressing room.
The reason why Wee became an Evertonian 30 years ago was probably triggered by the Toffees' 1984 FA Cup victory. A year later, Everton won the old First Division as well as the 1985 European Cup Winners Cup. Such glorious victories were presumably what hooked Wee, growing up half a world away, in the same way that millions of Asians became fans of Manchester United following their sustained successes over the past two decades.
By supporting one team for life, soccer fans foolishly subject themselves to a lifetime of pain, misery and angst, with perhaps a little ecstasy on the way
These days, the average Red Devils fan is most likely to be Asian, if not Chinese, who has probably never visited the city of Manchester. If they did, they would discover that most people from Manchester support Manchester City. Old Trafford is located outside the city, in Greater Manchester, the basis behind the cheeky "Welcome to Manchester" giant billboard advert when Carlos Tevez left United and joined City.
Can Wee and millions like him be considered true soccer fans despite never having watched a home game in person?
Or is a real fan born and bred on the doorstep of their home club?
What about the impulsive and infantile middle-aged Newcastle fan who ran on the pitch during the recent Tyne-Wear derby and threw his season ticket in indignation at Magpies manager Alan Pardew? Would someone as passionate as that be considered a true fan? Or by throwing away his season ticket did he demonstrate a total lack of loyalty and respect to his club?