How Do You Define Being A Fan?

Having followed rugby league and Parramatta for nearly 50 years I've come to meet many types of fans. In many ways, being a fan of a footy team is no different to being a part of any sub-culture in society. In some ways it's completely different. Without referencing any resource material and with no stones cast, I have tried to compile my categories of Eels fans. Where do you see yourself? How would others see you?I will preface my analysis by an accusation thrown at me by my other half. She said that everything else in my life came second to Parramatta. Of course I disagreed, but that was her genuine perspective. That got me thinking about the blog.1. The fanatic. Like the fan group of the same name, this fan will follow the team absolutely everywhere - interstate, overseas. The team is a core part of the life that will never diminish. It defines who you are.2. The emotional fanatic. This fan is like the celebrity stalkers. Your love of the team is so strong that it can turn the other way during bad times. Or perhaps a player will brush you and you feel rejected and develop a hatred for him. This fan can be misinterpreted as a hater of the team at times.3. The community fan. Humans like to be able to identify with others. This fan enjoys being a part of a group with a common enjoyment. Following a team and going to the footy gives this person the common ground to talk to others. It allows them to wear the same colours as others and to see a reflection of themselves when they look around.4. Family tradition fan. These fans follow in the family tradition. They bonded with a parent going to the football. It gave them happy memories which they then continue with their own children.5. Rugby league fan. Having a club to follow may have been happenstance. Sure that club becomes central, but the real love is the game. This fan enjoys watching every game. They will analyse the strengths and weaknesses of not only their players, but those from other clubs. A love of rugby league is a big part of their life, ergo the club that they follow.6. The mates fan. This person may have always been a fan of the club, but now footy is an opportunity to hang out with your mates. It is the down time doing something you enjoy.7. The casual fan. You have a club and you enjoy your footy. You might watch a game that interests you or get to a match a couple of times a year. You are not impacted by wins or losses and this may rarely change over the years.8. The fair weather fan. This fan will hop on the bandwagon during good times and just as quickly hop off. This fan will not be seen during lean years but will be desperate for grandfinal tickets during good years.9. The hooligan. This fan simply wears the colours but only to have a flag to battle under. They go to the footy to fight others. Thankfully this is not a huge problem in rugby league.10. The reluctant fan. This person will identify as a fan but in truth is dragged along by family or partners. It might be their only day out.For mine, I think that in my life I have been a combination of categories 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6. I reckon others in my family see me as obsessive but I disagree.Maybe.

Replies

Rise of an empire June 21, 2015 at 11:49am

You sir Sixties you weren't inspired by the smiths chip add that describes different type of fans lol . Me I am the family tradition fan & also a rugby league fan
- sixtiesboy > Rise of an empire June 21, 2015 at 1:02pm
  
  I hadn't considered the link. No I have paid little attention to it.
slip June 21, 2015 at 12:43pm

I've been a fan since Kindergarten (1979). And in that time I've experienced success and spoons. Based on the past 5 years, I don't think I'm going to see another premiership. Maybe on my death bed at 96 years of age.
Hell On Eels June 21, 2015 at 12:46pm

I'm in the No.11 "mad watcher" fan category.

I don't go to many live games but haven't missed watching too many games since about 1980, through the good, the bad and the ugly. Constantly, scavenge around for articles about us.

Live NRL on my mobile/laptop has been a revelation since relocating to Melbourne & through my overseas jounts.

Always loved & followed the eels. Always will.
FAT GUY June 21, 2015 at 12:48pm

Slip,I hear yah brother ....but lets say it one more time. NEXT YEAR lol.....
Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown June 21, 2015 at 12:56pm

Theres one thing ive learned since being on this site that i didnt understand the value of before i came.

Theres a difference between a fan and a supporter.

A supporter is a member, they support the club through their wallet, its not a large amount, but its supporting a club through the good and bad times with your cash to support the club.

A fan doesnt ''support'' the club through membership but that doesnt mean both are not as passionate and neither is better than the other, its just that ones a supporter and ones a fan.

Our club needs more supporters, especially in the hard times, and its easy to jump in and support when we are winning, not so easy when weve been getting hammered for years.

For you out of towners you can buy a non ticketed membership for $50 right this moment on the internet.

Its also a pretty proud feeling to be a member of your footy club even if we are shit atm.
- sixtiesboy > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown June 21, 2015 at 1:10pm
  
  This is an outstanding comment Snake. It was an oversight to not include supporter. Last year I had a ticketed membership in the Cronin stand as part of a mates family membership. As the ticket did not list me as a member, I bought an additional non ticketed membership for myself. (I could have had the original membership changed but it would have meant cancelling that ticket and waiting who knows how long for a new one!). I wanted to feel that pride of being recognised as a member.
- tele1 > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown June 21, 2015 at 1:47pm
  
  30 years ago this would be true
  
  Today's corporatised homogenised, TV sponsored, Advertised gluttony obsessed arena we USED to call sport only gets MY cash when I have to spend it
  
  Going to games
  
  Doesn't my Foxtel subscription count as being a "supporter" ?
  
  Nah - I was a fan first in 1975.......and a fan now in 2015
  
  Cumberland Oval / Parramatta Stadium is now Pirtek Park or Dyldam Dungeon or what ever the hell they call it
  
  The JJ-Giltinan Shield is the REAL Grand Final winning trophy (in my eyes) but like EVERYTHING else - has been sold and prostituted and in this case replaced with a total piece of cr@p that just looks cheap and cheesy in comparison to the REAL THING......and added a sponsors name to it.
  
  At least the Winfield Cup still had the J-Giltinan Shield
  
  NO snake THEY can't have it both ways - increase prices for essentially the SAME product - change the game from a suburban pastime to a national corporate identity and MAKE MILLIONS........and attempt to make me THE FAN feel guilty for being a NON SUPPORTER
  
  gimme a break
  
  No......Just cause we don't pay an extra $50 as a non ticketed member DOES NOT mean that there is a divide between fan and supporter
  
  That is a choice.....and should have no bearing on the "status" of a fan
  
  If this was 20 or 30 years ago...back in the days of the biff, meat pie and chook raffles - SURE, pitch in extra $$ to support your club
  
  SORRY - The game I love has prostituted itself enough....has more money than ever before......is about balance sheets more than anything else........and Parra get their fair share of revenue through sponsorship and TV rights, then pass the love on with increased prices (over time).......you don't think prices will go up when the refurbishment has been completed ?
  
  Nah.....Parra may WANT my $50 but they don't NEED IT....and that is the difference, and the premise of my argument......and besides, they will figure out how to get it anyway with future price rises etc
  
  just Proud Fan (only) I'm afraid.......40 years and always the same......"just" a fan
  
  This is what a REAL Grand Final Trophy looks like BEFORE the corporatised homogenised, TV sponsored, Advertising gluttoned $$$$ took over the game
  
  What do they call it now ???
  
  The Telstra Premiership
  
  give me a freakin break
  
  The Telstra freaking Premiership FFS........they OWN the name ???
  
  they (Parra / NRL) cant have it both ways
sixtiesboy June 21, 2015 at 1:02pm

Guilty mate. hopefully I begin physio in 9 days!
Trini Lopez calling Go Go Gomez June 21, 2015 at 1:35pm

11. The Parramatta Fan

Will blindly follow a team that hasn’t performed for nigh on 30 years; has accepted the unacceptable on hundreds of occasions, vomited and resumed the doggie position saying ’thank you sir, may I have another’?

of 3

"I'll say this with regards to the officiating when you lose 52-4 you don't complain about officiating you just don't and I'm glad to see JR in the presser said nothing about the mentioned.You just can't complain about it when you get drilled like we…"

"Also was anyone actually expecting us to win the comp? We can still meet our goals of being a good top 8 team by the end of the year despite this performance. Well that was my expectations at least."

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