In light of the fact that some fans look at others as being of the glory-hunting variety and so on, I thought it would be appropriate to get some views on what people perceive as being a hard-core fan. It's not for us to judge or discriminate as everyone has the right to support their club in any manner they see fit. While I admit this, I still find it annoying when fair-weather fans try to put up an argument with weak points.

Let me ask you then, what is your definition of a hard-core fan?

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Apr 16 2007, 06:04 PM

That's an honest answer. I don't make it a point to stay up for matches of other clubs either, but I will watch if it happens to be on when I turn it on. I just like to know my opponents a little better.

There are few posts involving how often you watch your team play. That is one of the more obvious traits. Verx touched on knowing at least a little of his clubs history, and this to me is key. Many people claim to love their clubs but how can you love something you don't know about? Why you ask why they love their clubs, they say things like, because we play good football (so if another team plays better football, you'd switch?), we have super players (and if another team has better ones?) and then you have really really insightful reasons like, "because we are the best!". Erm... ok... whatever that means. Most of the reasons are pretty superficial. There is no reference to the clubs history, it's traditions, values or culture.

Let me use an analogy to explain myself.

You walk into a club, see a girl and are immediately captivated by her stunning good looks. You also notice that every bloke with a penis is looking at her and vying for her attention. She is the center of attention and it's really obvious. You think you are in love but then you realise, "heck I don't even know her". You then realise that you thought you were in love with her either because; a) Her appearance is stunning or b) Everyone else wants her and you don't want to lose out. Then you tell yourself, "ah, I'd better get to know her first too see if I really am in love". "If she doesn't have any substance, it'll just be a free shag and I'll move on to the next good looking chick".

Hope you get my point.

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Added on April 16, 2007, 4:07 pmGood point. How do I edit the thread title?

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Apr 16 2007, 04:09 PM

Well we all have to start somewhere. What matters is that they continue their support even if they get relegated. What also matters is that they bother to read up on a little history.

Were you at Hartamas Square of the Champions League final in 2005? I noticed a number of AC Milan supporters that morning.

How did you become one anyway?

Someone help me change the topic wei. I want to change it so 'real fan' and not 'hardcore supporter'. I don't think any of us fall into the latter category.

seriously lah... can't find the option man.

Ok done, thanks boys.

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Added on April 16, 2007, 6:06 pmNo man and I didn't get a tattoo just to prove I want to be one. I got it for personal reasons but this is between me and Liverpool . A lot of serious fans I know don't have one, it doesn't matter.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Apr 16 2007, 06:06 PM

Well procrastinate no longer then. If we win our 6th this season, you have to promise to get one!



I totally agree. If you love a girl, you will eventually ask her questions about her past, no?

That's the word for it, proper fan. I totally get you on the values bit though some people may scoff at it. It wasn't the quality of football that attracted me, it was the values instilled in the club. This is why I can honestly say I love LFC, because like knowing a girl's personality and traits, I know Liverpool's.



Oath! Off with their heads!



Exactly, information is just a click away. It's not that I'm judgmental of fans and how they choose to support their club. What gets me is fans who claim to be really into their clubs but have no knowledge prior to being fans. If you claim to love your club, how can you not know about your club? If on the other hand you claim to be a regular supporter, then fair play. It's annoying when you get into arguments with fans of rival clubs who think they know it all when if fact, you probably know more about their club than them. This is why when I visit forums such as RAWK, I go there to learn and not argue, unless I know my stuff. No point going on these forums to make a fool of myself. Problem is that most people are not willing to learn and when you tell them something about their club, they take it as though you are challenging them and they get all defensive.



I've met such supporters. I share the same opinion as you. It's ok to have a soft spot for another team though, I had one for West Ham back in the day and I still do.


Precisely, not everyone is free all the time. People have commitments. I have encountered though fans who don't even know when or who their club has played (past tense). Ok fair play if you couldn't watch the game but aren't you at least curious to know if the won???

I personally could care less about England though Carra, Gerrard and Crouch are in the team. All I want is for my boys to come back fit.

Well everyone is entitled to their opinion. Mine is you can't love something you know nothing about. You don't have to watch ALL your games as we all have commitments. I hate people who have wedding or birthday functions of Saturdays . It's also not about how much you spend on the club, not everyone has money trees growing in their gardens. To me though, it's about how much you know your club. That's how you start a love affair.

I'm not judging you mate, just voicing my opinion. Fair play to you for supporting an Italian team given the amount of people that support those in the EPL. I myself used to watch Inter Milan play during the days of Mattheus, Brehme, Klinsmann, Zenga, Bergomi, Serena and Sosa but my I started to lose interest when the EPL started getting more coverage.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Apr 17 2007, 12:15 PM

Well the positive thing is there has been a fair number of views, if not posts. It's ok not to post if you have nothing to say, just as long as you learn something from this. Fans in Malaysia are not as pressured to know about their clubs mainly because a huge majority don't. If you visit foreign forums though, it helps to know a little at least. If you actually visit Liverpool, Manchester or whatever, trust me, it's crucial to know something especially when you strike up a conversation with one of the locals. They will be apprehensive of course thinking you are one of those tourist type fans, but they will warm up to you when you show them you can hold your own.

I'm sure most fans will because it is a common reaction. It's the same if someone were to 'kutuk' the car you were driving. You get offended. Seldom do you see Malaysian fans engage in friendly banter like in the UK. Everyone here takes it personally as though someone just insulted their mother.

Don't misunderstand. It's not only knowing about her past, it's knowing about her. Similarly it's not only knowing about the history of your football club, it's knowing about their 'personality'. Also if someone claims to be a serious/real/hardcore/whatever supporter, would they not want to find out about their club?

There is no right and wrong here. I just think the term "hard core fan" or "real fan" is often overused. Again I have to use the who relationship analogy and point out that it can only be a serious relationship if you get to know her.

It's ok to be ignorant and to learn from another, even if it's a rival fan. What bites me is when ignorant people pick an argument and get their facts wrong. It's ok not to know too much, just be humble.

I agree thoroughly with this. Supporting a club as they say, is a way of life.

That is the mentality of some people sadly. I was at the gym and this dude caught sight of my LFC tattoo. He obviously knows enough about football to recognise it. He then asked me, "What if you were to change clubs?". Basically says a lot about the quality of fan he is. Anyway I asked him, "Why would I ever want to change clubs?". He just shrugged his shoulders and that was that.

Who the heck supports Millwall man??? They are a bunch of thugs and their fans, worse! If ever there is a stadium aways fans should avoid, it's The Den. Makes the Ali Sami Yen look like a daycare centre.

Can't be helped unfortunately. Man Utd has been marketed as a brand especially in Asia and most fans treat the club like one. I've seen many people wearing Man Utd kits walking about when their game is on. Dare I say it's cool to be seen wearing a Man Utd kit. The same will happen to other clubs like Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal as more and more businessmen enter the league and try to raise the commercial value of their teams. It's sad for football but good for business.

Yeah I myself know supporters of Ipswich, Norwich, Wolves, Leeds and Southampton.

I thoroughly agree with everything you've posted. It doesn't just happen in the football forum though. These days forums are being treated like chat channels. Less and less effort is put into posts. I remember certain posters beaming with pride at the amount of posts their thread has but to me, it's more about the quality of posts rather than the quantity.

You're right man, didn't notice you changed avatar. If you're afraid of someone seeing, get one on your ass.

Well as TS I have to be diplomatic.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Apr 18 2007, 12:38 PM

I understand the excitement over having bags of money to spend on transfers. I'd be lying if I said I'm not looking forward to who Rafa brings in next season now that we have a reasonable amount in the transfer kitty. My first reaction though was one of disappointment. By selling the club to Americans, I felt as though we were selling our soul. The same can be said about many Man Utd fans. My uncle who lives in the UK sold his shares immediately. I've said before that I support LFC for it's traditions and values, all which could be forgotten under new ownership, especially when we accumulate more and more fans. Even the infamous 'Bootroom' is no longer and now the Moores family legacy has come to an end. It said a lot when Moores wept after selling the club he loves but he knew he had to do it for it's best interest. My only consolation is that Mr. Hicks and Mr. Gillett have promised to preserve the clubs tradition, culture and values. Only time will tell if they live up to it.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Apr 18 2007, 12:44 PM

I may be a Liverpool fan but I am also a football fan. As a football fan, I have to give credit where it's due. I understand fans are supposed to be biased but being deluded is quite another thing. Perhaps that's why they say Liverpool fans are the most knowledgeable I hate you mancs with passion but I do respect you.

I'm not shy to show my allegiance if that's what you are getting it. Anyone can swap kits when they decide to jump onto another bandwagon. I derive extreme pleasure from displaying my loyalty especially to glory hunters

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Added on April 18, 2007, 12:46 pmIt's called an analogy:

"An analogy is a comparison between two different things, in order to highlight some form of similarity."
- wikipedia

Just noticed that! Have corrected myself.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Apr 18 2007, 12:46 PM

That was one scary dude. I can understand why the rivalry over in the UK is so intense. When fans take the piss out of each other, it often touches a nerve, like when they sing songs that make fun of the Munich Air Disaster or Hillsborough. Many of these fans have lost family members or friends to these tragedies and you can't blame them for wanting to pummel the opposition for disrespecting them.

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Added on April 18, 2007, 1:01 pmHard to say, it's not about how long you've been a fan. Read some of the posts and come up with your own conclusion.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Apr 18 2007, 01:01 PM