Take football fans, for example, if you self-identify as a fan of Manchester United then you become part of the football club’s fanbase. You are a group of football fans who like the same team. You may not necessarily attend matches, you might not even follow the games on TV, you might only be a fan because your Dad was, nevertheless you are a fan but are you part of the Manchester United Fan Community?
Using our definition of community as a basis, if you are a casual fan of the club it is unlikely that you share a particular concern for other fans. While you support the team, you are probably not taking an active role in supporting other fans nor are you going out into the world and encouraging others to become fans of Manchester United.
If, however, you regularly attend matches or gather with your fellow Manchester United supporting friends at the local pub to watch them on TV or participate in one of the many regional fan clubs then it is likely that you feel that you are part of the Manchester United community. You look out for your fellow members, you tell stories of the things that have happened when you are together, you celebrate the wins and share the disappointment of the losses, it has undoubtedly increased your sense of belonging both to the club and to the fanbase. You feel part of what is happening even if your boots never touch the field.
Take football fans, for example, if you self-identify as a fan of Manchester United then you become part of the football club’s fanbase. You are a group of football fans who like the same team. You may not necessarily attend matches, you might not even follow the games on TV, you might only be a fan because your Dad was, nevertheless you are a fan but are you part of the Manchester United Fan Community?
Using our definition of community as a basis, if you are a casual fan of the club it is unlikely that you share a particular concern for other fans. While you support the team, you are probably not taking an active role in supporting other fans nor are you going out into the world and encouraging others to become fans of Manchester United.
If, however, you regularly attend matches or gather with your fellow Manchester United supporting friends at the local pub to watch them on TV or participate in one of the many regional fan clubs then it is likely that you feel that you are part of the Manchester United community. You look out for your fellow members, you tell stories of the things that have happened when you are together, you celebrate the wins and share the disappointment of the losses, it has undoubtedly increased your sense of belonging both to the club and to the fanbase. You feel part of what is happening even if your boots never touch the field.
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