What It's Like To Be An 'Away' Supporter!

Last updated : 21 March 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor

The Times: Early on Saturday morning, Fulham supporters will set off for Newcastle just as they did 18 months ago, when they were rewarded with a 2-1 win at St James' Park.

Some 8,500 miles and perhaps £3,000 or so later, they are still waiting to see their team's next league victory on the road.

This unquestioning adherence of fans to the cause has been investigated by Dr Sandy Wolfson, a sports psychologist specialising in football.

Wolfson: "The success of the team is irrelevant to the support that fans give to the team.

"People incorporate the team into their own identity. If your sister did badly at something, you wouldn't abandon her.

"Fans think that people who support the club that they follow themselves are superior to those of other teams, that they are more committed, knowledgeable and loyal.

"Just being part of that superior group of people is good for their self-esteem.

"For most committed fans, it's not a slog to go away. There's a lot of fun and banter and social interaction involved in travelling to away matches. And there's always the hope that you will get the victory."

And I wonder how much of tax payers money went into that investigation ... telling us NOTHING we didn't know already.