“We support our local team!” is an often heard chant from
soccer fans in England when facing global giants such as Manchester United at
Old Trafford.
The English Premier League has a few world-renowned teams
that have—through success, money and glamour—built enviable presences on a
national and global stage.
Take United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and, more recently,
Manchester City and then throw in some Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa,
Newcastle United and Everton. You have the teams that week-in, week-out will
feature on the world’s live TV schedule. And first you have the spread of
support reaching throughout their own land, then the world follows.
In Spain, Barcelona and Real Madrid’s support extends well
beyond the boundaries of the cities that bear their names.
And yet, still the chant is aired: “We support our local
team!”
Despite the chant showing a provincial attitude, there is
much to cherish about the fans that hold these views.
Swansea City, for example, have a healthy following of
supporters—who own a stake in their club. The Swans are the focal point of the
city. They bring together a shared heritage and a community. Their rise from the
bottom of the fourth level of professional soccer in just over 10 years was
incredible to witness and the whole town closed down in February 2013 to
welcome their heroes home after winning the Capital One Cup.
Hull City is an EPL side that has been on a similar journey
from the same position in the fourth tier.
Such diversity makes the EPL the attractive league it is
with healthy ticket sales for matches at all grounds—click to see how you could be there. Watching
superstars roll into town to play against the local team is a rare thrill but
still, the attraction of some of the world’s biggest stars draws supporters
from all directions towards the biggest clubs.
Replica jerseys of Manchester United and Liverpool are
regularly sights on the streets of London, Wales and all across the country—as
are Chelsea jerseys in Manchester. A recent survey showed just how widespread support is for the biggest
clubs.
The sport of football truly is global. The biggest clubs may
have far exceeded their own boundaries—and we probably have a better spectacle
because of that fact as the world’s greatest players gravitate to the giant
clubs.
The next time you hear that chant, though. Just shrug and
give a smile. The chants are a wonderful part of soccer culture and those other
sides are not just their to make up the numbers. Their existence only adds to
the great melting pot.
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