BS: Man Utd has over 65million supporters?

Subject: BS: Man Utd has over 65million supporters?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 10:55 AM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21478857

I'm not one nor is anyone I know

Subject: RE: BS: Man Utd has over 65million supporters?
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 11:14 AM

"It's important to understand this word "follower", because it is "followers" that Kantar set out to count - not "fans"."

Heck... *I* in the USA occasionally tune in to a match on cable that they are in. I suppose if I had been interviewedm I would have been counted.
I know who they are and am aware they are a top team.
That doesn't mean I am a supporter or fan... or have ANY concern about their success.

Subject: RE: BS: Man Utd has over 65million supporters?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 11:18 AM

Oops, missed a nought out - it should say 650 million

Subject: RE: BS: Man Utd has over 65million supporters?
From: GUEST,999
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 11:52 AM

I can believe that. They do lotsa good work around the world and they have left a great impression everywhere they've been. I wish Canada would hire them to do public relations for us. The figure might be a hundred million high, but even so it's a huge number.

Subject: RE: BS: Man Utd has over 65million supporters?
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 12:07 PM

Years ago I was in a pub in Oslo which was showing a Man U match live on a big screen. The place was packed with Norwegians wearing Man U football shirts.

Subject: RE: BS: Man Utd has over 65million supporters?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 19 Feb 13 - 02:02 PM

Followers and fans aren't the same.

Spurs fans will often make a point of watching Arsenal, hoping to see them defeated by whoever they are playing. I am sure Arsenal fans reciprocate.

Subject: RE: BS: Man Utd has over 65million supporters?
From: gnu
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 07:13 AM

I enjoy watching many of the teams, Man U among them. Fact is, I know a lot more about Man U than any other team because, until just a few years ago, we were treated to only one televised game per week and only the top teams would be televised, for obvious reasons. Seeing a team play on a fairly regular basis brings a familiarity and all that goes with it.

0.7B? I find that doubtful, at best, initially. However, especially considering my instance and the fact that The Premiership is one of the most watched leagues, I can understand how that figure can be "arrived at".

Subject: RE: BS: Man Utd has over 65million supporters?
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 08:49 AM

I live in Manchester but I've only ever watched one professional football match in my life (can't even remember who won now). That was enough football for a lifetime, as far as I'm concerned.

If professional football teams were made up of players who originated from the place that they were supposed to represent, I could (sort of) understand all the silly tribalism - but they appear to be mostly composed of grossly overpaid prima-donnas who could be from anywhere; doesn't make much sense to me.

Subject: RE: BS: Man Utd has over 65million supporters?
From: Rapparee
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 08:51 AM

Arsenal.

Subject: RE: BS: Man Utd has over 65million supporters?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 09:03 AM

The problem with modern teams is that have bugger all or do with the place where they are based .... And named after.
A Scottish manager , a foreign owner, and the best players?
How many are from Manchester?
I can't see the point!

Subject: RE: BS: Man Utd has over 65million supporters?
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 09:33 AM

It's as bad or worse in the US with baseball, 'football' and basketball. There are simply bidding wars to get super players... and there aren't enough stars to supply all the cities that want 'major' teams.

You want 'local' players? Go to Texas and watch high school football, where the rivalries and animosity is just as pronounced as any 'soccer' mix.

Subject: RE: BS: Man Utd has over 65million supporters?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 01:15 PM

I'm sure there must have been many happy Spurs supporters watching Arsenal get a hammering from Bayern Munich last night. Hard on Blackburn at the weekend. As I said, not all followers are fans.

Subject: RE: BS: Man Utd has over 65million supporters?
From: gnu
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 07:59 PM

Indeed, cheering for a "hometown team" is not part of professional sports. It is what it is... the cream of the crop from owner down to water boy. If that offends, professional sports are not for your viewing. As Bill D said, go watch high school level sports. I would but I don't get that on my TV or internet. Plus, I like watching professional athletes do what I could do in my youth and I like watching the skills they bring to their games... brings back memories and I share their joy and passion vicariously.

As for anyone saying it's all crap or this or that... yees never laced up and kept yer stick in the ice... yees got a stick up yer ass. Change the damn channel on accounta I am watchin the game and yer just a gnat buzzin in me ear.

Subject: RE: BS: Man Utd has over 65million supporters?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Feb 13 - 08:15 PM

Most football clubs in England have primarily local and regional supporters, who stick with them through the bad patches. While a team is doing well it is liable to pick up a more far flung following, and that has happened to Manchester United. But I suspect that most of that will melt away should they stop doing well. But not in Manchester.

Subject: RE: BS: Man Utd has over 65million supporters?
From: Allan Conn
Date: 21 Feb 13 - 02:30 AM

Supposedly lots of the so called followers were in the Far East and their following is normally not restricted to one club. That is they follow several or even lots of clubs. Not the same as what is normally thogiht of as being a fan here in the UK. Here in Scotland I've always supported Celtic though (through my paternal family) I've a softish spot for Heart too. However as far as English clubs go I don't really support any one team. The nearest getting to that would be Newcastle who are the only English team I sometimes watch in the flesh but that is probably just proximity. However I like watching others. Norwich and both the Manchester clubs, both the Liverpool clubs even Sunderland. Tend Tottenham apart not to like the London clubs though Wenger even swung me to being keen on watching Arsenal at one point. So yes I agree following and being a real fan are different things

Subject: RE: BS: Man Utd has over 65million supporters?
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 21 Feb 13 - 03:24 AM

Q - How do you confuse a Manchester United supporter?

A - Ask him for directions to Manchester

Subject: RE: BS: Man Utd has over 65million supporters?
From: Mr Red
Date: 21 Feb 13 - 10:20 AM

I think the 65 million was probably right - if you are counting referees.

Mr Red (Not one of either number - nor Liverpool or Ferrari. But if pushed - Ducati)