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For me a fan/supporter is someone that follows the team, goes to games where they are able to, if not at the game, listens in or tries to get updates on the game. Someone who isn't ashamed to say what team they support. A fan to me is someone who has a love for the team. Someone that gets memories of a certain game and it sends shivers down their spine and makes their hairs stand on end.
I've noticed since I joined this forum that people tend to have a very strong opinion on what a fan should be. For me a fan/supporter is someone that follows the team, goes to games where they are able to, if not at the game, listens in or tries to get updates on the game. Someone who isn't ashamed to say what team they support. A fan to me is someone who has a love for the team. Someone that gets memories of a certain game and it sends shivers down their spine and makes their hairs stand on end. That is my definition of a fan/supporter.Edit; I'd say your dad is a fan. If it's the first result he looks for, fair enough. I'm sure he's got his reasons as to why he doesn't go.
Unlike other spheres of business, football is peculiarly vulnerable to exploitation of its customer base because of the loyalty and commitment of its supporters. When the services that a club provides to its customers (supporters) are sub-standard, most supporters feel they have no choice but to carry on supporting their club. In almost all other spheres of business, sub-standard products would make customers shop elsewhere. It is ironic, but nonetheless true, that the lifeblood of clubs - the supporters - are often treated so badly because they show such loyalty. (The Changing Face of the football business, Supporters Direct)
Football Supporters hold the key to football's future. They are the game's greatest asset, the people who pay the ticket prices, TV subscriptions and buy the merchandise. They keep the game in business. Where clubs have been in crisis, they have more often than not been saved by their supporters - and emerged all the stronger for it. The more enlightened clubs know it is in their commercial interest to value their supporters and involve them in the affairs of the club - not see them as 'turnstile fodder' who can be expected to turn up week after week regardless of the quality of the product. (Chris Smith (Minister for Sport 2000)