What does it mean to be a fan? – Tilly J
It has been a gloomy week for Gloucester fans like me, in the shadow of one of our biggest defeats…EVER! In the dreadful match against Northampton Saints, a total of 14 tries were scored by the Saints which inflicted the Cherry and Whites a worst-ever league defeat, totalling a final scoreline of 90-0. Ashamed, distraught and humiliated. It can’t get much worse than this… right? With the European Challenge Cup final looming next Friday, this is not the mindset Gloucester want to be in. An important match for the Cherry and Whites, with the opportunity to add yet another silverwear to the trophy cabinet. Although they haven’t been quite as successful in the Gallagher Premiership, Gloucester have won the second Slater Cup match this season and the Premiership Rugby Cup, a fine collection for a club that has faced numerous defeats in recent years.
This news got me thinking, what does it mean to be a fan? Why should I put myself through this pain for a club that isn’t exactly the best? Hope some might say. The Ipswich TownFC fans hoped and now the Tractor Boys are in the Premier League. I have had a deep think about this (maybe getting a bit too philosphical) but here are my reasons on why I continue to support Gloucester Rugby:
Loyalty and Identity: Supporting a club often becomes a part of personal identity and pride. Loyalty through tough times can deepen your connection and pride in being a supporter.
Community and Camaraderie: Being a fan means being part of a larger community. This shared experience, even during failures, can create strong bonds and lasting friendships.
Hope and Joy: Sports are unpredictable. The joy and excitement when your club finally succeeds after a period of failure can be incredibly rewarding and memorable.
Appreciation of the Game: Supporting a club through its ups and downs can foster a deeper appreciation for the sport itself, its history, and its culture.
Resilience and Perspective: Enduring the lows can teach resilience and provide perspective, making the highs even more enjoyable and meaningful.
Tradition and Heritage: Many clubs have rich histories and traditions. Being a fan means being part of a long lineage of supporters, contributing to the club’s ongoing story.
Personal Growth: Supporting a struggling team can be a lesson in patience, hope, and perseverance—qualities that are valuable in all areas of life.
Ultimately, being a fan is about more than just winning; it’s about passion, connection, and the emotional journey shared with the team and fellow supporters.
Not only did I have a little think to myself, I also spoke to Ipswich Town FC’s biggest fan…Mr Cocker!!
Mr Cocker’s words of wisdom:
“When you’ve followed a team your entire life it’s hard to just stop following them, even in the darkest days as you’ve invested so much time into supporting them. For me as someone who grew up in Ipswich there’s a sense of pride that comes with supporting your local team. Getting promoted to the Premier League still feels like a dream, but I also think in a weird way it was made all the better because I had seen them at their lowest! When we acquired new owners in 2021 all of a sudden a sense of optimism was injected into the club; quite a lot of fans did quietly think this could be the start of an incredible journey back to the top, but I don’t think anyone quite thought it would happen so quickly with back to back promotions. It still seems surreal to think we’ll be playing teams like Man City and Liverpool next season – last season, we were playing Forest Green Rovers and Accrington Stanley – quite the journey!”
There are so many teams like Gloucester and Ipswich Town in the world of sport: the Philadelphia Phillies of the MLB with a whopping 11,271 loses, the Williams Racing Team of Forumula One with their last win being in 2012, the Tampa Bay Bucaneers of the NFL etc… And as many of you have been told, it’s not always about the winning but the taking part.
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