Football would quite literally cease to exist without fandom. Supporters are the heart and soul of each team in world football; whether that be on the professional stage or even at grassroots level, and nowhere is this more obvious when I think of my own family.
I remember the days when my parents would come to watch me play - or, more often than not, sit on the bench - for my Sunday League team. Rain or shine, they were there, along with the other parents, each cheering on their own. I’m sure they all had other things they could have been doing, but for that hour and a half each weekend, everything else took a backseat. Their only priority was being there for the ones they loved and it’s something I’ve come to appreciate more as I’ve grown older. My dad even earned himself a touchline ban for, let’s just say, supporting me a little too passionately…
That same unwavering support is the foundation of every professional football club in the world. Fans stand by their teams through thick and thin, in most cases they are born into their allegiance whether they like it or not. Believe me - I’m a Spurs fan and have been going to every home game since I was a kid and I’ve never been in the stands when they’ve lifted a trophy.
There have been moments when I’ve questioned why the outcome of a game - played by 22 overpaid men who aren’t aware of my existence - matters so much to me. But then I reflect and remember why. Football is so much more than just a game. These players aren’t just athletes; they are custodians of a club with a history that stretches far beyond any of our lifetimes.
For me, though, it’s even deeper than that. Aside from DNA, football is my strongest connection to my Grandpa. A lifelong Spurs supporter, he faithfully attended matches from the late-forties until shortly before his passing in 2016. Supporting a team isn’t just about the game; it’s about legacy, emotion, and identity. Football runs in the blood, and for me, Spurs will always be in mine.
Now that you know I’m a Spurs fan, you’re probably feeling a little sympathetic for me regarding the whole lack of trophies situation. You should feel sorry for me. Like I said, it’s been tough. There’s been tears, heartbreak and heartache. The League Cup Final against Manchester United in 2009 (I was 9 years old and it was the first final I went to - I was wearing one of those jester-like hats with bells and all). That was the first time in my life I would hear those fateful words from my Dad: “Sorry Ethan, it just wasn’t meant to be. Maybe next year…” It wasn’t going to be the last. Another difficult moment was back in 2016 when we had our best team in decades and challenged for, but ultimately lost, the league title against a miracle Leicester team. A team who had narrowly avoided relegation the season prior. “Sorry Ethan, it just wasn't meant to be. Maybe next year…” One of the more recent (and biggest) heartbreaks was in 2019, in the Champions League Final against Liverpool. Luckily, I was able to go and had what was probably the best weekend of my life, as I was confident we were going to win (my Grandma tells me I have my Grandpa’s spirit). Take a guess what my Dad said to me after the game…
In amongst all of this pain, there’s also been some of the best moments and memories shared with family and friends. Big games watched together, (small) successes shared, celebrating as if they were our own achievements. The 2019 Champions League semi-final away to Ajax comes to mind, and with good reason. It was the second leg of the tie and we were 3-0 down on aggregate. 35 minutes left to play. There was no way we could come back from this. Or so I thought. Lucas Moura managed to score our first in the 55th minute - “it’s too late”. Moura then scores a quick second only 4 minutes later - “surely we can’t do it… can we?” One more goal and we’d win thanks to the away goal rule. In the 96th minute Lucas Moura completed his hat-trick with literally the last kick of the game to send little old Tottenham Hotspur to our first EVER Champions League Final. It was one of those unforgettable moments - where I can recall exactly where I was, who I was with, and every detail of what happened that night. I don’t think I’ll ever feel anything like it again in my life - and I’m only 24!
Football is not all about family, though. It’s also about money. Fandom is fundamental to the revenue that clubs generate. There are incredible commercial opportunities for clubs to explore in order to grow their fandom, and this acts as a key driving force behind their decision making. Behind the scenes merchandising, sponsorship deals and broadcasting rights are vital to growing a club’s fandom and gaining a wider audience beyond just those who are lucky enough to attend games. This is how new fans are born and grown into the fandom, thus continuing the cycle for generations to come.
Football fandom is, without question, the heartbeat of the sport. It gives each club its substance, personality, identity, and history. It gives the everyday person something to believe in (quite like religion in some ways - that’s a discussion for another time…) It’s more than just a passion - it’s a legacy, woven into family and bloodline, passed down through generations. My Tottenham triumphs are my Grandpa’s triumphs, just as they will be my future children’s and theirs beyond. Being a Spurs fan isn’t just a hobby - it’s who I am, an essential part of my identity. I take pride in belonging to this fandom, and I genuinely couldn’t imagine my life without it. Thankfully, I never will.
