: Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:09 pm  

RhinoNeil wrote:

Somebody pass me a tissue So emotional.

It's not that exciting...

: Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:55 pm  

Perhaps something that has been overlooked are those fans of RL who really love the game itself.
After the Millenium game in 2003 my wife and I were on the train from Cardiff to Newport and sat with a mature couple who were wearing Wakefield shirts. They said that they always went to the challenge cup finals because of their passion for Rugby League. The game itself, the quality of play.
They were hugely knowledgeable about the teams that had played and their strengths, weaknesses and tactics.
We were told that they had two sons playing the game and they thought it was the best discipline and enjoyment that they could have given to them.
They were reasonably sanguin at that time of seeing Wakefield in a grand final. Hope they do. Supporters of their Club without a doubt, but supportrs of Rugby league.. definitely.

: Tue Apr 21, 2009 6:52 am  

The game is far more important than any team. How many on here would sacrifice a little bit of their anatomy to see an Ashes series victory?

: Tue Apr 21, 2009 7:22 am  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

Couldn't put it any better. I suppose this is, essentially, the difference between a true fan, and the rest.

Can anyone come up with a better phrase than "true fan"? It always irritates me in the way that it implies that "casual" fans are in some way unworthy.

: Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:54 am  

Cibaman wrote:

Can anyone come up with a better phrase than "true fan"? It always irritates me in the way that it implies that "casual" fans are in some way unworthy.

I've just had a similar discussion with someone over the difference between a "supporter" and a "fan".

It can be a hard one to differentiate between them, IMHO, when being used in general conversation. Could a "true fan" simply be a refinement of the possibly over used term "fan"?

I consider myself a RL supporter, where as I consider myself a fan of Bradford i.e I'm an enthusiastic devotee of Bradford (whether they win/lose/drawn)

Perhaps if were were to start a campaign to have "Bradford 'til I die" tattooed across our foreheads will prevent any misunderstandings of whether were fans, True fans and/or supporters

If you see me at the Stains game - you'll recognize me

: Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:48 am  

I always though supporters attend games whilst fans take interest in a team without actually going.

: Tue Apr 21, 2009 3:09 pm  

rugbyreddog wrote:

I always though supporters attend games whilst fans take interest in a team without actually going.

"Fan" is short for "fanatic" and that's the way I would interpret "true fan". But to me a supporter is pretty much the same meaning.

I have nothing at all against casual supporters, of any type, or even those disparagingly termed "glory hunters" - as if there was something somehow wrong with enjoying a sport just enough to go watch a top team in action, or even just go to (say) a Final. What on earth is wrong with that? Nobody has an obligation to be a fan, and being or not being doesn't make you a better person.

(Though I am 100% certain that rugby league fans are indeed, pound for pound, as good people as you will find, but that's another discussion)

: Tue Apr 21, 2009 4:13 pm  

The touble with a casual supporter is that the elastic goes in them. I tend to favour the older leather supporter myself.

: Tue Apr 21, 2009 4:19 pm  

rugbyreddog wrote:

The touble with a casual supporter is that the elastic goes in them. I tend to favour the older leather supporter myself

Too much information