The Fan

You walk into the stadium with Green hair, a Yellow vuvuzela and the SA flag painted on your face. You are a legend – people want to take your photo, and kick themselves for not thinking of the green hair thing. You feel like a boss until the first freekick when suddenly you realise you don’t know what the hell just happened. You wait patiently for it to come onto the screen.. OFFSIDE. Wait, he isn’t allowed on that side of the field?

The guy next to you is screaming his head off, mouthing off terms you have never heard before… “Give the whistle a ref”… YOU my friend, are a fan. Time to`` Meet your match – THE SUPPORTER!

OK so wait… What’s the difference?

INTRODUCING THE FAN

This person is all for the spirit of the game. They love soccer, would scale a wall in the name of rugby and will face some hard balls for the love of cricket… but DON’T regularly ask a fan who they support. Just take a look at the leader board, see who’s top of the ranks and you’ve got your answer.
Should you have asked a “fan” who Man City was last month, you would have received a puzzled expression. “Oh, Man United?” They might have said.
Ask them today, and they might start doing The Poznaǹ. The Fan is greatly needed in sport – they provide spirit, and create the environment we all know and love.

The Fan and The supporter often clash because of the Fan’s temperamental support patterns (jumping from one team to another)
THINGS YOU MIGHT HEAR A FAN SAY…

“I Can’t believe Steyn left the Protea’s to play for the IPL! What a traitor!”

(On Christiano Ronaldo) “OH! He’s the best player in the world. The bomb. What a boss.” (On Ronaldo de Assis Moreira) “Ag.. He’s okay. What team does he play for again?”

“Pat Lambie is probably the first rugby player to be taking on an acting career”

INTRODUCING THE SUPPORTER

This person breathes, eats and exists for sport.

They camp in the car outside Computicket to get the best seats for their favourite team’s matches, and are there 3 hours before the game starts. There is no telling what the supporter did to get those tickets – anything from a garage sale to a striptease is possible.

The supporter congregates with fellow supporters of the same team – but don’t dare speak a harsh word against said team or you will meet a punitive end. Win or lose the supporter will stand tall, never leaving their teams side.

A fair warning – should you spot a supporter of the losing team, steer clear.

Unlike the fan – to whom a loss means the intake of copious amounts of alcohol and “He’s a jolly good fellow”- a supporter takes a loss very seriously, and it has the power to induce serious anger/depression and even a fight or two. These guys mean BUSINESS.

THINGS YOU MIGHT HEAR A SUPPORTER SAY

“Oh? You think Rooney plays like a blind women in heels? Why don’t you come and say that just a step or two closer!” *Seriously demented look on face*

“WHAT! That was not a red card!! I bet anything that Ref is actually being paid by The Lions. Blady bias Vaalie!” *SERIOUSLY seriously demented look on face*

“Walk on... Walk on… With hope In your heart... And you'll never walk alone.. You'll never walk alone.”

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