Love can be measured in multiple ways: from sticking up for the people you love, to being present at important events, or showing your loyalty and passion. All these activities encapsulate what it means being a fan. Because after all, being a fan means to love your club with all your heart. You would never betray it or switch for a new one, would you? So, what better way to show your love and support for your favourite club than to watch all their games or, even better, follow them around wherever they go. So stick with me along this journey of love and passion.
Did you know that psychologists have said that supporting a team can have beneficial effects on people? What you feel when watching a game has been studied and you can now justify your love for football. So next time someone tells you that you are being dramatic over a football match, you can tell them that science says it’s normal. In fact, psychologists argue that many fans experience immense pride and joy by simply feeling part of a community. Sharing victories and losses together allows people to openly express their emotions and make them stick together. Additional psychological and emotional benefits include increased self-esteem and improved mental health gained from watching and supporting your team. Feeling like part of a group definitely helps to strengthen their bond, but watching a game can also provide an escape from everyday life. Being able to disconnect from work and just take their mind off any stressors surely helps to associate positive memories with games.
This love for one another has shown numerous wholesome moments throughout the years. So sit back and cry with us while going through our favourite top 6 most wholesome memories among fans (not in order by the way!).
1. Manchester United fans came together to help a supporter from Sierra Leone
Moses Kamara, a die-hard Manchester United fan from Sierra Leone, finally made it to Old Trafford ready to fulfill his dreams, only to get hit with the worst plot twist: a bomb scare closed the stadium along with his dreams, right at the door. But football magic wasn’t done with him yet! The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) turned heartbreak into hope by giving him food, a place to crash, a golden ticket to the FA Cup Final, and even rebooking his flight. From crushed dreams and a heartbreak, to getting his trip of a lifetime. Moses’ tears are now strictly for joy, and who says football doesn’t deliver fairy tales? By the end of the day, that’s what football is all about: sticking out for one other.
Moses is a happy man. This is what being United is about. pic.twitter.com/aCvkx4hGQ7
— Ian Stirling (@Stirling061) May 15, 2016
2. Goalkeeper Brent Stevens making his debut the same week his father died
A stadium full of fans dropped their differences and came together, cheering and sticking up for one grieving man with hugs and kindness. Football wasn’t the only thing kicking emotions that night! From rival fans to complete strangers, people reached out and cheered as loud as possible in support of every time Brent touched the ball, transforming a tough night into a memory overflowing with compassion. On and off the field, the crowd made sure Brent didn’t stand alone, reminding us the importance of a caring fanbase.
3. Vietnamese fan running with football bus
When Arsenal toured in Vietnam, one superfan chased their team bus for minutes and minutes, sprinting like a legend, hyped by the players’ chants and smiles. Amazed by his dedication (and apparently his six-pack), the team welcomed him aboard for the ride of his dreams. Such moments are proof that pure passion and some craziness can earn you a seat with the stars! And more so, even the players themselves will never forget the dedication and support of their fans.
4. Celtic: The Journey to Seville (2003)
When Celtic made it to the 2003 UEFA Cup Final in Seville, they didn’t just bring a team, they brought an entire fan army with them. Over 80,000 fans rushed into the city (most of them without tickets but with plenty of hope), camping in fields, sleeping in cars, and turning Seville into one big Scottish holiday. The locals expected chaos, but what they got instead was a traveling circus of song, dance, and nothing but good vibes. Shops ran out of beer, but nobody ran into trouble. They were so well-behaved and respectful of the hosting city, that the Celtic’s fans were awarded the viral Fair Play Award for embodying loyalty and love in a foreign city. It’s proof that sometimes, following your team is less about the score, and more about painting a city with pure, joyful love. Afterall, this is the real team spirit of football’s fanbase.
5. German police and Albanian fans dancing together
German police and Albanian fans turned the streets into a dance floor, showing that sometimes the best way to keep the peace is with a few moves and plenty of smiles. Proving that when football brings different worlds together, joyful dancing can win the day over any rivalry. Forget tense confrontations, this was spontaneous harmony, with every laugh reminding us sport is as much about connection as competition.
6. Scottish fans sheltered an elderly man from the rain
Scotland fans showed the true meaning of football spirit by shielding an elderly man from the rain with their umbrellas as he walked through the street. Because sometimes, spreading kindness doesn’t always happen on the pitch.
Soooo all this being said, the love that you share for your club is honorable and definitely something to admire. Don’t miss out on any opportunity to bond with likewise fans and let yourself drag into new experiences that will be remembered forever. The joy and excitement to see your favorite team score live, is something that not everyone can experience, and definitely something to hold on into your memories. And sometimes, cheering with fellow fans is even more important than a simple score.
Let yourself enjoy such wholesome moments in person!