Toffeetiam :Accolades to the Fans. Ney to the Wannabees.

Contributed by : Biing 

It has been awhile since the Kopitiam I frequent during “office tea breaks” were filled with Man U and Liverpool supporters.  It wasn’t until this afternoon; post Ronaldo’s penalty kick elevating the Devil’s clear at the top of the league and a mini revival of the Reds form after nailing Chelsea at home with a little help from the referee. 

Indeed, whilst sipping my tea, came a few colleagues (whom I remember very well are tennis lovers and know nuts about football), claiming to be Devils or Reds fans.   

It is during good times, certain teams will get a sudden influx of migratory fans - “wannabees”.  They are like “lalangs” as their allegiance flows with the direction of the wind.  You will be surprise an individual can claim to be a true fan of a certain club after abandoning one in a mere 24 hours. 

Football has grown to such extent that it can be a passion, a luxury “to owned”, and realistically a fad to be associated with a winning team.  Ever wonder why Everton and Villa (founders of the FA and longest club at top flight football) were never that “fad-full”? 

I questioned my Toffee heart but cant come to any conclusions.  In terms of pretty boys ala Becks or Owen and flair players like Ronaldinho or Messi; Everton has their fair share in Arteta, Cahill, Pienaar, Jagielka, Nuno and Fellaini. 

Do we need players to boost their egos with trophy wives and “my story” biographies – despite such tender age?  Well we do.  Just ask Big Dunc, Sharpe and Radcliffe but sadly Mrs. Osman and Mrs. Martyn falls way short.  But we do have Mrs. Arteta. 

In this day it is hard to come by any real fans.  I really admire my mom (a Red) and brother in law (a Devil) for supporting their clubs through the ups and downs.  My dad for being a self proclaimed fence sitter and would only support the team that earns him a good wager.   

Question is do we really need such wannabe fans? Its important the clubs increase their fan base but equally important that they stick by it.  The 200th million fan that cross the turnstiles of the BPL may not be an effective yardstick of measuring fanaticism, but the money. 

At least for such as an Evertonian I cant say with all my heart that, “Everton fans are born, not manufactured!”