Martin O Neil

[DungBeetle]

Surely "big club" definitions should be done on average attendances or number of season ticket holders in the last 10 years?

Not some Japanese housewife who might have Celtic as her 3rd team behind Grampus 8 and Man United?

Obviously Celtic will score well on my definition, as I would agree they are a truely massive club, unfortunately stuck in an uncompetitive league.

[Rod Paradise]

I did actually read about a reporter who traveled over from Japan to watch Rangers only for the game to be cancelled.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2239086/Japanese-journalist-travels-6000-miles-report-Rangers-Elgin-City-game-called-off.html

I bet he's not a Rangers fan now, even if he was before!

I see he was one of the reporters based here when Naka was at Celtic.

[DungBeetle]

"At the same time as Irabu's popularity, Nakata played for Roma and then Parma. His move to Roma was massive news and it seemed like 1 in 5 school-kids had Roma shirts (and the ones who didn't had the Japanese kit with Nakata on the back).  I'm sure Bolton had a popularity surge when Nakata signed for them on loan even though he only scored once or twice."

All true but you are confusing people supporting a player/idol as opposed to any fondness for Roma.  Do you think they still buy the new Roma shirts each year?

[Rod Paradise]

Surely "big club" definitions should be done on average attendances or number of season ticket holders in the last 10 years?

Not some Japanese housewife who might have Celtic as her 3rd team behind Grampus 8 and Man United?

Obviously Celtic will score well on my definition, as I would agree they are a truely massive club, unfortunately stuck in an uncompetitive league.

Aye, things have taken a wee diversion. And according to Aaron it's decided by lowest home gate you can find.....

[kinboshi]

"At the same time as Irabu's popularity, Nakata played for Roma and then Parma. His move to Roma was massive news and it seemed like 1 in 5 school-kids had Roma shirts (and the ones who didn't had the Japanese kit with Nakata on the back).  I'm sure Bolton had a popularity surge when Nakata signed for them on loan even though he only scored once or twice."

All true but you are confusing people supporting a player/idol as opposed to any fondness for Roma.  Do you think they still buy the new Roma shirts each year?

No.  So can you give me your definition of 'fan' please?

[DungBeetle]

Fan = someone who supports a team for an enduring period in my opinion.  Not necessarily who will come to games regularly but will provide revenue for the organistion on at least a sporadic ongoing basis. 

[kinboshi]

Fan = someone who supports a team for an enduring period in my opinion.  Not necessarily who will come to games regularly but will provide revenue for the organistion on at least a sporadic ongoing basis. 

You've definied a 'customer'.

[horseplayer]

as far as i am aware generally asian fans follow players rather than teams

[DungBeetle]

"You've definied a 'customer'."

No - a one off purchase is a customer.  It is the ongoing nature of the custom which makes a fan.

All fans are customers.  Not all customers are fans.

[kinboshi]

"You've definied a 'customer'."

No - a one off purchase is a customer.  It is the ongoing nature of the custom which makes a fan.

All fans are customers.  Not all customers are fans.

But I don't need to buy anything at all to be a fan.  I don't think providing ongoing revenue for the club is a necessary part of being a fan.  I'm a fan of various sporting clubs and sporting individuals.  I don't provide all of them revenue.  Does that make me not a fan of theirs?

[kinboshi]

(and I'm not a fan of Martin O'Neill)

[DungBeetle]

Accept your point on some fans not making purchases.  But I think even fans who don't purchase impact Revenue.  If I can demonstrate I have 2 million extra long term fans in country XYZ I can drive a harder bargain in TV rights for that nation.  Even if those fans don't buy merchandise they are still contributing.

My point is I don't class temporary allegiences as being a fan.  Since Watford have been taken over I keep an eye on Udinese results, and I may even buy a shirt.  But I am not a fan.  If the link breaks I won't check their results and the shirt would be in the bottom of the cupboard.  However, I consider myself a fan of the Patriots even though I have never bought a single thing from them as I watch their games whenever they are on Sky and have done for about 10 years.

[DungBeetle]

By the way I am aware I have shifted my definition as we go along

[rfgqqabc]

I was just wondering Aaron :-) Of course you can say your opinions but when its so left field I scratch my head and wonder if you are looking for a rise.

I'm not implying lots of clubs won't have great CL atmospheres, so don't twist it

Just genuinely shocked (in a what does it matter anyway kind of way) that you think they aren't a big club! Same goes for Messrs Picken and Langley who think the same.

It depends on the definition. If we use historical data or fan base they are a big prefer some sort of relative ranking of power/success, which means Celtic aren't exactly the biggest about. Mentioning fan base earlier Celtic having support in America was obvious but I'd had ignored. Do they really get support in Asia? I saw man u Chelsea Liverpool Madrid Barcelona arsenal but never Celtic

LOL - Celtic have an estimated 10 million fans in Japan, which is in Asia last time I checked.

It has a question mark at the end. I know I don't know everything.

Interesting about the asian fans. Big club definition is tough and so is the fan one. I think the convergence of the definition dung and Kin showed is something I'd agree with.

[outragous76]

Really this thread? Really?