Football fans are a different breed when it comes to loyalty. Their favourite team could lose several matches in a row, their friends could tease them endlessly, and yet they’ll still be there cheering during the next game.
But even Malaysians who don’t follow football might understand that feeling. Think about the restaurant you keep returning to despite complaining that the food isn’t as good as before, or the singer you’ve supported since school, even if you prefer their older songs.
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Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday (25 October) is a recent example. According to Reuters, the club’s struggles continued, extending its winless run to eight matches across all competitions.
But why do people remain loyal to something even when things aren’t going particularly well?
Apparently, losing together can bring people closer
Believe it or not, there’s actual research behind this.
A study involving researchers from the universities of Kent and Oxford found that supporters of historically less successful English football clubs had stronger social bonds with fellow fans than supporters of more successful clubs.
The researchers suggested that sharing difficult experiences could help strengthen those connections.
Of course, the study wasn’t specifically about Manchester United’s current struggles. But it offers an interesting perspective on why football isn’t always about winning.
Think about Malaysians who stay up until 3am to watch a match, argue about the results at the mamak, show up at work half-asleep the next morning, and still spend their lunch break discussing what went wrong in the WhatsApp group.
Sometimes, the shared experience becomes just as memorable as the game itself.
Sometimes, it’s the memories we’re holding on to
Ever wondered why Malaysians keep returning to the same neighbourhood kopitiam, even after complaining that the portions have shrunk and the prices have gone up?
It’s not about whether something is still the best. It’s about the memories attached to it.
Similarly, research published in Sport Management Review examined how supporters of an underperforming Australian rules football team maintained their identity despite disappointing performances.
Some took pride in having supported the team from its early days, while others focused on the possibility of future success.
Perhaps that’s what makes loyalty interesting. It’s not always about the results. Sometimes, it’s about everything that came before them.
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Being loyal doesn’t mean pretending everything is perfect
Interestingly, following Sunday’s defeat, Manchester United supporters cheered manager Michael Carrick, a former player who remains popular with fans, before booing the players as they left the pitch.
It’s a reminder that supporting a club doesn’t mean agreeing with everything happening on the pitch.
Fans can criticise performances, disagree with decisions and feel frustrated while still caring deeply about their team.
And that applies whether someone supports Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea or even our very own Harimau Malaya.
Of course, loyalty shouldn’t mean accepting genuinely harmful situations. But when it comes to hobbies and fandoms, there’s often more to the attachment than meets the eye.
So, football fans and non-football fans alike, here’s a question:
What’s one thing you’ve stayed loyal to for years, even when it hasn’t always lived up to your expectations?
Also read: M’sian Dad & Son Cry After Harimau Malaya’s Loss in Asia Cup, Gets Consoled by Dept Sports Minister
