Fairweather Football Fans.

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Quoted from AI Google with it's answer to the question. What is a fairweather football fan?

"A fair weather football fan is someone who only supports a team when they are winning & loses interest when they are losing. The term "fair weather fan" comes from the analogy between good weather & trouble-free times. 

Fair weather fans are often the subject of study by scholars interested in the psychology of sports fandom. Some things that researchers have found about fair weather fans include: 

They tend to have a lower level of allegiance to the team than die-hard fans.

They may distance themselves from the team when they perform poorly, describing the team as "them" instead of "us".

Die-hard fans may view fair weather fans as traitors to the team.

The term "bandwagon fan" is sometimes used interchangeably with "fair weather fan". However, a bandwagon fan may jump to support a different team that is successful or trendy, whereas a fair weather fan only engages when their current team is doing well". 

Is this a fair analogy of the fair weather football fan or is there more to it than this?

[DangerousSausage]

It's probably fair enough. However, I think it's natural to feel more enthusiastic during a promotion race or when battling the drop, crowds rise at those times for a reason. It would be nice if everyone kept attending come what may, but that's not the world we live in. You've also got more casual fans who have an affinity for Notts but are more likely to come when they're being entertained. It takes all sorts!

As for bandwagon fans, many people who are now die-hard fans started off as bandwagoners. Not so very long ago, the average age of supporters at Meadow Lane was very high - probably because of the large number of pipe-smoking old boys who had started coming when Tommy Lawton signed and had gone on to become loyal and lifelong fans. No doubt the odd Notts fan in the 1940s grumbled about the bandwagon jumpers who just wanted to see Lawton play, but those of them who were still coming in the 90s definitely earned their stripes!

[Fan of Big Tone 𝕏 @mainstandpie]

Well I don’t think you can call me a bandwagon fan, I started supporting Notts when they were in the old 4th division, I have to admit to being a bit of a fairweather fan these days in the sense that if the weather is wet or cold or both I’m less likely to go to watch Notts and would rather stay in the warmth of my living room either watching them on telly if they are on or listening to them on the radio, it’s an age thing with me.

[Piethagoram 𝕏 @piethagoram]

Perhaps a more apt description are "armchair fans". Economics can play a part, as "fair weather" fans may only attend a number of games a season  and maybe have family commitments too.

Northern Ireland fans tend to be either Liverpool or Man U. These are armchair fans, geographically distanced.

The strength of the Premier League, one can get school kids following the big clubs as they want to be associated with success, when perhaps their local teams miss out ( maybe the parents too are not interested in football).

 

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

I don't like creating segregation between supporters.

But the fickle fair-weather fans who don't really support the club, just the moaning and attention it gives does drive me crazy. Every club has an element of this, but I am more inclined to give my full support despite how I feel, yet I am more than happy to share and discuss my feelings. I don't think wanting a manager/head coach out, makes anyone a fair-weather fan by default. There are many other aspects which go into it.

I am aware of fans who stopped watching Notts regularly during the years we were in the National League, who refused to attend away games, and rarely went home games but made it to the playoff final. They have seldomly started reappearing at away games, and are at most home games now. That is fair-weather by my definition, but it's their choice. I just don't like how they act like 'super fans' upon their return.

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

I think that introducing playoffs had a big influence in the game. Many more Clubs now have a chance of success in making the playoffs.

Take this season in League two. Sixteen teams have a realistic chance of either  getting an automatic promotion place or making the playoffs.

That fact on its own gives the fans of those clubs a much higher expectation that their club could get success, & with it possible promotion.

Even those committed fans who go to all of the home & away matches may demonstrate their frustration & be critical of the Manager/Players much more than in the past, when expectations weren't so high.

And of course another factor is social media where fans can vent their frustrations online too, which wasn't available for them in the past.

People are just less tolerant & more inclined  to criticise others nowadays than the people of the past. That phenomenon is not just reserved for football, it can be about anything.