After a weekend of sould searching I came up with the one key question of why do I support the Bulls? Is it to see them win things? Of course it's great when your team wins trophies but is that why I support them? If that was the case then I would support Saints or Wigan as they seem to have won more than us since 1966 when I first became a supporter. Is it because I like a certain player or coach or chairman? Hardly. Players come and go and their departure hardly causes me to switch allegiance to a new club. Similarly with the coach and chairman. They are transigent figures at the club.
So why do I support them? Probably because they have been a significant part of my life and have provided me with great memories, good and bad, over the years. I can remember taking my sons to their first matches. I can also remember carrying the same away from Wembley when they were in tears having been beaten by Saints again. I suppose they are part of my family and as such when they are low I feel it but I would not dream of chiding my son for a bad report or walking out during one of their concerts.
As I said it has been a deep weekend on the thinking front and I realise this sounds a bit anal but this is how I have rationalised the events at Odsal. Ask yourselves the same question? Why do you support the Bulls? And remember, we will be there long after the coaches, players and others have gone. At least I will.

I support because it's the team I love, and always will do. Nothing changes it, performance, result, coaches or players I live, eat and Breathe Bradford, so atm i'm not a happy guy, but I would never consider changing my support.

I stand and applaud. Whichever team you choose and whatever your reasons for choosing this team you stick by them for life. Your sporting team should be like a marriage with no contemplation of divorce. I stick by Bradford Bulls, the players, the coaches and whatever else and offer my support in all situations. Its the way it always will be

I always think a key question is why do people bother watching sport?

Sometimes i get into my rugby a lot, but then other times i couldn't give a toss. At the moment i'm into my rugby ( picked a bad time ).

I know i couldn't follow another team if Bradford went under.

The joy and pain you get at supporting a team is hard to explain.

I don't hate anyone though for supporting another team no matter who it is.

In some respects i see the pointless side to sport but that it also means so much to so many.

Where i probably differ from many is that i could live without watching rugby. But i'll be crying the day i have to give up playing rugby completely.

You always have an affinity with teams you watch regularly, especially if you have friends you meet there. For differing reasons I love Cas & the Dons, but I have affection for Bradford, Leeds (despite 'hating' then when I was younger) Fev & Keighley. Even though I rarely get to see Cas, when I do go I wonder if I will feel the same, up to now I do. Though I think I am far more objective now & realise it is the game I actually love rather than just a team.

cut me open my blood runs bradford... thats why i support them...

I support warrington because my Dad supports them. I went to my first game when i was 5 and now 11 years later ive only missed a few games since my first one. Warrington have just become a huge part of my life and i really feel for the club. When we lose it hurts me and spoils my weekend but come Monday morning im looking forward to the next game. When we win it makes me feel so much better, in fact it makes my weekend. Ive never seen Warrington win a trophy or even get close, but that doesnt make me want to suport a team who wins trophies. Ive been through many highs and lows with Warrington, predominately lows, but no matter how good or bad we are i will support them. I will do my utmost to get the the game at the weekend to show my support.

Bradford are going through a sticky patch at the moment, but they need the support of the fans to help get them through this time. The true supporters will follow Bradford no matter how badly they are doing. I know this time must be really hurting you Bradford fans because of all your recent success but your team needs you. Every team has highs and lows and at the moment you are going through a serious low but this is where your support will be tested and if you are a true supporter you will rally behind your team at this tough time.

Wise words, from someone so young too.

Couldn't put it any better. I suppose this is, essentially, the difference between a true fan, and the rest.

Somebody pass me a tissue So emotional.

Perhaps something that has been overlooked are those fans of RL who really love the game itself.
After the Millenium game in 2003 my wife and I were on the train from Cardiff to Newport and sat with a mature couple who were wearing Wakefield shirts. They said that they always went to the challenge cup finals because of their passion for Rugby League. The game itself, the quality of play.
They were hugely knowledgeable about the teams that had played and their strengths, weaknesses and tactics.
We were told that they had two sons playing the game and they thought it was the best discipline and enjoyment that they could have given to them.
They were reasonably sanguin at that time of seeing Wakefield in a grand final. Hope they do. Supporters of their Club without a doubt, but supportrs of Rugby league.. definitely.

The game is far more important than any team. How many on here would sacrifice a little bit of their anatomy to see an Ashes series victory?

Can anyone come up with a better phrase than "true fan"? It always irritates me in the way that it implies that "casual" fans are in some way unworthy.

I've just had a similar discussion with someone over the difference between a "supporter" and a "fan".

It can be a hard one to differentiate between them, IMHO, when being used in general conversation. Could a "true fan" simply be a refinement of the possibly over used term "fan"?

I consider myself a RL supporter, where as I consider myself a fan of Bradford i.e I'm an enthusiastic devotee of Bradford (whether they win/lose/drawn)

Perhaps if were were to start a campaign to have "[iBradford 'til I die[/i" tattooed across our foreheads will prevent any misunderstandings of whether were fans, True fans and/or supporters

If you see me at the Stains game - you'll recognize me