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

I always though supporters attend games whilst fans take interest in a team without actually going.

"Fan" is short for "fanatic" and that's the way I would interpret "true fan". But to me a supporter is pretty much the same meaning.

I have nothing at all against casual supporters, of any type, or even those disparagingly termed "glory hunters" - as if there was something somehow wrong with enjoying a sport just enough to go watch a top team in action, or even just go to (say) a Final. What on earth is wrong with that? Nobody has an obligation to be a fan, and being or not being doesn't make you a better person.

(Though I am 100% certain that rugby league fans are indeed, pound for pound, as good people as you will find, but that's another discussion)

The touble with a casual supporter is that the elastic goes in them. I tend to favour the older leather supporter myself.

Too much information