Ethan Clarke
Manchester City F.C. supporters are often called plastic fans by rival fans, especially those of Manchester United. This is due to the perception that Manchester City has bought its success by simply signing the best players with the financial backing of its billionaire owner, rather than developing youth players or being shrewd in the transfer market. The club's global status and success following its 2008 takeover by Sheikh Mansour have attracted a large number of new supporters, with some estimates claiming that only 1% of Manchester City's fanbase lives in the UK. These plastic fans are often accused of having no affiliation with the club or the city of Manchester and are considered to be fair-weather fans who will jump ship if the team's fortunes change.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Large number of fans | 15 million Instagram followers |
| Sudden increase in fan base | 95% of social media following are non-Brits |
| Fake accounts | 60% of Instagram followers and 1/3 of Twitter followers |
| Inauthentic fans | Fans who have no obvious affinity with the club |
| Bandwagon fans | Fans who jump ship when the club is no longer successful |
| Bought success | Owner bought the best players with money |
| Lack of history | Fans who don't know the club's history |
| Lack of loyalty | Fans who don't attend matches |
| Global fanbase | 99% of the fanbase lives outside the UK |
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What You'll Learn
- Manchester City's global fanbase is 95% non-British
- The club's success is down to its billionaire owner buying the best players
- A large number of the club's social media followers are fake accounts
- City fans are accused of not supporting the club before its newfound success
- The club's fanbase is largely overseas, with only 1% living in the UK
Manchester City's global fanbase is 95% non-British
Manchester City fans are often called "plastic" by supporters of other clubs, particularly their cross-city rivals Manchester United. This is due to the perception that Manchester City has a small UK fanbase and that many of their fans are "bandwagon jumpers" who only started supporting the club after their recent success and the influx of money following the 2008 takeover by Sheikh Mansour.
While it is true that Manchester City's global fanbase is largely non-British, with only around 1% of their supporters based in the UK, this does not mean that their fans are any less loyal or dedicated. In fact, Manchester City has developed a loyal and passionate following since its inception in 1880, and even before their recent success, they had a large fanbase with average attendances of over 40,000, ranking them in the top six in England.
The accusation of being "plastic" is often used as an insult by fans of rival clubs, and it is not unique to Manchester City. For example, Chelsea faced similar accusations after Roman Abramovich's arrival in 2003, and before that, it was Leeds in the 1970s. It is also worth noting that Manchester City's social media audience is estimated to be around 90 million followers, which reflects the club's growing global popularity.
Manchester City's supporters are known for their gallows humour and their ability to "revel in adversity". They are often seen with yellow inflatable bananas at cup games, a tradition that started in the late 1980s. City fans are also distinguishable by their sky blue colours, and their average match-going fan has around 20 years of support behind them.
While it is difficult to determine the exact percentage of "plastic" fans in Manchester City's global fanbase, it is clear that the club has a dedicated following worldwide, and their success and popularity are not solely due to the influx of money in recent years.
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The club's success is down to its billionaire owner buying the best players
Manchester City Football Club has been owned by the City Football Group (CFG) since 2008, with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan owning 81% of the group. Mansour is an Emirati royal and politician, and is the current vice president and deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, as well as the minister of presidential court and a member of the ruling family of Abu Dhabi. He is one of football's wealthiest owners, with an estimated net worth of at least £17 billion and a family fortune of about $300 billion. Mansour has stakes in a variety of football clubs through the CFG, including Premier League club Manchester City F.C.
Since Mansour's takeover, Manchester City has experienced a significant transformation and has become one of the most successful and dominant clubs in England. Mansour has funded seven Premier League titles, six EFL Cups, three FA Cups, and a Champions League title. The club has also won its first FA Cup title in 41 years and its first Premier League title in 44 years.
The influx of money from Mansour has allowed Manchester City to acquire top players and has contributed to the club's success. Mansour has been accused of manipulating the club's finances to acquire these players, with a UEFA report concluding that he facilitated sponsorship payments to the club through a financial broker. Mansour's sports investments have also been characterized as sportswashing to improve the image of the UAE amid its controversial human rights record.
The success of Manchester City has led to an increase in its global fanbase, with many new fans being accused of being "plastic" or "glory hunters". These accusations suggest that these fans are not truly loyal to the club and are only supporting Manchester City because of its recent success. It is worth noting that the term "plastic" is often used as a derogatory term by rival fans, and it is common for successful clubs to gain new supporters due to their achievements.
In conclusion, the success of Manchester City is undoubtedly linked to Mansour's ownership and the significant financial investments he has made in the club. The acquisition of top players, facilitated by Mansour's wealth, has contributed to the club's dominance in English football and its growing global fanbase. However, the club's success has also led to accusations of financial manipulation and sportswashing, with rival fans criticizing the character of Manchester City's new supporters.
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A large number of the club's social media followers are fake accounts
Manchester City F.C. has a large social media following, with 56 million followers on Instagram alone. However, it has been suggested that a large number of these followers are fake accounts. This belief stems from the perception that Manchester City has a small UK fanbase compared to other clubs, with a significant number of their supporters being based abroad.
One source claims that 95% of Manchester City's social media following consists of fans who live nowhere within 2,000 miles of Manchester. This has led to the perception that the club has a high proportion of ""plastic" fans who are not loyal and only started supporting the club after their recent success and influx of money.
While it is challenging to determine the exact number of fake followers on social media platforms, it is not uncommon for celebrities, athletes, and influencers to have a certain percentage of fake followers. These fake followers can be bot accounts posting spam links or paid followers to boost popularity and earn more from brand endorsements.
In the case of Manchester City, there has been speculation and anecdotal evidence suggesting a high number of fake followers. One source mentions a study that found Manchester City to have an enormous number of fake fans, contributing to their title as the "Most Plastic Club in England."
It is worth noting that other Premier League clubs, such as Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Leicester City, have also been found to have significant percentages of fake followers on their social media accounts, with estimates ranging from 24.63% to nearly a third of their total followers.
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City fans are accused of not supporting the club before its newfound success
Manchester City fans are often accused of not supporting the club before its newfound success. The club's global status and recent success on the field have resulted in an influx of new supporters, with many "jumping on the bandwagon". This perception of "plastic fans" is reinforced by the idea that these new supporters are not loyal to the club and will likely leave if the team's performance declines.
The accusation of being "plastic fans" is not unique to Manchester City. It is a phenomenon seen across football, with fans of successful clubs often being labelled as such. The term "plastic fan" refers to someone who supports a team with no obvious affinity, and it is often used as an insult by supporters of rival clubs.
Marketing executives at Manchester City have revealed that only about 1% of the club's fanbase lives in the UK, which has led to the perception that many of the club's supporters are "plastic." The club's success and popularity among overseas fans have contributed to this shift in the fanbase demographic.
It is important to note that the definition of a "proper" football fan is subjective, and the accusation of being a "plastic fan" is often used as a way to disparage supporters of rival clubs. However, it is undeniable that Manchester City's newfound success and global appeal have attracted a significant number of new supporters, changing the dynamic of the club's fanbase.
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The club's fanbase is largely overseas, with only 1% living in the UK
Manchester City Football Club has a large global fanbase, with only 1% of its supporters living in the UK, according to the club's Chief Marketing Officer, Nuria Tarre. This has led to the perception that the club has a lot of \"plastic fans\", a term used to describe people who support a team they have no obvious affinity with.
The rise in Manchester City's global popularity can be attributed to the club's increased success on the pitch following its 2008 takeover by Sheikh Mansour, which brought an influx of investment, star players, and trophies. This phenomenon is not unique to Manchester City, with other clubs such as Chelsea and Newcastle also experiencing similar surges in popularity after a change in fortunes.
The term "plastic fans" is often used as a derogatory term by supporters of rival clubs, who may perceive these fans as less loyal or committed to the club. However, it is important to note that the growth of social media and digital platforms has also contributed to the increase in worldwide fandom, allowing fans from all over the world to connect with their favourite teams and players.
While Manchester City's overseas fanbase may not have a traditional connection to the club or the city of Manchester, the club's marketing team recognizes the importance of engaging with these fans and providing them with ways to feel connected to the club and its culture. This includes initiatives such as following match-going fans to give overseas supporters a sense of the experience of being a "Cityzen" (a play on the word "citizen," which is also the nickname for Manchester City fans).
The perception of Manchester City's fanbase as predominantly "plastic" is a complex issue influenced by various factors, including the club's recent success, global exposure, and the evolving nature of football fandom in the digital age.
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Frequently asked questions
Manchester City fans are called plastic because the club's success in recent years has attracted a lot of new supporters, which is a phenomenon seen across football. The club's billionaire owner, Sheikh Mansour, has achieved this success by buying the best players and putting them together on the pitch. This has resulted in an influx of "plastic fans" who have no obvious affinity with the club and will likely jump ship if the club's fortunes change.
"Plastic fans" are those who support a club with no obvious affinity to it, often jumping on the bandwagon of a successful team. They are not considered "proper" football fans because they do not stick with their chosen team through thick and thin.
No, the phenomenon of "plastic fans" is seen across football, with other clubs like Chelsea and Newcastle also experiencing an influx of new supporters following their own periods of success.
