‘Black and whiters’: the relative powerlessness of ‘active’ supporter organization mobility at English Premier League football clubs

Cleland, Jamie and Dixon, Kevin (2015) ‘Black and whiters’: the relative powerlessness of ‘active’ supporter organization mobility at English Premier League football clubs. Soccer & Society, 16 (4). pp. 540-554. ISSN 1466-0970

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14660970.2014.891988

Abstract

This article examines the reaction by Newcastle United supporters to the resignation of Kevin Keegan as Newcastle United manager in September 2008. Unhappy at the ownership and management structure of the club following Keegan’s departure, a series of supporter-led meetings took place that led to the creation of Newcastle United Supporters’ Club and Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust. This article draws on a non-participant observation of these meetings and argues that although there are an increasing number of ‘active’ supporters throughout English football, ultimately it is the significant number of ‘passive’ supporters who hamper the inclusion of supporters’ organizations at higher level clubs. The article concludes by suggesting that clubs, irrespective of wealth and success, need to recognize the long-term value of supporters. Failure to do so can result in fan alienation and ultimately decline (as seen with the recent cases of Coventry City and Portsmouth).

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: football; fans; management; supporter clubs; inclusion
Subjects: C600 Sports Science
L300 Sociology
L900 Others in Social studies
Department: Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation
Depositing User: Rachel Branson
Date Deposited: 16 Jun 2020 09:53
Last Modified: 31 Jul 2021 11:21
URI: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/43465

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