R E M O N T A D AR E MR E M O N TO N T A D AA D Asince 2026.the entertainment magFOOTBALL CULTUREENGLISHFOOTBALL CULTUREENGLISHFOOTBALL CULTUREENGLISH 1 ENGLAND - FOOTBALL - CLUBS - BANDWAGON - SUPPORTER - LOYALTY + MORE

R E M O N T A D AR E MR E M O N TO N T A D AA D Asince 2026.the entertainment magBORN A SUPPORTER?BORN A SUPPORTER?BORN A SUPPORTER?BORN A SUPPORTER?BORN A SUPPORTER?BORN A SUPPORTER?BORN A SUPPORTER?ENGLAND - FOOTBALL - CLUBS - BANDWAGON - LOYALTY + MORE BORN ENGLISH FOOTBALL CULTURE ISSUE 2 8–14 SEPTEMBER 2026 ENGLISH FOOTBALL CULTUREENGLISH FOOTBALL CULTUREENGLISH FOOTBALL CULTURE ISSUE 2ISSUE 2 8–14 SEPTEMBER 20268–14 SEPTEMBER 2026 ISSUE 2 8–14 SEPTEMBER 2026

TENTSTENTSTENTSCON3 UPFRONT ENGLISH FOOTBALL CULTURE REMONTADA ISSUE 02BEFORE THE CHOICEBEFORE THE CHOICEHow football first enters everyday life before a choice is made.06.WHY?WHY?How attraction turns casual exposure into a personal club choice.08.PROVE ITPROVE ITHow English football communities judge and authenticate genuine supporters.10.STAY WITH THE CLUBSTAY WITH THE CLUBHow loyalty survives when success, trophies, and glory eventually disappear.12.GROWING UP WITH ENGLISH FOOTBALLGROWING UP WITH ENGLISH FOOTBALL04.UPFRONTFEATURESWHEN THE CHOICE BECOMES SOMETHING MOREWHEN THE CHOICE BECOMES SOMETHING MORE14.THE LAST WORDABOUT USABOUT US15.

4 REMONTADA ISSUE 02 UPFRONT ENGLISH FOOTBALL CULTURE

GROWING UP WITH ENGLISH FOOTBALLBut how does being around football transform to becoming a supporter? Becoming a supporter in “Merry England” may be less like making a decision, but more like starting off a journey: from accidental exposure, to personal affection and recognition by a specific community, and eventually to an attachment that can last a lifetime. name casually mentioned during a weekend conversation. Football is simply there, quietly entering a child’s world and strengthening the cultural rapport of the English community. or many English children, football has become ingrained in their life long before they can consciously opt for a club. It might begin with the sounds of adults shouting at the television on Super Sunday matches, a football shirt glimpsed on the street or a club 5 UPFRONT ENGLISH FOOTBALL CULTURE REMONTADA ISSUE 02F

FFootball surroundsFootball surrounds children beforechildren before they consciously choose tothey consciously choose to become fans.become fans. Football surrounds children before they consciously choose to become fans. ootball is not something a child has to actively seek out to get involved in England. It is already encountered at a shop, football commentary drifting from the radio in a family car, the roar of a pub when walking past, or a match broadcasted there, quitetly intertwined into the background of everyday life. A newspaper headline on a television in the living room - all of these things can familiarise a child with football long before they make up their mind to get involved. This is what makes football an “ambient background” — not a single dramatic experience, but a constant, low-level presence in everyday life. Children do not need to enter a stadium or deliberately follow a league to become familiar with the language of football; it is absorbed through everyday routines.BEFORE THE CHOICE BEFOREBEFORE THE CHOICE THE CHOICE 6 REMONTADA ISSUE 02 ENGLISH FOOTBALL CULTUREFEATURES

enters through overhearing adult conversations - a debate about a weekend match in the kitchen, or radio commentary playing in the car. Yet, there is an important collective distinction here which is “contact”, not commitment. A child may not understand every tactical argument or historical reference, but the names of clubs, the excitement of victory and even the disappointment of defeat have gradually become part of their cultural surroundings, showing that the presence of football is truly absorbed passively without any interruption of consciousness. Some of these encounters have especially become memorable. On a school playground, children may swap Panini stickers, learning the faces and names of players, and badges of clubs through pocket money purchases at local corner shops. Such a traditional practice, which is likely to die out, has still retained its ordinary form from the day without the innovation of the internet, placing emphasis on the longlasting domination of football in England. At home, “Match of the Day”, which is an inherently omnipresent programme on English family TV, may fill the Saturday evening with familiar opening music, highlights or images even for a child who has never chosen to watch football. Football, elsewhere, CONTACT IS NOTCONTACT IS NOT COMMITMENT.COMMITMENT. CONTACT IS NOT COMMITMENT.FEATURES 7 ENGLISH FOOTBALL CULTURE REMONTADA ISSUE 02

WHY?WHY?WHY?WHY?WHY?SOMETHINGSOMETHING LIKE...ATTRACTION.LIKE...ATTRACTION. SOMETHING LIKE...ATTRACTION.ootball fandom rarely begins with a calculated, logical decision. Out of countless passive touchpoints, a specific club, player, or England national team suddenly emerges not because of cold rationalisation, but because of a random, emotional spark. It is the precise moment when an iconic hero, a breathtaking team, or a memorableFFFFFHistorically, this initial attraction was often ignited by unforgettable moments on the pitch. A memorable goal, a striking kit, or an extraordinary era could turn casual exposure into a lifelong fascination. The legendary Arsenal “Invincibles” era of 2003– 04 offers a classic case in point, with the spellbinding performances of Thierry Henry capturing the imagination of a generation of supporters. His individual brilliance served as an irresistible entry point into the club. For one generation, that spark might have arrived through television, Match of the Day, newspapers, or a family member watching beside them.Today, the same emotional process can begin through very different encounters. A younger supporter may meet a player first through a short video, a social media post, a YouTube compilation, or even a football video game. The point of entry has become more immediate and personalised, but the attraction itself remains familiar: something stands out, creates an emotional response, and makes the viewer want to see more.THIS JUST HAPPENED. 8 REMONTADA ISSUE 02 ENGLISH FOOTBALL CULTUREmoment captures someone’s attention, igniting an attraction long before any deep commitment or authentic identity is forged. Taste precedes identity: a fan is often drawn to a captivating highlight or an individual icon long before they truly understand what it means to belong to a collective heritage.FEATURES

WHO DO THEY MEET FIRST?WHO DO THEY MEET FIRST?WHO DO THEY MEET FIRST?WHO DO THEY MEET FIRST?WHO DO THEY MEET FIRST?WHO DO THEY MEET FIRST?WHO DO THEY MEET FIRST?WHO DO THEY MEET FIRST?WHO DO THEY MEET FIRST?9 ENGLISH FOOTBALL CULTURE REMONTADA ISSUE 023rd-place match 2026 England vs France Saka: 3 goals Bellingham: 1 goalThis player-led attraction also extends beyond domestic clubs to the England team. A young supporter may encounter the national side not through a pre-existing sense of national identity, but through a player they already follow. During the build- up to the 2026 World Cup, interactive engagement tools like the official England Squad Selector saw 35,389 fans actively draft their own teams, with Bellingham selected by 98.7% of participants and Bukayo Saka by 97.5 %. Where Henry once offered a gateway into Arsenal, players such as Bellingham can now become gateways into England. The journey from an individual player to a team therefore remains recognisable, even as the media surrounding it continues to evolve.That evolution is also changing how supporters participate. Major tournaments are no longer experienced only through watching matches. Short- form videos, creator content, tactical explainers, player-focused posts, and interactive features such as the official England Squad Selector allow younger audiences to engage with the team before, during, and beyond the match itself. The supporter can watch, follow, discuss, select, and share — turning attraction into an increasingly interactive experience. Yet the underlying mechanism remains remarkably consistent. Whether the first spark comes from Thierry Henry on television, a favourite shirt, a family connection, or a Bellingham clip on social media, attraction begins when something suddenly feels personal. The platforms change. The generations change. The ways of encountering football change. But the emotional click remains.FEATURES3rd-place match 2026 England vs France Saka: 3 goals Bellingham: 1 goal3rd-place match 2026 England vs France Saka: 3 goals Bellingham: 1 goal 3rd-place match 2026 England vs France Saka: 3 goals Bellingham: 1 goal

Follows success.Lacks genuine commitment.BANDWAGON FANBANDWAGON FANBANDWAGON FANFollows the winning side.ENGLISH FOOTBALL HAS A LANGUAGE FOR QUESTIONING BELONGING. ENGLISH FOOTBALLENGLISH FOOTBALL HAS A LANGUAGEHAS A LANGUAGE FOR QUESTIONING BELONGING. FOR QUESTIONING BELONGING. GLORY HUNTERGLORY HUNTERGLORY HUNTER PLASTIC FANPLASTIC FANPLASTIC FANPROVE ITPROVE ITPROVE ITWHO REALLY COUNTSWHO REALLY COUNTS AS A SUPPORTER?AS A SUPPORTER? WHO REALLY COUNTS AS A SUPPORTER? WHO REALLY COUNTS AS A SUPPORTER? WHO REALLY COUNTS AS A SUPPORTER?or many supporters of English football clubs, choosing to support a club usually develop into long- term loyalty. Once someone says, “I support them”, the question may follow: why them? Supporting a club can therefore become socially authenticated, especially when there is no obvious localFFFGeography can work as an informal credential, especially when a club is closely associated with a particular city, town or region,making local support easier to recognise. Yet geography is just one form of social evidence, not definitive proof of genuine fandom. Time, knowledge, long-term commitment and sustained involvement can also validate a supporter’s choice. This creates a grey area in which football’s vocabulary of authenticity begins to emerge. Following Abu Dhabi United Group’s takeover in 2008, Manchester City’s success gradually grew and then sharply accelerated over nearly two decades. That phenomenon led to debate about new supporters. On Bluemoon, a Manchester City supporters’ forum, fans have usedA NEW ERA, A NEW “FOLLOWERS”connection to explain the choice. Loyalty is often expected to follow family, geography, or tradition, and deviation from these norms can challenge unwritten rules of belonging.terms such as “glory hunter,” “bandwagon fan,” and “plastic fan” to complain about seeing more city shirts around Manchester when the club became more successful and described a neighbour who had switched from Man United since City looked like “the next big thing”. Yet other sides of City supporters questioned the idea of judging newer supporters as glory hunters, arguing that they can also become lifelong supporters.10 REMONTADA ISSUE 02 ENGLISH FOOTBALL CULTUREFEATURES

FEATURESBUT THE DEBATE RAISES A BIGGER QUESTION: WHAT ACTUALLY MAKES A SUPPORTER GENUINE? BUT THE DEBATE RAISES A BIGGER QUESTION: WHAT ACTUALLY BUT THE DEBATE RAISES A BIGGER QUESTION: WHAT ACTUALLY MAKES A SUPPORTER GENUINE?MAKES A SUPPORTER GENUINE?Sir David Beckham serves as a different perspective. Born in Leytonstone, London, Beckham chose to support and dedicate his youth to Manchester United despite having no Manchester root or local upbringing. Thanks to his father, Ted, he was regularly taken to Old Trafford, and Becks later described United as the team he had always wanted to play for. Beckham eventually made his dream a reality, writing his name into the club’s history as one of its most iconic footballers ever.Beckham therefore lacked an obvious geographical credential for supporting a Manchester club. His background was typically a “ Plastic Manc” (a fake Manucian). Yet he had other forms of evidence: early commitment, repeated experience with the club, knowledge, and years of involvement inside its footballing institution.BORN IN LONDON, BECKHAM BUILT HIS BELONGING AT OLD TRAFFORD - MANCHESTER.GEOGRAPHY CAN EXPLAIN BELONGING. IT CANNOT DEFINE IT. GEOGRAPHY CAN EXPLAIN BELONGING. GEOGRAPHY CAN EXPLAIN BELONGING. IT CANNOT DEFINE IT.IT CANNOT DEFINE IT.11 ENGLISH FOOTBALL CULTURE REMONTADA ISSUE 02

wwwhen the tides are high and victories come easy, anyone can cheer for the winning team. But when the storm hits, that’s when true loyalty is tested. A child might be drawn to a club for its star players or brilliant wins, but once tough times arrive, the question shifts from “Why did you choose this club?” to “Why do you still stand by them?”. This is the journey from fleeting attraction to deep allegiance. Support isn’t merely about riding the highs - it’s about sticking around through the lows. Viewing football purely through a commercial lens misses what keeps the fan, A consumer operates on a simple transactional logic: a good product earns loyalty, while bad ones send them looking elsewhere. Supporters spend money on tickets, streaming and merchandise - they do consume football in a way, but their relationship with a club isn’t just a standard transaction. When a team suffers through a disappointing season, their supporters doesn't switch brands. They celebrate the good years, and stay with the team when days are bad. The distinction lies in the nature of the relationship, not whether money is involved. A fan can still be aL e e d s U n i t e d - 2 0 0 1 consumer of the sport as an entertainment while remaining a loyal supporter of one specific club. Football functions as an ordinary cultural practice where value isn’t measured solely by immediate results, but by meanings, memories and the identity they shared over time. Take Leeds United, a powerful lesson in resilience. In 2001, they reached the Champions League semi-finals, capturing the hearts of fans worldwide. Yet, their pursuit of glory led to financial collapse and by 2007, a relegation to League One, the third tier. The phrase “doing a Leeds” then became shorthand for dramatic fall from grace. But what’s remarkable is that its supporters didn’t leave. Even as the team’s fortune plummeted, the allegiance of fans held strong. For these supporters, football goes beyond performance, it was a commitment. 12 REMONTADA ISSUE 02 ENGLISH FOOTBALL CULTUREFEATURES

WHY SOMEWHY SOME SUPPORTERS STAYSUPPORTERS STAY WHEN THE GLORY,WHEN THE GLORY, AND SOMETIMESAND SOMETIMES THE CLUB ITSELF, FALLSTHE CLUB ITSELF, FALLS AWAY."AWAY." WHY SOME SUPPORTERS STAY WHEN THE GLORY, AND SOMETIMES THE CLUB ITSELF, FALLS AWAY."STAYING WITH THE CLUB STAYING WITH THE CLUB STAYING WITH THE CLUBIf fandom were only about trophies, status and easy excitement, loyalty would disintegrate with losing streaks and relegations. Instead, they see the club as a story unfolding through many chapters - The ups and downs, the comebacks and the emotions all weave into a continuous narrative. Supporters don’t just ask why they stay, they ask what they have gone through together. Ultimately, time is the truest test of support. While some may judge loyalty by geography, knowledge or social standing, real authenticity often reveals itself only over years. Those tagged as glory hunters today may prove their devotion tomorrow. The club’s journey intertwined with their fans, proving that genuine support isn’t instantly visible but grows stronger with time.FEATURES 13 ENGLISH FOOTBALL CULTURE REMONTADA ISSUE 02

From a shirt or a player to a great goal or a moment remembered from childhood, choosing a club can begin with those little things. What follows is a process of experiencing success and disappointment, being questioned of authenticity, and reaching moments when stopping might seem easier than staying with what they loved from the very start. That is where supporting a club begins to mean something more in English football culture.WHEN THE CHOICE BECOMES SOMETHING MORE A choice gives football support a story. A story becomes allegiance. And allegiance, with enough time, becomes part of football culture itself. → NEXT: EP. 3 — HOW IS FOOTBALL EXPERIENCED? THE LAST WORD 14 REMONTADA ISSUE 02 ENGLISH FOOTBALL CULTURE

R E M O N T A D AR E MR E M O N TO N T A D AA D Asince 2026.the entertainment magThis E-zine is developed as a 6-issue series, which explores English football beyond the pitch, showing it as a vivid cultural phenomenon deeply tied to identity, community, and social memory. Through the lens of British Cultural Studies, this series examines this sport as a “culture of belonging” that has the ability to connect individuals or even unite people across generations, regions, and local roots. Across these 6 issues, it also critically reflects on the modern landscape of English football, tracing how a kind of entertainment can turn intense passion into hostility, and how global commercialisation and modern media are creating a different appearance of football. Through a multi-layered point of view, the E-zine captures not only the enduring spirit that keeps this game continuing but also the dark sides behind its entertainment. LÊ GIA HUY 2457010073 ENGLISH FOOTBALL CULTUREABOUT USABOUT USABOUT US NGUYỄN VIẾT VINH 2457010239 VŨ ĐÌNH HƯNG 2457010066 LÊ ĐỨC BÌNH 2457010029 Ideas / Concept Content Writer Content Editor Content Writer Translation Content Writer Research Content Writer Proofreading REMONTADA AI CONTRIBUTIONS CONTENT: Topic analysis · Episode/Issue arrangement LANGUAGE: Translation · Grammar checking · English editing RESEARCH: Keyword exploration · Source identification · Fact-checking VISUALS: Image restoration (restoring, enhancing & upscaling) ------------ All AI-assisted results were reviewed, edited and selectively incorporated by our team. The group takes responsibility for the final content, sources and design. THE LAST WORD ENGLISH FOOTBALL CULTURE [0] - Middeke, M., Müller, T., Wald, C., & Zapf, H. (Eds.). (2012). English and American Studies: Theory and Practice. J.B. Metzler. Ch. 5.1–5.2, pp. 359–363. 15REMONTADA ISSUE 02 [1] - Turner, M., Fitzpatrick, D., & Ludvigsen, J. A. L. (2026). Intergenerational (In) Securities in English Football Fandom: Locality, Loyalty and Legacy. The Sociological Review. [2] - File, K., & Worlledge, T. (2023). Fan identity and football culture: Locating variation in the discursive performance of football fan identities in a UK stadium. Soccer & Society, 24(7), 974–989. [3] - BBC Sport. (2020). Leeds run to Champions League semis revisited by those involved. REFERENCES

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