Abstract
Purpose/Rationale:
Due to the increasing commercialisation of football, the rise of “Against Modern Football” (AMF) movements has been investigated in several European countries. Using Legia Warsaw football club as an example, this study examines the consequences of football modernisation and commercialisation in Poland.
Design/Methodology/Approach:
Interviews with Legia Warsaw’s Supporter Liaison Officer (SLO) and ultra-fans (n = 5) were thematically analysed.
Findings:
Key themes were identified in relation to the sociological portrait of Legia Warsaw ultra-fans, the interdependence between a football club and its ultra-fandom, the role of the SLO, the role of commercialisation in the AMF’s movement in Poland and finally, the impact of stadium’s new security measures on ultra-fandom.
Research contribution:
The research contributes to a better understanding of the interdependence between a football club and its ultra-fandom in relation to the modernisation of football.
Practical implications:
The paper underlines that the relationship between a football club and its ultra-fandom can be seen as strictly co-dependent but also interdependent, each side ultimately determining the existence of the other.
Due to the increasing commercialisation of football, the rise of “Against Modern Football” (AMF) movements has been investigated in several European countries. Using Legia Warsaw football club as an example, this study examines the consequences of football modernisation and commercialisation in Poland.
Design/Methodology/Approach:
Interviews with Legia Warsaw’s Supporter Liaison Officer (SLO) and ultra-fans (n = 5) were thematically analysed.
Findings:
Key themes were identified in relation to the sociological portrait of Legia Warsaw ultra-fans, the interdependence between a football club and its ultra-fandom, the role of the SLO, the role of commercialisation in the AMF’s movement in Poland and finally, the impact of stadium’s new security measures on ultra-fandom.
Research contribution:
The research contributes to a better understanding of the interdependence between a football club and its ultra-fandom in relation to the modernisation of football.
Practical implications:
The paper underlines that the relationship between a football club and its ultra-fandom can be seen as strictly co-dependent but also interdependent, each side ultimately determining the existence of the other.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 64-78 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Managing Sport and Leisure |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue number | 1-2 |
| Early online date | 5 Nov 2019 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2020 |
Bibliographical note
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Managing Sport and Leisure on 05/11/2019, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/23750472.2019.1684836Copyright © and Moral Rights are retained by the author(s) and/ or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This item cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder(s). The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders.
Keywords
- Football
- Legia Warsaw
- Poland
- modern football
- ultra-fandom
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management