Manchester United fans have been identified as the third most likely to risk hypothermia by braving the cold in a poll.
A poll by bookmaker William Hill to identify the most ‘weather hardened fans’ had the Old Trafford faithful pick up 23% of the vote – not surprisingly coming behind the Premier League’s two North-East sides Newcastle United and Sunderland.
The survey also revealed that United fans are the ones least likely to stay at home because of the cold this winter, with 51% of respondents saying they believed Old Trafford to be the most packed out stadium through the winter.
The poll gave United fans a chance to get one over on local rivals City too as they came in with only 8% of the vote when it came to being most weather hardened.
The poll also revealed that many stereotypes about foreign fans are held by English fans with over half saying they believed South American players – such as Manchester United’s Radamel Falcao and Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero – struggle most with cold weather.
The North also managed to get one over on the South with over half of respondents believing northerners belt with the cold better than their Southern counterparts.
The poll has led to William Hill revealing a new range of knitted football shirts to help keep Manchester United fans warm as the cold weather continues.
The knitted range will come in short sleeves to allow fans to keep up their reputation while keeping warm this winter.
William Hill spokesperson Joe Crilly said: “It’s freezing on the football terraces in January, so our new range of knitted football kits have been specifically designed to keep supporters warm whilst they cheer on their team.
“We are trialling our replica knitted strips with those fans who are at the highest risk of catching hypothermia. Newcastle United fans in particular, who brave the cold bare-chested week in week out, may want to get their hands on one.
“We have been careful to ensure that our knitted kits come in a short-sleeve design that enable fans to keep some flesh on show, giving them the best of both worlds.
“We believe the strips are the perfect fashion statement for any true football fan and provide a great talking point with friends down the pub before kick-off.”
Directions to enable fans to ‘knit their own kits’ can be found on William Hill’s Facebook and Twitter channels – www.facebook.com/williamhillsports / @WillHillBet.
Main image courtesy of Elena Pleskevich via Flickr, with thanks.
