The word ‘superfan’ may not feature in some football fans’ dictionaries but for many avid supporters it has been a way of life for years.
With the knockout stages of the World Cup now in full flow and some of the planet’s most dedicated travelling faithful in full voice, MM decided to take a look at some of the most ardent aficionados in Britain.
Superfans are a select few who support their team to the max – they are widely recognised and even worshipped for it.
They become well-known figures in the community and are as familiar to people on match days as the programme sellers and the players themselves.
Although many fans claim to be ‘die-hards’, the five supporters detailed below have sacrificed their time and others’ to be involved with the club they love.
5) Ruth Cranshaw – Bolton Wanderers superfan
Ruth Cranshaw, a pensioner for Breightmet in Bolton, has not missed a competitive Wanderers game since 1957.
She also attends reserve and under-18 matches regularly.
This extraordinary dedication to the Whites earned her the George Warburton Outstanding Service award this March for people who show great commitment to the club.
The honour is not given out lightly – previous winners include Nat Lofthouse – who played exclusively for Bolton his entire career – and club owner Eddie Davies CBE.
Ruth was just 15 when she first saw her beloved Wanderers turn out for a friendly against CSKA Moscow.
4) Peter Bolton – Manchester United superfan
Peter Bolton, a 57-year-old from Timperley, is quite simply football mad.
He arranged his own wedding around United’s fixture list, opting for a day in June when he could be sure no football was being played.
He also skipped his brother’s wedding to see United at home – only managing to show his face at the party later that night.
Last year, he flew out to Sydney for United’s pre-season tour and he was all too happy to spend thousands of pounds and 55 hours on a plane to keep up to date with his dear Reds.
Peter has attended over 1,000 consecutive home games and even follows the progress of United’s youth and reserve teams.
He has travelled to Southampton and Swansea to watch the youth team play away fixtures – and these games typically attract very few spectators.
For Peter, though, it was just another excuse to watch the Red Devils in action.
Here he is with Ryan Giggs:
#HappyBirthday to Ryan Giggs. (b 29/11/1973 in Cardiff, Wales) 40 years old today pic.twitter.com/d36RRaw1Ut
— Peter Bolton (@PeterBolton3) November 29, 2013
3) Mavis Goddard – Manchester City superfan
Mavis Goddard – nicknamed ‘Grandma’ and ‘Poznan gran’ after her celebrations were captured on the Etihad’s big screen – was a huge City fan all her life.
She died in 2011, aged 76, but during her lifetime she was a massive supporter of the Blues.
Mavis – who was not only a mother and a grandmother, but also a great-grandmother too – was awarded the Best Supporting Role at the club’s spoof Oscars ceremony, The Chappys, in 2011.
Joe Hart looked on, albeit slightly bemused, as she received her award.
She became something of a legend at the match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on January 15, 2011, when she appeared on the big screen.
Fans started chanting ‘there’s only one Grandma’, ‘Grandma do the Poznan’ and ‘we love you Grandma, we do’.
Much media attention followed, and she was instantly a fans’ favourite.
One thing that could not be questioned was her loyalty to the club she supported since she was 10.
She told CityTV: “I’m one of these people, win or lose, I’m still there.”
Her death was mourned by many, and tributes poured in for someone who was more than just a face in the crowd:
So sad to hear the news that Mavis Goddard (the Poznan Gran) has passed away, a lifelong blue right to the end. My thts are with her family!
— Danny Jackson (@FanzoneDanny) December 7, 2011
2) Helen Turner – Manchester City superfan
Helen Turner was no ordinary superfan – she was club royalty.
Helen sadly died in 2005, aged 85, but not before she had been a regular at Maine Road for more than 30 years.
She was friends with the players – especially goalkeeper Joe Corrigan who she sat behind in the North Stand for all those years.
In the build up to kick off, she would often chat to Joe before giving him a sprig of lucky heather.
Her trademark bell-ringing was heard at Maine Road for years and she was given a standing ovation when she rang there for the last time in 2003.
Helen famously joined the City players for their lap of honour following their 1976 League Cup win:
Could clearly hear a bell ringing from the South Stand today. The late Helen “The Bell” Turner’s legacy lives on. pic.twitter.com/jAgR8vUD5c
— City Watch (@City_Watch) May 11, 2014
1) Pete Boyle – Manchester United superfan
Pete Boyle, 44, is infamous for being a big part of Manchester United Football Club.
Earlier this year, he posed for pictures with David Moyes and Phil Neville following the announcement of a ‘singing section’ for the most vocal fans – a plan that is going ahead for next season after two successful trials.
He is the source of several Old Trafford songs, including ‘Eric the King’:
Over the years, he has also befriended several of the players who occasionally ask for new chants to be created.
His role as choirmaster at The Bishop Blaize pub – a pre-game haunt for United fans – and in the J and K stands of Old Trafford is supplemented by extra roles within the club.
He writes regularly on his website peteboyle.co.uk and in fanzines, and reports for MUTV – so he really is Mr United.
But on his website, Pete is very humble about his uncompromising love of United.
He says: “I’m an ordinary Manchester United fan who loves singing (usually badly) and having a few drinks with mates at United games home and away.
“I never personally label myself as anything else and get embarrassed (ok maybe not) when I get labelled a ‘super fan’ etc.
“I know lots of reds who have travelled all over the globe and sacrificed so much more than me to see our red shirted heroes.”
People like Peter Bolton – number four on our list – follow their team almost to excess, so perhaps he should be number one.
But although Pete Boyle is slightly embarrassed to be labelled as a superfan, he definitely deserves recognition as a leader, an innovator and a champion of Manchester United and its loyal fans.
Here is Pete (right) at The Theatre of Dreams:
Pete Boyle at OT promoting the Singing Section for the Real Sociedad game. More info at www.stretfordendflags pic.twitter.com/ih7FivOpkC
— Alan Keegan (@alankeegan1) September 28, 2013
