New research has shown football fans Nearly half of football fans believe that singing chants about their own team’s misfortunes is a show of solidarity – and new research has shown
More than one in 10 football fans admit their favourite chants are those that make a joke about their own team’s misfortunes. From sarcastically celebrating a late consolation goal to poking fun at their poor away-game record, 53% of these fans agree that self-deprecating songs are an essential part of the sport’s humour and culture.
Nearly half believe these chants showcase solidarity among supporters after a tough loss, while 43% think they actually help lift spirits—even when their team is the underdog. Additionally, most fans agree that singing at matches can boost players’ motivation, with 44% saying it helps the team stay focused during challenging moments.
The research was commissioned by Specsavers for its ‘Best Worst Team’ campaign, which has enlisted Harry Redknapp to help turn around the fortunes of Somerset side Tunley Athletic. The latest episode features Lioness and Manchester United record goal scorer Ella Toone giving the squad a lesson in winning silverware.
Sports psychologist Andy Lane partnered with Specsavers to arrange a masterclass in psychology, and helped create five new chants for Tunley Athletic fans to belt out on match day.
Ella Toone coaches Specsavers’ Best Worst Team
Professor Lane said: “I wanted to help the Tunley lads understand the power of mindset and the influence of their supporters. In grassroots football, it’s not easy to replicate the high-energy environments you’d play in at a professional level, and smaller crowds and less fanfare can make it challenging for players to tap into that motivation.
Explaining the importance of building an atmosphere, Professor Lane explained: “Clubs see their fans as the 12th man, and a loud and supportive crowd is often the difference between victory and defeat.”
He went on to explain that chants create a sense of unity and increase motivation and belief. He also highlighted that chants can help make the team feel like they are playing for something bigger than just themselves, and keeps them fighting until the final whistle.
He also said that creating this sort of atmosphere can be off putting for the opposite teams: “If the opposition hears loud, unified chanting, it will undoubtedly shake their confidence and disrupt their focus.
“If we think back to the 2019 UEFA Champions League semi-final – Anfield’s electric atmosphere fuelled Liverpool’s historic 4-0 comeback after losing 3-0 in the first leg, it was the energy of the crowd that made it almost impossible for Barcelona to settle.”
He compared this to pandemic saying: “When matches were played behind closed doors, the difference was dramatic. Liverpool’s 68-game unbeaten run at home ended and they lost six consecutive games – something that was once unthinkable. Our hope is that these chants will make an impact and get the crowd behind Tunley.”
According to OnePoll.com figures, research shows that 77% of fans believe chants can significantly improve the atmosphere at grassroots football games. Additionally, nine in ten fans feel that music is a vital element of any football club’s identity—whether it’s a top-tier squad chasing a Champions League spot or a Sunday league team battling to stay afloat.
Three-quarters of supporters also think it’s the responsibility of fans to cheer for their team and create an atmosphere that motivates the players, even in the face of adversity.
Duncan Fear, who has been manager at Tunley Athletic for more than a decade, said: “We’ve faced a lot of challenges as a club over the last few years and it’s easy to lose focus when things just aren’t going our way.
“Confidence is one of our biggest struggles, so to have Andy join our training session and give us a fresh mindset has been game changing.
“It’s given us a new sense of belief, so we’re excited to see how it translates to better performances on the pitch. We’ll be giving our fans something to really rally behind and put our new chants to the test.”