WHAT IS A "PLASTIC"

I have seen many posts refering follow supporters as Plastics.

I was looking through some old City programmes this weekend ( a non footy weekend lol) and came accross the programme which was my first game....

Cardiff v Brighton 5h May 1984

The attendance for the game was a whopping 4,366.

Looking through the stats , our support was pretty dire up until around 2000. So considering how low our crowds have been , are Plastics :-

The "Stay away fans then", or the "New Fans" now ?

I have seen many posts refering follow supporters as Plastics.

I was looking through some old City programmes this weekend ( a non footy weekend lol) and came accross the programme which was my first game....

Cardiff v Brighton 5h May 1984

The attendance for the game was a whopping 4,366.

Looking through the stats , our support was pretty dire up until around 2000. So considering how low our crowds have been , are Plastics :-

The "Stay away fans then", or the "New Fans" now ?

Anyone who was not there pre sam hammam days(excludes kids)

Plastic a word used to justify an insecure football fans superiority over other fans, in an attempt to create a hierarchical structure where one does not traditionally exist.

in simple terms sad fuckers who enjoy beating other supporters down and enjoy bragging about how long theyve supported their club and show little or no respect for anyone who has supported the club for less time than them

I call people in work plastics who support an English team and not Swansea or City, also those who never go and watch their English team.

The new City fans have become involved because of our success but at least they are coming to the games unlike the English Premier League team supporting South Walian fan who claim to follow United, Chelsea, Liverpool etc based purely on their success mikes away from home.

Plastic a word used to justify an insecure football fans superiority over other fans, in an attempt to create a hierarchical structure where one does not traditionally exist.

in simple terms sad fuckers who enjoy beating other supporters down and enjoy bragging about how long theyve supported their club and show little or no respect for anyone who has supported the club for less time than them

Totally agree. It is pathetic seeing the same old usual suspects complaining about City's rise up the leagues and the extra support we have attracted and moaning "where were they when we were shit"

The answer is doing something else other than watching dreadful 4th division (in old money) football.

Why that is such a surprise is absolutely beyond me and I always remember hearing fans say if only we went up a few leagues we would be massive i.e. a 'sleeping giant'. Astonishingly now we are a Premiership club with the world at our feet there are some self-proclaimed super supporters having ago at the newbies.

As you say they seem to be insecure for some reason, but personally I can't understand why they are not delighted at the way the South Wales public has bought into City success.

Yes it's very strange hated them for not turning up,and know hate them cause they do LOL.

You can't win with football fans in general - if you weren't there watching your team vs Brentford in 1988 along with 3 other fans on a pissing down Saturday afternoon where they lost 16-0, they call you a plastic or a 'Johnny come lately'.

The same people also berate you for not supporting your local club.

I know many, many people who for some reason, have a first and second team; Liverpool and City for example, or Spurs and Swansea (generally when these teams were in different leagues).

The way I see it is this - there are millions of opinions in football, but that's all they are; worthless opinions. Support who you want, however you want to.

I call people in work plastics who support an English team and not Swansea or City, also those who never go and watch their English team.

The new City fans have become involved because of our success but at least they are coming to the games unlike the English Premier League team supporting South Walian fan who claim to follow United, Chelsea, Liverpool etc based purely on their success mikes away from home.

That's my view too Carl. They are more "Sky" fans than they are of a team.

I would say a "plastic" is someone who "supports" a team because of their success.

If you don't support a club when they're not doing very well, but only support the club when they're doing well, you are a plastic.

I used to go as a teenager in the dark days of 86 and after a few sad tuesday nights of dire football i lost interest a bit and stopped going, i was more interested in the first division to be honest but i didnt support one of those teams. when we got in the championship i started going again and it was great. i could not believe we were in something so glamourous sounding as the championship and the football was pretty good too. so im a plastic i suppose but who cares were all bluebirds

Anybody who supports a club, and goes to as many of their games as possible, is not a 'plastic'. I know people who support Leeds, Everton, and Man Utd. Have done all their lives. Don't know why, but they go to games whenever they can. In my book, those are real fans. Others may disagree.

Everton, Leeds and Man Utd yes ok, but yet to meet a plastic Rochdale fan do you think they're out there?

I call people in work plastics who support an English team and not Swansea or City, also those who never go and watch their English team.

The new City fans have become involved because of our success but at least they are coming to the games unlike the English Premier League team supporting South Walian fan who claim to follow United, Chelsea, Liverpool etc based purely on their success mikes away from home.

That's my take on a plastic.

Everton, Leeds and Man Utd yes ok, but yet to meet a plastic Rochdale fan do you think they're out there?

Doubt it!

My first ever game was Man Utd at Old Trafford v the Swans in September 1981.Attendance was 47,309 and we lost to a 25 yarder from Gary Birtles.You could have called me a plastic back then but it's just a starting point for anyone who loves the game.I take my boy now and I know he'll follow the Swans for the rest of his life.The same goes for the doctor who managed to get a season ticket when we first went up as he had money to burn.He had no particular interest in the Swans,he was more busy watching Rooney and van Persie but his son and daughter who he takes have caught the bug and will be Jacks forever.

I think what im trying to say is 'plastic' is a load of shit.If they are paying money into the club by buying ST's and merchandise then good for them.There's no better feeling driving about and seeing a nipper with the new kit on.

For me a plastic is someone who uses the word 'we' when talking about a club when they are winning but has no loyalty and doesnt feel the pain of defeat.

Its also a great word to use to take the piss out of your mates when none of the fuckers turn up to watch derby in the rain and hudson scores from the halfway line.

A fan is a supporter of a club. That is someone who has gone and watch the club be it once or many times. They have supported the club.

A plastic has never supported a club. Basically has never gone to a game of the club. They might be an expert of the club thanks to media but as they have never watched them live then they are plastics.

A fan is a supporter of a club. That is someone who has gone and watch the club be it once or many times. They have supported the club.

A plastic has never supported a club. Basically has never gone to a game of the club. They might be an expert of the club thanks to media but as they have never watched them live then they are plastics.

Well said, that is a plastic.

A fan is a supporter of a club. That is someone who has gone and watch the club be it once or many times. They have supported the club.

A plastic has never supported a club. Basically has never gone to a game of the club. They might be an expert of the club thanks to media but as they have never watched them live then they are plastics.

Well said, that is a plastic.

I second that, Spot on Ian.

Then you have your Glory Hunter fan and your fair weather fan

Anybody who supports a club, and goes to as many of their games as possible, is not a 'plastic'. I know people who support Leeds, Everton, and Man Utd. Have done all their lives. Don't know why, but they go to games whenever they can. In my book, those are real fans. Others may disagree.

Agreed. Whoever you support and for whatever reason you support them for if you go semi regularly then your a real fan. I know a few blokes Cardiff born and bred who go up to United every game, home and often away. They have been for years, pre Fergie. On the other hand I know a Cardiff fan who only goes when it's Wembley, how he gets a ticket I don't know.

I know a Sunderland fan and a Manchester City fan who go up when they can, both Roath boys through and through and supported their chosen club since the 80s. Plastics are those who will f**k off once we go down.

A Fan who would rather support a High profile club miles away rather than his local side.

Is a plastic fan.

They have no emotional connection to the club.

For instance, guy who stays in Gabalfa and is a United fan.Has no family near or any connection to the club,He just supports them because they're successful.
Would he support UTD if they were a League 2 struggling side?

This epitomises a plastic fan for me, but truth be told, these fans are worldwide and they poor revenue into a brand like Manchester United.


We should take what we can get if its pouring revenue into the club.

Even if fans are totally loyal to their club and attend as many games as possible, I still believe it's still wrong if someone in Cardiff supports Man United or Liverpool etc. If it wasn't for their success they wouldn't support them. You should base who you support on where you come from or if the club has a connection to your family (i.e who your dad supports). Nothing else.

Even if fans are totally loyal to their club and attend as many games as possible, I still believe it's still wrong if someone in Cardiff supports Man United or Liverpool etc. If it wasn't for their success they wouldn't support them. You should base who you support on where you come from or if the club has a connection to your family (i.e who your dad supports). Nothing else.

I think people should be able to support who ever they want to support

I wasnt aware of any kind of criteria you had to fill out to become a football fan

why do people moan about people who support Man U or LIverpool, its their life!! Or is it more about your life are you jealous of they guy who supports Man U for the success his club has achieved.

Ive just got into American Football, to pick my team I went through the process of eenie meenie miney mo, I came up with the Baltimore Ravens, now if I had done that with Football I could have had any team but when I became interested in football I picked Cardiff because it is my local team

Even if fans are totally loyal to their club and attend as many games as possible, I still believe it's still wrong if someone in Cardiff supports Man United or Liverpool etc. If it wasn't for their success they wouldn't support them. You should base who you support on where you come from or if the club has a connection to your family (i.e who your dad supports). Nothing else.

I think people should be able to support who ever they want to support

I wasnt aware of any kind of criteria you had to fill out to become a football fan

why do people moan about people who support Man U or LIverpool, its their life!! Or is it more about your life are you jealous of they guy who supports Man U for the success his club has achieved.

Ive just got into American Football, to pick my team I went through the process of eenie meenie miney mo, I came up with the Baltimore Ravens, now if I had done that with Football I could have had any team but when I became interested in football I picked Cardiff because it is my local team

If you don't have a local team then fair enough. Just like you don't have a local American football team.

But personally I think you should base who you support on where you come from.

Even if fans are totally loyal to their club and attend as many games as possible, I still believe it's still wrong if someone in Cardiff supports Man United or Liverpool etc. If it wasn't for their success they wouldn't support them. You should base who you support on where you come from or if the club has a connection to your family (i.e who your dad supports). Nothing else.

I think people should be able to support who ever they want to support

I wasnt aware of any kind of criteria you had to fill out to become a football fan

why do people moan about people who support Man U or LIverpool, its their life!! Or is it more about your life are you jealous of they guy who supports Man U for the success his club has achieved.

Ive just got into American Football, to pick my team I went through the process of eenie meenie miney mo, I came up with the Baltimore Ravens, now if I had done that with Football I could have had any team but when I became interested in football I picked Cardiff because it is my local team

If you don't have a local team then fair enough. Just like you don't have a local American football team.

But personally I think you should base who you support on where you come from.

thats fine and thats the choices youve made maybe you will pass it on to your kids

its just a sport though your not committing treason if you follow Man United.

if the criteria I used to pick a football team is I want success I want to support the best football team in the world Man United is a reasonable option

What I don't understand is people who slag off South Wales-based Man United, Liverpool and Chelsea fans but as soon as they start to show support for their local team they're branded a "plastic" and "Johnny-Come-Lately".

Damned if they do and damned if they don't.

What I don't understand is people who slag off South Wales-based Man United, Liverpool and Chelsea fans but as soon as they start to show support for their local team they're branded a "plastic" and "Johnny-Come-Lately".

Damned if they do and damned if they don't.

Well if they started supporting their local team because of success and not because it's their local team then yes they are still plastics

Even if fans are totally loyal to their club and attend as many games as possible, I still believe it's still wrong if someone in Cardiff supports Man United or Liverpool etc. If it wasn't for their success they wouldn't support them. You should base who you support on where you come from or if the club has a connection to your family (i.e who your dad supports). Nothing else.

I think people should be able to support who ever they want to support

I wasnt aware of any kind of criteria you had to fill out to become a football fan

why do people moan about people who support Man U or LIverpool, its their life!! Or is it more about your life are you jealous of they guy who supports Man U for the success his club has achieved.

Ive just got into American Football, to pick my team I went through the process of eenie meenie miney mo, I came up with the Baltimore Ravens, now if I had done that with Football I could have had any team but when I became interested in football I picked Cardiff because it is my local team

If you don't have a local team then fair enough. Just like you don't have a local American football team.

But personally I think you should base who you support on where you come from.

thats fine and thats the choices youve made maybe you will pass it on to your kids

its just a sport though your not committing treason if you follow Man United.

if the criteria I used to pick a football team is I want success I want to support the best football team in the world Man United is a reasonable option

Well like it or not, the "criteria" I said is what the majority of loyal football fans follow and if they don't come under that "criteria" then fans will label them as plastics etc, that will always be the case

Even if fans are totally loyal to their club and attend as many games as possible, I still believe it's still wrong if someone in Cardiff supports Man United or Liverpool etc. If it wasn't for their success they wouldn't support them. You should base who you support on where you come from or if the club has a connection to your family (i.e who your dad supports). Nothing else.

I think people should be able to support who ever they want to support

I wasnt aware of any kind of criteria you had to fill out to become a football fan

why do people moan about people who support Man U or LIverpool, its their life!! Or is it more about your life are you jealous of they guy who supports Man U for the success his club has achieved.

Ive just got into American Football, to pick my team I went through the process of eenie meenie miney mo, I came up with the Baltimore Ravens, now if I had done that with Football I could have had any team but when I became interested in football I picked Cardiff because it is my local team

If you don't have a local team then fair enough. Just like you don't have a local American football team.

But personally I think you should base who you support on where you come from.

thats fine and thats the choices youve made maybe you will pass it on to your kids

its just a sport though your not committing treason if you follow Man United.

if the criteria I used to pick a football team is I want success I want to support the best football team in the world Man United is a reasonable option

Well like it or not, the "criteria" I said is what the majority of loyal football fans follow and if they don't come under that "criteria" then fans will label them as plastics etc, that will always be the case

so if the criteria of the majority of fans was success would those stupid loyal fans who supported their local team be labelled as plastics?


the point im trying to make is everybody seems to be a plastic fan bar the guy labeling everybody else a plastic that guy seems to be the one true fan.

If you dont support your local team your plastic
If youve only started supporting your local team your plastic
If you only care about success your plastic
If you praise the club after a win and vilify the team after a loss your plastic


people are so concerned that they are not a plastic fan they change the parameters to suit their personal situation to make sure they are not a plastic fan.

so I go back to my original post its an attempt to create a hierarchy where one does not exist to laud self praise on themselves.

look at the attempt of one poster to say if you supported Cardiff pre Sam Hammam you are not plastic that would make the majority of our current fan base plastic me included. The only position that suits is that poster to make sure he is not a plastic.

Even if fans are totally loyal to their club and attend as many games as possible, I still believe it's still wrong if someone in Cardiff supports Man United or Liverpool etc. If it wasn't for their success they wouldn't support them. You should base who you support on where you come from or if the club has a connection to your family (i.e who your dad supports). Nothing else.

I think people should be able to support who ever they want to support

I wasnt aware of any kind of criteria you had to fill out to become a football fan

why do people moan about people who support Man U or LIverpool, its their life!! Or is it more about your life are you jealous of they guy who supports Man U for the success his club has achieved.

Ive just got into American Football, to pick my team I went through the process of eenie meenie miney mo, I came up with the Baltimore Ravens, now if I had done that with Football I could have had any team but when I became interested in football I picked Cardiff because it is my local team

If you don't have a local team then fair enough. Just like you don't have a local American football team.

But personally I think you should base who you support on where you come from.

thats fine and thats the choices youve made maybe you will pass it on to your kids

its just a sport though your not committing treason if you follow Man United.

if the criteria I used to pick a football team is I want success I want to support the best football team in the world Man United is a reasonable option

Well like it or not, the "criteria" I said is what the majority of loyal football fans follow and if they don't come under that "criteria" then fans will label them as plastics etc, that will always be the case

so if the criteria of the majority of fans was success would those stupid loyal fans who supported their local team be labelled as plastics?


the point im trying to make is everybody seems to be a plastic fan bar the guy labeling everybody else a plastic that guy seems to be the one true fan.

If you dont support your local team your plastic
If youve only started supporting your local team your plastic
If you only care about success your plastic
If you praise the club after a win and vilify the team after a loss your plastic


people are so concerned that they are not a plastic fan they change the parameters to suit their personal situation to make sure they are not a plastic fan.

so I go back to my original post its an attempt to create a hierarchy where one does not exist to laud self praise on themselves.

look at the attempt of one poster to say if you supported Cardiff pre Sam Hammam you are not plastic that would make the majority of our current fan base plastic me included. The only position that suits is that poster to make sure he is not a plastic.

I'm not concerned at all. I haven't changed anything to suit my personal situation. What I've said it just how it is to the majority of loyal football fans in the UK. Like it or not.

You've misunderstood a lot of what I've said. Just to pick out one of them, I didn't say that if you praise your team after win and vilify your team after a loss then you're a plastic. I said that if you only support the club when they're doing well (when they win) and don't support the club when they're not doing so well then you're a plastic.

I've only said it how it is.