How the EPL looks based on clubs Twitter followers
Mon Jul 15, 2013 6:54 am
It's one of the few times you’ll see Manchester United fifth in any league table.
But the world’s biggest football club is a long way behind its main rivals in the league of Twitter followers.
That said, it did amass a record 400,000 followers in just 48 hours last week, as it became the last top-flight football club to join the social networking site.
Our figures show Swansea City are the 13th most popular Premier League side on Twitter with over 130,000 followers.
Cardiff are the 17th most popular with just under 50,000 followers, despite having yet to kick a ball in the Premier League.
Arsenal have the most followers, with 2.5 million, followed by Chelsea with 2.4 million and Liverpool with 1.8m.
Southampton are the least followed, with just 12,100.
Most football clubs are highly active on Twitter, using the site to reach a global audience, strengthen their brand, break news and communicate informally with fans.
Cardiff City spokesman Barrie McAuliffe said: “We’ve very much embraced the use of social media, using Twitter and Facebook as an informal means of communication between fans and the club for a number of years.
“Official websites still play their part of course, but you can’t feasibly launch official articles on every single supporter query and interaction via that platform.
“That’s where social media starts as a useful tool for me, as you can quickly reply to general queries and concerns, or dispel some of the occasional rumours that can appear online.
“If used correctly the informal and conversational nature of Twitter is perfect for giving fans quick replies, within reason, while also showing that there are people working behind the scenes, rather than presenting the view of a faceless organisation.
“Personality and a courteous approach in our view is just as important to our communications as the information when working via social media.
“Twitter isn’t just a help-desk or commercial tool for us, however.
“We actively encourage supporter contributions and views, having been among the first to champion football interaction for our publications.
“It’s great to see fans’ views and photos in print, bringing them closer to the players and their club as a result.
“We also enjoy running exclusive competitions via both platforms and intend to increase this service in the season ahead.”
Our figures also paint an intriguing picture of where clubs’ fans are based.
Of Swansea’s followers, 43% are based in the UK with 13% based in Spain, the home of players like Michu, Angel Rangel and Pablo Hernandez.
The club also have a strong following in Holland and Indonesia.
Cardiff also have a following in America with 7% of followers hailing from there.
Meanwhile, unsurprisingly, the club also has strong online support in Malaysia, the home of club owner Vincent Tan.
Italian clubs were among the first to embrace social media.
Speaking to delegates at the Soccerex football business convention in Manchester Shergul Arshad, digital business director at AS Roma said the club should be capitalising on an estimated 30 million tourists that come through the city every year.
“Social media is opening up international communication strands that did not exist before,” he said.
Mr Arshad says it was growing social media presence which helped entice sportswear giant Nike to sign a 10-year deal to be the club’s official kit supplier from the 2014-15 season.
He also pointed to the club’s agreement with Disney to hold the club’s winter training camp at the US firm’s Wide World of Sports complex in Florida.
“These brands are interested in advertising on our social media platforms,” he said.
“They are also interested in reaching those 30 million visitors who come to Rome every year.”
Dan Tyte, executive director of PR firm Working Word and co-author of social media book Share This said: “Premier League clubs attract massive interest, not just from fans on their doorstep but across the world.
“Twitter provides the perfect platform for conversations with supporters from Splott to Shanghai, giving behind the scenes access previously unavailable to anyone not on the club’s staff.
“When the season starts and their games are beamed globally, Cardiff City and the other newly promoted clubs can expect an explosion of followers from every corner of the world.
“The real question is whether those followers can be turned from passive consumers of club news to paying customers.
“But by making them like the club and feel like part of the family – be that through a photograph from the training ground or, as Cardiff did last week, a competition to win Andreas Cornelius’ signed shirt – the good will towards the club can be turned into cash at the club shop if the social is linked to the sales function.”
Premier League table based on Twitter followers
1: Arsenal - 2.5m
2: Chelsea - 2.4m
3: Liverpool - 1.8m
4: Manchester City - 994,000
5: Tottenham Hotspur - 522,300
6: Manchester United - 438,641
7: Newcastle United - 257,900
8: Everton - 215,700
9: West Ham United - 190,900
10: Aston Villa - 181,700
11: Fulham - 144,600
12: Sunderland - 143,500
13: Swansea - 132,200
14: Norwich City - 124,400
15: Stoke City - 118,600
16: West Bromwich Albion - 83,800
17: Cardiff City - 49,500
18: Crystal Palace - 46,600
19: Hull City - 38,700
20: Southampton - 12,100
But the world’s biggest football club is a long way behind its main rivals in the league of Twitter followers.
That said, it did amass a record 400,000 followers in just 48 hours last week, as it became the last top-flight football club to join the social networking site.
Our figures show Swansea City are the 13th most popular Premier League side on Twitter with over 130,000 followers.
Cardiff are the 17th most popular with just under 50,000 followers, despite having yet to kick a ball in the Premier League.
Arsenal have the most followers, with 2.5 million, followed by Chelsea with 2.4 million and Liverpool with 1.8m.
Southampton are the least followed, with just 12,100.
Most football clubs are highly active on Twitter, using the site to reach a global audience, strengthen their brand, break news and communicate informally with fans.
Cardiff City spokesman Barrie McAuliffe said: “We’ve very much embraced the use of social media, using Twitter and Facebook as an informal means of communication between fans and the club for a number of years.
“Official websites still play their part of course, but you can’t feasibly launch official articles on every single supporter query and interaction via that platform.
“That’s where social media starts as a useful tool for me, as you can quickly reply to general queries and concerns, or dispel some of the occasional rumours that can appear online.
“If used correctly the informal and conversational nature of Twitter is perfect for giving fans quick replies, within reason, while also showing that there are people working behind the scenes, rather than presenting the view of a faceless organisation.
“Personality and a courteous approach in our view is just as important to our communications as the information when working via social media.
“Twitter isn’t just a help-desk or commercial tool for us, however.
“We actively encourage supporter contributions and views, having been among the first to champion football interaction for our publications.
“It’s great to see fans’ views and photos in print, bringing them closer to the players and their club as a result.
“We also enjoy running exclusive competitions via both platforms and intend to increase this service in the season ahead.”
Our figures also paint an intriguing picture of where clubs’ fans are based.
Of Swansea’s followers, 43% are based in the UK with 13% based in Spain, the home of players like Michu, Angel Rangel and Pablo Hernandez.
The club also have a strong following in Holland and Indonesia.
Cardiff also have a following in America with 7% of followers hailing from there.
Meanwhile, unsurprisingly, the club also has strong online support in Malaysia, the home of club owner Vincent Tan.
Italian clubs were among the first to embrace social media.
Speaking to delegates at the Soccerex football business convention in Manchester Shergul Arshad, digital business director at AS Roma said the club should be capitalising on an estimated 30 million tourists that come through the city every year.
“Social media is opening up international communication strands that did not exist before,” he said.
Mr Arshad says it was growing social media presence which helped entice sportswear giant Nike to sign a 10-year deal to be the club’s official kit supplier from the 2014-15 season.
He also pointed to the club’s agreement with Disney to hold the club’s winter training camp at the US firm’s Wide World of Sports complex in Florida.
“These brands are interested in advertising on our social media platforms,” he said.
“They are also interested in reaching those 30 million visitors who come to Rome every year.”
Dan Tyte, executive director of PR firm Working Word and co-author of social media book Share This said: “Premier League clubs attract massive interest, not just from fans on their doorstep but across the world.
“Twitter provides the perfect platform for conversations with supporters from Splott to Shanghai, giving behind the scenes access previously unavailable to anyone not on the club’s staff.
“When the season starts and their games are beamed globally, Cardiff City and the other newly promoted clubs can expect an explosion of followers from every corner of the world.
“The real question is whether those followers can be turned from passive consumers of club news to paying customers.
“But by making them like the club and feel like part of the family – be that through a photograph from the training ground or, as Cardiff did last week, a competition to win Andreas Cornelius’ signed shirt – the good will towards the club can be turned into cash at the club shop if the social is linked to the sales function.”
Premier League table based on Twitter followers
1: Arsenal - 2.5m
2: Chelsea - 2.4m
3: Liverpool - 1.8m
4: Manchester City - 994,000
5: Tottenham Hotspur - 522,300
6: Manchester United - 438,641
7: Newcastle United - 257,900
8: Everton - 215,700
9: West Ham United - 190,900
10: Aston Villa - 181,700
11: Fulham - 144,600
12: Sunderland - 143,500
13: Swansea - 132,200
14: Norwich City - 124,400
15: Stoke City - 118,600
16: West Bromwich Albion - 83,800
17: Cardiff City - 49,500
18: Crystal Palace - 46,600
19: Hull City - 38,700
20: Southampton - 12,100
Re: How the EPL looks based on clubs Twitter followers
Mon Jul 15, 2013 7:22 am
I just posted the same (was able to delete in time). I was bored a few days ago and started to list the twitter followers of the clubs. I even got bored doing that as well. Thankfully someone followed through.
Would expect us to rise now we are in the Premier League. There are a few shocks though, Man U & Southampton to name two.
Would expect us to rise now we are in the Premier League. There are a few shocks though, Man U & Southampton to name two.
Re: How the EPL looks based on clubs Twitter followers
Mon Jul 15, 2013 7:41 am
Re: How the EPL looks based on clubs Twitter followers
Mon Jul 15, 2013 7:43 am
And Cardiff have 50,659 
Re: How the EPL looks based on clubs Twitter followers
Mon Jul 15, 2013 8:59 am
Wayne S wrote:I just posted the same (was able to delete in time). I was bored a few days ago and started to list the twitter followers of the clubs. I even got bored doing that as well. Thankfully someone followed through.
Would expect us to rise now we are in the Premier League. There are a few shocks though, Man U & Southampton to name two.
Re: How the EPL looks based on clubs Twitter followers
Mon Jul 15, 2013 9:05 am
Wayne S wrote:I just posted the same (was able to delete in time). I was bored a few days ago and started to list the twitter followers of the clubs. I even got bored doing that as well. Thankfully someone followed through.
Would expect us to rise now we are in the Premier League. There are a few shocks though, Man U & Southampton to name two.
Man utd only started theirs up last week tho!
Re: How the EPL looks based on clubs Twitter followers
Mon Jul 15, 2013 9:15 am
Llanellicardifffan wrote:Wayne S wrote:I just posted the same (was able to delete in time). I was bored a few days ago and started to list the twitter followers of the clubs. I even got bored doing that as well. Thankfully someone followed through.
Would expect us to rise now we are in the Premier League. There are a few shocks though, Man U & Southampton to name two.
Man utd only started theirs up last week tho!
Yeah, it would help if I read the story.
Re: How the EPL looks based on clubs Twitter followers
Mon Jul 15, 2013 7:44 pm
I feel sorry for Southampton 12k isn't much 
Re: How the EPL looks based on clubs Twitter followers
Mon Jul 15, 2013 8:22 pm
Cardiff Blues wrote:I feel sorry for Southampton 12k isn't much
It was misquoted in the article, they actually have over 120k
Re: How the EPL looks based on clubs Twitter followers
Mon Jul 15, 2013 9:51 pm
You've lost me completely here, what the f**k have a mob of left wing idiots got to do with Cardiff City?
The EPL are just a bunch of bearded sandal wearing fools with some shaven headed homosexuals for mates. Their follower's on CCMB have gone a bit quiet though. EPL my arse, treat them with same contempt as religion.
The EPL are just a bunch of bearded sandal wearing fools with some shaven headed homosexuals for mates. Their follower's on CCMB have gone a bit quiet though. EPL my arse, treat them with same contempt as religion.
Re: How the EPL looks based on clubs Twitter followers
Mon Jul 15, 2013 9:55 pm
Willy the Wombat wrote:You've lost me completely here, what the f**k have a mob of left wing idiots got to do with Cardiff City?
The EPL are just a bunch of bearded sandal wearing fools with some shaven headed homosexuals for mates. Their follower's on CCMB have gone a bit quiet though. EPL my arse, treat them with same contempt as religion.
EDL is what you're thinking of.
English Defence League
English Premier League
Two very different things.
Re: How the EPL looks based on clubs Twitter followers
Tue Jul 16, 2013 12:12 pm
What is it ,you and numbers