Jumping on the bandwagon, but why?

Scene: Hell, football destruction committee

Lowly runt: Boss, we need something new to wreck football, Racism, Profanity, Intentional Fouling and even fixing have failed

Boss (perhaps a cricket fan or an American): Don’t worry, very soon, the odds will be in our favor, I have hired…..Bandwagon!

So what exactly is the Bandwagon? At this moment, I’m obviously referring to the phrase ‘jumping the bandwagon’, which google states to be tantamount to ‘Join a growing movement in support of someone or something, often in an opportunist way, when that movement is seen to have become successful’. That also implies that most fans are fans only when their team has won, otherwise, they can always say “I don’t watch football, in cricket, I was supporting India in the world cup” (trust me, I’ve had this line back at me millions of times).

Well, after a quick survey, it was clear – it’s either Barcelona, Manchester United or cricket if you aren’t seriously into football (in which case you might support some other club). Well, Barcelona and Manchester United are two fantastic and the among the most dynamic teams since the turn of the millennium, but is that it? It’s failed to convince me somehow. Being a relatively new football fan (although completely obsessed right now ), I don’t have the facts at my fingertips, especially not the ones about a rival and a club who’s playing style I find boring (please, I can’t have more of ‘Viva Barca’ and ‘Ur a RMad fan’ anymore in the comments. You just can’t baptize me on that little topic, it’s boring skulduggery to me). A quick wiki session reveals something…intriguing, perhaps? (It’s only about their achievements since 2000.)

Manchester United -

1. Premier League winners :- 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11
2. F. A. Cup:- 2003–04
3. Champions League:- 2007–08

Barcelona -

1. La Liga winners :- 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11
2. Copa Del Rey :- 2008–09, 2011–12
3. Champions League :- 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11

A truly amazing tally, and one worthy of attention and support no doubt, but is it the best one? One could argue that Real Madrid or Chelsea are better, but both these clubs don’t have a fan base as big as Manchester United or Barcelona (with all due respect to Chelsea and Real Madrid, both of which I prefer over the clubs in spotlight).

So now for the question of the decade (very literally), why these clubs? I myself was at a loss, especially after trying to delve into the matter in my last article. I go around in my family asking the same question. Results vary, but all have some truth.

Dad – “Son, it’s all in the players, It’s not about exceptional players alone, it’s about flair, people like Klose score goals, but Wayne Rooney and Lionel Messi do it in style”

Mom (who isn’t terribly fond of football) – “Shakespeare had it slightly wrong, it’s all in the name, Barcelona is easier to pronounce than that club you support, the French one in a red jersey” (she meant Bayern Munich, I know it’s German, it’s not an error, its quoting).

So if we were to consider the fact that it’s all in hindsight, about flashy driblers and amazing freekick takers, and that people do sweat bricks trying to say ‘Bayern Munich’, we could say that Manchester United and Barcelona are support worthy. Is that all? C’mon, too soon a party pooper.

A reason that I reach after writing this article for two days might explain everything instantly. Supporting these clubs does one thing among social circles, and that is establish you as a fan of the winners, and even if they stumble occasionally, in which case theres always a fantastic recent history to boast about. A quick wiki session or interaction with a ‘true’ football fan will prevent a lifetime of late night match watching and discussion about a sport they don’t like, and the added benefit of acting like the biggest, smuggest, most arrogant football guru just in case their club wins (which is often) the bandwagon truly is the enemy of modern day football….agreed?

P. S. If you can come with a better reason than me, please feel free to comment with proper grammar, diction, punctuations, spellings and a complete absence of profanity, thank you.