Do Leicester attract Asian fans?

[Guest MattP]

Asians generally seem to like success. Look how they fill Belgrave Road with thousands when India win the Cricket World Cup but you can't find one that admits to watching it when England were beating their ass for the last couple of months.

One of the guys who comes down with us sometimes is a Sikh (and he was going in the Filbo days) but out of the 80-100 'asians' I've probably worked with and known over the last 5 years I think only a handful of them have ever been inside the Walkers Stadium.

I think the most accurate assessment is they didnt have the father taking them down whose father took him down like I'd bet 80% of the non asians on here have.

[Deucalion]

I go in the West Stand cheapo seats and it has its regulars and also people who attend a game at a time.

I don't know why, but most 'Asians' seem to go in the West Stand. I don't know whether it's a choice, random, or whether the club directs them there but it seems to be the case. It is my impression that far more people with Indian ancestry are going now than previously but they tend to turn up as an extended family rather than as individuals. They don't brink their nans though!

Last season I sat next to an Indian lad who must've been around 17-18 who went down with his dad. The lad was always joining in under his breath with the songs in L1 and he looked like he was itching to join in. His dad seemed keen too but in a much more sober way. They're not here this year, which is a shame, because they were pleasant enough to sit next to and better than empty seats next to you or a random person for well supported games.

One thing I have noticed, and I can only put it down to the Thailand connection, is far more people from South East Asia. It's fair to say I have never seem someone from South East Asia at the football until recently. They are now fairly common in the West Stand. To make a gross generalisation about SE Asia supporters, I don't think they are L1 material. I cannot help myself but watch when unusual people turn up and while they seem interested in what is going on, they seem overwhelmed when the crowd get very excited, such as when we score.

To sum up, as far as I'm concerned, it's the more the merrier!!

[Guest Bilo]

Asians generally seem to like success. Look how they fill Belgrave Road with thousands when India win the Cricket World Cup but you can't find one that admits to watching it when England were beating their ass for the last couple of months.

One of the guys who comes down with us sometimes is a Sikh (and he was going in the Filbo days) but out of the 80-100 'asians' I've probably worked with and known over the last 5 years I think only a handful of them have ever been inside the Walkers Stadium.

I think the most accurate assessment is they didnt have the father taking them down whose father took him down like I'd bet 80% of the non asians on here have.

I think that's the nail on the head.

We support Leicester City because we have not only a local connection but a family connection, I myself am at least a third generation City fan, whereas many Asian families don't really have that. That's hardly surprising considering that Filbert Street wouldn't exactly have been the best place to be for an Asian fan in the 70s and 80s.

Now that those days are behind us, it'd be good to get some more fans in the ground. All the initiatives in the world won't make a lot of difference, the pulling point will be Premiership football where some Asian fans can see the big clubs they 'support' at the moment, and then they can switch their allegiances to something more meaningful.

[Pride_Of_The_Midlands]

In July 2001 Bradford was a city on the edge.

A few weeks earlier, its football club had been relegated from the Premier League, the start of a rapid descent down the divisions and to the brink of extinction.

But the demise of the debt-ridden team was by no means the city's only problem.

Racial tensions in this deprived corner of West Yorkshire were intensifying.

Stoked by confrontations between the Anti-Nazi League and various far-right groups, things finally boiled over into three days of rioting between the large Asian population and sections of the white working-class majority.

Hundreds were injured, millions of pounds worth of damage was caused, and 200 jail sentences were handed down. Bradford, it appeared, was one of the most divided communities in Britain.

But 12 years on, tensions between segregated neighbourhoods have eased, and a footballing fairytale is helping to heal old wounds.

The tough, terraced streets which surround Valley Parade in the largely Muslim district of Manningham were one of the areas worst affected by the riots.

Now, many of the youngsters who play for Manningham All-Stars, a predominantly Asian grassroots football club, are regulars at Bradford City matches. Several are lucky enough to be going to the final at Wembley.

"It's brought the city together," says Khalil Hussein, a social inclusion worker who runs the club.

"It doesn't matter if you're black, white, Asian, whatever. You either support Bradford City or you don't, and most of us do. More still needs to be done, but football has the power to unite, and that's what's happened here.

"At weekends you'll see 100 kids playing football here, from every community. It's one of the most diverse sets of lads anywhere in Yorkshire."

There's a limit to what Bradford's heroics on the pitch can achieve of course. Parts of the post-industrial city centre are desperately in need of development. A large area has been cleared for a long-awaited new shopping complex, but it has yet to arrive, and unemployment is a major problem in an area hit harder than most by the tough economic times.

But there is a genuine sense that the football club's underdog spirit has helped unite those who live here.

"The whole city's been lifted by it," says Bradford City's co-chairman Mark Lawn.

"Whites, Asians, everyone. And everyone is clamouring for a ticket. It's a miracle. It proves that the underdog can win."

Terry Yorath played for and managed Bradford and still lives a few miles away in Leeds.

"When I was there you'd hardly get any Asians watching a game," he says.

"But I remember one Sunday morning when I was manager. I went into the ground to do some office work. I heard a noise, looked out of my office window, and there were 100 Asians kids having a game on the pitch. They'd jumped over a wall to get in. It's a myth they don't like the game.

"Bradford is a unique place. Local politicians have been promising the city a bright new future, new buildings, and yet nothing had happened. It's taken the football team to do that. The city deserved this."

Three years ago British Pakistani Zesh Rehman captained Bradford and gave a generation of local Muslim youngsters the sporting role model they needed.

But today, Bradford residents of every race are united in support of the unlikely underdogs that galvanised a city and charmed the sport at large.

The only colour on their minds? Claret and amber.

Capital One Cup final: Bradford unite for Wembley date

[JonnyBoy]

I'm asian and I got home and away, but does it really matter if I am or not? Surely we're all just football fans.

no one is degrading Asian football fans? this is a general discussion, if anything trying to get more Asian people involved in local clubs...

[JonnyBoy]

I think we'd see far more of the Asian community if we were to get promoted.

The lure of the 'big four' would bring in a lot of new fans who might currently 'support' Manchester United, Chelsea et al in the first season. The club could retain them thereafter once they realise that 'support' can be much more than a Sky Sports subscription and a replica shirt from JD Sports, so long as we stay in the Premiership and ticket prices don't take the piss.

I personally would not want fans like this supporting my club

[Kitchandro]

I personally would not want fans like this supporting my club

I know what you mean but it's either that or have 22,000 attendances.

[Guest Bilo]

I personally would not want fans like this supporting my club

The 'support' for the Big Four from fans like this isn't exactly strong is it? I doubt a lot of them could name a starting XI for their club.

I daresay most of the teenage lads you see in Manchester United replicas near Highcross of a weekend have never been near Old Trafford in their life. You can almost call these people 'floating fans' as their 'MUFC4EVA' mentality can be undermined easily with the promise of Premiership football on their doorstep and relatively cheap tickets. Most fans like this will either profess a 'soft spot' for Leicester City or 'want to see them do well,' a bit of success can turn this into something more meaningful relatively easily.

I'm sure there are a lot of fans, of all ethnicities, who 'supported' Manchester United et al before their first game at Filbert Street or the KP and now go every week. You'll still find them singing for the lads and their previous allegiance will be but a hazy memory.

[Guest Bilo]

I know what you mean but it's either that or have 22,000 attendances.

There were lots of unfamiliar faces at the Man City game as I recall and the atmosphere was still very decent. One or two near me admitted they only had a passing interest in Leicester City and were what I would call 'casual' fans of other clubs. (Not the violent casual, more the replica shirt and Sky subscription sort)

We still had them singing Sol, Sol Bamba half way through the game and going mental for King's equaliser. If big games were the rule rather than the exception, you'd see them more often.

[shiv]

The 'support' for the Big Four from fans like this isn't exactly strong is it? I doubt a lot of them could name a starting XI for their club.

I daresay most of the teenage lads you see in Manchester United replicas near Highcross of a weekend have never been near Old Trafford in their life. You can almost call these people 'floating fans' as their 'MUFC4EVA' mentality can be undermined easily with the promise of Premiership football on their doorstep and relatively cheap tickets. Most fans like this will either profess a 'soft spot' for Leicester City or 'want to see them do well,' a bit of success can turn this into something more meaningful relatively easily.

I'm sure there are a lot of fans, of all ethnicities, who 'supported' Manchester United et al before their first game at Filbert Street or the KP and now go every week. You'll still find them singing for the lads and their previous allegiance will be but a hazy memory.

I actually used to support Man Utd as a child (I say "support", but I was about 5 and Beckham was my favourite player), mainly because my mum supported them and my dad wasn't really into football at the time. Then my uncle started taking me to Flibert Street when I was around 7 and I'm now in my 10th season in a row as a season ticket holder! But that was different then, I reckon I always would have ended up supporting Leicester. Probably can't say the same for most Leicester-based Man Utd fans nowadays!

[Guest Bilo]

I actually used to support Man Utd as a child (I say "support", but I was about 5 and Beckham was my favourite player), mainly because my mum supported them and my dad wasn't really into football at the time. Then my uncle started taking me to Flibert Street when I was around 7 and I'm now in my 10th season in a row as a season ticket holder! But that was different then, I reckon I always would have ended up supporting Leicester. Probably can't say the same for most Leicester-based Man Utd fans nowadays!

I think you'd be surprised.

The chance to watch Premiership football live in action on your doorstep with 30,000 others or sitting at home watching it on TV and never getting to see your team in the flesh? That to me, and most fans, would be a no brainer.

Promotion is the key, no doubt about that.

[shiv]

I think you'd be surprised.

The chance to watch Premiership football live in action on your doorstep with 30,000 others or sitting at home watching it on TV and never getting to see your team in the flesh? That to me, and most fans, would be a no brainer.

Promotion is the key, no doubt about that.

True, it's just a question of sustaining our Premiership status if we ever do make the return - would the fans continue to support us if we were to come straight back down? Who knows!

[Zingari]

i'm not sure about this , but i think Raj ( who I'm not talking to anymore because he's an ungrateful sod) and Doc Singh might be Asian .

[Pride_Of_The_Midlands]

The 'support' for the Big Four from fans like this isn't exactly strong is it? I doubt a lot of them could name a starting XI for their club.

I daresay most of the teenage lads you see in Manchester United replicas near Highcross of a weekend have never been near Old Trafford in their life. You can almost call these people 'floating fans' as their 'MUFC4EVA' mentality can be undermined easily with the promise of Premiership football on their doorstep and relatively cheap tickets. Most fans like this will either profess a 'soft spot' for Leicester City or 'want to see them do well,' a bit of success can turn this into something more meaningful relatively easily.

I'm sure there are a lot of fans, of all ethnicities, who 'supported' Manchester United et al before their first game at Filbert Street or the KP and now go every week. You'll still find them singing for the lads and their previous allegiance will be but a hazy memory.

This is a good point.

I'm pretty sure this is what happened in places like Swansea, Stoke-on-Trent and Wigan.

[Raj]

i'm not sure about this , but i think Raj ( who I'm not talking to anymore because he's an ungrateful sod) and Doc Singh might be Asian .

Oh Shut it Zingari you bloomin Bitch....

Yes...im a Brown Boy and ive been a ST since The Filbo/Brian Little Days.

There are alot more Asians now they realise that not EVERY match involves racial induced rioting!!!

The Club has done things to try and get more asians in,but at the end of the day you can lead a thingy to water but you can't make the thingy drink the water(Or something like that!!!)

Agree with Above that if we get promoted we will get more fair weather fans just going to see their team Liverpool(who they have never ever seen before)

[Webbo]

Raj and Singhy are asian?!!

[foxoffderby]

Khan

Memoirs of an Asian Casual.

Asian lads from all backgrounds have been going since the 70's

[Hugo Sanchez]

They only went to fight. If you read it, They re not big city fans.

[Zingari]

Raj and Singhy are asian?!!

I've had a hunch they are for quite a while now although it's nothing I can quite put my finger on . ( although not for the want of trying). Neither of them say " goodness gracious me! " on a regular basis so maybe they are just pretending to be Asian.

We get lots of posters on here pretending to be all sorts ; Serbian warlords , Romany gypsies, Welsh intellectuals , Qualified decorators, undercover CIA whistle-blower operatives etc etc . I take it all with a pinch of salt.

[Zingari]

Oh Shut it Zingari you bloomin Bitch....

Yes...im a Brown Boy and ive been a ST since The Filbo/Brian Little Days.

There are alot more Asians now they realise that not EVERY match involves racial induced rioting!!!

The Club has done things to try and get more asians in,but at the end of the day you can lead a thingy to water but you can't make the thingy drink the water(Or something like that!!!)

Agree with Above that if we get promoted we will get more fair weather fans just going to see their team Liverpool(who they have never ever seen before)

Awww Rajjy you old softie

You know I can't stay mad at you for long when you flash and flutter those great big Bambi brown eyes at me.

[CardiffAlex]

We all know full well that you have to change shirts to attract Asian fans.. According to Emperor Tan anyway..

[Dr The Singh]

Raj and Singhy are asian?!!

I hate that fookin word!!! Preferred to be called British Sikh, Anglo Punjabi, my chinese, burmese, mongolian asian bredren have little or fook all to do with city. Majority of the brown people in leicester (denoted as asians on this forum) are from the indian sub continent.

I have to say, from my first days of watching city and now, there has been a massive difference, alot more brown people go, and it will ever increase. Yes, there is competition from premiership clubs, but that's with all supporters aswell. Financially watching city is expensive and will put alot of new supporters off

[Webbo]

I hate that fookin word!!! Preferred to be called British Sikh, Anglo Punjabi, my chinese, burmese, mongolian asian bredren have little or fook all to do with city. Majority of the brown people in leicester (denoted as asians on this forum) are from the indian sub continent.

I have to say, from my first days of watching city and now, there has been a massive difference, alot more brown people go, and it will ever increase. Yes, there is competition from premiership clubs, but that's with all supporters aswell. Financially watching city is expensive and will put alot of new supporters off

Just a little poetic license my Anglo Punjabi friend.

[Webbo]

I've had a hunch they are for quite a while now although it's nothing I can quite put my finger on . ( although not for the want of trying). Neither of them say " goodness gracious me! " on a regular basis so maybe they are just pretending to be Asian.

We get lots of posters on here pretending to be all sorts ; Serbian warlords , Romany gypsies, Welsh intellectuals , Qualified decorators, undercover CIA whistle-blower operatives etc etc . I take it all with a pinch of salt.

Can't be talking about me, I'm a Highly Qualified Decorator.

[Harry - LCFC]

I'm noticing more Asian fans at away games too which is really pleasing. If you follow the team away from home that shows you really feel part of the club, this will probably get a culture of supporting your local team going in the Asian community which probably takes a long time to build up.

In the long team this will be very good for us, attendances will go up and hopefully it will reduce any misgivings that people have - although I don't think that's much of a problem anyway.