Manchester United Tops Table of Inattentive Football Fans
Manchester United followers are the least attentive fans in the Premier League according to a new report published today. The study, commissioned by Walkabout sports bars, shows that more than 4.5* million football fans are missing out on seeing their team score at least 5 goals a season as an increasing number of infuriating annoyances, including the recent smoking ban, get in the way.
The ‘Walkabout Missing the Goal Report’ has found that distractions like trips to the toilet, getting a pint and having a quick smoke are causing fans to miss the best bit of the beautiful game.
• Going to the toilet is the most common reason for missing the moment the ball hits the back of the net with 44% stating they were ‘peed off’ by the call of nature interrupting their game.
• 38% of those surveyed said they’d missed match defining moments whilst satisfying their food and drink cravings.
• The recent smoking ban has also had an effect on fans’ enjoyment of the game, 28% of smokers stated that they had missed more goals since being forced to smoke outside.
Walkabout conducted the research after increased feedback from their customers protesting that they had missed goals since the smoking ban came into effect. To rectify the problem Walkabout has launched PPP Vision, a pilot scheme to ensure that those who fancy a pee, a puff or a pint won’t be penalised.
Hundreds of screens have been mounted above urinals, in smoking areas and behind the bar so punters who need to spend a penny, have a smoke or buy a drink won’t pay the price of missing their team score.
2,542 football fans were questioned by Walkabout, revealing the premier league of inattentive fans. Top of the table are Manchester United followers with 73% admitting they took their eye off the ball in the last 12 months. The most focused fans are Fulham supporters, who relegate all other activities when it comes to watching football, only 43% of Cottagers missed goals in the same time period.
The Walkabout League Of Inattentive Fans
|
Team |
% of fans who have missed their side score in the last 12 months |
|
1. Manchester United |
73% |
|
2. Chelsea |
69% |
|
3. Tottenham |
67% |
|
4. Derby County |
64% |
|
5. Newcastle |
63% |
|
6. = Sunderland |
61% |
|
6. = Reading |
61% |
|
6. = Birmingham |
61% |
|
9. Middlesbrough |
60% |
|
10. Bolton |
59% |
|
11. Arsenal |
58% |
|
12. Man City |
56% |
|
13. = Liverpool |
55% |
|
13. =Blackburn |
55% |
|
15. Wigan |
53% |
|
16. Portsmouth |
52% |
|
17. Everton |
51% |
|
18. Aston Villa |
49% |
|
19. West Ham |
45% |
|
20. Fulham |
43% |
Football commentator, Clive Tyldesley says: “Watching your team score a goal is the best moment in a match for every football fan and there is nothing more annoying than something getting in the way of that. The mounting excitement in the build up of play before a goal is scored just cannot be replicated once you know what the outcome will be.
“I have the privilege of having my own TV monitor at every game I commentate on but it’s not surprising that other people miss so many goals, especially when watching football in the pub where there are extra diversions. The question of going to the loo is an age old problem; do you hang on and face a mammoth queue at half time or make a quick dash and pray nothing happens while you’re gone? Now you don’t have to decide!”
John Clements Sales and Marketing Manager for Walkabout, says: “We don’t want fans to miss a moment of live sport in our venues and if that means putting screens above the urinals and outdoors in smoking areas – that’s what we’ll do. We’ve already installed hundreds of screens and we’ll be increasing that number in time for England’s clash with Croatia on Wednesday.”
According to the Walkabout: Missing the Goal Report among the most frustrating goals missed are:
• Ole Gunner Solskjaer’s last gasp winner for Manchester United in the 1999 Champions’ League Final
• Archie Gemill’s mazy run and goal against Holland in the 1978 World Cup Finals
• Ian Rush’s winner in the Merseyside derby FA cup final in 1989. Rush scored in the 104 minute to secure the cup for Liverpool
• David Beckham’s wonder goal from the half-way line against Wimbledon in 1996
• Carlos Teves’ goal for West Ham that ensured the team’s Premier League survival in the 2006/7 season
• John Terry’s winner against Barcelona in the 4 – 3 epic at Stamford Bridge in the 05/06 season
• And for those who took “goal” in the broadest definition: Johnny Wilkinson’s drop goal against the Aussies in the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final
~ Ends ~
Notes to Editors
2,542 Premier League fans aged 18+ were surveyed by Walkabout during the period October 31 – 6 November 2007.
* The Football Fan Census estimate there are 17,000,000 football fans. 27% of fans missed an average of 5+ goals in the last 12 months.
