This has been my lifetime passion.
Something that clicked only when I knew Manchester United. This started back in the day when watching live games was a dream and it was well before the internet conquered all domains of information and broadcasting.
United was led by a particular legendary figure and I have memories of a club struggling to establish itself as the new powerhouse among elites of the game in England (i.e. Liverpool, Leeds United). I have vivid memories of Eric Cantona's lengthy spell on the sidelines after that Kung fu kick at Selhurst Park. Losing title to Blackburn Rovers in 94, heated face-offs with Wegner's Arsenal. Not necessarily glory-laden times but full of identity and inspiration.
In recent years, occasionally I shared my thought about football and sports in general and it represents elements of our social life and behaviors. I understand football is an industry, a part of the entertainment industry. But frankly, I found this context so tasteless. It caused me to dig deeper and try to decipher the elements binding me to a club and to understand the nature of fandom. Is there any sophisticated element involved or it is just a type of tribal or societal identification with an individual/club/institution? This attitude is flanked by bigotry and hooliganism. The latter would be hugely embarrassing for me personally since I really see zero meaning in that.
History
A club is a sports institution with a history. Historical events define a club's ID. This is not only limited to the cup cabinet but the downfalls, transgression, tragedies, etc. All contribute to what we simply call history. United has a rich history. The club was established in 1878 and has its roots in the industrial era. Formed at the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway depot at Newton Heath, the club experienced the first football activities as inter-departmental games in green-gold attire. The colors now again coming into prominence to embolden the history of the club. The club experienced ebbs and flows with a stellar era under legendary managers and some disastrous tenures. Some tragedies also have forged a huge impact on the club's modern-day image. The Munich disaster is a heart-wrenching event yet defining event that showcased the resilience and willpower of the club squad, management, and leadership back 1950s. Indeed coming back from such a catastrophic and tragic loss with a decimated squad and huge post-traumatic damage induced, is something surreal per modern-day criteria.
Culture
The United that I was acquainted with and fell in love with was built on simple hard-working values. A gritty and fearless approach to the game was an element that still identified the club's modern-day characteristic. The term Fergie time is a cheeky allusion to the pattern of goals United made at extra time, and some opponents raise the issue as a sort of psychological manipulation by the gaffer. But I see something else, woven into the club psyche as the reason behind all those dramatic turnarounds. Those are not isolated events, rather it was a characteristic of the club built upon a never-say-die attitude. A gritty and hard-fighting spirit that was best represented by the legendary captain of the club, Roy Keane (who is my all-time favorite United player btw).
Nurturing talent
Academy graduates used to be an integral part of the club's success back in the day. Class of 92 is an unrivaled example of the academy producing top players. It is still mentioned as a priority by all hired managers but maybe down-toned to some extent with a visible preference for marquee signings instead which has been mostly hit and miss. By growing your talents, you are forming a bond within the squad with adherence to the club's fundamental values. This is definitely not the complete team but can be a reliable bedrock of sustainable quality within your squad and a stable dressing room. Some features that we have missed in the past decade.
Cutting-edge Science
United was known as a club employing (and benefiting from) cutting-edge science including sports science which provided optimal care for players suffering from serious injuries. It is a moving target and sports institutions needs experts in leadership roles in these sectors. That was the case back in the last decade of the 20th century and early 2000s.
Professional cutting edge
No club can compete with top-notch players (personnel). This was present throughout glorious patches. Eric Cantona, Paul Scholes, Bryan Robson, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, C. Ronaldo, etc. were all among elite players and frequently selected as part of the World's best team of the year. The swagger of the club used to attract the elite players but that was not the main advantage. The key was the club's success in assimilating top players (and egos) with the core of the home-grown squad. The dominant values were formed within the club foundations and academy and dictated by the club's leadership. Club's and specifically Sir Alex Ferguson's ruthless approach toward players who deemed themselves bigger than the club, was the key underlying factor in the protracted spell on the top fight and constant title contention. It was a club bigger than any individual" mentality that won us a multitude of trophies with a modicum of distraction.
Winning
Finally, the end result, where all the elements come to fruition is the winning, the club's cabinet. Something which of course attracts the fans and makes your brand sexier. But for me personally, that was the last feature of the loveable club. That was the result of a thoughtful and healthy process.
Football bears resemblance to many other social/cultural phenomena humans created in the post-enlightenment era. The foundations of a football club as an institution is a dimension that intrigues me the most. Given time the distinct values that each club is built upon will be apparent in the outlook of the club. These underlying elements may not necessarily be reflected in short-term achievements (i.e. results on the pitch) but definitely, they are an essential part of an evolving club identity. Like any other social organism, sustainable evolution comes at a tectonic pace rather than seismic waves.
Pedram, 7/24/22
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