Football clubs as identity leaders: Communication and club action on fan-club relationships

Supporting a football club can provide a sense of belonging to fans; however, fan-club relationships are complex and under-examined within social psychology. This study explored football fans’ feelings about their relationships with their clubs and what they feel contributes to these, interpreting developed themes from an identity leadership perspective. Semi-structured interviews (N = 15) were conducted with fans from three clubs (n = 5 per club) across different English football leagues. Using Reflexive Thematic Analysis, we identified two overarching themes that promote positive fan-club relationships: the importance of communication and club action on fan concerns. The communication theme split into two subthemes: club communication to fans, and opportunities for fans to communicate back to their club. Identity leadership dimensions, specifically identity entrepreneurship and advancement, cut across all themes. We conclude that communication and action are mechanisms through which football clubs can engage in identity leadership and promote positive fan-club relationships.