The short answer is: probably not. That’s 1 in 10 of the world’s population. It’s a good job they don’t all turn up at Old Trafford when there’s a game on and try to get in. The survey figures that Manchester United suggest that nearly a third of South Korea’s population follow the club (no figures are available for North Korea).
The short answer is: probably not. That’s 1 in 10 of the world’s population. It’s a good job they don’t all turn up at Old Trafford when there’s a game on and try to get in. The survey figures that Manchester United suggest that nearly a third of South Korea’s population follow the club (no figures are available for North Korea).
Of course, the fundamental problem is the concept of a follower. It’s not the same as being a fan. One can ‘follow’ several clubs. For example, I look out for the results of Plymouth Argyle because they’ve been through a tough time and I like to see how they are getting on.
One might think that figures like this are boosterism at its worst, but they do have a purpose. Manchester United publicised them just before it launched its share offer in New York. Moreover, they can be dangled in front of sponsors as confirmation that United are a global brand – and one that has been remarkably successful at attracting sponsorships.