Tribalism in football almost trumps what happens on the pitch.
Part of said tribalism is the reputation your club has for its away support. Fans all across the land will claim that their club has the best away support, based on nothing other than the fact they’re part of the group that follows their club all around the country, or continent, every single week.
But who does have the best away support in the UK? Supporters that travel in their thousands, regardless of their club’s form, fortunes or results, must always be commended for their loyalty, but which club has the most loyal group of supporters?
We’ve taken a look at all the clubs and ranked the top 20 set up away fans in England and Scotland. We already know this will upset 95% of the people who read it, but that’s only because there can only be one winner.
So, here it is…
20. Derby County
The Rams faithful support their team in solid numbers on the road and just squeeze into the top 20 rankings.
Derby have failed to return to the Premier League since relegation in 2008 but the fans have remained loyal and continue to follow their club away from home.
19. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves have made an explosive return to the Premier League after their promotion to the top-flight in 2018 and the noise has arrived with them.
The West Midlands club inherits a passionate set of fans who travel excellently – both in numbers and ambience.
18. Sheffield United
The Blades fans have not had much to cheer about over the years but that never deterred them away from supporting their club in numbers.
You have to go back to 1925 to find the last time Sheffield United won the FA Cup and the fans will be hoping their outstanding commitment and loyalty is rewarded with silverware in the years to come.
17. Stoke City
Stoke have spent several years in the Premier League and it wasn’t until recently they began playing Championship football, but the fans still travel in numbers.
The Potters have dropped attendances at home but their core away following remains solid and once they get going, the noise they produce is scintillating.
16. Crystal Palace
Palace are notoriously known for their excellent support but is often overrated. Yes, they inherit passionate fans and are a noisy customer, especially at home, but their away following is interpreted to be something it simply isn’t and although impressive, they do not belong in the top 15 for these rankings.
They do travel in numbers but a lack of consistent noise away from Selhurst Park prevents them from ranking higher.
15. Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs now have one of the best home stadiums in the world and they have packed out the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on multiple occasions.
Their away following is also solid and they regularly sell out the away end. Creating a loud noise is what Spurs fans are good at but need to do so more consistently to gain a higher ranking.
14. Chelsea
The rendition of ‘Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea’ is often among the mix in the away end for the Blues but as much as you mock them, they never fail to disappoint on their travels.
The west London club always sell out their away allocation and produce excellent noise to create an atmosphere.
13. Aston Villa
Villa hold a fierce rivalry with neighbours Birmingham City but it’s not just the big games the fans deliver on.
Away from Villa Park the waves of claret and blue pack out the away end, creating an atmosphere capable of surging on any team – something the Villa players must love.
12. Sheffield Wednesday
This could be a surprise inclusion for some, but Wednesday deserve to be among this list and a 12th-place ranking seems fair.
Despite disappointing attendances at home, the core of the fanbase remains and they travel up and down the country fantastically to watch their side play – especially given they are in the Championship.
