Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Football clubs found to bridge social divides, new study shows

Eighty per cent of those who attend live games see their local professional football club as an important part of their local identity.

Football clubs found to bridge social divides, new study shows

A recent study shows that football clubs play a crucial role in uniting communities and tackling social division.

Conducted by the integration think tank British Future, the study highlights football's ability to foster pride across different social groups.


Research for the 'Shared Goals' project, involving clubs like Brentford FC and Huddersfield Town, emphasises football's power in strengthening local identities.

"Football has a unique power to reach across divides in our diverse society, uniting people around a shared identity and pride in the place where they live," Jake Puddle, a researcher at British Future said.

Eighty per cent of those who attend live games see their local professional football club as an important part of their local identity, and nearly four in ten people (37 per cent) who don’t regularly attend games agree.

The findings also show that nearly six in ten adults (57 per cent) in Britain support a football team and nearly four in ten (37 per cent) support their local club.

The study shows that club football spans ethnic divides, with 55 per cent of Asian adults and 70 per cent of black adults supporting a team. Support also ranges across political divides and includes people with different views about migration and diversity.

Whether attending live matches or following their teams from afar, fans across demographics view their clubs as symbols of pride and unity. "The findings have underlined the importance of inclusion to our fans and the sense of pride they have in the club," said Rhiannon Maher, equity, diversity & inclusion manager at Brentford FC.

Seven in ten people who attend live matches and 44 per cent of armchair fans agree that “I would feel I had more in common with somebody if I knew they supported my local professional football club,” the study finds.

However, there's room for improvement, particularly in ensuring inclusivity for ethnic minorities. Ethnic minorities, in particular, express concerns about inclusivity within football environments.

To address these challenges, the study recommends enhancing communication of inclusive values and promoting family-friendly experiences at stadiums.

The study's findings paint a compelling picture of football clubs as agents of social change, bridging divides and fostering inclusivity within communities.

More For You

Coeliac Disease: What to Know After Rebecca Adlington’s Diagnosis

Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington has recently revealed about her condition

Getty Images

Key things to know about Coeliac disease after Rebecca Adlington’s diagnosis

Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington has recently revealed her diagnosis of coeliac disease and has called for greater awareness of the condition. In a video shared on Coeliac UK’s Instagram, Adlington discussed the importance of gluten-free prescriptions and urged the government to protect access to these prescriptions, which have been cut in some areas.

Her diagnosis shines a light on coeliac disease, a condition that affects approximately 1 in 100 people in the UK. However, due to the difficulty in recognising the symptoms, only around 36% of people living with the condition have been officially diagnosed.

Keep ReadingShow less
CSK vs RCB

CSK and RCB-tune in for this blockbuster clash between two IPL heavyweights

Getty Images

IPL 2025 - CSK vs RCB: Chennai and Bengaluru's clash of titans

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is back with another highly anticipated encounter as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lock horns with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 8th match of the 2025 season. The match will take place at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on March 28th at 7:30 PM IST. Both teams are coming off strong wins in their previous matches and are eager to extend their winning streaks, making this clash one that fans won’t want to miss.

Team analysis: Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

CSK, one of the most successful franchises in IPL history, comes into this game with confidence after a thrilling victory over Mumbai Indians. Although the chase wasn’t entirely smooth, CSK managed to pull off a win with 4 wickets in hand. Their bowling unit, led by the young sensation Noor Ahmad, was instrumental in restricting Mumbai to a modest total of 155/9. Noor’s outstanding spell of 4 wickets for just 18 runs earned him the well-deserved Man of the Match title, while Khaleel Ahmed also chipped in with 3 wickets.

Keep ReadingShow less
Streeting: Health deal signals new era in UK-India ties

Foreign Office minister Catherine West, health secretary Wes Streeting and equalities minister Seema Malhotra during the Holi Reception in London.

Streeting: Health deal signals new era in UK-India ties

THE recent health and life sciences agreement between the UK and India will strengthen cooperation on healthcare innovation and security in both countries, health secretary Wes Streeting said.

Speaking at the Holi reception organised by the 1928 Institute, who are the secretariat for the India All-Party Parliamentary Group, in London on Monday (24), he added that the contribution of British Indians has been pivotal in the growth of the NHS since its inception in 1948, and a robust partnership between the two nations will ensure we have a healthcare provider 'fit for the future'.

Keep ReadingShow less
Renée Zellweger Joins Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Cast

Renée Zellweger joins the cast of Only Murders in the Building Season 5, bringing more star power to the hit series

Getty Images

Renée Zellweger joins ‘Only Murders in the Building’ season 5 with an expanded star-studded cast

The Oscar-winning actress joins Steve Martin, Selena Gomez, and Martin Short in Hulu’s hit mystery-comedy for an exciting new season.

Renée Zellweger is the latest Hollywood star to join Hulu's hit mystery-comedy Only Murders in the Building for its fifth season. The two-time Academy Award winner will share the screen with series regulars Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, adding to the show’s already impressive line-up of guest stars.

Keep ReadingShow less