The English Football Thread

Unknown Soldier · 03-11-2010, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unchained Ballad

As a Benfica fan I guess I am too

Didn`t realize we had Portuguese people on this forum, or are you one of the multitude of worldwide Benfica supporters out there? I believe that the eagles of Lisbon have one of the highest club memberships in the world.

The Fascinating Turnip · 03-11-2010, 08:41 AM

I think Benfica actually has the highest club membership, I distinctly recall news about surpassing Manchester at one point.
And yes, I am Portuguese, I seem to be the only one here, too (not trying to boast there).

Unknown Soldier · 03-11-2010, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unchained Ballad

I think Benfica actually has the highest club membership, I distinctly recall news about surpassing Manchester at one point.
And yes, I am Portuguese, I seem to be the only one here, too (not trying to boast there).

I think you`re right about their membership as being the highest in the world. Talking about things Portuguese, well in this case Brazilian, Flamengo according to Wikipedia have an estimated 35 million supporters!!!!

The Fascinating Turnip · 03-11-2010, 09:10 AM

35 million?!
There are more Flamengo supporters than there are Portuguese people! A rather large fanbase, I'd say...
And, back to Benfica, if we do have the highest membership in the world (and I'm convinced we do), I hope we keep it, heh.

Unknown Soldier · 03-11-2010, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unchained Ballad

35 million?!
There are more Flamengo supporters than there are Portuguese people! A rather large fanbase, I'd say...
And, back to Benfica, if we do have the highest membership in the world (and I'm convinced we do), I hope we keep it, heh.

Brazil has a population of almost 184.000.000 million people!!! 35 milllion is nothing

The Fascinating Turnip · 03-11-2010, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

Brazil has a population of almost 184.000.000 million people!!! 35 milllion is nothing

I'm aware of that, but it still doesn't cease to amaze...

right-track · 03-11-2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unchained Ballad

And, back to Benfica, if we do have the highest membership in the world (and I'm convinced we do), I hope we keep it, heh.

Do you mean actual members, or actual amount of supporters?

When it comes to supporters nobody can even get close to United's worldwide fanbase. Estimates are at around 1 Billion. Those figures include the far east. Even without the inclusion of the far east United are still the most popular supported football club in the world.
Don't confuse members with actual supporters. Not all United supporters are affiliated to a supporters club.

The Fascinating Turnip · 03-11-2010, 01:55 PM

I meant actual members, not just supporters. I'm sure Arsenal and Manchester United, for example, have much more supporters than Benfica ever will, unfortunately...=/ (hope I'm not mixing the concepts up).

Unknown Soldier · 03-11-2010, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unchained Ballad

I meant actual members, not just supporters. I'm sure Arsenal and Manchester United, for example, have much more supporters than Benfica ever will, unfortunately...=/ (hope I'm not mixing the concepts up).

As you say supporters are one thing, but you`re referring to paid up club members, which I know are a very popular thing in latin countries, in Spain for example nearly every city and even small town has a "Peña" (a social club in english) of which Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid etc are the most popular. I expect Portugal has something very similiar.

The Fascinating Turnip · 03-11-2010, 03:35 PM

I was speaking of paid up club members, yes. I'm not sure about the existence of those "Peñas" over here, but I know of something similar, I think.

03-11-2010, 08:41 AM	#2372 (permalink)
The Fascinating Turnip Moper Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 510	I think Benfica actually has the highest club membership, I distinctly recall news about surpassing Manchester at one point. And yes, I am Portuguese, I seem to be the only one here, too (not trying to boast there).

03-11-2010, 09:10 AM	#2374 (permalink)
The Fascinating Turnip Moper Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 510	35 million?! There are more Flamengo supporters than there are Portuguese people! A rather large fanbase, I'd say... And, back to Benfica, if we do have the highest membership in the world (and I'm convinced we do), I hope we keep it, heh.

03-11-2010, 01:55 PM	#2378 (permalink)
The Fascinating Turnip Moper Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 510	I meant actual members, not just supporters. I'm sure Arsenal and Manchester United, for example, have much more supporters than Benfica ever will, unfortunately...=/ (hope I'm not mixing the concepts up).

03-11-2010, 03:35 PM	#2380 (permalink)
The Fascinating Turnip Moper Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 510	I was speaking of paid up club members, yes. I'm not sure about the existence of those "Peñas" over here, but I know of something similar, I think.