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Ranking the most annoying football fans

Written by Harry Dowsett
Last Update: September 23, 2024
Published on

Football clubs are massive institutions, particularly those that play at the elite level, and as such, every single team will have at least a few supporters that other fans will find grating.

But, which clubs have the most annoying football fans? This article will run through a subjective list of five of the most annoying football fans, focusing on behaviour at stadiums rather than on social media, combining both types of supporters and entire fanbases.

Also, check out our guide to the worst offenders of football fans fighting.

The five most annoying football fans

Most annoying football fans
Photo by Imago Images

5. Fans that leave early

A controversial topic. Some believe that no true fan would ever leave a match early, while others are a little more understanding of those wishing to beat the full-time whistle rush.

However, irrespective of your personal opinion on the matter, it goes without saying that being disrupted by a supporter squeezing past you in your seat to leave five minutes before the end of the game is annoying.

It isn't the worst offence though, and for that reason, it is only number five on this list.

4. Millwall fans

Millwall fans have a long and rich history of causing trouble at football matches. The fanbase were a huge part of the hooliganism issue that was once rife in the English game and have been the cause of many annoying disruptions at games over the years.

To be honest, The Lions really aren't too bad these days, but their rap sheet is enough to earn them fourth spot on this list.

Offences such as throwing missiles, both real and fake, onto pitches have been committed by the fanbase in years gone by, which in addition to being incredibly dangerous, is also very annoying as a length stoppage in play almost always follows such behaviour.

It's nothing personal Millwall fans, but you're number four on this list.

3. Fulham fans

On the whole, Craven Cottage is a very welcoming and friendly ground to visit, with supporters often referring to the Cottagers as a ‘family-friendly club'. But, every team have their vices, and Fulham's is a noisy little instrument known as a ‘clapper'.

As you may expect, a clapper is a noisemaker instrument designed to allow every fan in attendance to help generate a good atmosphere. In theory, that sounds great, but in reality, even a large portion of the West London club's own fanbase find them irritating.

If it grinds their gears, then it certainly grinds ours too. For that reason, Fulham supporters have earned themselves the title of the third most annoying type of football fan.

2. Portsmouth fans

It feels a little harsh to group the entire Portsmouth fanbase into second on this list, but the ‘Portsmouth Chimes guy', whose official name is John Portsmouth Football Club Westwood, annoys even sections of his own fanbase.

At face value, he is an incredible supporter, a better fan of his club than many, if not all, of us in fact. But, listening to his bell ring constantly for 90 minutes, sometimes longer, can become extremely irritating after a while – especially if you are not a Pompey fan.

Everyone respects his dedication to the cause, but his antics are, without a doubt, very annoying and almost single-handedly secures the club second spot on this list.

1. Pitch invaders

And finally, the most annoying football fans are… not a specific fanbase at all, but rather, a type of fan – pitch invaders.

From time to time, we all enjoy a laugh when the odd fan charges onto the pitch and evades the stewards for what often feels like an eternity. However, there are occasions during which it simply goes too far and it becomes very annoying for the rest of the supporters in the ground who just want to watch a game of football.

A good example of this was a match between Turkey and Portugal at Euro 2024, during which the pitch was invaded on six separate occasions by fans desperate to get a selfie with Cristiano Ronaldo.

We get it, but it can become tiresome very quickly.

Congratulations pitch invaders, you earn top spot in this list of the most annoying football fans.