Life Long Loyalty to Small Town Football Clubs - A Live Special from Emirates Stadium in London

What Keeps Fans Loyal to Their Club for a Lifetime?

Football is more than just a game—it’s identity, community, and lifelong devotion. Few understand this better than esteemed historian and lifelong Aldershot Town supporter, David Kynaston, who joins Greig Box Turnbull on stage at Emirates Stadium to explore the deep emotional bonds fans have with their clubs.

From attending his first Aldershot Town match in 1959 to documenting the club’s 2016-17 season in Shots in the Dark, David shares his journey as a devoted fan. Alongside Greig, former managing director of Oxford United FC, this episode delves into the nostalgia, passion, and unwavering loyalty that define the connection between supporters and their teams—especially in smaller footballing communities.

David and Greig also discuss the evolving fan experience in today’s digital world. Does physically attending matches offer something deeper than following a club online? How can clubs balance tradition—home grounds, team colours, and local identity—with commercial realities?

The conversation also highlights the human touch in football business and how clubs can foster genuine loyalty across generations by prioritising warmth, authenticity, and connection.

This Live Special episode of Don't Forget Your Tickets was recorded at the Don't Forget Your Tickets conference at Emirates Stadium, January 23rd 2025, as the fourth out of 12 on-stage interviews that day. David Kynaston was interviewed by Greig Box Turnbull.