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The temporary entitlement of fans of a winning team over the opposing set of fans after a victory in a big match. Often associated with derby matches and historical rivalries, a win for one team gives their fans bragging rights over their rivals until the next time they meet. It gives fans the chance to 'banter' through chants such as 'this city is ours' or 'can we play you every week'?.

Did you see how happy the Sunderland fans were after beating Newcastle in the Wear-Tyne Derby? They've now got bragging rights over their neighbours!

The Fan
The Fan Apr 19, 2026
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When two rival teams, typically from the same town, city, or geographical region play each other. It is usually the biggest match of the season for both sets of fans, with 'banter' expected between fans who may have friends, family members, or colleagues that support the rival side.

Welcome to the Merseyside derby, another top match between Everton and Liverpool.
The Fan
The Fan Apr 18, 2026
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A nostalgic term for a player whose style only really works in the Premier League. The term comes from "Barclays" (the old league sponsor) and is usually used to describe players who were cult heroes for mid-table teams from the Premier League era between 2004-2016. They relied on physicality, work rate, and chaos, either workhorses or those with technical ability for the showreels, finding themselves at mid-table sides. Barclaysmen are often defined by their "Streets won't forget" status amongst fans.

It's true that fans can just sit together listing names of old football players, especially a Barclaysman. Here's the proof: Stelios, Amir Zaki, Jay-Jay Okocha, Lomana Lua Lua, Michu, Zoltan Gera, Roque Santa Cruz, we could literally go on forever.

The Fan
The Fan Feb 8, 2026
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The tense period during VAR reviews when everyone waits to see if a goal stands or gets disallowed. Named after the literal thing fans do. Games now have these long pauses where nobody knows what's happening, the referee draws a rectangle in the air, and then you find out if you're celebrating or mourning. Changed the rhythm of how goals are experienced.
Liverpool fans became experts at holding their breath after VAR arrived - countless Salah and Firmino goals went to lengthy reviews for possible offside or handball, and the celebrations could only truly begin once the referee pointed to the center circle.
The Fan
The Fan Jan 30, 2026
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The last day of a transfer window. The last chance for clubs to sign players before the window slams shut and doesn't open again for a few months. In England, the transfer window usually closes at 11pm on deadline day in late August/early September for the summer window and in late January/early February for the winter transfer window. Sky Sports News has turned Transfer Deadline Day into a main sporting event twice a year, with the yellow ticker announcing transfers as they happen. Expect a flurry of late transfers and loans!

On deadline day in January 2011, Fernando Torres left Liverpool for Chelsea in a £50 million move, and Liverpool immediately spent most of that on Andy Carroll from Newcastle. Sky Sports had reporters at all three clubs as the chaos unfolded live on air.
The Fan
The Fan Jan 28, 2026
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