Author: Darren Young
Courting Controversy: The Impact of ‘Fan Circles’ on Table Tennis
Chinese table tennis players Chen Meng and Sun Yingsha faced off in the final match of the women’s singles event at the Paris Olympics. Chen won 4-2, taking home the gold medal. Although the two are compatriots, Chinese spectators overwhelmingly cheered for Sun during the match, with some even jeering Chen, prompting a foreign journalist […]
Read moreOld Firm away fans still barred despite agreement
Rangers have issued a statement saying they were informed on Wednesday "that Celtic will make no allocation for away fans for the September Old Firm game". Away fans will continue to be barred from derbies between Celtic and Rangers despite an agreement reached in March for their reintroduction this season. Rangers have issued a statement […]
Read moreHampden switch 'best scenario' for Rangers - Clement
"I've been involved in that about choices to make and it was for me the best scenario - not only for the players for sure, also for the fans, because we need to think about that. That was for me also a priority that they could feel in a way at home, not travelling much […]
Read moreParis Olympics fans make huge cutouts of their favorite athletes' heads
The heads are not just the enthusiastic props of super-supportive fans… If you see a huge head of a French sports person floating in the crowd at the Paris Olympics, fear not: your eyes do not deceive you. Spectators have been holding these cut-outs as they watch. We explain why and how it is not […]
Read moreGovernment urges sporting bodies to calm tensions
"I am pretty confident football clubs, rugby clubs, and other big sporting institutions do not want to have people who have caused such violence and disorder in their communities on their stands at the weekend. I'm sure the secretary of state for culture, media and sport will be talking to those bodies about this." Policing […]
Read moreOlympians and fans invited to experience “Games Wide Open” at celebrations in heart of the city
Tens of thousands of fans have been celebrating with medal-winning athletes at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, soaking up the electric atmosphere in the Champions Park, a unique and free-to-access venue with a stunning outlook onto the Eiffel Tower. Since opening, the Champions Park has welcomed more than 77,000 visitors so far, who have come […]
Read moreIce vests and fans as heat affects Paris Olympics
Signs at venues encouraged spectators to wear hats, stay hydrated and apply sunscreen. Athletes wore ice vests and spectators carried hand fans as a heatwave hit the Olympic Games. Temperatures are expected to reach 35C with a heat warning issued for Paris and the surrounding areas. A yellow alert - the second of the four […]
Read moreIt’s Gonna Be A Bright Sunshiny Day (But The Sh*t Still Hits The Fan)
Darren Young @fanexperienceco Darren is a director at The Fan Experience Company. He has a background in working on customer service excellence projects in the UK and Europe, and an MBA that included studying in the United States. A UEFA Mentor and fan experience and engagement consultant, Darren works with associations, league and clubs across […]
Read moreWho Should Vote To Veto VAR?
Darren Young @fanexperienceco Darren is a director at The Fan Experience Company. He has a background in working on customer service excellence projects in the UK and Europe, and an MBA that included studying in the United States. A UEFA Mentor and Fan Experience Company consultant, Darren works with clubs across Europe to improve the […]
Read moreRed Flags: Are Fans Paying The Price of Loyalty?
Inflation is falling. Apparently. Although any trip to a supermarket, petrol station forecourt or coffee shop tells you that prices are continuing to go up in spite of what Rishi Sunak might tell you. There are some sneaky little practices designed to confuse too. For instance, the other day I saw a 50% sale at […]
Read moreHow To Stop Things Getting Even Messi-er
I was in Cyprus last September speaking at a sports conference. It was especially memorable for me as only three people spoke English – my one and only language – during their presentations throughout the day. Me, obviously, plus Pele (although he was starring in an American Express commercial circa. 1974) and another guy who […]
Read moreThe Fans Journey - Part 12: After The Game
Many years ago, research identified that the simple experience of receiving a request for feedback from a service provider improves the recipient’s perceptions of that organisation. Yes, that’s right. You may not feel any particular strong emotion towards the service provider until the point when they ask you for your opinion. Then you warm to […]
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