In their annual survey the new issue of Sky Sports magazine has named Derby County supporters the most loyal in England.

53% of Rams fans attended 15 or more games during the most recent campaign. It was not reported whether these same fans were being treated for manic depression after baring witness to the most disastrous season in League history.

Whatever the result on the pitch, it’s a great result for the Pride Park faithful. The statistics more than prove what we already knew, our fans are the most passionate and the Rams are a giant in hibernation after being the punch line to many a football joke over the last 12 months.

Only Scottish club Hibernian polled a better result than the Rams with a huge 73% of fans attending games with the same regularity.

It only goes to show that the dominance of the top clubs is not matched by their fans when it comes to regular attendance. Perhaps success breeds apathy? If that is the case then perhaps scandal, disaster and heartache breeds rabid support.

That theory is solidified by the fact the other clubs who polled well were Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Birmingham who have also seen their share of pain in recent seasons.

Pain breeds passion….perhaps a little less passion will bring success…. but I doubt it!

Photo: Action Images

Swansea City Polls