An Analytical Framework for Investigating Fandom

The introduction lays an analytical framework for exploring football fandom that is also applicable to the study of habitus, gender and space more generally. The chapter first discusses the theory of practice, which is encapsulated in our conceptualization of doing fandom. It then introduces a trio of essential sociological concepts reflected in the anthology’s three-part organization: The conceptualization of habitus illuminates the early developmental roots of performing and experiencing fandom. Second, the gendered, inherent stipulated elements of fandom as embodied in fans’ experiences and practices are discussed, and lastly, the notion of claiming the right to space helps account for the extension of doing fandom from the designated space of the stadium to fans’ political activism beyond its perimeter.