From Stockport County CEO to Academia: Ryan McKnight on the Future of Football Fandom

Football fandom is much more than a weekend pastime—it is a lifelong, intergenerational commitment that shapes our identity. Yet, the modern sports industry often treats loyal supporters as simple consumers.In this episode of Don't Forget Your Tickets, host Carl-Erik Moberg sits down with Ryan McKnight, a former football club CEO turned academic researcher. Drawing from his frontline experience running Stockport County and his current PhD research, Ryan challenges our current understanding of fan engagement. He argues for a paradigm shift that redefines fandom as a "cradle to the grave" experience, rooted in community, tradition, and authentic connection.Ryan strips away the transactional nature of modern football to explore how clubs of all sizes can foster deeper, more meaningful bonds with their communities without relying purely on on-pitch success.In this episode, we cover:Redefining Fandom: Why being a supporter is an active, lifelong pursuit rather than a simple consumer choice.Rethinking the Season Ticket: The challenges of modern fan engagement and the shift toward long-term, intergenerational relationships.The Power of Storytelling: How clubs can leverage their unique history and local pride to create unbreakable bonds.Community and Identity: Real-world examples, like Bohemians FC, that showcase the impact of shared values and authentic narratives.The Future of Ticketing: How industry professionals can actively shape a better, more connected future for the sport.Whether you manage a club, work in sports ticketing, or simply love the beautiful game, this episode offers a fresh, thought-provoking perspective on what it truly means to be a supporter.Listen to the episode now and subscribe to Don't Forget Your Tickets for more expert industry insights!Don't Forget Your Tickets is powered by TicketCo, hosted by TicketCo’s CEO and founder, Carl-Erik Michalsen Moberg, and co-hosted by TicketCo's CCO Clare Kenny. The podcast was originally launched under the name TicketingPodcast.com. To learn more about TicketCo, please check out our web page ticketco.io or visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/ticketco/