Everton are set to sign Fulham right-back Kenny Tete on a free transfer after 39-year-old Ashley Young’s contract was not renewed. Manager David Moyes wants to bolster his team to prepare for the upcoming English Premier League season.

Moyes wants to fix the right side of his team’s defence, and Tete, 29, has become his top choice since his contract with Fulham ends this month. The London club wanted to keep him, but Everton moved quickly. Talks over a three-year deal are already at an advanced stage.

Tete has played 14 times for the Netherlands and has nearly five years of Premier League experience. 

Moyes has considered several high-profile options, including Kyle Walker of Manchester City, Kyle Walker-Peters of Southampton, and Vladimir Coufal, a player Moyes managed at West Ham. However, Tete, who also played for Ajax and Lyon, looks likely to join Everton’s roster soon.

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A major figure in English football has passed away, marking a poignant moment for the sport and its devoted fans. Uriah Rennie, the first Black referee in the English Football League (EFL), has died at the age of 65. Rennie began his refereeing career in 1979 in local leagues, but he got his big break when he started refereeing in the EFL in 1994, making a big mark in the sport.

He joined the Premier League in 1997 and handled over 300 matches at the top level. He also played a key role in EFL games across all three divisions. Many respected him for his calm control, strong fitness, and fair decisions on the pitch.

In 2001, he took charge of the Division One Play-Off Final between Bolton and Preston. Bolton won 3� and moved up to the Premier League. Rennie’s work in that match showed his steady and skilled style.

By 2000, Rennie was on FIFA’s international list, showing his importance in world football. After retiring, he stayed involved in the game. He served on the FA refereeing committee and pushed for more diversity in football.

The EFL expressed its sorrow over his death and extended its thoughts to his family, friends, and peers. Rennie will be remembered not just as a referee but as a pioneer who helped shape the future of the sport.

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Football is more than just a game; it’s a way of life for millions. Big events like the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League pull in huge crowds. However, fans don’t only show up for these games. They light up social media all year and cheer for their teams in every way. 

While players and coaches get the fame, it’s the fans who bring joy to the sport. If you’re part of a football community, you play a key role in shaping its future. Keep reading to learn how fans leave their mark on football beyond the pitch.

Fan traditions and cultural impact

Fans bring football to life with their chants, songs, and rituals. These customs build a strong bond and give each team a unique culture. 

Take a closer look at how fans shape football’s heart and soul:

Chants and songs

Fans cheer their teams with chants and songs. These tunes tell stories or show pride. Some chants tease rivals or praise players. For example, Liverpool fans sing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone�to feel united. Also, Queen wrote ‘We Are The Champions�while thinking about football, making it a favourite after big wins. These songs are part of the fan culture and are passed down through the years.

Rituals (Pre and during matches)

Fans follow special habits before and during games. They might wear a lucky shirt or meet at a favourite spot. During matches, they may stand, clap, or shout at certain times. These actions help fans feel connected and give the team a boost. Rituals can be small, like crossing fingers or group cheers. They add meaning and thrill to each game.

Tailgating 

Tailgating is a fun pre-game party in parking lots. Fans grill food, drink, and share stories before heading to the match. This tradition builds team spirit and gets fans ready to cheer loudly. Tailgating also unites people from various places, creating a strong fan community.

Tifos and displays

Fans create tifos—big, colourful banners or displays for matches. Fans paint their bodies or use coloured cards to form huge images or send strong messages. Some tifos honour players or club legends, like Paris Saint-Germain’s Jean-Paul Belmondo banner. Others tease rivals like AC Milan’s ‘Neo�tifo from The Matrix. Clubs sometimes help, but fans often pay and set them up.

Superstitions for watching at home

Fans follow quirky rules to bring luck when they watch games at home. Some sit in the same chair or avoid touching the remote when their team is winning. Others skip certain colours or keep lucky items nearby. Each country’s culture or beliefs shape these habits. They make watching football feel more personal and intense.

Fans driving club identity

Fans shape how clubs feel and look with their passion and style. Their cheers, nicknames, and gear help make each team unique. 

Check out how fans build club identity through these traditions:

Visual identity

Visual identity brings fans and teams close by blending passion with tradition. It also connects them deeply with their team’s look. The colours and gear show more than style; they show who fans are inside.

Think of Barcelona’s blue and garnet or Juventus�black and white stripes. Fans wear jerseys, socks, and hats as lucky charms. These clothes tell stories of wins and tough times. Fans also keep some gear unwashed to keep their luck.

Merchandise and branding

A football jersey and other collectables link fans to their favourite team or a special game. Fans collect shirts and cards to show their love for football. They highly treasure rare items, like signed shoes or limited-edition shirts. Even simple replicas carry memories and feelings. Wearing a team shirt shows pride and connects fans with other supporters.

Fan activism and influence

Beyond the game, fans raise their voices for many reasons. They take action to show they care about more than just matches. 

Here’s how fans lead change and stand up for what they believe in:

Protests and movements

Fans don’t stay quiet when they feel wronged. In Spain, Malaga fans went to the airport and cheered for random tourists to mock the club’s failure to sign new players during the transfer window.

Meanwhile, in 2021, over 10,000 Manchester United fans broke into the stadium to protest the Glazer family’s control of the club. Many blamed the owners for poor results and not caring about the team. These actions show how fans take a stand and push for real change.

Community initiatives

Some fans go beyond the game and help others. In Edmonton, Canada, Liverpool supporters gather early at bars to watch matches together. They’ve raised over $60,000 for charities in Canada and the UK. They run raffles with signed gear and donate the money to food banks and health groups.

In Vancouver, Whitecaps fans from a group called Rain City Brigade sold custom patches to support LGBTQ+ programs and housing support. 

Economic contributions of fans

Fans bring real value to football. In 2023, the Premier League saw over 40,000 fans at each match on average. These fans fill stadiums, buy gear, and enjoy food and drinks during games. Online, fan videos and posts got billions of views on TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter. Many fans also travel to support their teams at away games, boosting local businesses and tourism.

Fan engagement and the next chapter in football’s legacy

Fans are the heart of football. They bring life, passion, and culture beyond what happens on the pitch. From lively chants to quirky traditions that link generations, fans shape football’s story every day. Football’s legacy lies not only in trophies but in the fans who keep its spirit alive.

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AFC Bournemouth finally broke out of their winless streak on April 14, 2025, after they defeated Fulham F.C. 1-0. This marks their first Premier League victory after two months of draws and losses. 

In just 53 seconds, Bournemouth secured the only goal of the game when Antoine Semenyo capitalised on Antonee Robinson’s defensive error. The shot went through Bernd Leno and into the goal, giving Bournemouth the winning edge. 

A chance for a double arrived for Bournemouth when Alex Scott delivered a cutback to Evanilson, but instead of hitting the net, the ball struck the crossbar. Even though the attack failed, the team continued to try for another score. 

Fulham made several attempts to level the game, but the efforts by Rodrigo Muniz, Ryan Sessegnon, and Joachim Andersen all missed the goal. The second half was still no good for Fulham despite getting better opportunities. 

With 10 minutes left, Bernd Leno seemed to take down Evanilson. Bournemouth felt that a penalty must be imposed against the Fulham goalkeeper. However, referee Michael Oliver and the video assistant referee stood by their decision.

Since there were no penalties or extra time, the game concluded with Bournemouth’s victory. Because of this recent win, their Premier League points went up and levelled with Fulham at 48 points. 

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Kevin De Bruyne has been at the top of the Premier League since he signed with Manchester City in 2015. In the decade he has played in the English top flight, his success involved six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five EFL Cups, and a Champions League trophy.

The Belgian midfielder has impressive stats with Man City across all competitions: 414 matches played, 106 goals, and 176 assists as of April 7, 2025. He exits the Prem at the end of the 2024-25 season, ending a stint as arguably the greatest-ever Premier League midfielder.

What is next for KDB?

After De Bruyne’s announcement, the bidding wars to sign KDB on a free transfer are starting. This could mean big-money Saudi Arabian clubs like Al-Nassr or Major League Soccer clubs like New York City FC could get the 33-year-old because of how much he can earn there.  

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The Premier League (EPL) is about to welcome its new title winner, Liverpool. Manchester City is now far from defending their streak and Arsenal is 12 points behind The Reds. Arne Slot is about to bring home the title and fans are eager to see it. 

Why are fans so sure Liverpool will win EPL 2024/25?

The Reds are just 12 points ahead of title contender Arsenal. It’s a significant gap between them considering Mikel Arteta’s squad is missing key players from the offensive side. Nottm Forest is also far from winning the title, especially considering their shaky streak lately. 

Liverpool can win as early as the 20th of April 

The EPL officially ends on 25th May. Liverpool’s next 3 games are against Everton, Fulham, West Ham, and Leicester City. Liverpool could still manage to win as early as the 20th of April even if they end one or two matches in a draw. Should Liverpool lose a match or two, they can easily recover in the following fixtures. They still have up to 25 May to secure their lead in the EPL title race. 

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Cole Palmer’s tough time continued as Chelsea won 1-0 against Leicester City, with Palmer missing a penalty for the first time in the Premier League. The England player, feeling sick, still played and had a chance to end his eight-game goal drought. Yet, his shot was saved by Leicester’s keeper, Mads Hermansen. Palmer had been perfect with penalties until now, so this miss was a blow.

Last year, Palmer was one of Chelsea's top players, scoring 26 goals and giving 13 assists, but now his form has dropped. In recent games, including the win against Southampton, he wasted chances and seemed frustrated.

Despite the miss, Chelsea won with a goal from Marc Cucurella in the 60th minute. Palmer did not play well and was subbed off in the 73rd minute, his earliest change this season.

Coach Enzo Maresca revealed that Palmer had been battling a fever, yet still insisted on playing to help the team. Chelsea’s win moved them to fourth place, still fighting for a spot in the Champions League.

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