{"id":64292,"date":"2022-03-11T15:01:36","date_gmt":"2022-03-11T15:01:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=64292"},"modified":"2022-03-11T15:36:14","modified_gmt":"2022-03-11T15:36:14","slug":"cardiff-devils-fans-stake-claim-to-be-the-best-in-wales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2022\/03\/11\/cardiff-devils-fans-stake-claim-to-be-the-best-in-wales\/","title":{"rendered":"Cardiff Devils fans stake claim to be the best in Wales"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Survey finds Devils fans are among the best in the UK<\/strong> – and the top in Wales<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

CARDIFF Devils fans are the best and most engaged fan base in Wales, bringing noise and passion throughout the team’s ups and downs, according to a new survey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A study carried out by Sports Direct revealed <\/a>that the Cardiff Devils are the sixth most loved sports team in the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The survey used several metrics including social media following, Instagram engagement and percentage of stadium capacity filled in 2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jo Howcroft, 43, who started supporting the Devils when she was 16, wasn’t surprised to hear how much Devils fans were valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said: \u201cWhen you watch an away game where the Devils fans have far fewer supporters, it is still the Devils fans that you can hear. We bring the noise that gives the players that extra edge to grind out a goal or win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a team we have had ups and downs but now we have brilliant owners that have invested in the team both on and off the ice which has reignited the fans love and support.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data for the survey was gathered in 2019, before the impact of Covid could be felt on stadium attendances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Devils beat some of the biggest names in cricket, athletics and netball and came just behind Premier League football clubs West Ham and Manchester City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The top ten most loved sports teams in the UK were<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Arsenal (Football)<\/li>
  2. Liverpool (Football)<\/li>
  3. Chelsea (Football)<\/li>
  4. Manchester City (Football)<\/li>
  5. West Ham (Football)<\/li>
  6. Cardiff Devils (Ice Hockey)<\/li>
  7. Gloucester (Rugby Union)<\/li>
  8. Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers (Athletics)<\/li>
  9. Guildford Flames (Ice Hockey)<\/li>
  10. Harlequins (Rugby Union)<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    A Devils fan who posts online under the name, WelshRareDit, told The Cardiffian: \u201cIn my experience it\u2019s the openness and welcoming atmosphere when you’re watching a game at the rink. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cWhen you’re sat down there’s nearly always someone knowledgeable that’s busy explaining to a friend\/new fan what’s going on and the atmosphere at Ice Arena Wales is fantastic.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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