"Say Yer Prayer": Football Chant Functions among Supporters of Historically Rival Football Clubs through Schoonderwoerd's Framework

Abstract

Football chants represent more than simple melodies; they are significant cultural practices that convey identity, rivalry, and unity among football supporters. In long-standing rivalries, chants function as narrative tools that preserve collective memory, express shared values, and reinforce group affiliation. While previous studies have examined chants as linguistic and social expressions, limited attention has been given to their role in sustaining intergenerational rivalries between football clubs. Therefore, this study investigates the functions of football chants among supporters of Persib versus Persija, Barcelona versus Real Madrid, and Liverpool versus Manchester United. Guided by Schoonderwoerd’s (2011) theory of chants as mediational and identity-forming practices, this research employs a qualitative descriptive approach with a case study design. The data were collected from match recordings, online chant compilations, and supporter-created videos, providing authentic representations of supporter performances and stadium atmosphere. The findings reveal five main functions of football chants: (1) identity and solidarity, (2) provocation and rivalry, (3) motivational function, (4) collective emotional expression, and (5) tradition and cultural heritage. These findings demonstrate that chants are symbolic performances that not only express unity and emotion but also preserve traditions across generations. Thus, football chants serve as important forms of cultural communication through which identity is constructed, rivalry is maintained, and collective memory is preserved within football culture. Future research may explore football chants in relation to digital media, gender participation, and cross-cultural perspectives.