Micro Music Genres: Visual Research, football memorabilia

There are multiple sources of visual inspiration surrounding football due to the multiple forms of memorabilia produced for teams and those produced for specific matches. The most common memorabilia comes in the form of badges, scarves, shirts, programs and fan made banners and flags (see figures 1-4). This memorabilia reinforced the community felt amongst fans as well as the memories associated with certain memorabilia as some is match day specific, in a similar way as chants can remind fans of certain events. The official memorabilia usually focus on commemorating the match and team, however fan made banners/flags are usually used to cheer their team/star player on or insult and antagonise the opposing side in a similar way to chants themselves. In terms of visual aesthetics most official memorabilia is very closely linked to the colours and badge design of the club as this is visual identify fans recognise and connect with. Each clubs visual identity also gives the fans an identify as they are all unified under one name. However in relation to fan made memorabilia such as banners they tend to be influenced by the clubs visual identity, featuring the team colour or badge but the context is often more specific to the fans as they use the banners as a form of communication. Therefor they can feature anything from simple statements, parts of chants or insults aimed at the opposing team.