Episode description

Ella Al-Shamahi is joined by Crystal Palace superfan Bobby and psychologist Martha Newson to find out why it's so devastating when our football team loses.

People who normally keep a stiff upper lip through life's ups and downs are distraught after a defeat. Is this a cultural response or something more primeval? Martha’s work shows that being beaten by another team deepens social bonds with fellow fans. From her results the fans of the least successful football clubs, including Crystal Palace, saw one another as kin and were willing to sacrifice themselves for each other.

BBC Studios Audio Producer: Emily Bird Additional production: Olivia Jani and Ben Hughes Series Producer: Geraldine Fitzgerald Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem