Barclays and the Premier League carried out the first-ever global survey of Barclays Premiership fans. Every person who completed the survey had the chance to win an all-expenses-paid VIP trip for two to watch the Barclays Premiership team of their choice.

The Barclays Premiership Global Fans Report 2005 forms part of ongoing research by Barclays, title sponsor of the Barclays Premiership, to better understand the attitudes and lifestyles of football fans around the world. Fans could take part in the survey at www.barclaysenglishpremierleague.com throughout September 2005. It was promoted through international media channels in August and September 2005 and data was compiled by TNS Media Intelligence.

Barclays and the Premier League wanted to know the fans thoughts and opinions on top-flight English football. Questions of the survey included such as "Which team do you support?", "Who's your favourite player?" or "What other leagues do you follow?"

IndianFootball.Com supported the survey, while you - our visitors - were also offered a chance to take part in this global survey.

Barclays and the Premier League has forwarded the results of the Indian votes to IndianFootball.Com

Here they are:

ENGLISH FOOTBALL: A GAME OF SEVEN CONTINENTS
(Wednesday 16th November 2005)

Barclays Premiership fans from across the globe have united to take part in an unprecedented study. The inaugural Barclays Premiership Global Fans Report 2005 analyses the opinions of over 26,000 fans from 170 different countries, in 12 different languages. It reveals that Indian fans think top flight English football is the best in the world.

The report, published today by Barclays PLC, gives a unique insight into the lifestyle and mindset of the Indian community of Barclays Premiership football fans. Who is the greatest Premiership player of all time? How does English football compare to India? Which fans watch or play the most football?

By answering these questions the report draws a picture of the definitive fantasy football match and the fans that would be watching it in India:

• It would be played at Old Trafford - 43% of Indian fans voted it the best stadium in the world
• Jose Mourinho would be in the dug out – 36% voted him their favourite manager
• Ronaldinho would be up front dazzling the crowd – he is the player Indian fans would most like to see in the Barclays Premiership (39%)
• Thierry Henry would be his strike partner – he was voted favourite current player (41%) and was also voted India’s favourite Premiership player of all time (40%)
• Eric Cantona tops the list of the greatest ever Premiership players (15%); 41% of Indians voted for Henry as their favourite player of all time
• The average fan watching would be:
- Eating chips – favourite match day snack (31%) or pizza (23%)
- Sporting a haircut like David Beckham – 43% of Indian fans said players influence their hairstyle and 38% of Indian fans said players influence the clothes they buy
• Fans in India spend two hours playing football and more than two hours watching football on TV every week
• Indian fans expect Chelsea to win the league again this season (58%); they also predict that European places will go to Man Utd (45%) and Arsenal (44%)
• A high proportion of Indian fans also follow the UEFA Champions League (99%), La Liga (73%) and Serie A (57%)

League Appeal
Players (52%) and style of football (31%) were voted as the most appealing aspects of the English game by the average global fan. Fans in India also voted for players (66%) followed by goals (40%) and team rivalry (28%)

Fan Behaviour
The average Indian fan predominately keeps up to date with all the action on TV for an average of more than two hours each week, more time than any other country in the world. This is followed by the internet (more than 60 mins per week) and magazines (up to 50 mins per week).

Jim Hytner, Barclays Group Marketing Director, said: “Over 500 million people across the globe regularly tune in to watch Barclays Premiership games. It’s clear that the world class footballers, style of play and the history of our clubs is what makes the league so appealing. As a Man U fan, I’m also really chuffed The Reds has been voted the favourite club by fans in India.”