The Social Phenomenon of Football: The Third Side Of The Stands. Activity of Supporter Trusts in Poland

The paper presents results of research on the issue of football fans associations in Polandin context of the civil society. The analysis is divided into three areas: (1) the phenomenonof formalizing football supporters groups; (2) activities made by Supporters’ Trusts; (3)the issue of fans motivation to initiate activities that are wider than social role of footballfan. Nowadays, football fans are not only supporters whose role is only limited toattending football games or cheering the players. Groups of football supporters have beeninstitutionalized and professionalized. Fans, especially football fans, organize and formassociations (called Supporter Trusts). Supporter Trusts activities, in addition to dealingwith fans issues, are also invested in a variety of other initiatives such as charity, patrioticor integrative actions.