Shirt sales at East Midlands Airport have revealed some very interesting loyalties, and Villa fans are clearly not shy about repping their team before take-off.
Even before bagging their recent Europa League win (ending a 30-year trophy drought, btw), Aston Villa were already flying high – coming second only to Liverpool in shirt sales at the airport. Not bad at all.
Manchester United trailed just behind in third, because of course they did.
The rankings come from JD Sports stores across Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports, run by MAG (aka the UK’s biggest airport group). With over 66 million passengers a year, it’s basically the ultimate “who’s got the biggest fanbase” test.
Liverpool somehow took the top spot at all three airports – yes, even after a season with no trophies. Meanwhile, United couldn’t even win at their own airport (awkward), and Arsenal managed second place at Stansted, pushing Spurs down to fourth. Brutal.
And then there’s Wrexham. Yep – thanks to the Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney effect, they’ve shot up to third across MAG overall. Hollywood PR really does wonders.
Back at East Midlands, though, things get a bit more continental. Travellers there showed off their international taste, with shirts from Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, AC Milan and even Inter Miami all making the top 10. Messi effect? Probably.
The jerseys are all sold at the airport’s JD Sports, which now takes up the biggest retail space in the terminal – because nothing says “holiday ready” like impulse-buying a football shirt before your flight.
East Midlands Airport’s Commercial Director Adam Andrews basically confirmed what we’re all thinking: Villa’s popularity here shows loads of West Midlands fans are ditching Birmingham Airport and heading east instead for an easier start to their holiday.
So yeah – rivalries might be fierce on the pitch, but at baggage drop? It’s seems it’s every fan for themselves.
