I think that over time it’s inevitable that successful businesses sever their link with the community in which they started, it’s a by product of globalisation, it’s not that long ago that we tried to move location don’t forget.
I think the club do the community outreach for PR reasons, it doesn’t cost much and looks good, there may even be some tax benefits to it?
I don’t agree that we can’t attract fans from other clubs, it’s increasingly common for people to follow a team in different leagues. I’m showing a lot of interest in Marseilles this season for example (and an obvious reason
![Wink ;) ;)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
), I was intending on flying out there to catch a game at some point and I’d probably buy a shirt or something. I also have a few shirts of other clubs/nations for players I admire. You don’t have to be a lifer to be a target customer anymore.