Barcelona Femení's April 22nd clash with VfL Wolfsburg in the UEFA Women's Champions League semi-finals set a new world record for attendance at a women’s football match. It highlighted the growing popularity of women’s sport, but there remain distinct barriers to wider participation and fandom.

Usually known for their unrelenting passion for the sport and their beloved clubs, research has found that British football fans are less likely to be loyal to only one club. Instead, they're supporting two clubs – signalling a shift in football fandom and how brands should think about club culture.

Traditionally, football has been a key component of regional and local identity in England. But with the Premier League now defined more by wealth than locality, fandom is increasingly divorced from its local roots. What does this mean for the future of the nation’s favourite sport?

English football is in crisis – passionate fans are feeling overlooked and cash-strapped clubs are seeking alternate revenue streams. Socios, a crypto-enabled app, is providing fans with the chance to participate in club decisions and could help to grow a global digital fanbase. But at what cost?