The Oral Folk Tradition of English Football: A Mythological and Literary Analysis of Chants at Manchester City and Arsenal

English football chants represent a living oral folk tradition that serves as a potent expression of collective identity. This article examines the genesis and evolution of these chants through the lens of literary folkloristics and mythology, positioning them as a modern continuation of ancient oral poetic practices. By analysing specific chant repertoires of Manchester City and Arsenal F.C., the study explores how these vocalisations function as cultural narratives, creating communal bonds and engaging in ritualistic banter that echoes historical traditions like the Anglo-Saxon flyting. The article argues that terrace chants, with their adaptation of popular melodies, repetitive structures, and spontaneous creation, constitute a significant and dynamic form of contemporary folklore.