It's the glib line trotted out again and again by unctuous club chairmen and under-fire managers: Fans are the lifeblood of football. Without them, the game is nothing.
But just because something's a cliche, doesn't mean it's untrue.
Players are bought and sold. Managers are snared and sacked. Owners come and go. Even grounds change. The one constant in the story of a football club is the fans.
Oh, and the local paper.
The Mercury was already 10 years old when a group of worshippers from Leicester's Emmanuel Church squeezed in to a garden shed off Fosse Road in the spring of 1884 to talk about forming a new football team.
Ever since we've had photographers, the paper has been sending snappers to take pictures of the club's matches and the supporters.
The result is an archive littered with shots which capture the bliss and pain of being a City fan. You'll know which one outweighs the other.
On a whim, we decided to string a few together into a slideshow. On another, we decided to add music. By who? No question about it.
Well, none after we'd ruled out Gaye Bykers On Acid and their own tribute act, Lesbian Dope Heads on Mopeds.
So, here it is. Hope you like it.
Shiny salesman teeth: If you want to buy any of the pictures on this slideshow, email picturedesk@leicestermercury.co.uk
www.leicestermercury.co.uk