A Hair-Raising Promise: The Consequences of Team Performance on Fan Grooming

omidbasir- Frank Ilett, a dedicated Manchester United supporter, has gained notoriety for his intriguing pledge: he will not cut his hair until his team secures five consecutive wins. Unfortunately for Ilett, the recent draw against West Ham has extended his hair growth period, which has now lasted for 497 days without a haircut. This humorous yet self-inflicted predicament raises an interesting question when applied to La Liga: how long would an Osasuna fan go without a haircut if adhering to a similar commitment?

In fact, if an Osasuna follower were to strictly uphold the motto “I won’t cut my hair until we win five matches in a row,” they would have avoided the barbershop since June 2016. The last time Osasuna celebrated five straight victories—across all competitions—was at the conclusion of the 2015-16 Segunda División season, during a streak that included a 5-0 victory against Oviedo and a playoff final win against Girona.

Since then, nearly a decade has passed, encompassing two more seasons in Segunda, another ascension, numerous players, coaches, and even a Copa del Rey final. Yet, Osasuna has been unable to string together five consecutive victories, a feat that would likely leave many fans with unkempt hair.

Conversely, the supporters of FC Barcelona are enjoying a period of grooming satisfaction, as their team is currently riding a six-match winning streak. Prior to their last defeat to Real Sociedad on January 18, they had an impressive eleven-match winning run.

Real Madrid fans also have reason to celebrate their haircuts, having recorded five consecutive wins from matchday 16 against Alavés to their Supercopa semifinal against Atlético Madrid on January 8, under the management of Xabi Alonso. However, following their subsequent loss in the final against Barcelona, fans faced a quick haircut as their winning streak came to an end.

Across various clubs, there have been notable winning streaks in recent seasons, providing a reprieve for fans, assuming they followed an ‘Ilett-like’ commitment to hair maintenance. However, Elche stands out as a unique case; the last time they achieved five consecutive wins was during the 2017-18 season in the now-defunct Segunda B, where they triumphed in the promotion playoffs.

The team, under the guidance of coach Pacheta, featured prominent players such as goalkeeper José Juan and Nino, who has appeared in this narrative multiple times.

In stark contrast, clubs like Valencia and Sevilla have struggled to deliver five consecutive victories for their fans since December 2021 and April 2021, respectively, resulting in more hair loss than growth for their supporters. This whimsical analogy serves as both an entertaining observation and a reflection of the current performance levels of these clubs.