Helping fellow fans - as well as opponents - was found to be of importance to some of the most dedicated football supporters, which may challenge stereotypes about hooliganism.
A new study found diehard fans were the most violent, however the research also revealed the very same fans were the most likely to show kindness.
The closer a fan was to their club, the more likely they were to be violent. It was also found that men were more likely than women to have been hostile towards rivals.
The researchers investigated identity fusion - a visceral sense of "oneness" with a group - in 497 British football fans.
They were asked what team they supported, and questions about how strongly they felt they belonged to a fan group. Additionally, they were asked questions about hostile and altruistic behaviour.
Altruistic - or kind - behaviour towards rival fans was investigated in a second study which found that despite having a higher propensity for hostility towards rivals, strongly fused fans were also more likely to behave altruistically to their rival fans than fans who were not strongly fused to the club.
As a result, researchers are saying that die-hard fans should be given an opportunity to affect positive change in their communities in order to shift perceptions.
The paper’s author, Martha Newson, who is based at the universities of Kent and Oxford, said: "These findings challenge some of the long-standing myths and stereotypes around football hooligans in the UK.
"We have strong evidence that passionate football fans can have a positive impact at games, not only on their fellow fans which we’ve known for some time, but also with fans of rival teams."
The researcher adds: "“Focusing on what fans can do to affect positive change in their communities is one way to change the narrative, and hopefully create more positive environments at games both at home and away."
Dr Newson will be at the British Science Festival in Leicester, hosted by De Montfort University, discussing the ancient origins of tribal behaviour in football fans and other modern groups.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
