Early on Saturday morning, Fulham supporters will set off for Newcastle just as they did 18 months ago, when they were rewarded with a 2-1 win at St James' Park. Some 8,500 miles and perhaps £3,000 or so later, they are still waiting to see their team's next league victory on the road.

Regulars at Craven Cottage have enjoyed ten home league wins in that period, but those who go to away matches have travelled the equivalent of London to northern Australia in the vain hope of triumph. Yet as would be the case with supporters of other clubs in a similar situation, Fulham fans continue to trek around the country as defeat (or draw) follows defeat (or draw).

This unquestioning adherence of fans to the cause has been investigated by Dr Sandy Wolfson, a sports psychologist specialising in football. As a Newcastle United devotee, Wolfson hopes that Fulham will extend their Barclays Premier League record to 32 away league matches without victory on Saturday, but she would not expect such a result to deter fans from making the next trip. “The success of the team is irrelevant to the support that fans give to the team,” Wolfson said. “People incorporate the team into their own identity. If your sister did badly at something, you wouldn't abandon her.”

Sharing a common goal with other supporters can also instil pride. “Fans think that people who support the club that they follow themselves are superior to those of other teams, that they are more committed, knowledgeable and loyal,” Wolfson said. “Just being part of that superior group of people is good for their self-esteem.”

And while the idea of watching your team failing to win away in the league for 18 months is unappealing, there are other potential sources of enjoyment on a long day out, apart from the action on the pitch. “For most committed fans, it's not a slog to go away,” Wolfson said. “There's a lot of fun and banter and social interaction involved in travelling to away matches. And there's always the hope that you will get the victory.”

Fulham fans have been given reason to maintain hope, despite their lengthy barren spell. Almost half their 31 winless matches - 14 - have been drawn and on only four occasions have they lost by more than two goals. The period includes two draws with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and a 2-1 defeat away to Arsenal last August in which they were ahead with six minutes left.

They have also led this season away to Aston Villa, Wigan Athletic, Sunderland, Birmingham City and West Ham United, only to be pegged back. Yet the draw with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park this month was their 31st failure to win on the road, taking them beyond the previous worst Premier League mark, held jointly by Norwich City and Watford.

However, even if that sequence were extended to 100 away league matches without victory, it would not lead Bob Cain to consider staying put at his home in Kent. “Absolutely not,” he said and, given that he saw 30 of those 31 away games (a family bereavement prevented the full set) and has not missed a home match in 37 years, it is hard not to believe him.

“As a true supporter, you should carry on cheering the team whatever the results,” he said, with Fulham facing an uphill battle to avoid relegation. “It's when fortunes are at their lowest the team needs that support even more so.” He does not dwell on negatives. “I don't really think about the cost,” Cain said. “It's not an effort for me [to go to away matches]. The heart expects to win most games. I'm usually optimistic that we can get something.” His optimism extends to this weekend. “I do believe we will get at least one win in the last five away games. The next two away are winnable - Newcastle and Derby.”

And his prediction for Saturday? A 2-1 win for Fulham.

Pointless journeys

31 away league games for Fulham without a win (Premier League record)

£300 possible extra spending on programme, food, drink by travelling Fulham fans

£900 approximate cost in tickets

£2,000 estimated cost in petrol for a fan taking a car to games

Fulham’s run is far from the worst...

41 away league games - Norwich City went without a win in the top flight between 1977 and 1979

56 away league games - Crewe Alexandra went without a victory in the Third Division North between 1955 and 1957