twelfth man

British  

noun

1. a reserve player in a cricket team

2. anything that is regarded as a contributory factor to the success of a football team, esp a large and vocal home support

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Example Sentences

Moreover, every single Aggie stands throughout every single football game�ignoring even passing tornadoes�to signify his eagerness to take to the field if necessary as the team's "twelfth man."

From Time Magazine Archive

"Well," said the courtier, "what will you give me, and I will find the twelfth man?"

From The Book of Noodles Stories of Simpletons; or, Fools and Their Follies by Clouston, William Alexander

I am strongly of the opinion that the twelfth man was entirely without money at the time he met Angus, or I feel that he would have proved no exception to the rule.

From London's Underworld by Holmes, Thomas

Did you know they have made him twelfth man?

From The Daughter Pays by Reynolds, Mrs. Baillie

"Mistress Delia," I said hurriedly, "the twelfth man has enter'd the house, and unless we consider our plans at once, all's up with us."

From The Splendid Spur by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir