The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word FOLLOWING
F
O
L
L
O
W
I
N
G
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "fans" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case fans = following.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does FOLLOWING mean?
FOLLOWING verb- To go after; to pursue; to move behind in the same path or direction.
- To go or come after in a sequence.
- To carry out (orders, instructions, etc.).
- To live one's life according to (religion, teachings, etc).
- To understand, to pay attention to.
- To watch, to keep track of (reports of) some event or person.
- To subscribe to see content from an account on a social media platform.
- To be a logical consequence of something.
- To walk in, as a road or course; to attend upon closely, as a profession or calling.
- A group of followers, attendants or admirers; an entourage.
- Vocation; business; profession.
- (with definite article, treated as singular or plural) A thing or things to be mentioned immediately after.
- Coming next, either in sequence or in time.
- About to be specified.
- (of a wind) Blowing in the direction of travel.
- After, subsequent to.