The 2011 football "fan" a fan or a consumer?

[Turkish]

Looking around at SMS it struck me that most of the people there are not really football fans in the true sense of the word. ie people there for the football. The simple fact that are 3-0 up fans were streaming for the exits. At half time, many people were heading downstairs clad in their replica hat or shirt, going down to have their SFC branded pie, hot dog or beer. Football is becoming more americanized by the day, it wont long before it's called "soccer" at this rate.

When i started going to football in the mid eighties as a kid you never saw a replica shirt, most young lads were casuals and this is how i grew up. For me it was having the right trainers and the right jeans and top, i wasn't interestd in having a replica shirt and no one i went with was or wore them. We used to get on the Milton road terrace as soon as they opened at 1.30 and stand there in all weathers, rain or shine, sometimes snow. Looking at the soft, pampered consumers in the stands these days, moaning about the standard of toilets and half time refreshements it makes me wonder if they'd do the same. Which brings me onto my point. Take away the comfortable seats, the replica shirts and merchanidise, the pies, beer and burgers which you can stuff down your face at half time, how many are there for the football and only the football? Is the 2011 football fan merely a football consumer, biproducts of a sky sports obesession or are they genuinely real fans? How many of the 20000 or so inside SMS would be there if the stands were uncovered, you had to p*ss where you stood and you could hardly see the game for the tooing and frowing of the crowd and the restricted view of where you stood?

What matters most to you, the football, the result or the match day experience?

[Saintandy666]

I don't understand some people's irrational hate of replica shirts. They do no harm. I do not understand why so many people leave so early though, I can understand why some may need to, but sometimes the shear numbers involved makes you wonder! But hey... their money, their experience and they can do as they wish.

[Saint_Jonny]

I think its obvious, and you know it, that over 90% (at least) are there for the football, and only the football. Of course people are going to use the great facilities at (insert nice stadium name here) if they are available, why wouldn't they? You will get tag alongs (like my mum following my dad to a match) at every stadium. And so what if the tag alongs go for the day out, to enjoy them selves? Is that a problem?

[Saintandy666]

Football is no longer just a 'lads' game.

[Scudamore]

I consume Turkish's posts on this forum...in fact I eat that sh:t up for breakfast. Our fans are embarrassing. They don't stay in the ground long enough, they don't sing at the right speed and what the f::ck are they wearing? Mongs...

[Turkish]

I think its obvious, and you know it, that over 90% (at least) are there for the football, and only the football. Of course people are going to use the great facilities at (insert nice stadium name here) if they are available, why wouldn't they? You will get tag alongs (like my mum following my dad to a match) at every stadium. And so what if the tag alongs go for the day out, to enjoy them selves? Is that a problem?

 

If thats the case why the despeation to get down 10 minutes before half time to fill their face with food? I would seriously never dream of missing more than 1 minute of football so i could queue up for a hot dog. I sat in the Kingsland north today, supposedly a hot bed of true fans who sing and was gobsmacked by the amount of consumers who went down well before half time clock to eat and drink. Surely they are there as much for the match day experience as the football?

[Turkish]

I consume Turkish's posts on this forum...in fact I eat that sh:t up for breakfast. Our fans are embarrassing. They don't stay in the ground long enough, they don't sing at the right speed and what the f::ck are they wearing? Mongs...

 

Despite your attempts at being funny, you are right and i agree with everything you say.

[theyin]

Turkish - so you're a proper fan just because the only money you put into the club is your gate receipt? I don't wear colours but don't see the problem and pie and Bovril have been part of the game experience since long before you came on the scene. I suppose you think it's better to fill the pockets of Enterprise pubs, Punch Taverns and Wetherspoons as well though in this I have to agree until the beer contract is changed at SMS

[Scudamore]

Despite your attempts at being funny, you are right and i agree with everything you say.

 

Real lads don't waste pub time rocking up to the ground at half one though. A sign of weakness from you (my alpha male guru) that makes me question what I'm doing. I am a massively judgemental individual, hate most people truth be told, but you? You take the biscuit...for that reason I love you.

[Scudamore]

By the way, I look sexual in the present home kit. I make no apologies for that.

[Turkish]

Turkish - so you're a proper fan just because the only money you put into the club is your gate receipt? I don't wear colours but don't see the problem and pie and Bovril have been part of the game experience since long before you came on the scene. I suppose you think it's better to fill the pockets of Enterprise pubs, Punch Taverns and Wetherspoons as well though in this I have to agree until the beer contract is changed at SMS

 

I think you are missing the point. You see people streaming down to the concorse from 35 mins onwards, missing the football, for what? Food, beer, toilets? If the same people also leave the ground on 80 minutes to aviod the traffic then they have lost nearly a quarter of the game for the sake of food and traffic. When i go to a game i go for the football and to see my team, i dont care who we are playing sol wouldn't dream of going downstairs 10 minutes before half time to get a burger for example. I just wonder if the fans of today would be so keen if the food they can buy wasn't on offer and if they had to spend 90 mins in the p*issing rain rather than in the comfortable surroundings they have these days. I am of the belief that a lot of "fans" these days are more customers or consumers than fans of the game or the club.

[Turkish]

Real lads don't waste pub time rocking up to the ground at half one though. A sign of weakness from you (my alpha male guru) that makes me question what I'm doing. I am a massively judgemental individual, hate most people truth be told, but you? You take the biscuit...for that reason I love you.

 

That was how it was back in the day, but that is what we did as a teenager. As for being judgemental, let him that is without sin cast the first stone, i think you know what I mean.....

[theyin]

I am just as flabbergasted as you at those that leave early especially when they've paid good money to go see the game. I do get angry at the image of empty Wembley seats on the halfway line prior to and after halftime. What sort of image does this project to the world watching England play. These are the 'prawn sandwich' brigade I despise as most are there on a corporate freebie

[Scudamore]

That was how it was back in the day, but that is what we did as a teenager. As for being judgemental, let him that is without sin cast the first stone, i think you know what I mean.....

 

Sounds like god bothering talk to me. Still if I've got it quite straight you are saying that as the uber fan that you obviously are you can cuss people that want a pint or happen to wear different clothing to you.

 

Now don't get me wrong...I like the fact that you're opinionated...sometimes right sometimes wrong. But ultimately when you put yourself out there like a bloke who's had a few too many down the pub that's talking sh:t...then you have to accept that you are perceptible to people taking the p:ss out of you.

[Saint_clark]

I usually wait at the front of the stand near the end of injury time just so I don't have to queue on the steps for 10 minutes to get out.

But yeah, does f*ck me off when you see people leaving 10 minutes before half time/full time.

[MarkSFC]

At The Dell you couldn't buy alcohol inside the ground. If you wanted a hot drink or a pie you had the kiosks, and if you wanted anything else you had cinema stylee sellers walking round. And before all seats you had to get in the ground early to get "your spot".

 

In modern grounds you have your reserved seat and you have sufficient food and drink choice. The trouble is that if you want any of these items the queue is always too long so you either have to miss a few minutes of the duesyngalf or the start of th second. There are of course TVs on the concourse which helps. Me and my mates normally take it in turn to get the beers at half time and never leave before 40 mins (unless its that bad!).

 

As for what's important mostly the football the result, or the matchday experience they go hand in hand. If we lose everything else helps to ease the pain. If we win everything else is a bonus.

[farawaysaint]

My Dad is the reason I support SFC, he has been a fan for 40 odd years, I've never lived in Southampton, never even lived in England and have faced constant ridicule for being a Saints fan. Believe me, if I could I would be in the stadium every week but as is if I choose to buy a replica shirt to show my support of the club I love when I can't even watch them on television surely that isn't a bad thing?

[dune]

Football is becoming more americanized by the day.

 

 

It's an S not a Z. ****ing American spelling.

[ST Randy]

 

it's an s not a z. ****ing american spelling.

 

lol

[trousers]

I wash my clothes in a washing machine rather than take them down to the local brook in a bucket.

 

I drive a car to work rather than use a horse and cart.

 

I use a flushing lavatory in my house rather than a cesspit at the bottom of the garden.

 

I watch my football team in comfort.

 

It's called 'progress'

[dune]

I wash my clothes in a washing machine rather than take them down to the local brook in a bucket.

 

I drive a car to work rather than use a horse and cart.

 

I use a flushing lavatory in my house rather than a cesspit at the bottom of the garden.

 

I watch my football team in comfort.

 

It's called 'progress'

 

I'm a traditionalist at heart and although the 'progress' we've all enjoyed has made life a lot easier, in the case of football it's not as good as it was. It's sterile now. But there is no point moaning because there's no going back and if we think it's bad now we're forgetting what it was like in the Premier League. Enjoy the trips to London Road and the old fashioned away days while they last because we'll never see them again.

[Thedelldays]

Just like your mate stu, Turkish..

He regularly gets there late, leaves to get the pies in early at half time and the football is secondary in his day

[dune]

Just like your mate stu, Turkish..

He regularly gets there late, leaves to get the pies in early at half time and the football is secondary in his day

 

I always maximise my time in the pub and get down to the concourse on 35 to beat the queue for a beer. Getting hammered is a big part of the day. In fact i'd say the craic (as the Irish say) is more enjoyable than the main event.

[Capel Saint]

I can sympathise with the original post that things were different in the 80's as a young lad I would ensure gertting a good spot at Milton Road and paying £1.50 to get in and 40p for a programme. Thing is, times have changed and as another poster put, we now have much more modern grounds with all seater stadium. That and the fact I am considerably older and therefore enjoy meeting up with my mates, quaffing a couple of ales and a egg and chips at a local pub before the game which I didn't do as a young teenager. If people want to leave before the whistle blows then that is up to them, they have paid for their ticket like everyone else and so it is up to the individual at the end of the day.

[dubai_phil]

Leave before the end if we are getting soundly sadly and depressingly beaten as in "I can't take any more of this" is acceptable & think I have done it once.

 

Rushing to get a drink? Well if it's a soft drink that just shows lack of foresight to take one in with you before the game. Wanting to get a pint at HT? Don't understand that at all. It is gnats' p1ss after all. In the old days going down to have a smoke yeah OK.

 

But the thing is that is what some people like to do - fair play to them. Not my choice but no law against it.

 

But what I really do NOT understand is the bigger thing here. I see it all the time. Be it at concerts, football, major events etc....

 

people have paid to go and watch something special. And so they stand there and talk about Eastenders/Send Texts/Talk on the mobile/moan to everyone within 50yards/Post on Football Forums.

 

In fact they tend to do anything EXCEPT notice that there is something else going on in the world. That just freaks me out. Saints are playing football, you paid to go to the game and you can't be bothered to WATCH? That really annoys me because so many others out there would love to be able to go, can't becuase of distance or money or health. It just seems wrong that some people so completely miss out on life OR are so damned selfish and unaware of other people in the world that they think it is OK to stop and stand still and block the view of 30 or 40 other people when a chance is created. No awareness of this world, what the fook are you doing on it, sod off to Mars where you belong

Edited 9 March, 2011 by dubai_phil

[Deppo]

Thing is, it's not the "consumers" going down 10 minutes early to buy food. It's the "lads" (the ones that many perceive as "real fans") going down to buy beer. Same reason why they are often late up at the start.

[adrian lord]

At least the Old Firm still seem to know how to do it properly, although it sounds like the do-gooders want to stamp out that last bastion of men being men.

 

When will people realise that 20-30000 lads spending 90 mins a week being hostile, aggressive and occasionally violent- as their genes and testosterone levels dictate - in a contained space and time frame is infintely preferable to it inevitably getting expressed elsewhere, but unpredictably and uncontained?

[Turkish]

Just like your mate stu, Turkish..

He regularly gets there late, leaves to get the pies in early at half time and the football is secondary in his day

 

Stu is not my mate, i only know him from on here.

[scott_saints]

I miss s**t loads of football at SMS. Usually go up late due to drinking beer. Go back down at 35 mins for beer. Come up late again due to drinking beer, and usually leave early to beat traffic or get to the front of a beer queue somewhere else. I AM there for the football, but I want beer to be a part of my football experience.

[dune]

Is anyone else a member of the 20 minute club?

 

I always need a slash on 20 mintues.

[Griffo]

Football is becoming extremely sterile. It's getting worse and worse and I fear it will keep going with all the money involved. I love the matchday experience too. Would take Peterborough's away terrace over a boring ground like SMS every day of the week.

[suewhistle]

Thing is, it's not the "consumers" going down 10 minutes early to buy food. It's the "lads" (the ones that many perceive as "real fans") going down to buy beer. Same reason why they are often late up at the start.

 

I agree, plus a few oldies whose bladders aren't as long lasting as they used to be. I'm far more forgiving of the latter.

 

Mind you, it sounds like Turkish

For me it was having the right trainers and the right jeans and top

is a bit of a consumer himself.

 

I don't think I've ever left early in 45 years of supporting when it was up to me, know how much my bladder holds (mind you, the queues at The Dell!!) and have only been late arriving through traffic problems or queues.

[suewhistle]

At least the Old Firm still seem to know how to do it properly, although it sounds like the do-gooders want to stamp out that last bastion of men being men.

 

When will people realise that 20-30000 lads spending 90 mins a week being hostile, aggressive and occasionally violent- as their genes and testosterone levels dictate - in a contained space and time frame is infintely preferable to it inevitably getting expressed elsewhere, but unpredictably and uncontained?

 

Load of b*****s I'm afraid. Every weekend with an Old Firm derby the domestic violence statistics in Glasgow go up. Maybe due to the drink, maybe being wound up and letting it spill over out of the ground. If your theory worked, fine, but unfortunately it doesn't. What is it about some people and drink; I suppose it reduces their inhibitions and you see their nasty sides?

[Leyton Lundekvam]

Football has always been about the day out. This involves the camaradarie, the pub, the match, the whole thing. This is what "going to football" involves for me personally (and my Dad & mates too) and has not changed since the mid/late 80s. After a few lunchtime pints, by half time I am bursting for a ****, so I go for one - and I prefer not to have to queue. Plus I like having a pint at half time, so I get one, although I prefer not to queue up for 15 mins for it, so I go down a few minutes early.

 

Others may prefer to stay in their seat till the ref blows up. I don't. Each to their own.

[Turkish]

Load of b*****s I'm afraid. Every weekend with an Old Firm derby the domestic violence statistics in Glasgow go up. Maybe due to the drink, maybe being wound up and letting it spill over out of the ground. If your theory worked, fine, but unfortunately it doesn't. What is it about some people and drink; I suppose it reduces their inhibitions and you see their nasty sides?

 

When i drink i am the funniest, best looking, best dressed most confident man in the world, in reality i am just an even bigger c*nt.

[Turkish]

Football has always been about the day out. This involves the camaradarie, the pub, the match, the whole thing. This is what "going to football" involves for me personally (and my Dad & mates too) and has not changed since the mid/late 80s. After a few lunchtime pints, by half time I am bursting for a ****, so I go for one - and I prefer not to have to queue. Plus I like having a pint at half time, so I get one, although I prefer not to queue up for 15 mins for it, so I go down a few minutes early.

 

Others may prefer to stay in their seat till the ref blows up. I don't. Each to their own.

 

Agreed, its for the day out with your mates and nothing wrong with a few pints before and after, but when i see people streaming downstairs on 35 and 80 minutes why they are there and if they wouldn't be better off spending the afternoon or evening in Mcdonalds. Why some people feel the need to eat and drink as much as possible when they attend a football match is beyond me. Fair enough, some people might have gone straight for work but for most they'd not long have had tea. If they were at home on a none football day would they have tea say 6, then at 8.30 pop down the local take away to get a hot dog, pie or burger? It's just pure greed. No wonder we have so many fat fans.

[scott_saints]

Agreed, its for the day out with your mates and nothing wrong with a few pints before and after, but when i see people streaming downstairs on 35 and 80 minutes why they are there and if they wouldn't be better off spending the afternoon or evening in Mcdonalds. Why some people feel the need to eat and drink as much as possible when they attend a football match is beyond me. Fair enough, some people might have gone straight for work but for most they'd not long have had tea. If they were at home on a none football day would they have tea say 6, then at 8.30 pop down the local take away to get a hot dog, pie or burger? It's just pure greed. No wonder we have so many fat fans.

I don't see how me going to get beer at 35 minutes means I would be of more use staying at Mcdonalds. I like football. I like beer. I do as much as possible of both whilst in the ground.

[Turkish]

I don't see how me going to get beer at 35 minutes means I would be of more use staying at Mcdonalds. I like football. I like beer. I do as much as possible of both whilst in the ground.

 

Where did i mention beer? It's people queuing up to stuff their face i have a problem with. Pure greed.

[kpturner]

Who is that bloke in block 10 who wears a replica shirt with "Turkish" written on the back?

[dubai_phil]

Where did i mention beer? It's people queuing up to stuff their face i have a problem with. Pure greed.

 

For the price of a manky pie or burger in the ground you can have a very nice Fish & Chip supper on the way TO the ground and still get a quick pint in.

 

Of course those who have to rush from work won't have eaten since lunchtime in mid-week

 

But rushing for a Pie or Burger at 3:45pm on a Saturday? FFS peeps

[suewhistle]

I like football. I like beer. I do as much as possible of both whilst in the ground.

 

If you like beer? So do I. That's why I don't drink it in the ground.

[Turkish]

Who is that bloke in block 10 who wears a replica shirt with "Turkish" written on the back?

 

With done this already a while back, it's not me, for one i dont own a replica shirt and for two putting your internet name on the back of your shirt was something the gimps back on S4E did c2003. Although i am naturally flattered that someone out there considers me such an internet forum legend they have put my internet user ID on their shirt.

[sambosa75]

There have been many occasions where I have stayed in the Alfred or Northam Club drinking instead of actually going to the match. Sometimes for me, having to go to the match ruins my Saturday. If I want to go in to the concourse 10 minutes before half time to have a pint with my mates whilst watching the match on the screen I will. It beats waiting until half time and then queuing for a pint with everyone else only to miss the start of the 2nd half which happens more often than not. Cant really see the problem with wearing colours either. I dont do it but if thats what people want to do to show their support, fair play to them.

[kpturner]

With done this already a while back, it's not me, for one i dont own a replica shirt and for two putting your internet name on the back of your shirt was something the gimps back on S4E did c2003. Although i am naturally flattered that someone out there considers me such an internet forum legend they have put my internet user ID on their shirt.

The shirt has got ".....and I post on saintsweb" written in black marker pen underneath the name too!

[Turkish]

The shirt has got ".....and I post on saintsweb" written in black marker pen underneath the name too!

 

He might well do, but whoever it is is not me. My mate put a picture on here on the lounge thread a little while back.

[scotty]

Is anyone else a member of the 20 minute club?

 

I always need a slash on 20 mintues.

 

 

is that why they call you stanley?

[La BoIS Saint]

If you want the old days let me know where you sit so I can buy a ticket behind you and **** down your back every 15 minutes.

 

And FYI the etymology of soccer

 

1889, socca, later socker (1891), soccer (1895), originally university slang (with jocular formation -er (3)), from a shortened form of Assoc., abbreviation of association in Football Association (as opposed to Rugby football); cf. rugger, but they hardly could have taken the first three letters of Assoc.

[Bucks Saint]

FFS get over yourself. It was a free country last time i looked. If there is a rule book setting out the "only way you are allowed to act at football matches in general and at SFC in particular in order to meet with everyone's approval" then its news to me. £22 to dash there from 80 miles away on a fairly chilly night to see us play Yeovil. It turned out to be a pretty low quality advert for League 1 football, Lallana apart, so if I want to have a slash or get a beer during the match excuse me but I will thanks

[tpbury]

 

Quote Originally Posted by Scudamore View Post

Real lads don't waste pub time rocking up to the ground at half one though. A sign of weakness from you (my alpha male guru) that makes me question what I'm doing. I am a massively judgemental individual, hate most people truth be told, but you? You take the biscuit...for that reason I love you.

That was how it was back in the day, but that is what we did as a teenager. As for being judgemental, let him that is without sin cast the first stone, i think you know what I mean.....

 

 

Tell me you're not talking about the teenage boy biscuit game?!?!

[Turkish]

I agree, plus a few oldies whose bladders aren't as long lasting as they used to be. I'm far more forgiving of the latter.

 

Mind you, it sounds like Turkish is a bit of a consumer himself.

 

I don't think I've ever left early in 45 years of supporting when it was up to me, know how much my bladder holds (mind you, the queues at The Dell!!) and have only been late arriving through traffic problems or queues.

 

THere is a huge difference between being style concious and buying anything and everything with and SFC crest on it. Honestly, i think some people would buy a lump of dog sh*t if they painted it red and white.