sidthesquid Posted 28 March, 2009 Share Posted 28 March, 2009 Suffering from withdrawal symptoms I went to watch Bognor Regis Town v Newport County this afternoon - dire game, home team lost etc etc, but it got me thinking. Six teams in six different divsions from Prem to Conference South - West to East - Weymouth, Bournemouth, Southampton, Portsmouth, Bognor Regis & Brighton - all in dire financial straits and all fighting a desperate rearguard action against relegation. All the clubs are in a wealthy part of the country and with a loyal fanbase, why has it all gone to sh1te right the way along the coast? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70's Mike Posted 28 March, 2009 Share Posted 28 March, 2009 Suffering from withdrawal symptoms I went to watch Bognor Regis Town v Newport County this afternoon - dire game, home team lost etc etc, but it got me thinking. Six teams in six different divsions from Prem to Conference South - West to East - Weymouth, Bournemouth, Southampton, Portsmouth, Bognor Regis & Brighton - all in dire financial straits and all fighting a desperate rearguard action against relegation. All the clubs are in a wealthy part of the country and with a loyal fanbase, why has it all gone to sh1te right the way along the coast? Eastleigh that little bit inland makes all the difference Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 28 March, 2009 Share Posted 28 March, 2009 Suffering from withdrawal symptoms I went to watch Bognor Regis Town v Newport County this afternoon - dire game, home team lost etc etc, but it got me thinking. Six teams in six different divsions from Prem to Conference South - West to East - Weymouth, Bournemouth, Southampton, Portsmouth, Bognor Regis & Brighton - all in dire financial straits and all fighting a desperate rearguard action against relegation. All the clubs are in a wealthy part of the country and with a loyal fanbase, why has it all gone to sh1te right the way along the coast? The south coast isn't football territory. I know I'll get accused of stereotyping but if you don't have core industry you can't support top class football.Unless of course you're Chelsea . To succeed at football now you need fans with money that burns a hole in their pocket and no qualms about spending it on football rather than getting the lawn mower repaired or 3 nice potted geraniums for the conservatory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaMarlin Posted 28 March, 2009 Share Posted 28 March, 2009 The south coast isn't football territory. I know I'll get accused of stereotyping but if you don't have core industry you can't support top class football.Unless of course you're Chelsea . To succeed at football now you need fans with money that burns a hole in their pocket and no qualms about spending it on football rather than getting the lawn mower repaired or 3 nice potted geraniums for the conservatory. I don't think you'll be accused of stereotyping. Yours is as valid a theory as any to a question which lots of people have pondered long and hard. There are lots of clubs in other parts of the country in equally parlous states, but if you compare the number of clubs in the south, with Lancashire and the north west, there are proportionately more in trouble. From Brighton westwards, there are five Football League teams: Brighton, p***ey, Saints, Bournemouth and Plymouth. For good measure, add in Lewes, Bognor, Eastleigh, Basingstoke, Weymouth, Exeter and Torquay. Go inland as far as Reading if you want. Compare that to the number of clubs in Lancashire/Greater Manchester alone: Man Utd, Man City, Bolton, Blackburn, Burnley, Blackpool, Oldham, Stockport, Bury, Rochdale, Morecambe. Accrington. And that's not including Merseyside or Cheshire, which would take in the likes of Wigan, Crewe, Macclesfield, etc. The old industrial connurbations have always been the traditional powerhouses of football, and certainly the birthplace of professional football from the days when mill workers were paid to play. It's a tricky one, because anyone who witnessed the support Saints and p***ey get cannot justifiably argue that supporters lack passion in the south. And yet in some strange way, perhaps football doesn't mean so much to as many people in the south as it does oop north. It may be something to do with the demographics of the north. Industrial workers were tied to their towns, but as a result were more closely identified with it. Perhaps people are more close-knit in the north, and the town's football club was the focal point. Maybe people in the soft south do have it easier, have more disposable income, therefor a wider spread of interests. I wouldn't dare tell people (and nor would I like to be told) on this board that their football club does not mean as much to them as a Manc or any Lancastrian. But I think it's a question of proportion and priorities. Not as many people in the south care for the teams in thier city/town as people in the north do. Who knows. Any sociologists or demographic experts out there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Gabriel's Halo Posted 28 March, 2009 Share Posted 28 March, 2009 Worthing are doing well...........:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.comsaint Posted 28 March, 2009 Share Posted 28 March, 2009 Suffering from withdrawal symptoms I went to watch Bognor Regis Town v Newport County this afternoon - dire game, home team lost etc etc, but it got me thinking. Six teams in six different divsions from Prem to Conference South - West to East - Weymouth, Bournemouth, Southampton, Portsmouth, Bognor Regis & Brighton - all in dire financial straits and all fighting a desperate rearguard action against relegation. All the clubs are in a wealthy part of the country and with a loyal fanbase, why has it all gone to sh1te right the way along the coast? You can add Havant & Waterlooville to that list. They are currently hovering just above the relegation zone of the Conference South. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectisSaint Posted 28 March, 2009 Share Posted 28 March, 2009 Suffering from withdrawal symptoms I went to watch Bognor Regis Town v Newport County this afternoon - dire game, home team lost etc etc, but it got me thinking. Six teams in six different divsions from Prem to Conference South - West to East - Weymouth, Bournemouth, Southampton, Portsmouth, Bognor Regis & Brighton - all in dire financial straits and all fighting a desperate rearguard action against relegation. All the clubs are in a wealthy part of the country and with a loyal fanbase, why has it all gone to sh1te right the way along the coast? Torquay are doing OK, though they missed the chance to go 2nd today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huffton Posted 28 March, 2009 Share Posted 28 March, 2009 AFC Totton are doing just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Stimp Posted 28 March, 2009 Share Posted 28 March, 2009 Torquay are doing OK, though they missed the chance to go 2nd today. Got relegated last season though. I'm not convinced that they count as a south coast club tbh, if so why not add Plymouth in? And they are doing almost as badly as us. And how about Exeter? They'd all count as south west clubs imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted 28 March, 2009 Share Posted 28 March, 2009 Got relegated last season though. I'm not convinced that they count as a south coast club tbh, if so why not add Plymouth in? And they are doing almost as badly as us. And how about Exeter? They'd all count as south west clubs imo. Exeter are a success story,promoted to L2 last season and currently in a play-off spot.Managed by an ex-Saint,Paul Tisdale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 28 March, 2009 Share Posted 28 March, 2009 Exeter are a success story,promoted to L2 last season and currently in a play-off spot.Managed by an ex-Saint,Paul Tisdale. I saw Exeter play v Wycombe on Boxing Day. I was mightily impressed with them. Good passing game, keeping the ball on the ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Stimp Posted 28 March, 2009 Share Posted 28 March, 2009 Exeter are a success story,promoted to L2 last season and currently in a play-off spot.Managed by an ex-Saint,Paul Tisdale. Indeed, just to clarify my intention was to imply that I'm not quite sure if clubs in the south west are count as south coast clubs. I guess its subjective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsland Nick Posted 28 March, 2009 Share Posted 28 March, 2009 Indeed, just to clarify my intention was to imply that I'm not quite sure if clubs in the south west are count as south coast clubs. I guess its subjective. If they don't count, why should clubs in the south east, such as Brighton? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 28 March, 2009 Share Posted 28 March, 2009 Gillingham are on the verge of bouncing back to L1 too. And in all honesty I reckon Bournemouth have done fantastically well considering the points deduction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paris Posted 28 March, 2009 Share Posted 28 March, 2009 How are Millbrook doing these days ?? or Redbridge?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted 28 March, 2009 Share Posted 28 March, 2009 Gillingham are on the verge of bouncing back to L1 too. And in all honesty I reckon Bournemouth have done fantastically well considering the points deduction. I think you are right there;it will be a great achievement for them to stay in the league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidthesquid Posted 29 March, 2009 Author Share Posted 29 March, 2009 If they don't count, why should clubs in the south east, such as Brighton? That is what I love about this site - we can find an opportunity in anything for an argument Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectisSaint Posted 29 March, 2009 Share Posted 29 March, 2009 Got relegated last season though. I'm not convinced that they count as a south coast club tbh, if so why not add Plymouth in? And they are doing almost as badly as us. And how about Exeter? They'd all count as south west clubs imo. No they didn't. It was 2 years ago. They lost out in the play-ofss last season. Pedantic about them not being south coast, they are as much south coast as Weymouth. The "south coast" means that, the southern coast of England. Agree that Plymouth should count as well, and they aren't doing too well either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exeter_saint Posted 29 March, 2009 Share Posted 29 March, 2009 exeter plymouth and torquay should b counted as south coast clubs as they are on the south coast, simple. Whilst plymouth are of course struggling with an unusually low fanbase considering they are the biggest club in devon and cornwall, torquay were play off semi finalists and had a trip to wembley last season and are on for promotion this season, whilst of course exeter are on for bac to back promotion. im looking forward to making back to back wembley trips from devon this season! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rory Posted 29 March, 2009 Share Posted 29 March, 2009 This thread is going off on a wild tangent. How can you suggest Exeter are a south coast club? They are firmly a West Country club and are inland. Good side, though. They were arguably the better side when we played them earlier this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 29 March, 2009 Share Posted 29 March, 2009 All in all considering the current climate and financial situations within the south coast clubs, I would consider it a good season all round if none of the south coast clubs were relegated form their respected leagues. There could even be the odd promotion here and there, which would be a plus. There are potentially so many south coast derbies, wouldn't it be brilliant if there were five or six of us in the same league? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectisSaint Posted 29 March, 2009 Share Posted 29 March, 2009 This thread is going off on a wild tangent. How can you suggest Exeter are a south coast club? They are firmly a West Country club and are inland. Good side, though. They were arguably the better side when we played them earlier this season. Is Exeter any more inland than Southampton? Theres not a lot of difference. Exeter is also further south than Southampton. You cannot really argue with geography. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 29 March, 2009 Share Posted 29 March, 2009 No they didn't. It was 2 years ago. They lost out in the play-ofss last season. Pedantic about them not being south coast, they are as much south coast as Weymouth. The "south coast" means that, the southern coast of England. Agree that Plymouth should count as well, and they aren't doing too well either. In olden days this region built ships, mined silver,repaired railway apparatus,handled large passenger liners and most container ships, built atomic bombs and had sizeable garrison towns, now all that happens south of the M4 is gaudy commercial centres and catching the 7.45 to the smoke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Stimp Posted 29 March, 2009 Share Posted 29 March, 2009 Is Exeter any more inland than Southampton? Theres not a lot of difference. Exeter is also further south than Southampton. You cannot really argue with geography. Fair point, though to many they'd still count as being in the area of the 'west country'. As for being pedantic, I don't really care who is classed as a South Coast club, but if clubs such as Exeter, Plymouth and indeed Brighton are classed as 'South Coast', then the original post is inaccurate in suggesting that they are all in trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docker-p Posted 29 March, 2009 Share Posted 29 March, 2009 The south coast isn't football territory. I know I'll get accused of stereotyping but if you don't have core industry you can't support top class football.Unless of course you're Chelsea . To succeed at football now you need fans with money that burns a hole in their pocket and no qualms about spending it on football rather than getting the lawn mower repaired or 3 nice potted geraniums for the conservatory. You said it. Stereotyping. What about Yorkshire; Leeds, Sheff United, Sheff Wednesday, Rotherham, York City, Halifax, etc all have been very close to going bust in the last 5 years, and most are still financial trouble. But then their fans are probably happier mowing the Lawn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
um pahars Posted 29 March, 2009 Share Posted 29 March, 2009 You said it. Stereotyping. What about Yorkshire; Leeds, Sheff United, Sheff Wednesday, Rotherham, York City, Halifax, etc all have been very close to going bust in the last 5 years, and most are still financial trouble. But then their fans are probably happier mowing the Lawn. And what about the East Midlands??? Forest, Notts County, Leicester, Derby, Mansfield, Chesterfield have all had major financial problems (and most, if not all, have suffered relegation) in recent seasons. I think you'll find that most clubs outside the top flight (and probably some in it) are nto that far away from having (or have had) problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exeter_saint Posted 29 March, 2009 Share Posted 29 March, 2009 This thread is going off on a wild tangent. How can you suggest Exeter are a south coast club? They are firmly a West Country club and are inland. Good side, though. They were arguably the better side when we played them earlier this season. exeter sits on the river ex which flows out onto the south coast in the same way soton sits on the itchen/test/soton water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan The Flames Posted 29 March, 2009 Share Posted 29 March, 2009 I really hate this Southern inferiority complex about being less passionate about football, it shows a complete lack of understanding of our own region and ignorance of the north. As a southern set of fans are we really only interested when things are going well or in a world cup year when football is fashionable, would we really rather be wondering the aisle of garden centres at three o’clock or washing the 4x4. It’s a ******** stereotyping just as much as the northern fan who has never moved further than five miles from the football ground, only ever wears the club kit and has nothing more in their life and nothing else to do on a Saturday afternoon then go to the football because god bless them they work hard manual jobs all week and their only pleasure is too drink and watch football on a Saturday. Get real people the South Coast clubs are small to medium size clubs that have their equivalent northern club who have struggled like we are and have fans as passionate as ours. The south has the same class divides as the north so the answer to why the south (apart from London) does not have a Man United is not the lack of working class following. In my opinion the answer lies in where the power was located and that is the North East. The football league was a North East league and they made sure that their teams were more successful. The first set of teams Blackpool, Preston, Blackburn, Burnley and then there was a power shift to the city sides of Manchester and Liverpool. The southern league was equally as strong, witnessed by Tottenham winning the FA Cup and our two appearances in the final. The leagues should have been merged but the North East mandarins made sure we were shut out for years and once the Football League got hold of the London clubs (because they feared if they stayed in the southern league, the SL may overtake them in importance) it was all over for the Southern League. The teams were then forced to start as third division sides and with one up/one down and two up/two down the mobility in the league was limited. We were a successful Southern League side and if we were allowed to join the league in a position in line with our ability it wouldn’t have taken us so long to get to the top flight and we would be a bigger and more successful side today. We were righting the wrong with our 27 years stint in the top flight until Mr Lowe put a stop to that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintsfannick Posted 29 March, 2009 Share Posted 29 March, 2009 im shocked no1's mentioned eastbourne borough - a real success story from the south coast, financially stable, growing fan base, and since been promoted to the conference last year are now near mid table in the conference, compare that to local rivals lewes who have been relegated and are on the brink of admin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oz Posted 30 March, 2009 Share Posted 30 March, 2009 did tommy johnson score for newport? he was some center forrard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 30 March, 2009 Share Posted 30 March, 2009 I really hate this Southern inferiority complex about being less passionate about football, it shows a complete lack of understanding of our own region and ignorance of the north. As a southern set of fans are we really only interested when things are going well or in a world cup year when football is fashionable, would we really rather be wondering the aisle of garden centres at three o’clock or washing the 4x4. It’s a ******** stereotyping just as much as the northern fan who has never moved further than five miles from the football ground, only ever wears the club kit and has nothing more in their life and nothing else to do on a Saturday afternoon then go to the football because god bless them they work hard manual jobs all week and their only pleasure is too drink and watch football on a Saturday. Get real people the South Coast clubs are small to medium size clubs that have their equivalent northern club who have struggled like we are and have fans as passionate as ours. The south has the same class divides as the north so the answer to why the south (apart from London) does not have a Man United is not the lack of working class following. In my opinion the answer lies in where the power was located and that is the North East. The football league was a North East league and they made sure that their teams were more successful. The first set of teams Blackpool, Preston, Blackburn, Burnley and then there was a power shift to the city sides of Manchester and Liverpool. The southern league was equally as strong, witnessed by Tottenham winning the FA Cup and our two appearances in the final. The leagues should have been merged but the North East mandarins made sure we were shut out for years and once the Football League got hold of the London clubs (because they feared if they stayed in the southern league, the SL may overtake them in importance) it was all over for the Southern League. The teams were then forced to start as third division sides and with one up/one down and two up/two down the mobility in the league was limited. We were a successful Southern League side and if we were allowed to join the league in a position in line with our ability it wouldn’t have taken us so long to get to the top flight and we would be a bigger and more successful side today. We were righting the wrong with our 27 years stint in the top flight until Mr Lowe put a stop to that. Well I'm sure you're right. However did you know that in Manchester there are 47% of the households without a car and in Southampton it's only 30%? Manchester is about 10% down on the national average on GCSE numbers, yet the average household revenue is still above that of Southampton which is well below the national average and even further below the South East average. To me Southampton is a relatively poor city because the jobs are mainly in education, health care and retailing (these make up about 42%) I am not saying your average south coast fan in less passionate but is certainly more discerning what he does with his money,maybe because of higher educational standards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidthesquid Posted 30 March, 2009 Author Share Posted 30 March, 2009 I really hate this Southern inferiority complex about being less passionate about football, it shows a complete lack of understanding of our own region and ignorance of the north. As a southern set of fans are we really only interested when things are going well or in a world cup year when football is fashionable, would we really rather be wondering the aisle of garden centres at three o’clock or washing the 4x4. It’s a ******** stereotyping just as much as the northern fan who has never moved further than five miles from the football ground, only ever wears the club kit and has nothing more in their life and nothing else to do on a Saturday afternoon then go to the football because god bless them they work hard manual jobs all week and their only pleasure is too drink and watch football on a Saturday. Get real people the South Coast clubs are small to medium size clubs that have their equivalent northern club who have struggled like we are and have fans as passionate as ours. The south has the same class divides as the north so the answer to why the south (apart from London) does not have a Man United is not the lack of working class following. In my opinion the answer lies in where the power was located and that is the North East. The football league was a North East league and they made sure that their teams were more successful. The first set of teams Blackpool, Preston, Blackburn, Burnley and then there was a power shift to the city sides of Manchester and Liverpool. The southern league was equally as strong, witnessed by Tottenham winning the FA Cup and our two appearances in the final. The leagues should have been merged but the North East mandarins made sure we were shut out for years and once the Football League got hold of the London clubs (because they feared if they stayed in the southern league, the SL may overtake them in importance) it was all over for the Southern League. The teams were then forced to start as third division sides and with one up/one down and two up/two down the mobility in the league was limited. We were a successful Southern League side and if we were allowed to join the league in a position in line with our ability it wouldn’t have taken us so long to get to the top flight and we would be a bigger and more successful side today. We were righting the wrong with our 27 years stint in the top flight until Mr Lowe put a stop to that. Right in every respect but one - it was the North-west - ie Lancashire. I seem to remember the old Football League Hq was at Lytham St Annes, somewhere near Morecombe - probably seemed very glamourous when you lived in Burnley or Accrington Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan The Flames Posted 30 March, 2009 Share Posted 30 March, 2009 Well I'm sure you're right. However did you know that in Manchester there are 47% of the households without a car and in Southampton it's only 30%? Manchester is about 10% down on the national average on GCSE numbers, yet the average household revenue is still above that of Southampton which is well below the national average and even further below the South East average. To me Southampton is a relatively poor city because the jobs are mainly in education, health care and retailing (these make up about 42%) I am not saying your average south coast fan in less passionate but is certainly more discerning what he does with his money,maybe because of higher educational standards. Some good stats there, so it seems that the average Southamptonite has to spend his hard earned keeping the car on the road than keeping the club afloat. Maybe they need the car to go to home games at Old Trafford. The trouble with the South Coast is that London sucks people away from their home towns with the lure of jobs and better pay, this aligned with the low pay of Southampton results in more Saints fans not living in the city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan The Flames Posted 30 March, 2009 Share Posted 30 March, 2009 Right in every respect but one - it was the North-west - ie Lancashire. I seem to remember the old Football League Hq was at Lytham St Annes, somewhere near Morecombe - probably seemed very glamourous when you lived in Burnley or Accrington Of course it is the north west, cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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