GreasyChipBeattie
Well-Known Member
This is most definitely not a dig at our support, even though last season, when we weren't decidedly quiet at games, we were decidedly critical (we all read Roy's excellent 'views from' don't we?)
As far as I'm concerned, the self-deprecating, piss-taking fans from, and I will say it, tin pot clubs, can do one for me. Don't tell me fans of ANY team would be right behind them after anything like the shambles of the last 9 years following relegation from two divisions higher culminating in the utter dross of last season.
People can look all they like at the likes of 'plucky Crawley Town' and their loyal, let's-just-enjoy-the-ride approach to their new found league status of very recent years. I can tell you that their attitude had changed somewhat by the end of last season when they lost their final game 3-0 at home, and finished at the wrong end of the league, and that after just the briefest of flirtations with the relative 'big boys' of the third division (OK, league one if you must)
Home attendance against Hartlepool last season in League 2? 1,883
Home attendance against Hartlepool 3 years before in League 1? 4,100
Three years ago, Crawley came to BDTBL. Our crowd? 18,000
Our average since then? Pretty much unchanged.
Don't tell me we're one of the most fickle sets of supporters around.
We're right up there with the best of the best.
So, why the perceived lack of support by others?
That's pretty obvious really. Without doubt, 9 years-worth of mis-management, broken hearts and the sense of being butt-f****d by players such as.....actually, I don't even need to name names, has robbed this ultra-loyal fan base of almost every last ounce of enthusiasm and hope....until now!
Now we have a proper fresh start. Early days yes, but so far, the signs are good. I've even dared to allow a little rush of excitement in my heart that reminds me of those times when we have enjoyed great seasons under the likes on DB and NW.
So how might our approach change?
Well, it may be difficult, but letting go of the past would be a start.
I'm old enough to (just!) remember the 74/75 season.
That became my 'bench mark' of what SUFC were all about.
Rightly or wrongly, anything less than that qualifies as a disappointing season for me.
For others, it will be a different successful time that became the aspiration for a good season.
Thing is, we are where we are because we deserve to be, based on the performance of the club and players, oh yes, and a bit of bad luck.
As we have seen, the majority of those players have now either gone or will not feature again, at least not to the pathetic standard they have in the past.
That pervading attitude or dare I say 'spirit' of negativity seems to have been eradicated by 'one of our own'
It really does feel that this particular new broom really has swept clean.
I guess the danger will be not hitting the ground running.
As difficult and unpalatable as it is, I think we're going to have to take on a little of the 'upcoming Crawley' approach rather than the the 'we shouldn't be down here' frustration of the past and try and enjoy the ride for a while even if things don't look too good at first.
CW has an ENORMOUS amount of rebuilding to do.
It might happen next season, it might not, but I wouldn't be surprised if it takes a couple of years.
So, I think it might be time to try and let go of that 'desperate' feeling inside that we just have to get out this year.
That will only lead to more frustration and dare I say it, unreasonable demands on a manager with such a lot to do to reshape us into the type of team we feel we deserve, as the most loyal of supporters.
The past mistakes are none of CW's doing.
Failure to be top 2, even top 6 within the first 2 months will potentially raise thoughts of 'here we go again' but we have to try and see this season as a fresh start and let go of any ideas that CW is a magician with special powers.
Good manager, great manager, out-of-his-depth manager, time will tell.
For now though, the past is the past, my Bladey Bladeness topped up to the max and I'm looking forward to seeing my Sheffield United back next season. My God, I've missed them.
COME ON YOU RED AND WHITE WIZAAAAAARRRDS!!!
As far as I'm concerned, the self-deprecating, piss-taking fans from, and I will say it, tin pot clubs, can do one for me. Don't tell me fans of ANY team would be right behind them after anything like the shambles of the last 9 years following relegation from two divisions higher culminating in the utter dross of last season.
People can look all they like at the likes of 'plucky Crawley Town' and their loyal, let's-just-enjoy-the-ride approach to their new found league status of very recent years. I can tell you that their attitude had changed somewhat by the end of last season when they lost their final game 3-0 at home, and finished at the wrong end of the league, and that after just the briefest of flirtations with the relative 'big boys' of the third division (OK, league one if you must)
Home attendance against Hartlepool last season in League 2? 1,883
Home attendance against Hartlepool 3 years before in League 1? 4,100
Three years ago, Crawley came to BDTBL. Our crowd? 18,000
Our average since then? Pretty much unchanged.
Don't tell me we're one of the most fickle sets of supporters around.
We're right up there with the best of the best.
So, why the perceived lack of support by others?
That's pretty obvious really. Without doubt, 9 years-worth of mis-management, broken hearts and the sense of being butt-f****d by players such as.....actually, I don't even need to name names, has robbed this ultra-loyal fan base of almost every last ounce of enthusiasm and hope....until now!
Now we have a proper fresh start. Early days yes, but so far, the signs are good. I've even dared to allow a little rush of excitement in my heart that reminds me of those times when we have enjoyed great seasons under the likes on DB and NW.
So how might our approach change?
Well, it may be difficult, but letting go of the past would be a start.
I'm old enough to (just!) remember the 74/75 season.
That became my 'bench mark' of what SUFC were all about.
Rightly or wrongly, anything less than that qualifies as a disappointing season for me.
For others, it will be a different successful time that became the aspiration for a good season.
Thing is, we are where we are because we deserve to be, based on the performance of the club and players, oh yes, and a bit of bad luck.
As we have seen, the majority of those players have now either gone or will not feature again, at least not to the pathetic standard they have in the past.
That pervading attitude or dare I say 'spirit' of negativity seems to have been eradicated by 'one of our own'
It really does feel that this particular new broom really has swept clean.
I guess the danger will be not hitting the ground running.
As difficult and unpalatable as it is, I think we're going to have to take on a little of the 'upcoming Crawley' approach rather than the the 'we shouldn't be down here' frustration of the past and try and enjoy the ride for a while even if things don't look too good at first.
CW has an ENORMOUS amount of rebuilding to do.
It might happen next season, it might not, but I wouldn't be surprised if it takes a couple of years.
So, I think it might be time to try and let go of that 'desperate' feeling inside that we just have to get out this year.
That will only lead to more frustration and dare I say it, unreasonable demands on a manager with such a lot to do to reshape us into the type of team we feel we deserve, as the most loyal of supporters.
The past mistakes are none of CW's doing.
Failure to be top 2, even top 6 within the first 2 months will potentially raise thoughts of 'here we go again' but we have to try and see this season as a fresh start and let go of any ideas that CW is a magician with special powers.
Good manager, great manager, out-of-his-depth manager, time will tell.
For now though, the past is the past, my Bladey Bladeness topped up to the max and I'm looking forward to seeing my Sheffield United back next season. My God, I've missed them.
COME ON YOU RED AND WHITE WIZAAAAAARRRDS!!!
