Heavy stuff....

[Micalijo]

... and a sad reflection on football in general. I don't include the ultimately meaningless anti-Blackwell drivel on a small site like this as part of the problem by the way. Far more to it than that, although equally forums and phone don't help matters, it has to be said

Got this from a largely respected Blade who loves Monty and Evans and who left the Royal Household under somewhat of a cloud. Pretty sure he won't mind me sharing it.

Some very interesting talking points imo:

'No place for me in the modern United world. Caring used to be about being partisan, going home and away and backing the club whatever. Now it's about how loudly and publically you can whinge and denigrate. Not just United but we're one of the worst. I've moved from being a key member of the tribe to a semi interested observer. Main blame sits with Sky subscribers. One day the game might be reclaimed.'

I know money has always been involved but there is now for me the thought amongst fans that club owners are trying to make money out of it rather than run the club for the benefit of the supporters and for the glory. I know that isn't always the case but the Sky money is what everyone is chasing. When football is so expensive fans feel empowered to ask more questions and the whole thing is highly unappealing. The bit about semi-interested observer is scary believe me.

 

[TonyAgana]

If someone has lost that fluttery-tummy feeling of walking up/down the steps to see a sea of green, red & white at 2.50pm on a Saturday it's time to give up. Football used to be about a few hours on a Saturday / Tuesday, reading headlines on the backs of papers and debating with your mates / anyone who'll listen down the boozer / at school / at work. Just because the gaps in between have been filled with forums, websites, gossip, money-talk etc. doesn't mean the basics of loving football have been diluted. Some people just need to get a bit of a grip and a bit of perspective. Or put your whinging in your memoires and piss off until you're dead.

I'm sorry Micalijo if this is a mate of yours, but people whinging about whinging can help themselves to a suck on my plums.

 

[Worksop II]

... and a sad reflection on football in general. I don't include the ultimately meaningless anti-Blackwell drivel on a small site like this as part of the problem by the way. Far more to it than that, although equally forums and phone don't help matters, it has to be said

Got this from a largely respected Blade who loves Monty and Evans and who left the Royal Household under somewhat of a cloud. Pretty sure he won't mind me sharing it.

Some very interesting talking points imo:

'No place for me in the modern United world. Caring used to be about being partisan, going home and away and backing the club whatever. Now it's about how loudly and publically you can whinge and denigrate. Not just United but we're one of the worst. I've moved from being a key member of the tribe to a semi interested observer. Main blame sits with Sky subscribers. One day the game might be reclaimed.'

I know money has always been involved but there is now for me the thought amongst fans that club owners are trying to make money out of it rather than run the club for the benefit of the supporters and for the glory. I know that isn't always the case but the Sky money is what everyone is chasing. When football is so expensive fans feel empowered to ask more questions and the whole thing is highly unappealing. The bit about semi-interested observer is scary believe me.

First subscribed in 1989, so 20 years of Sat TV, a lot have forgot the shite that "football coverage" used to be.

And to be honest, Sky-wise, we are miles behind Italy, Germany and the States, embrace it, and when the game ends Monday Night, press play and you can watch it all over again

Oh, and the Sky remote has brought 2 of our kids up

 

[Grecian2000]

"Now it's about how loudly and publically you can whinge and denigrate. Not just United but we're one of the worst."

It's this sort of shit that really bugs me.

We are exactly the same as any other set of supporters. There are some who will follow the club blindly and would believe the moon is made of cheese if it was announced in the programme (just before they filed it away in chronological order and ticked off whose autograph was in it).
There are those who actually love moaning rather than anything else and they will always find fault even if the club laid on a halftime buffet and a lap dance to every supporter.

Somewhere inbetween, leaning one way or the other, is everyone else. They have their favourite players and players they don't care for but they are there because it's their club. They have managers they loved and managers they hated but they come and go so it doesn't matter in the larger scheme of things.

I would say either extreme is up to 10% and the 80% making up the vast majority. What may make it seem like we now attract more is that 10% of 25k is a hell of a lot more than 10% of 10k. Same percentage just more of 'em.

I was lucky enough to have a job that took me all over the place and if I stayed away I invariably would find a match to go and see. The same supporters were in evidence at every ground and it will always be so.

 

[jodman]

I was lucky enough to have a job that took me all over the place and if I stayed away I invariably would find a match to go and see. The same supporters were in evidence at every ground and it will always be so.

Agreed, during my University days i would often attend games with my friends as a neutral fan and i can tell you that each club has the same vocal minority expressing their displeasure at every little thing.

 

[SheepdipBlade]

Not all fans are as poisonous as us Blades.

Imagine if we were Ipswich - would we be backing Keane?? I don't think so!!

And there's probably dozens of examples of fans opting for stability over change up and down the Leagues if we took time to look.

 

[Revolution]

Imagine if we were Ipswich - would we be backing Keane?? I don't think so!!

Of course not, and no Ipswich fan in his right mind is backing Keane either. He's got them into their lowest position for over 50 years and he's going to get them relegated.

 

[SheepdipBlade]

Imagine if we were Ipswich - would we be backing Keane?? I don't think so!!

Of course not, and no Ipswich fan in his right mind is backing Keane either. He's got them into their lowest position for over 50 years and he's going to get them relegated.

From what I saw and heard when I was in East Anglia on Sunday, their fans seem to have decided to back him (after being undecided for a while) - and they were certainly behind him at the Lane a few weeks ago.

What do you know that says their fans aren't behind him??

 

[Revolution]

Nothing. If they're backing him, as you say, in my opinion they are backing a loser. Personally, I hope they are still clapping like seals as Ipswich are relegated, thus saving us the inevitable winless trip there next year.

 

[SheepdipBlade]

Nothing. If they're backing him, as you say, in my opinion they are backing a loser. Personally, I hope they are still clapping like seals as Ipswich are relegated, thus saving us the inevitable winless trip there next year.

Can't argue with you there - bloody awful place to get to as well!! Though I always enjoyed my runs to Carrow Road.

 

[Grecian2000]

"Imagine if we were Ipswich - would we be backing Keane?? I don't think so!!"

That'll be those same patient Ipswich fans that gave their team an ironic standing ovation at the Lane last season when Quinny had their first shot of the match after 40 minutes.
Seemed to spend an awful lot of the second half suggesting that Magilton wasn't a very good manager as well if I recall correctly.

As I said, same everywhere whether Gary Numans backing band like it or not!

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Blades fans have always had a reputation of being moaning, complaining gits for as long as I can remember, in fact as a kid on the terrace it seemed like an art-form. Even in the halcyon days of Woody, TC et al I remember some of the more mature fans loudly complaining about what a lazy, long haired nancy boy Currie was, and that he wasn't a patch on Doc Pace.

Difference now is that the moaners, or at least a sizeable majority of them, have become rather too evangelistic and fundamental in their views. They are right and are physically and vebally intimidating other fans to follow their lead. That is the difference compared to years gone by, and that is probably what has upset the originator of this thread!

 

[alcoblade]

I think it's a myth that Blades fans are different to any other. True we've got a premiership hangover and inflated expectations right now. Overall, football fans are a set of moaning bastards who view football in a completely irrational way. It's that irrationality (and the dreams that come with it) that allows football's customers (fans) to purchase a far inferior product that they could (Man Ure, Liverpool) choose.

Irrational fans may be, but that's in return for a brand loyalty that's not obvious in any other sphere.

UTB

 

[matth]

Difference now is that the moaners, or at least a sizeable majority of them, have become rather too evangelistic and fundamental in their views. They are right and are physically and vebally intimidating other fans to follow their lead. That is the difference compared to years gone by, and that is probably what has upset the originator of this thread!

Where are they doing this? Other than possible isolated incidents, this simply isn't true. If anything, it's the other way round, with people who don't moan complaining again and again and again at those who do.

Blades fans, just like any other fans in fact, have always been evangelistic and fundamental, one way or the other.

 

[Bramley]

I'd say our support is shite at the moment, never used to be this bad - no backing or noise from the fans. It's just aggressive, vitriolic and impatient.

 

[Wapping Blade]

I thought it wasn't too bad on Saturday

 

[alcoblade]

I'd say our support is shite at the moment, never used to be this bad - no backing or noise from the fans. It's just aggressive, vitriolic and impatient.

but the vocal support you talk about is largely a thing of the past, throughout football. St James Park / Newcastle fans still maintain the myth, but in reality it's like a morgue for most fixtures. And most away fans at BDTBL are all but silent unless they're winning.

Blame all seater stadia and a more middle class support. Again, United are no different to others IMHO.

UTB

 

[Bramley]

I always used to think that us, Leeds, Pompey, Wednesday had noisy support relative to other clubs. It was always remarked upon by other fans I know. This died off when Robson came.

 

[alcoblade]

I always used to think that us, Leeds, Pompey, Wednesday had noisy support relative to other clubs. It was always remarked upon by other fans I know. This died off when Robson came.

I think it's more dormant than died. Given the right occasion, BDTBL is one of the noisiest, but it often isn't. And as far as I remember, it often wasn't. Much like anywhere else.

UTB

PS - The Robson era did temporarily kill things, but the recent derby was a cracking atmosphere.

 

[Grecian2000]

but the vocal support you talk about is largely a thing of the past, throughout football. St James Park / Newcastle fans still maintain the myth, but in reality it's like a morgue for most fixtures. And most away fans at BDTBL are all but silent unless they're winning.

Blame all seater stadia and a more middle class support. Again, United are no different to others IMHO.

UTB

Absolutely spot on.

Away days in the seventies were a mixture of excitement and fear as you never knew if it would end in a punch up (and it very often did). Loud singing and chanting, mob mentality, the lot. Great fun but, thankfully, a thing of the past (a bit like players using both feet).

Sit in ANY home end during a victory for the opposition and it is EXACTLY the same as being on the Kop. It gets very quiet and then they start moaning at various players/manager/ref/lino/ballboy/programme seller.
Human nature and other than those houlier than thou's who have never said a cross word it will always be so.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

See, back in the days even Gilbert was a moaning football fan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ9k_BtzYng&NR=1