New fans

[Jack & Helga]

Obviously now that we're in the Premiership and getting full houses every week, some fans have decided to start appearing from the woodwork.
I had a couple behind me on Saturday and I was embarrassed for them.

A couple of highlights were:-

When Armstrong lost the ball and allowed Spurs a run on goal, one guy was up in arms about how poor the control was by.....Stephen Quinn. One of em has BRIGHT GINGER HAIR for god's sake!!

Danny Webber was having a lengthy chat with the ball-boys (nice to see btw) and the two guys said this demonstrated how well the "young Arab lad" was settling in. Bear in mind I sit in the Kop, just about level with the touchline so it wasn't difficult to see it was Webber.

I can just about put up with older fans wondering why Paddy Kenny won't pick up throw-ins any more but the line needs drawing somewhere.

Any of you guys have to put up with this? Or do you surround yourselves with season ticket holders? And what is the standard treatment for such no-nothings? Death? A torrent of abuse?

 

[silverfox]

It's the new ones that can't work out a row and seat number without the need to talk to a steward, which then just doubles the amount of time it takes them to sit down.

 

[Sensiblade]

The new fans around me never utter a word.
Heard some one on Sat say 'I din't know Bromby used to play for We****day'!
Very annoying that no one will sing when there are 5 or 6 of us trying to get them too.

 

[Linz]

See... my reactions are mixed.

I don't mind so much when kids come out with such comments. We all have to start somewhere and it's quite sweet. A knowing smile and the belief that one day they'll either become a diehard Blade or get bored and "support" Chelsea usually suffices.

The older, middle aged ones are much worse. Firstly, they seem to think that being loud will cover up their lack of knowledge - not air it for the rest of the world to see. Don't shout at Kozluk when it's Quinn (Alan, not Chesney)... don't call for the goalkeeper to pick the ball up when it's a backpass... don't question anything the manager chooses to do because you think you know best despite going through the subs bench with the words "who's that?" after every player.

Also, like some dick who chose to sit near me once and never again, don't get at the manager when we're drawing 0-0 with Arsenal. There's such a thing as having your expectations too high and there's also such a thing as me telling you to be quiet.

Now mostly, it's season tickets around where I sit... directly behind the dugout. The other season however, they were going to relocate us all to extend the directors' box. Fans getting at the bench and manager was cited as one reason for this. As season ticket holders, we know we're on thin ice as to whether our prime seats will still be there for us next year and idiots aren't really helping our cause. Therefore, they get short shrift from anyone who sits around me

 

[bladerunner]

well i have been in england for some games and at least one time i felt very treated by regular home supporters. i think they laughed about us being german and tbh very excited with the game and the surrounding. id wished myself a little bit more of a welcome.

but on the other hand i understand your point of view.. i think it is the (unfortunately) normal thing in football that the gates depend on the success of a team; and currently sufc is very succesful and of course a lot of fans would like to be part of this.

i can see the same thing with my local team arminia bielefeld. a couple of years when i grow up i travelled to bielefeld on derby match with my local team (sc verl still playing 4th level). the bielefeld stadium wasnt 1/4 filled then. now, as they are playing in the top flight, their stadium is sold out week in, week out and it is full of fat wankers. thats football! unfortunately!

 

[Bladesman]

Yep new fans can be annoying i get a few sat round me. They utter crap at times but obviously being in the premiership every tom, dick and harry has now become a blades fan. I just hope newbie fans stick around whether we stay up or go down.

 

[S64 Blade]

Think everyone at back near me has a season ticket. Always seem to be same people.

 

[Linz]

well i have been in england for some games and at least one time i felt very treated by regular home supporters. i think they laughed about us being german and tbh very excited with the game and the surrounding. id wished myself a little bit more of a welcome.

It's not so much them being new fans or even neutrals, as I said, we all have to start somewhere.

Generally, it's the obnoixious "I know it all" attitude that pisses me off.

There was a bloke at the Golden Lion the other day:

Man one: "Fathi had a good game on Wednesday, great goal."

Man two: "Did you see the goal?"

Man one: "No, but it was good."

And I think that little exchange illustrates my point

 

[Jack & Helga]

I don't mind so much when kids come out with such comments. We all have to start somewhere and it's quite sweet. A knowing smile and the belief that one day they'll either become a diehard Blade or get bored and "support" Chelsea usually suffices.

I agree with that. Unfortunately one guy was around 55 and the other (his son I assume) was about 30 so they've no excuse.
They were extremely well spoken as well, so although I won't hold that against them, everything they said sounded like "I know best" when clearly he had no idea what he was talking about.

I know everyone has to have a first match, but if someone genuinely supports Sheffield United then they would know what Stephen Quinn looks like (for example).

 

[Samantha]

We've got mainly season ticket holders around us (not far from Linz), but there is the odd seat up for grabs - that's where you get the idiots. Most of them were about 3/4 seats in front of us - total set of plonks who are now there every week (presume they've now bought a ST). Absolutely no clue whatsoever. Threatened my Dad a few times 'cos he told them to watch the game to see the gameplay before they slagged it off - the usual "who's he", "where's he play", "warnock - crap, get it sorted, you've no idea" (yes, and that's why you can't even tell me who's in number 6).

Ask them about a game of golf and they might answer.

Oh yes - and kick off is at 3pm, not 10past "as there was a queue" (leave earlier then) and finishes when the referee blows his whistle twice - not when injury time board goes up

 

[Robbie]

and that's why you can't even tell me who's in number 6

Steve Kabba?