Season ticket refunds

[SouthEssexBlade]

Aye... and the point I was trying to make, in a very verbose way, is that these kinds of new fans themselves fail to recognise that in fact they are responsible for the shine being taken off things.

They hark after this idea of football as a men's game for men who like fighting and a good excuse to get pissed every weekend, but lap up the flashy fireworks, poncy foreign nancy boy players and multi million pound sponsorship which ensures football never will be that kind of working class pursuit again.

They will only have themselves to blame when even the fun of whinging about the game has been lost and clappers and airhorns are mandatory.

Exactly the problem. They have bought the myth that football began in 1993.
The notion that it is some sort of sporting entertainment package available alongside the opera, theatre, cinema, concert etc.

Harping back to the lack of atmosphere at Wembley, well the club didn't help (I assume it was the club, might have been some other idiot) handing out thousands of those cardboard fan things with GCB printed on the back and directions on how to use them whilst singing! A true Blade needing the words to GCB? Now we know that Sky and PL don't really want football crowds as they used to be; full of off-the-cuff stuff and chants that only they understood the significance of, who were simply turning up to see their team and not to be entertained or told how to behave; but do clubs need to pander to this, is there some unwritten code with regard to how you manipulate your followers that you have to agree to before you're allowed to join the elite?

 

[Jimbo]

To be fair, I think the biggest contributor to the lack of atmosphere at Wembley was the p*ss poor performance from the players!

Had we played well and actually looked like threatening their goal once or twice the atmosphere would have been a hell of a lot different!

 

[happyhippy]

My question to reverse that would be, when have we played as bad a football that we have seen at times this season just gone?

Under Harry Haslam, Martin Peters, Billy McEwan, the very early days of Harry, Adrian Heath, Barny Sornob, and that's just off the top of my head.

I accept we are not/never going to be a 'footballing' team, however it would be nice to see some sort of tactical approach to a game rather than just 'get it booted up field'.

Blackwell makes me wanna smash my head against the wall.

Agree with the first bit. As for the second bit, been there, done that, got the t-shirt, wrote the book and won the bloody war. And it'll still hurt

 

[Greg]

Having just read through this thread, it's nice to see that I share the same opinions of others on here, and it's nice to see that there's some real fans on here

I know quite a few 'fans' who have only seemingly taken an interest to United when we gained promotion to the Premier League a few seasons back. We've now had two seasons in the second tier of English football and most of them have decided they can't be arsed to go anymore, and say that we're shit and all this, yet still claim to be Sheffield United fans. I'm sorry, but you're not a fan of the club at all if you're behaving in that such of a manner.

I didn't have a season ticket last season as I couldn't afford it. It's the first year my dad's not been able to, or wouldn't pay for my season ticket, and I didn't have a job to finance the season ticket. This season may be different, but I work on Saturday's, so I doubt I'll be able to make as many games as I would like. However, prior to this forthcoming season and the one just gone, I've had a season ticket at Bramall Lane for 8 years. Not bad I don't think, to say I'm only 16.

The individuals who claim to be fans of the club, yet are even contemplating renewing their season tickets just because we're going to lose two of our brightest prospects aren't fans of the club at all. They're just bothered about winning if this is the case. You can't win every football match, nor can you expect an outstanding performance every week. If you want to "support" a team because they win, fuck off and go and support Man United or summat.

 

[Robbie]

Under Harry Haslam, Martin Peters, Billy McEwan, the very early days of Harry, Adrian Heath, Barny Sornob, and that's just off the top of my head.

I can't comment on the first few, but I will agree about Heath and 'maybe' to a certain extent Robson.....

You never knew what you was gonna get when you watched a Robson team

Heath, well he had a poor team at the time, but yes he certainly didn't help matters. But look at the attendance in his final game

 

[happyhippy]

Exactly the problem. They have bought the myth that football began in 1993.

I can remember being a tender 17 year old when the parampara about the BSkyB (as it was then!) deal was announced, and thinking about how much it would ruin the game. In some respects (the flood of ££££ to the top, the detachment of lower division sides from any form of success, the relegation of fans to merely being 'units to be fed', etc), I've been proved right. I, along with many others, probably vastly underestimated the effect, to be honest.

The bit which really annoys me is that I can understand why these younger fans buy the myth. Aside from the stunningly obvious reason that they've only ever known the League under this sort of guise, but even the BBC are using terms like "Sheffield United join Reading in the Premiership for the second time, having been founder members .....".

Er, no. Founder members of the Second Division in 1892, yes, but as SEB says, the Premier League is just a rebranding exercise. There had been league football for over a century beforehand. It's not just Sky who propagate the myth, but the media as a whole.

The notion that it is some sort of sporting entertainment package available alongside the opera, theatre, cinema, concert etc.

That's how they like it. We're just units then.

Going back to the original point, I just can't get my head round the return of a season ticket due to disappointment over selling players. Now there is an irony in that last season I did actually hand my season ticket back, but that was over the attitude of the 'fans' near where I sit.

Now I'm not holding my breath about this, but wouldn't people who were to get a refund (not sure if you can, to be honest) feel rather silly if the two players McCabe has intimated may be coming to the Lane, did in fact arrive, after their cash had been returned?

 

[SwissBlade]

Hmmmm, I enjoyed going to the game usually, maybe not the football but the optimism has been drowned out of me

Thats why I drink a lot before the game!

 

[happyhippy]

Thats why I drink a lot before the game!

It's also why I drink a lot during the game (half time only, of course ), and a lot after the game too ....

 

[S64 Blade]

Not read through all this thread, as i can't be bothered.

But, i'm not getting a season ticket next year for this first season in a long time. Not because of the football we play, or sale of players, or not reaching the Premiership (i had decided i weren't getting one before). But because i can't really afford it and i'm just not as into it as i once was.

I'll still make sure i get to matches though. I'll just have to be more selective in the ones i go to.

 

[Sensiblade]

I would go more but because of Cash I can't
Simple as

 

[dingledog]

I've said it once or twice and I'll say it again now. If you can suffer that shit-awful season when we finally got relegated to Division 4 and still come back the next season, then all this is pish!

Kids nowadays, don't know their born....We 'ad it 'ard.............

But it was also great fun, great comraderie and it is what being a Blade is all about.

I know you young uns think us old cynical 'piss bags' are in alchzeimer heavan, but you are born a Blade and have to stick with it through thick and thin.

 

[silverfox]

I've said it before, I see a difference between "fans" and "supporters".

Fans come and go.....for whatever reasons.

Supporters stick around......in my case far too long perhaps!

As the older gits have already said, many things that happened in the past could have stopped me going.

TC being sold.

That season, That Penalty.

3 sided ground and we are not talking cricket!

I've always found the cash through all the bad times i've had even to take the kids. It's hard but we went without many things to pay for such pleasures.

Giving my season ticket back? No thanks!

I'm not saying It's for everyone......but some Blades may understand!

 

[shorehamview]

I've not read all of this thread, but I get the basic idea.

"We're shit, and I'm not going until we are good."
"We don't play like Ajax in 1976, and I'm not going until we do."
"We sell players, and I'm not going until we stop."
"We don't sign quality players, and I'm not going until we do."

There's going to be a hell of a void then, given that we'll never be Ajax, Barcelona or Real Madrid, and are highly unlikely to either stop selling or get bought out by rich/stupid foreigners with more money that sense.

I watch United for the same reason that I always have done. Not because I expect to see free-flowing football all the time, or world record transfers coming in. I go because it's part of who I am all the time, not just for the sunny days, but for the rainy ones too.

I would no more ask for a refund on my season ticket than I'd cut off my own nads.

If you don't want to watch United then it's simple, don't bother. But don't expect us to suddenly change into a super-club full of galacticos. It hasn't happened since 1889, and it's highly unlikely to happen any time soon. Enjoy your saturdays shopping, I'll be at the Lane.

 

[silverfox]

Enjoy your saturdays shopping, I'll be at the Lane.

Bugger!

We were hoping you were sending your season ticket back!

 

[keenzy]

but at least with Blackie he can get the best out of the players we have.

Since When??? We don't turn up to big games so how is that getting the best from the players?

Ok, fair point.
Although you could argue that the players would perform better without the nerves of playing in front of unsupportive 'fans' and would be therefore more likely to gain promotion and earn Premiership money...

Times last season.... palace for one, 7k blades got behind the lads 100% and they still didn't perform better.... so the unsupportive fan negative vibe is just a myth for me.

Robbie: When we player Wolves at their ground last year (a draw) it was a great and exciting game - so I do not accept the suggestion we always play crap.

Thing is though CFA... living such a distance, your lucky at not seeing some of the drivel watched.




The thread started on about fair weather fans expecting too much of these "Useless, Useless bastards"(Golden Gordon) to linz being a womans rights campaigner to letting the old gits loose....
The joys of being a blade come few and far between buts its better to be stood at blackpool in the roofless stand, when its pissing it down, stood shoulder to shoulder to a blade shivering from just wearing a shirt, singing the GCB, knowing that you will be there week in week out... than sat at the emirates in fancy seats, next to a fair weather snob.

Up the blades... F*ck the pigs.

:thumbup:

 

[dingledog]

This is what being a Blade means to me, I adopted 2 kids, now 3 and 6 and the first thing I did when they moved in was sign them up to the junior Blades. they both talk about 'our team' and point out other cars with 'our teams' badge in the window or
if are on the telly. Its similar to what others have been saying, your family are Blades and so are you. Its a way of life and about being part of a wider family, the family of Blades supporters. there can be no better advert for it than the family behind this forum and all of you(and me) who support it.

When I look at people who are active in here its amazing how many 'Blades'families there are and how we have all found common ground in this forum.

If its not for you then dont join in. For the rest of us its an important part of our life and our family.

 

[silverfox]

This is what being a Blade means to me, I adopted 2 kids, now 3 and 6 and the first thing I did when they moved in was sign them up to the junior Blades.

You cruel sod!

 

[silverfox]

I stood on the kop for more years than I care to remember, always in the same place, always with the same people (more or less) stood around me. !

I remember all the places I stood on the Kop over the years and the people who were there.

The early day as a school kid stood on the ledge above the path half way up behind the goal....there were loads of us from Newfield school.

I remember later stood near a guy called Richard Dunstan who used to run the away coaches.....he sadly passed away years back.

Back of the Kop with the nutters too and then with the lads from the "Roundhouse" at Heeley Green.

TC blowing kisses............

I still miss the Kop but have great memories which make the hairs on the back of the neck react.

Oh to be a Blade!

 

[DazBlade88]

I don't care how shit we are, I'll have my season ticket every year until the day I die. It's in my blood, and has been for generations.

 

[torridon]

I've been going to the lane since the really dark days of the late 70's early 80's and have seen a lot of crap sides, crap players and crap managers in that time. The situation at the lane today is a million miles from all that, sure we're upset at losing good players but thats how its always been at United and probably always will be. Its all a part of the blades experience, what makes us blades, what sets us apart from other supporters of other clubs we are used to disappointment after disappointment. But no matter how bad its been i have continued to go down to the lane, its where i belong and where i want to be, if we sold everybody tomorrow and replaced them with raggyarse rovers i would still be sat in my seat on the kop come August cheering on whoever plays in Sheffield Uniteds colours.

 

[DazBlade88]

I think the trouble is aswell, alot of people are living in the past.

We were shit in the 70 and 80's, but we were also a shit club compared to what we are now.. We're now a big club, with an excellent expanding ground and are linked to clubs all over the World.

I think people should be forgiven for expecting more out of the Club, because it's set up for big things. Unfortunately, we aren't reaching our potential and people are always going to be frustrated while this is the case.

 

[beightonblade]

I remember all the places I stood on the Kop over the years and the people who were there.

The early day as a school kid stood on the ledge above the path half way up behind the goal....there were loads of us from Newfield school.

I remember later stood near a guy called Richard Dunstan who used to run the away coaches.....he sadly passed away years back.

Back of the Kop with the nutters too and then with the lads from the "Roundhouse" at Heeley Green.

TC blowing kisses............

I still miss the Kop but have great memories which make the hairs on the back of the neck react.

Oh to be a Blade!

these yung uns have never lived SF !

 

[SwissBlade]

You cruel sod!

Speaking of which, whenever I go to work in a new country i've not been before I've always taken a blades shirt and a few bits of memorabilia like scarves, pendants, stickers, mousemats, pens etc as part of my little shrine. But I never bring it back, theres poor lads in nepal, india, qatar, kazakhstan, poland and malaysia to name but a few that have "shifild united" memorabilia whilst all their mates knock about in Chelsea, Man U, Milan and Real fake replica shirts.

They haven't got a 'kin clue how sh*te we are bless em as I always say that we're almost a big club and we'll be in Europe within 3 years (quote McCabe)

:thumbup:

 

[TONYBLADE]

season ticket refund ....no way.... a blade through and through...:thumbup: