07-11-2021, 09:42 AM
(07-11-2021, 07:06 AM)exgaffer Wrote:Agree with both posts.(06-11-2021, 07:19 PM)Hammie Wrote: Sitting there today
This team feels a lot like the stagnant teams when we sunk to crowds of 7-11 thousand
I'm very pleased I could not do an ST this season as it felt more like a duty than a pleasure supporting this lot.
I wonder how many ST holders will end up staying at home for some games if nothing changes.
Well if they go purely for the football they might Hammie.
For a lot of people, including me, it’s as much a social meet up with mates in the pub as it is football these days.
I watched them yesterday and felt almost detached from it all, there was no passion, a non league keeper had a very easy afternoon, despite the huge amount of possession we enjoyed. Toothless and passionless just about sums it up.
There were a lot of excited kids there though, which bodes well for the future. They all seemed quite happy with the proceedings, so it’s not all bad I suppose.
Pre covid, there were a group of about 8 that used to sit just behind us. For them football was a free pass to get out with their mates, have a few beers, place a few bets and have a laugh with mates. They were harsh critics and a barometer for how well or badly we were playing. On a good day they could stay until the 80th minute, and on a bad, 25 minute departures were not uncommon. And either cheers or boos was their means of letting everybody know their verdict.
I had no problem with that, they paid their money, filled the ground and added to the atmosphere.
We've had 16,000+ passionate regulars for some years now, in all four divisions. With more, enthusiastic to attend if the chance came up.
But the previous posts are correct, you cannot take those numbers for granted. I don't think its the quality of the football will do it (as we have had poor sides during those periods), but i do think the style of football, character and passion of the team and a lack of clear direction from the management, will drain the hope and enthusiasm of the 7,000.
With a lot of financial upheaval over the last 18 months, if you have to make a tough decision where you spend money, are you going to do it watching us at present.