There's a good chance we might be there, next season. It still seems strange to me, because we've only been there once in our entire history and we broke all sort of records when we bounced back at the first attempt. I just can't imagine us there, but we'll show respect wherever we go, always have done. I've been to Rotherham and all over in cup games, we've never give the other team any sort of stick, tbh.
I think the Prem despite all it's money is financially destroying clubs. The amount of ex prem sides in the lower leagues is becoming unprecedent. Even lower league clubs are becoming victims of the greed dream. No finer example than Leyton Orient, on the verge of Championship football now a National League side and still fighting for survival. Lots of Kent sides in the National League side now on the verge of L2 football, very attractive for us but could also be damaging financially if they compete on the same level as us. The money pumped into Ebbsfleet a prime example, all part of the Paramount dream that may never happen.
Prem league is all about being entertained rather than joining in as a fan. At Chelsea, in the 70s and 80s, we made our own fun. Football became entertainment for telly clappers with Sky, Beckham etc in 90s. ‘Fans’ expect to be entertained, they are not ‘supporters’ anymore.
I’ve posted this before, but anybody who thought going to football in the 70’s and 80’s was ‘fun’ is ****ing deranged! I would have loved to have taken my little kids to football more in the 80’s. But I’m gonna take em to watch and listen to a bunch of cowardly racist scum all hurling foul abuse and attacking any lone opposition supporters they see, and kicking **** out of em?
I find it ironic that most of the people that complain about how football isn’t like it used to be, don’t go to games ! i have been watching games since the early 1960’s as a kid, and still attend as an adult of 57 with the same enjoyment of the game. what has changed are: the facilities for supporters - no longer just ****e pies, the pitch - no longer mud bowls, the fouling - the chopping down from behind, the skill levels - linked to having better pitches and the eradication of foul play, and of the import of foreign players, the tv coverage - hardly any live games used to be shown and we lived for the highlights in MoTD. But the actual TV game footage was ****e in comparison to today, with the proverbial camera on the roof of the stand type of angles. the cost - everyone moans about the cost - have you not seen the prices for theatre and concert tickets which are far dearer than football. the fans - i love going to live games as the atmosphere is electric, the passion is real, all made by the fans, and gone are the vile chants of the past
Hey Leez, I tagged you in the meltdown thread. Now you have been brave enough to comment here, any chance you can pop over to that thread?
In 2019 it's having a prime tv slot alongside strictly and x factor. Thats a live game not MOTD. So yeah it'll soon officially be entertainment ahead of being a sport. I hate the fact im too emotionally attached and cant just **** it off for good.
I agree however I don't go to many games at all any more. They've made it far too easy to become a lazy fan. For me to travel to Liverpool from Weymouth watch a game, get pissed, stay overnight, duck and dodge some old faces, drive home... costs a shed load of money and time. So I have to rely on the odd away game. I earn a modest wage and have a family. People like me have been priced out anyway. The PL is a greedy machine.
I have the same travel/time/cost issues to go to United but at the minute I can get a pair of freebies three or four times a season so still go. Still enjoy it too, a full Old Trafford is still a joy, regardless of whether a good %age of the crowd are tourists. I've got a season ticket at Swansea as well and take my two sons. They love it, i enjoy it, and Swansea are not billy big time at all so it still has a good feel to it. I'm sure a good deal of Swans fans would rather be out of the premier league, it seems a chore to them. Sections of the crowd are booing ten minutes into the game if it's not going well, it's weird. They'll find out soon enough, unless they start picking up more points quick they'll be down in the championship keeping it real again. I'll definitely renew though.
Interesting point and one i've always made, that if my team (unlikely) ever got to the Prem, then I would stop going to games. I don't think it's just about my team either, even if i'm only a lone voice, we need to make a stand for lower league football and the greed that has changed it to a middle class game.
This is why I've mainly done away games this year. 4 away to 2 home (one of which was free). I just can't stand the atmosphere at home these days, away games still very much supporting your team and the result isn't really all that important as weird as that will sound to some.
I guess its ok if you are one of the few top clubs. For the rest its ****. The divide is to large. Probably why so many enjoyed the Leicester win. Its one thing i dont mind about Spurs. They are trying to give it a go. But even they are miles off.
