League One is Fun?

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devonFRATTONiser

devonFRATTONiser

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Jan 25, 2011
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A number of Saints fans have expressed their opinions on here in the past that they enjoyed the League One experience ("proper" fans, visiting grounds for the first time, terracing at some venues etc).

So with Pompey destined for the third tier for the first time since winning the old Third Division in 1983, (typing that, it dawns on me that (1) I'm knocking on a bit and (2) there is a whole generation of Pompey fans who will be experiencing this for the first time) I wonder if some of you Saints fans would like to share some of your experiences of the two recent seasons that you spent there; the good things and the bad things.

<ok>
 
I dreaded it myself, when we got relegated to league 1. but that soon turned into good fun.

visiting grounds i've never been too before, meeting proper fans, none of the plastics like you get in the creed league, and some championship clubs.

but most importantly looking back at it, it was the best thing for southampton fc, allowed us to rebuild after he buyout from Markus (RIP)
also got a trip to wembley out of it allbeit was the JPT but at the time, and what the clubs & its fans had been through, it was something to smile about.
basicaly it was a rebuild transition for us, and now a few years on we're on the verge of joining the creed league.

its been a hell of a trip these last 3 years but i've enjoyed every moment of it
 
Good points - you don't have to encounter cocky, sneering arrogant fans who 'big up' their past histories. L1 is all about genuine, down to earth decent fans who love their footie and enjoy a bit of banter. More than often than not you can stand shoulder to shoulder with them in an away boozer and have a merry time.

Some of the grounds are quite quaint, antiquated yet full of charm.

Bad points - quality of some of the pitches leaves a lot to be desired.

Playing Hartlepool away on a Tuesday night in the pouring rain is not much fun!
 
Good things: Wembley :laugh: - being able to compete for a trophy that you could be one of the favourites for, real fans, great banter, fixtures won't be changed for Sky too often (mind you, that might also be a bad thing, depending on your lookout)

Bad things: Not many local games, bad stadiums (although coming from FP, you should be used to it......! <whistle>), you'll be seen by some as thinking you're too big for L1, more Tuesday night games

I was dreading L1, we seemed to be in free-fall but L1 was actually a period of rebuilding and rejuvenation. I hope that happens with you guys too - I genuinely wish you well if you go down but let's hope we draw you in the cup next season......
 
I went to a number of away grounds, including Leeds, and all the fans arrived together had a chat and then went to the pubs after the game. No animosity and, aside from Leeds and Sheff Wed, prices were pretty good. There is also the bonus that you are likely to win more of your games. I am wondering if we get to the Premier League whether I will enjoy the ambiance as much, as I seem to remember a lot more anger and bile.

Good luck Portsmouth, why not donate us those four points that you took off us :)
 
Having to play in the First Round of the FA Cup.

This was certainly something that wasn't immediately apparent to me following our relegation but when the draw for the first round was made during our first season in League One it seemed somewhat surreal to see our name included.

I guess as you mention devon this will be just one of the things that will seem strange to a whole generation of fans but if your journey somehow follows the same path as ours then you'll have plenty of fun along the way.
 
You support Pompey Devo.......When you win a game it will mean just as much to you in the third division as it did in the first. It is true you do get more cloggers in the third it is also true that grounds can be a bit iffy at times. The crowds will be smaller but the distances you have to travel to away matches will be just as far. The nastiness that starts to creep between fans in in the Championship and more in the premier is not there on the whole. So a day out is more relaxed, there seems to be a few more opportunity's perhaps to have fun. Though, despite your lots disregard for the paint trophy when we won it, rest assured your lot will be just as up for it as we were. It has been fun for Saints for the two seasons we were down there, true, mainly because each season was a step up and a forward movement. It could be the same for you guys I just hope it is not like your last relegation history where you went straight back down to the 4th division. That may just need some getting used to........All the best just the same
 
OddRiverOakWizards said:
I went to a number of away grounds, including Leeds, and all the fans arrived together had a chat and then went to the pubs after the game. No animosity and, aside from Leeds and Sheff Wed, prices were pretty good. There is also the bonus that you are likely to win more of your games. I am wondering if we get to the Premier League whether I will enjoy the ambiance as much, as I seem to remember a lot more anger and bile.

Good luck Portsmouth, why not donate us those four points that you took off us :)
Click to expand...

2 points, unless you mean the 4 we missed out on lol
 
Hi Dev!

You will have a lot of fun in League One good crowds great away days and you also might win a few :p

But my main point is that without League One we would be nowhere now probably stuck with awful owners and competing just stay up.

Look at us and Norwich League One is a platform to change your club around and get the good times rolling again a chance to get new owners hopefully and restructure the club from top to bottom.

Things can only get better good luck <ok>
 
Upsides: you'll win more games / cheaper tickets (I managed a few away days for comfortably under £50)

Downsides: playing Portsmouth will be a 'cup final' for a lot of teams / having to stay up til about 1am to catch 20 seconds of highlights on the Football League Show
 
Thoroughly enjoyed the experience of being in league 1. Exeter by far the worst ground I went to. Sitting in a stand that is taken down and used for Wimbledon tennis in the summer at Bristol Rovers. Sitting by the river before the game at Brentford and going to Plymouth was quite good too! Thought Yeovil had a really nice little ground.
 
Like others, I dreaded the prospect of League One. I thought the game was up for Saints. In hindsight I needn't have worried, but a lot of that was due to the sudden good health of the club. Here's hoping Pompey find a way out of the troubles, and not have carry on with the instinct of finding a few more.

It is different, there's no doubt about that. Get used to being overlooked in football news, even if you have a superb result. But you'll be one of the bigger clubs and will be there to be shot at. Don't expect the opposition to award you the 3 points before you set out onto the pitch. Cold, windy and wet nights in Carlisle are for the brave and Cumbrians only. It's news of good or bad results from far flung places that find a way into the heart. It's the beginning of blood and guts, passionate football [we're not quite into Lge Two and Non-League], sprinkled with the occasional bit of sublime skill. Come back this time next season and tell us you don't enjoy it.
 
I really enjoyed league 1 ! some amazing away days at places like Leyton orient (we took more fans than they had at had there ) Bristol rovers away , we got there early and even got invited in to the "rovers" lounge and had drinks all their fans with our Saints shirts on but all so friendly . Plymouth away etc etc no plastic fans , traditional grounds and generally a good time had but I feel you have to get out of the league as quickly as possible or you could get stuck there like Leeds for a while ...
 
League 1 is a good place to rebuild your club from top to bottom,Saints and Norwich are great examples.
You'll be able to win more matches (if you've got your current team or of similar quality) and that will breed a winning mentality into the club which will be great in the long run.
Don't forget you've got a chance of going to wembley(JPT).
 
Just don't underestimate League One, a more honest brand of football, a more enjoyable brand of football, but massively competitive. Would be easy to get stuck in the league if your not careful. To get promoted, you all need the entire club pulling in the same direction... That should be your worry sadly not the football. Despite having enough money to survive currently, you are still a fractured club that needs time to heal. A Pompey friend of mine is getting quite used to the Phoenix from the ashes analogy, but for this to happen, everything needs to be settled.
 
Also, do not take league one for granted (should you do the improbable and stave off championship relegation). It is a tough league to get out of with many clubs all striving for promotion. Huddersfield are a prime example of how a talented squad struggle to get over that final hurdle. Also look at Preston and Sheffield Wednesday who have at times found it very difficult. If you don't bounce back within one or two seasons, you could lose your better players and be a long way from the second tier.
 
Like Saints, there aren't many L1 teams close to Portsmouth, so don't expect too many away fans at Fratton. L1 fans by and large are friendly and enjoy a bit of banter, which makes games, particularly away games, more welcoming. The football is a bit gash, but the experience certainly is fun.

Like the Championship, L1 isn't easy to get out of and the teams that go up tend to be a lot better than the teams that come down, so its a good platform for improving. L1 is great for young players. It's well worth producing your own,.
 
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