1) The PA announcer creaming himself at the attendance (twice) - Its really no big deal and the only reason the attendance reached those levels is because the exec boxes were all full for once. So the club was celebrating the fact we had more corporate stiffs in the ground. Great. 2) People leaving early - This always gets my goat and always will. The vast numbers leaving before the final whistle is definitely getting worse though. Saints were winning! Don't you realise that cheering the final whistle is akin to cheering a goal? It also shows a lack of respect to the players who have gone the full 90 minutes FOR YOU, but you can't be arsed to stay a few minutes more. Quite honestly, your lives are simply not that amazing that by "beating the rush" you are maximising your existance. All you do is either get in the pub a minute or two earlier, or you sit in a car a minute or two less, or you get home a minute or two earlier to sit in front of the TV. No supporter has cured cancer or invented something in the minutes they have saved by leaving a game early. You only get the chance to watch Saints once a fortnight at home (at best these days), so surely you can organise your life to watch the entire 90 minutes out of the 20,160 minutes in a fortnight?!?! (yes there are a SMALL number who HAVE to leave early for personal circumstances, but this is the minority)
Surely if they watch the entire 90 minutes then they are leaving early? Sorry, that was petty! I have to agree that it is irritating when so many are leaving early. Perhaps the club could try and find a way of keeping supporters in the stadium or local vicinity for longer after the game, that way the traffic leaving would be staggered. Either that or get the police to start getting the traffic out quicker. Lets be honest, trying to get out along Belvedere or Britannia road is horrendous!
Negatives? What's ****ing wrong with you man? That said, I'd disable the ****ing PA altogether if I could.
Its definitely a perception about traffic levels. I think generally people are just less patient than they used to be. When my Dad drove in to games at the Dell in the 70's & 80's, used to take us ages to get out via Shirley High Street or the rat-runs, but that was a small price to pay to see Saints play. I just don't get why you would spend all that money and effort to get to a game, to then leave before its finished. Just don't go in the first place if those last few minutes inconvenience your life so much! Been said many times before, but do these same people leave the cinema before the end of a film? You'd think watching Saints would ingrain into you that the result is NEVER certain.
We have thrown away quite a few leads in a lifetime of supporting saints. Perhaps ignorance is bless, if you leave the stadium when we were winning 2-1 then that last minute equaliser never really happened.
In future, shall we all clear our posts with you before hand, so you can approve whether they fit your view of the world?
Sadly, I agree with CBK. Fans who leave early are not as strongly supportive as those who stay. I enjoy watching the players celebrate after a good performance and applauding them in gratitude.
It is a free world and people make their own choices. The fact that their choices may be questionable, stupid or offensive is neither here nor there. I am sure some of these people rush to the nearby car parks so that they don't end up queuing for ages to get out. I once parked in Springfield School opposite the Dell and it took nearly an hour to get out. Yesterday I stayed to the end as always and applauded the players and then shuffled up to the Above Bar and caught the bus home. I was indoors at about quarter to six which isn't too bad. Personally I like to applaud our players come what may when the game ends as a mark of respect and appreciation. The good gates we are getting must be pleasing to our Chairman as he plans an extended and much improved stadium and the extra revenue is important as well..
Do wonder what players think when after flogging their guts out, they turn to half empty stands. No doubt when they play poorly they would rather not make eye contact, but as you say, its part of the game to feel a connection with your team and share in the good & bad. Course the other gripe with early-leavers is those who block the view of those wanting to carry on watching the game. The old boy in front of me yesterday, who isn't too stable on his pins, gave up trying to stand up and down every few seconds as a stream of people blocked his view.
I end up having to do a yoyo act about ten times a game with everyone on my row seeming to arrive late, leave for half time early, come back from half time late and leave early. They probably see about 60 of the 90 minutes.
Personally, I think we should have armed guards on the exits, and anyone who attempts to escape will be shot down. That'll solve it, even if it isn't ethical
Have to say I am one of those that has to leave a few minutes for personal reason's but I always try to leave where possible in a break of play to try and not to irrate those around me. Thankfully I have sat in the same seat all the time the stadium has been up and most of the people around me I have got to know and been to a few away games with some of them so its not to much of issue I hope for those around me. I guess on average I have to leave early one in three games.
I have to agree CBK. I thought it was a little disrespectful to the players. The players put in a brilliant effort and performance but only half the ground stayed behind to clap them off.
People have many reasons to leave early, we don't know which ones leave early just to get a head start or the people that leave early because of health conditions. End of the day they spent their money the same as us so it's up to them.
It's the players job to play football and they get paid a hell of a lot of money to do it. I'm sure a few thousand people leaving early after cheering them on all game doesn't mean as much as to them as you think.
As one that is also hacked off at the impromptu Mexican Wave I have to agree, but it is a football stadium not a prison camp, punters have paid their cash and can do what they want, they must have a good reason or else they wouldn't do it, mostly I guess, it is impatience in attempt to avoid the crush. I remember the old days in Cinemas when it was common for every one to leave before the end to avoid the National Anthem, I could never understand that one.
Like to think that people have a good reason, but I feel that many just don't. They see a few get up and go and like sheep, follow on. Its definitely a thing that in football (not just at Saints) is getting worse, for reasons that pretty much defy logic. But I guess a lot goes on these days that defies logic, the human race in general, is getting thicker.
Or at least a signed noted from their mum/guardian/nurse they have to hand to a steward before being allowed to leave early. No note, you get a slap.
The Liverpool end was emptying quicker than the rest, but I don't think it's a case of being thicker, just less respect in general.
