I agree with that totally, my brother-in-law never goes to live sport of any kind but is an expert on just about everything and has strong opinions on City performances based on either RH commentary or match of the day highlights - does my effin head in
I'm not saying that the older generations of fans are wrong, just that the way some come across seems a tad patronising. I was 11 in the great escape year, so I wasn't really well placed to comment at the time, having just left primary school. I look back in it now as troubling, but some seem to revile in being there and then apply it to today's problems and use it as a way of justifying their opinion, which I find slightly annoying. Some even mention it offhand in the hope it'll win them some kudos. So you were born 40 years before me, so the **** what?
When cuing for the Arsenal FA Cup final tickets for 9-10 hours there was a guy who has taped a cardboard sign to the stadium wall saying 'I was there when we were s**t, was you?'. To which my mental reaction was 'what a prick!'. People who think their date of birth dictates that they are a better fan is a load of old s**t. They wear it as badge of honour (which is fair enough) but use it as an arrogant 'I'm a better fan than you' and 'My opinion is right and yours is wrong'. My dad has been going with his mates and have had a season pass every season since the 60s. Die hard passionate fans. But never do they use their time going as some kind of mechanism for self importance and self righteousness. I talk with these guys on a regular basis and can categorically state that I know more about the intricacies of football, history of the club and current football than they do, to which we have had numerous conversations about and they agree. That doesn't make either of us better fans than each other. But interested in different aspects of football. The people who usually use the time they have been a fan as some kind of indication of their knowledge, are usually using it as some sort of defence mechanism because in reality they know very little. I have been going as long as my age dictates. When all kids my age supported Man Utd, Arsenal and Liverpool, I was there from the age of 5 upwards watching us almost sail into football oblivion. Terrible managers, terrible players, terrible grounds, terrible chairmen and the bottom of division 3. I have a nephew who is a dedicated and passionate fan. His date of birth dictates that he has only been a fan since the mid 00s. He was fortunate to be born into the most successful era of the club but nevertheless he is dedicated. Knows a lot about the history of the club, more than holds his own in conversations, had seasons passes for 8 years, spent a s**t load of money on the club, goes to friendlies, away games and almost definitely knows a lot more about todays football landscape, tactics, transfers and infrastructure than quite a few people who have been fans for 40 odd years. Just because I have been going way longer than he has it doesn't mean I am a better fan than he is and never would I try and downgrade his opinion just because of his date of birth.
First off 'I'll always respect older generations' but the beginning of this post does nothing but slag them off, this subject is bigger than just football, it could include music, and frequently does, films, the weather (a favourite it seems) food and I could go on. But the thing is us oldies, including me who always harps on about BP, we have something to compare to, like a football stadium where you had acres to yourself stood in the pi**ing rain on a night time game of no consequence. We don't claim, or at least I never have, that this scenario makes up better Hull City supporters than some of the enthusiastic supporters of today. We stood on a near deserted part of the ground (Bunkers Hill later South Stand) for the very reason you support City today, because we loved the team and we loved football. Time was irrelevant then as it is now its the team and the whole football family thing, the banter (now more online than anything) where as in days of old it was on the terraces and I have to say there were some right comedians at BP, not just on the pitch either. I make no apologies, I will continue to spout about the old days even if it does p*ss you off or bore you, I loved those times as much as you must love these more successful times. For me today's football, as is being constantly rammed down my throat, is a business whereas when as a lad I actually knew parts of the team and they knew me, Jock Davidson being a good friend. Today I wouldn't get near the players big money and even bigger people controlling it, no, give me my childhood Hull City the good and the many sh*t times I would do it all again if possible for that's the era I was born into. Void of Twitter, Facebook, the internet, and all the modern paraphernalia that surrounds the game today, MOTD was the highlight of the week for this kid who lived but a stone throw away from BP, and I make no apologies for my post or comments. Enjoy your KC success, then who knows in 50 years time you may go down the reminiscing route yourself to the youngsters of the era of the day, trouble is I won't be around to smile a little and pass the odd comment, pity.
So in your statement about nobody been a better fan than anybody else you claim to know more about football then others , well done CMPUNK
The club needs younger fans........ when i was growing up all the kids were in Leeds Man utd Liverpool tops etc... in Hull. I think its great now there's more and more city tops coming on the youngsters in the town its the way it should be. Everyones got a different opinion, i laugh at some comments during a game............. you often wonder if some people are watching the same game......
It is a conversation we have had before with my dad and his friends. That younger people usually know more than they do for a number of different reasons. And I don't state that knowing more means I am a better fan. Plus if it wasn't for younger fans the club wouldn't be in the Premier League, Europe or the FA Cup final. I am also 28. And when you look around on here the younger fans tend to put together a more articulate post than say the likes of crashgate who creates posts like a 13 year old.
What a piss poor analogy. Oh and for the record I'm an old cun t who watched most of my City games in the lower reaches of the leagues. Judge a poster on what they say not what they've seen or done.
I've been going to see our team play for longer than I care to remember. Actually, I can't remember a lot of it. I agree about the people who use history in their supporting arguments being ****ing annoying. Same people who sneer, ironically, at TWS and Forest fans for living in the past. I will cheerfully embrace any fan of our fine club. Except Chazz. He smells funny.
I try to respect people with a wealth of experience, but in this case, how much is that experience relevant to the modern game?
I disagree. The idea that someone who has been going home and away for 40 years is at the same level as someone in the first season of going is daft. The football club becomes part of you, and this part grows with time and experience. Also in a marketing sense, proven loyalty should be valued more than new business. I'm in my mid 20s.
Not a trick question or a trap. Genuinely interested what your nephew thinks of the name change issue? We get loads of opinions from the older fans and fans over say 18 years old, but I don't think I've ever heard a pre-teen or under 10's views.
