By old time fans I mean those that have been going for a while as opposed to PL tourists attracted by the new stadium and just wanting to see a PL game. A bit like some of the ones we gained when we moved to the KC, wanting to quietly sit watching a game and not understanding why a lot of uncouth people disturb them by offering vocal support. Obviously st least 34,000 will be proper old time fans as that is what they have had for the last few seasons. Which Al Rawdah are you named after BTW, just as a matter of interest, the Royal Naval one or the modern one?
So you just wanted a dig at our fans? Why didn't you just do that instead of dressing it up like you did?
I feel that the Premiership is quickly becoming something of a closed shop. Teams like West Ham wont be relegated anytime in the near future. Gates of 60k and Sky money means they will likely always be safe. Teams already there have the backbone of good squads where selective investments will be made. Any team coming into that division will either need an ultra rich sponsor and gates of circa 35k to compete, irrespective of the Sky Money. Could we ever compete at that level, I personally doubt it. We might yo yo…. BTW… I know Leicester, Bournemouth and to a lesser degree Watford have had a good season, but we survived our first season in each of our forays. This seasons Premiership is something of a shock and I suspect next season the status quo will be restored.
Or Hull City Reserves as they are properly known His post was very confusing. I've no idea what the ressies have got to do with West Ham?
I am now an avid (almost) away only supporter. I came to the KC for the Forest game and it confirmed almost all my opinions on current situation with home matches. The attendance was poor, atmosphere non existent (Forest were right -just like a library) and around me in the East stand it was almost toxic because we were not getting the expected result. Give me an away game any time compared to that. The City away support is always committed and vocal OK you sometimes have to put up with being put in the stand at one end but eg at Birmingham you could sit where you liked and even though we lost and the match was being televised it was still a great atmosphere in the away end on a mid week night. I take on board what you say about policing and stewarding as I had one very bad experience at Fulham of all places. Also one of my bugbears is not being able to take kids or elderly people with me because the standing issue means I cannot guarantee they will be able to see the game. But overall I am now a reluctant visitor to the Kingston Community library and looking forward to Derby, Bolton and Reading games.
So you arent going to support the team at home cos its such a **** atmosphere? Yet people on here complain about how poor the home fans are at away games. Arsenal poor. Liverpool quiet. Etc etc I agree its poor but if people like you are staying away in droves its hardly helping. I dont know what the answer is to be honest in the current environment. Over zealous stewarding, other fans complaining about standing etc
Villa are already gone and could be joined by Newcastle and Sunderland. 3 big clubs with big attendances relegated in one season and Leicester likey to win the title? Add to that Chelsea failing to qualify for the CL and the two Manchester clubs struggling to secure a top four spot. Hardly a closed shop.
The abuse some got from fellow fans when the poor atmosphere was pointed out is a considerable factor too. For reasons best known to them, some seemed desperate to claim it was healthy, despite very obvious evidence to the contrary.
