... that's been a greater constant, other than your family, than SAFC. I'm sitting here, at half eleven, looking at trains, etc, and wondering about how to park at Reading tomorrow if I drive. I'm messaging great mates from the NE and other parts of the country who I'd probably never see if it wasn't for our team. It's absolute madness. I'll probably knock off work early, drive for two hours, meet up in town, have one pint over the limit, drive to the ground, park illegally, cop a ticket, go nuts for two more hours, drive home alone either euphorically or in despair and hopefully arrive before midnight. And it's on the f**k**g telly It's somehow held such a sway for over 50 years ... .... how much money/time/employment/relationships would I have saved if I'd never been bitten by this insidious bug. It's absolute insanity when you analyse it.
What a great post that is, and very thought provoking. I'm not even going to try to answer it, simply because I can't! For clarity, I don't get to games much anymore, so don't have as much invested in the club other than watching the games on my iptv. What makes fans travel all over the country, spending small fortunes doing so, for something that has no guarantee of a favourable outcome. Its a bloody stupid thing to do really, but it's also bloody marvelous. I hope you get more answers than I can give, it would be great to hear other fans views on why they do it....as you say its insanity when you analyse it. Great Post Smug....
Cheers mate and, you make a great point. Going to see a play, a musical, a gig, etc is safe because you know it'll be at least 7/10 ... ... going tomorrow could be an absolute f**k**g disaster.
I'm meeting a mate from Gateshead who's down on the train, staying in London and back in time for work on Thursday ... ... absolutely crazy isn't it
Doing good thanks mate, Mrs Smug has improved and that makes things easier for me to get to the games. We're at Pulborough so at least I have a train station now.
I've always had jobs which involved weekend working, even now into my 70s. As a teenager used to go away whenever I could, can't remember how I afforded it, probably bank of mam and dad, who had nowt anyway, but you did it, sat on John Tennicks coaches getting home anytime after 2 in the morning, If getting home at all and getting a clout for my troubles. Retired early in my late forties, so had the time and money to get back on the bus, getting picked up at Scotch Corner and usually returning empty handed points wise, but you just did it. It's been said "Its in the blood", which has got to be right, do other sports have followers just as daft, Rugby maybes can't think of another. Don't get to many matches now, get my fix through the grandson at Morecambe but it's not the same, retiring completely next March when I'm 74, daren't tell her indoors I'm thinking of getting back on the bus Smug. Great thread mate, very thought provoking.
Perhaps see if there is a self help group that offers counselling for your addiction? Perhaps one that will re-direct your steps to say shopping centres for browsing?
If I had the money, I’d be at every game. No matter the competition (including friendlies). It’s what us fans do!!
Aye smug, definitely a lifetime addiction, days off work,wedding invitations,christenings,summer holidays are all worked around matches.Must have been in the late seventies when we had Burnley away in a midweek cup match and was called off a few times after a afternoon pitch inspection, we all took a day off work every time and meet at bowburn club just to get the word it was off and try tomorrow
This! It's what we do,it's who we are. To me,a Saturday meeting with mates at lunchtime,having a few beers,discussing the match ahead,being in and around all the other red and white,the togetherness,the songs,the anticipation. Then into the ground,being totally engaged by the performance....good or bad.....the atmosphere. Then meeting up again afterwards to chew the cud on what we've witnessed,another beer or two,sharing the optimism or pessimism with others who are steeped in the beautiful game and you know care about this fantastic club exactly the same as you do. If your playing days are finished,it's the best time ever.
Sometimes it feels like an obligation following Sunderland. Then there are days like this that make it all worthwhile.
The misery disappears when you watch a performance like last night, and then you know why you will always be an SAFC fan, there is no other explanation.
