Amateurs tbh. I remember leaving after 35 mins or so home when we were 3-0 down to 3 own goals under Wilko the mad. I wasnt alone either. About 20 of us in the Howard arms by half time supping. In all seriousness I beieve this happens at every ground across the country. Folk always will want to beat the rush for some reason or another. I remember staying to the end every time in the Fullwell and one day by the time I got back to the sheepfolds, late, the car was nicked. Probably was nicked in the first half, but made me run back to the car for next few games
To be fair, those (like me) watching on Sky would likely get an better view of just how many right around the stadium were leaving early and hear what the match commentators and studio wonks were saying about it. I've only ever left a match early once and missed the very controversial Wrexham equaliser against Blyth Spartans. Lesson learned, never done it since and seen loads of important late goals scored - and conceded. One thing fans can't do these days is filter across the terrace to be near the exit and so leaving the stands early does look worse than that used to. Each to their own but I've got a mate who stays in the pub to the last minute and often arrives at his seat a few minutes after kick-off, leaves 5 minutes early at half time to get a pint, again arrives back a few minutes into the 2nd half and leaves on 85 minutes 'to get away sharpish'. He must miss 15 - 20 minutes of every match. That really does make me shake my head. Fortunately he sits at the end of the row so doesn't have to disturb anyone when he leaves but people that do it and disturb loads of people along their row do piss me off as the row behind also get their viewing disturbed.
To be fair a fair few to my right had left early last night so I had plenty space to throw myself around like a lunatic when we scored. Small wins and all that.
My bladder knows to the second when 90 mins are up, so I need to be in pissing position by then , I can't wait for extra time or queues down the concourse steps, so I'm not leaving early , I'm just busting for a piss and trying to avoid an 'accident'. I've even been known to go back into the stadium bowl after-piss if the games still playing. I could of course avoid all this by having less beer , but I like drinking as much as I like football. So I'll carry on leaving my seat when I feel like it.
We were there, absolutely shocking officials ... ... I don't often think they've been paid but that made me wonder. The consolation was when Wrexham came out of their end to taunt us then ran away when we started climbing over the fence ... I don't think I've ever seen a crowd disperse that quickly again
I'm surprised you had enough blood in your extremities to be able to climb! I was frozen stiff. It was my brother-in-law who decided to leave, as I was 13 and he had driven me there, so I had to go too. We'd been on the kop and had just gone past your end when we heard the roar. By the time the crowd came out we were in the car and waiting for the windows to defrost. It was only in the YouTube era that I saw the corner flag incident!
After the game we were driving back to Mansfield and stopped off at a chippy. We bowled in and found half a dozen Mags waiting for their order ... ... 'Now lads, this is awkward' we said I actually went to the replay, at SJP, but we were locked out due to the massive crowd. Great days that'll never be repeated.
Only time I ever left early in my life was in the 1975.76 season when we won promotion playing Bolton. My dad said to get out of the ground (Roker Park) 10 minutes early so we could get away. He was seated in the main stand and I was in the Fulwell End. I did as I was told, he appeared 10 minutes after the game - he apologised, Never done it again. Dad, I miss you as you left us long ago, But that night man...... I was 9 years old and I missed it at the end, Dad....you plonker
At the Middlesbrough game, my son got the tickets. I was right up the top behind the goal amongst the kids FFS . He was a few rows down. I told him I was making my way out five minutes to go. He stayed and I hung around on the steps If I lived in Sunderland or within a 30 or so mile radius it wouldn't bother me staying. In fact I'd prefer to stay. (I'd be there every home game and as many away as possible) We travelled up the day before , 200 mile, and stayed at a premier inn because it was a 12pm kick off. I was back at work Sunday. I'd of preferred a 3pm kick off, travel up on the day and stay the night after the match Son went to leeds game on his own, travelled up and back same night again 200 miles. He stayed until the end. I was in work, watching the game I hoped he had stayed Great moment for him to witness. It doesn't look good people leaving early but the majority of a huge crowd stay and hopefully the players realise that. PS. I'm never leaving early again
Would be interesting if the club could manage to sort something with the council regarding traffic around the city on match days. I definitely think the poor transport links are the major contributor to people leaving early.
Love that they are trying to see what's causing it This team deserves fans staying to the end (appreciate it's not possible for all fans though)
There's loads that leave early just to get back on the drink, and imo it'll be more of those than people who struggle with transport. I've done it loads myself. Sort the transport/traffic out and keep the bars open a bit at full time with cheaper beer.
Do you reckon? I normally walk back into the town for a few pints and get picked up at 7, home for 7:15. Normally squeeze 3-4 pints in. Took the car against Oxford didn’t get home until after 6, Wessington Way was heaving as per but I only park next to the police station in suddick so I must’ve been back at the car fairly quickly yet still at the back of the queue!
Definitely think bars open after the game would help. Bit of live music on a concourse would be good. It means those who want to drink might stay a bit longer and it would also reduce the traffic (both pedestrian and cars) outside the ground at the end of the game.
I think so mate. I know loads who are itching to get back to the bar. They think they'll jump the queues or just want to get back on it. We've been ****e for years and the match was seen as an inconvenience and got in the way of a session. Well to loads I know anyway. I've done it loads myself. Under Moyes, as soon as we went 1 nil down, I was gone half the time. Although I live in Boldon so it's easy to get home, but if I needed to get to the A19 to get home, it would be a massive ball ache like.
