Interesting read....
http://supportersnotcustomers.com/2014/04/09/what-killed-english-football-culture/
http://supportersnotcustomers.com/2014/04/09/what-killed-english-football-culture/
Been saying this for yonks. We sold out our football a long time ago. The quality of football, atmosphere, national team, connection with fans has all suffered as a result.
Everyone says, as if it were an indisputable truth, that attendances don't really matter, as they constitute only about 25-30% of income for clubs. However, if teams in the PL started playing games in front of empty stadia, you would soon see football's global appeal plummet.
Football is still the greatest of all sports, but the modern version of it, at least at the 'top level', is vacuous rubbish, dominated by a few posh teams and highly structured comments from the so-called 'pundits'.
I long for the days when I was with a large crowd, finishing about 50 yards from where I started, with all the pushing.
Near enough every other game I'd say I'm ashamed by the vast majority of the supporters, but I go to games for the atmosphere, so others won't agree. Without level 7, it's getting worse and worse. The Gallowgate corner is the only chanting area now, and that's sporadic at best.
That's why I prefer away games - At least our travelling support can be loud.
Far too many people just sit in silence at home games. It actually is embarrassing. I sit in the lower Leazes behind the goal - If I even start singing I get people looking at me like i'm sort of weirdo while they just sit there like robots. For too many people nowadays it's a day out like a visit to the cinema rather than going to a football game.
We may get massive crowds at home but we don't have fantastic support. The same can be said about any number of grounds in the Premier League.
Everyone says, as if it were an indisputable truth, that attendances don't really matter, as they constitute only about 25-30% of income for clubs. However, if teams in the PL started playing games in front of empty stadia, you would soon see football's global appeal plummet.
Football is still the greatest of all sports, but the modern version of it, at least at the 'top level', is vacuous rubbish, dominated by a few posh teams and highly structured comments from the so-called 'pundits'.
I long for the days when I was with a large crowd, finishing about 50 yards from where I started, with all the pushing.
Couldn't agree more with this thread! From my first game as an 8 year old over 20 years ago, that roar in our stadium was the most intoxicating sound I'd ever heard. My current location and personal circumstances mean I can only get to a handful of games a season, but in my experience the place is like a morgue these days. When my little lad is old enough his first football experience will no doubt be at the toon, but it's a crying shame that to show him a REAL st James atmosphere I'll have to use a DVD player!!!
Remember when one of the greats Danny Blanchflower played at Roker Park and later described the famous Roker Roar " Frightening in its intensity "