The damage that the Belgians have done in 4 years is incalculable. Its not just the fans who have now got out of the habit and stopped going [Selhurst all over again...], it is the next generation of fans who have been deterred from coming by the low quality team, the cartoon character managers, and the owner and CEO who clearly do not give a toss. Right on cue, a begging e mail has dropped in my In Box this morning, urging me to buy a Half Year Season Ticket. I would rather stick pins in my eyes, and spend an evening talking Sqwarka with Seriously Boring. To add insult to injury, the Belgians are now attempting to cash in on the Back to the Valley anniversary - a category "Gold game", and £95 for a meal in the stadium, and £75 for a replica shirt. I have visions of an apologist chipmunk lookalike from Essex called Al, sitting alone at a table in the Millennium suite on the day, rueing why he paid £95 for the nosh that Sue Parkes is scoffing for free.
Charlton V Portsmouth a "Gold" game? How can you have a "Gold" game in the 3rd division in front of a two thirds empty stadium that's half covered in bird droppings? We need some new categories of games these days; Tin Pot Brass Knuckle Rusty Nail
For £95, Apologists get to drink a bottle of “Chateau Katrien” at the Anniversary meal. The cork has been specially sealed to prevent any nauseous gas from escaping. The wine itself has a fake & sickly taste, fermented by squirrels , and leaves you with a 4 year hangover when you realise you have paid £95 for something worth about 3p. Much like the woman it is named after.
Tumble Weed Ghost Town Mickey Mouse are three other match categories that spring to mind. The Back to the Valley anniversary game has been officially designated a 'Tumble Weed' game. Fans are advised to arrive early to avoid having to wonder why there are no queues if they arrive at 2:55pm. On 5th December 1992 the attendance was 8,337, but the Valley was only half-built back then. When the regime fails to get that many real people into the ground on 9th December 2017, what is their excuse going to be?