Interesting article regarding Saints on WSC website: http://www.wsc.co.uk/wsc-daily/1149-july-2012/8749-the-confessions-of-a-fairweather-fan Not really sure what the point is, I think it ends on a positive note? But interesting nonetheless.
I think it says more about the person than the club. I went through a similar process, several years ago, admittedly under different conditions, but the result was the same. You end up distanced from the club you still think you support, but it isn't as important to you as it once was. That's just how it is sometimes. I'm gradually coming back, but now it's a case of untangling the commitments that are in place, and part of my life, instead of going to watch the football. This forum helps to keep my enthusiasm topped up.
Quite well written, although tails off a bit near the end. Honestly can't get excited about this season, have got my season ticket, but I'm pretty sure the enjoyment I got from the last 2 seasons won't be matched this season. Que Sera.
One of guys who I sit with (there are five of us, who all go together and are ST ticket holders) appears to be very much like that right now. He isn't renewing his ST this year, but it's nothing to do with Cortese or the club or the changed strip etc. He claims it's because he's too busy on Saturday's now, but honestly it's quite clear to all of us that it's just fallen out of love with going to the football - and well, just football in general to be honest. I'm sure he'll be back in the coming years, but at least for now any way he's just not interested. And it's a personal thing, no-one's fault.
Wen through somethoing very silmilar in the aerly 90's. Marriage and young kids, work commitments etc. As you say no-ones fault just life!
The author doesn't really say why he has become indifferent. He hints at high ticket prices but seems to have lost interest in general. I think this happens to many people over a lifetime of supporting especially when other more important issues raise their heads. Sometimes they come back later or they become distant fans rather than active supporters. It does surprise me though, that his disillusionment has come at one of the most exciting times in the club's history.
That article perfectly describes me and the England football team and my lack of desire to swap things around both work and personal to watch them play anymore, no matter how important the game is. However, given that I move heaven and earth to watch as many Saints games home and away as possible something has to give.
Just go to the matches,the Premier League is the greatest league in the world and he can't be bothered to go to any matches then why doesn't he just go live somewhere else like China,maybe there is more stuff to do there?Weird...
With all due respect, I think you've rather missed the point. To me he seems to be describing that he is suffering from a sense of Ennui, a failure to connect, a realisation that there are more important things.
I don't class myself as a fairweather fan. The weather, or our form, has little to do with my level of support. As a teenager, I rarely missed a home game. I had nothing else more important to do. Then I moved away and a 500+ mile round trip made home matches a luxury. This was when I discovered I could support The Saints without attending matches. As an "out-of-towner" in Nardge, my status as a Saints supporter had rarity value. I didn't need to attend very often to be considered a "true" supporter, whatever that means. I can't see myself ever moving back to Hampshire so will probably never attend regularly again. I will go occasionally. Probably more away than home, including the pre-season friendly at Ashton Gate, a mere 8 miles from home. Am I less of a supporter? Possibly, Yes. Do I care? No. I have seen us relegated and promoted, win and lose at Wembley, in Europe, at Ashton Gate and Carra Rd. I always check Saints scores first, log onto Saintsfc etc I am a Saints fan!! Problem is, I also enjoy motorcycling, archery, photography, cooking, travelling and have a full time job. And a life. All of which take time and vie for my attention. Sometimes I miss archery for a football match, or miss bike racing (I spectate at BSB, WSB and MotoGP) for an archery tournament. I might want to get a roulade right rather than watch football because I have friends round for dinner that night. My life is so full that I cannot commit to any one thing, including Saints, the way some people here do. If that makes me less of a supporter, or my opinion worth less, so be it. It will not affect my passion for SFC. Plastic? Loyal? Honest? True? Armchair? You decide.
We've all got to find something to do with our saturday afternoons. I plan to go to every Saints home game next season, but wouldn't term myself as a hardcore supporter, because I go purely for the entertainment value of a live football match. Yes I want saints to win, but in the same way that you want the Rebels to win in Star Wars. It will no longer ruin my week like it used to when I was younger.
