I'm currently holidaying in Torquay and went along to Torquay v AFC Wimbledon. The football wasn't great but what struck me was the passion that everyone had for their respective teams. It reminded me of our bad times and how passionate we were. The days before forums where faceless plastics vent their spleen. Looking around the place reminded me of trips to Grimsby, Barnsley etc and the great times I had.
Be sure to get down to St James Park on Tuesday to see Exeter v QPR XI. SWP has finally found his level.
Very true mate, some of the best times I had were in those cold away stadiums with a cup of Bovil for warmth. As for the faceless plastics we have our share on this board but hey ho.
Yeah, same here back then there was a hardcore following and we used to meet up at the away pubs before the games. never missed a game home or away for three seasons back in the day. My favourite games were away to Leeds and Liverpool.
Have to echo all that has been said so far. I was working near Crewe and they played Bournemouth on a Wednesday night so as we were close we went and stood with the Bournemouth fan's, it was fantastic freezing cold on a February night, they still managed to bring about 300 and made more noise than the home fan's. One down side was the price though £28 for a league 1 fixture seemed a bit steep, the burgers and hotdogs were good though.
That's harsh, but I do agree the lower down you go the more knowledgable the fans. A lot of people nowadays are fans of the Premier League not fans of football, they go for the ocassion and nothing else, that's why I respect the old school fans more. We have passionate and loyal fans of our own though. Lets not forget that amongst all the plastics and JCL's.
lower league fans are the real fans, they don't whinge like all us do in the prem. They turn up week in and week out, i went to more Fulham away ganes in the bottom two divisions than i do now, favourite away game was chester. you never expected to win, just hoped you would, and be happy when you did
Lower league fans are true fans 100% Happier with their teams than any fans of the big clubs and more knowledgeable and sensible too
non league fans are the true fans,a lot of them help out at the club on matchday's free of charge,like stewarding ,working in the snack bar's etc,a lot help tidy the ground up doing odd jobs during the season
I agree there are some great fans lower down the leagues in English football. Although I still think those who have supported top clubs through thick and thin, and shell out thousands of pounds a season to travel all over the country and Europe are just as worthy of praise, they seem to be prevented of praise because their cubs get glory.
I don't think that real fans who follow clubs through good and bad are any less deserving of praise. It's the sad little idiots that latch onto a winning team and then go onto a forum to mouth off. Even on the lower league boards on here you don't get the oneupmanship you get on the top club boards.
Lower league fans are great. I've been to over 70 of the league grounds, Yeovil in the rain wasn't much fun nor was Carlisle on a Tuesday night and getting home at 6am Wednesday but I wouldn't change a thing. Best burgers @ Port Vale Best beer @ Brentford Best fans @ Bury (very friendly) Those were the days