No longer prepared to pay for rubbish?

[Thedelldays]

I'm sure many of the people that have stopped going were those that jumped on the Euro '96 bandwagon and were expecting to see the spactacle of top flight football every week.

For me, I find Championship football exciting and entertaining; it's great going along to a match knowing that you'll be watching some honest, proper football between 2 fairly evenly matched teams, not, as was the case with many games in the Prem, turning up to watch us get rubbished by Man Ure, Arsenal, Liverpool or Chelsea. Admittedly we did have success against them (6-3 against Man Ure in '96, the fantastic last league match against Arsenal at the Dell and MLT's fairytale winning goal etc. etc.) but you could fairly easily predict the outcome of most matches in the Prem.[/

 

but when we lose, it is..."what do you expect with a team full of kids"

 

CCC football is poor and NOT entertaining at all....each to their own

 

 

as for the second bit...how come we dont see/hear about many winners at the bookies

 

 

If we all did a home/away/draw accy this weekend with all the prem results, i bet none will win...

Edited 19 September, 2008 by Thedelldays

[Legod Second Coming]

We must be one of the few football clubs in the world where people put fantastic efforts into justifying why they DON'T attend matches.

 

If you support a football club you find reasons why you CAN go - through the hail, wind, rain, whatever.

 

Do you know what. I AM a better fan than some to55er who sits at home whinging. It's a FACT. It makes me a better fan.

 

I'm not going to make excuses for people who stay away and say each to their own.

 

Someone who stays away isn't a fan - they're just someone with a lose association with the club. Who likes the club to win.

 

The fans/supporters GO to the games - mostly come hell or high water, all over the country.

 

I, for my sins, am not as good a fan as those who go every week. And those who go every where.

 

But I am a better fan than many on here.

 

And fecking PROUD of it too.

Edited 19 September, 2008 by Legod Second Coming

[Pat from Poole]

I'm not sure what the stats are now, but I am pretty sure that when we were at The Dell, not far off 50% of the regular fanbase travelled from 20 miles or more away from Southampton to home games. The trains used to have loads getting on at Poole, Bournemouth and even quite a few from Dorchester and further west.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if there has been a change here in recent years. For example, I doubt that the youngsters at the back of the Northam who are often the source of debate on here have too far to travel, apologies if I am doing them a dis-service here.

 

 

I think a significant proportion of the people who now no longer come to games regularly will be those who live 30 miles or more away from Southampton ( a lot of my friends in the Poole / Bournemouth area have pretty much stopped going). It's not that they've chosen to support a different team, it's just less enticing to come to a half-empty ground and pay £25.

 

 

For what it's worth, if we are still at The Dell, I'd come to every game. It would still have atmosphere even against cloggers in the CCC.

[Thedelldays]

We must be one of the few football clubs in the world where people put fantasic efforts into justifying why they DON'T attend matches.

 

If you support a football club you find reasons why you CAN go - through the hail, wind, rain, whatever.

 

Do you know what. I AM a better fan than some to55er who sits at home whinging. It's a FACT. It makes me a better fan.

 

I'm not going to make excuses for people who stay away and say each to their own.

 

Someone who stays away isn't a fan - they're just someone with a lose association with the club. Who likes the club to win.

 

The fans/supporters GO to the games - mostly come hell or high water, all over the country.

 

I, for my sins, am not as good a fan as those who go every week. And those who go every where.

 

But I am a better fan than many on here.

 

And fecking PROUD of it too.

 

 

so inactual fact, you tend to just follow the club in a "loose" term than be a fan in more cases then?

[Saints67]

http://www.southampton-mad.co.uk/news/loadroll.asp?cid=ED11&id=407920

[Legod Second Coming]

so inactual fact, you tend to just follow the club in a "loose" term than be a fan in more cases then?

 

I would think if we count our respective visits to SMS over the past five years it would be a pretty uneven match DD... And most of mine have been three years in the Championship and three games in the past ten days already...

[Thedelldays]

I would think if we count our respective visits to SMS over the past five years it would be a pretty uneven match DD... And most of mine have been three years in the Championship and three games in the past ten days already...

what if we did it on percentage on games we COULD make?

 

are you so sure of your uneven match....???

[Wes Tender]

Anyone can support a club that is 7th in the Premiership and in the Cup Final. This is the time that the Club needs its real supporters. I loathe and detest Lowe and Co and I am very unhappy with what is going on but I am not prepared to abandon the Club and they need my money.

 

I think every poster should state how many games they have been to this season as they criticise the Club it would put some comments into perspective. If you choose not to go and have lost interest for whatever reason then please do not post.

I have been to every home match this season so far, although I didn't renew my ST nor my son's.

 

But I take issue strongly with your last line. Why shouldn't anybody post and give reasons for why they stopped going? The reasons given should be of interest to those who look at this forum, but also of interest to the Board. Perhaps it is a good idea that they come down from their ivory towers and find out why it is that attendances are declining. No doubt if you had your way, nobody who did not attend regularly should feel any right to an opinion and those who attend the most should have the most weight credited to their opinion.

[View From The Top]

I would think if we count our respective visits to SMS over the past five years it would be a pretty uneven match DD... And most of mine have been three years in the Championship and three games in the past ten days already...

 

Oooooo. Hark and the sanctimonious super fan.

[Legod Second Coming]

what if we did it on percentage on games we COULD make?

 

are you so sure of your uneven match....???

 

Define 'could'.... listen, I know there are some fans who can't go. I'm not an idiot. There are plenty who 'dont' go and, as you know because I am a ressonable and sane human being, it is them that I aim my barbed comments at.

[Legod Second Coming]

Oooooo. Hark and the sanctimonious super fan.

 

No, just better. There are super fans. I wish I had the time and cash to be one of them. Sadly, I have a balanced life and go as often as I can and maintain a job and family.

 

Although, I sacrificed parent's evening last Wednesday (at some risk) because I knew there would be plenty of Premiership fans sat at home watching Ronaldo because he doesn't come to SMS any more...

 

Sad but TRUE.

[JohnnyFartPants]

Define 'could'.... listen, I know there are some fans who can't go. I'm not an idiot. There are plenty who 'dont' go and, as you know because I am a ressonable and sane human being, it is them that I aim my barbed comments at.

 

So if I understand you, you feel in a position whereby you can have a go at someone who used to go and watch the team play but for whatever reason has now decided they don't want to?

 

Why should anyone go if they feel it's a waste of money? To prove they are true fans or to appease the fans that are set on seasonal routine they would probably keep going long after they slipped into a coma?

[xerox]

Is that what it was??? Missed my bloody supper as a result! The dog enjoyed it, mind... I could tell by the way she was smiling at me at 11:48 when I got home!!! And then she had audacity to lick my face.

 

are you married to your dog???....or did i read this wrong??

[NickG]

I'm not sure what the stats are now, but I am pretty sure that when we were at The Dell, not far off 50% of the regular fanbase travelled from 20 miles or more away from Southampton to home games. The trains used to have loads getting on at Poole, Bournemouth and even quite a few from Dorchester and further west.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if there has been a change here in recent years. For example, I doubt that the youngsters at the back of the Northam who are often the source of debate on here have too far to travel, apologies if I am doing them a dis-service here.

 

 

I think a significant proportion of the people who now no longer come to games regularly will be those who live 30 miles or more away from Southampton ( a lot of my friends in the Poole / Bournemouth area have pretty much stopped going). It's not that they've chosen to support a different team, it's just less enticing to come to a half-empty ground and pay £25.

 

 

For what it's worth, if we are still at The Dell, I'd come to every game. It would still have atmosphere even against cloggers in the CCC.

 

 

are there forums for people who support grounds rather than teams?

[NickG]

think his point is that it is up everyone whether they go or not -and you can't criticise people for choosing not to go.

 

But the more it means to you, the more likely you are to spend your money and make the effort.

 

I don't go to away games very often at all now -due to family, work,etc. Those who go to all games are making a choice and are showing themselves to be more of a fan at the moment than me.

[Scudamore]

are there forums for people who support grounds rather than teams?

 

St Mary's has really let me down this season...the concrete's not putting the effort in...

[eelpie]

are there forums for people who support grounds rather than teams?

 

Unfortunately most have grounds for complaining

[Legod Second Coming]

So if I understand you, you feel in a position whereby you can have a go at someone who used to go and watch the team play but for whatever reason has now decided they don't want to?

 

Why should anyone go if they feel it's a waste of money? To prove they are true fans or to appease the fans that are set on seasonal routine they would probably keep going long after they slipped into a coma?

 

I'm not 'having a go' at anyone. Someone had a go at someone else sarcastically calling them a better fan. My view is that those who go, versus those who can't be arsed ARE the real fans.. Ergo they (and I) are better fans - not best, not super but better for sure.

 

The others, what are they??

 

People who love their wife while she's a fox and then move out when she hits middle-age?????

[Scudamore]

Unfortunately most have grounds for complaining

 

They've been ground down over the years...that's why...

[John Smith]

I LOL'd at this thread and all the chest beating going on. There is one simple act that will solve the problems AND it will appease those that still go and those that don't -

 

Raise the Ticket Price to £100 per game and then all those loyal fans can still attend AND the club will not be financially crippled. In return, for every ticket bought, those fans should earn 1 share. This way, they are also buying a piece of the club and can have a say.

 

Problem solved.

[Legod Second Coming]

I LOL'd at this thread and all the chest beating going on. There is one simple act that will solve the problems AND it will appease those that still go and those that don't -

 

Raise the Ticket Price to £100 per game and then all those loyal fans can still attend AND the club will not be financially crippled. In return, for every ticket bought, those fans should earn 1 share. This way, they are also buying a piece of the club and can have a say.

 

Problem solved.

 

You sir, are not just the sponsor of the Grand National, but a scholar of brilliant ideas... :)

[John Smith]

You sir, are not just the sponsor of the Grand National, but a scholar of brilliant ideas... :)

 

My last post of the day, but I thought your kind response deserved a reply.

 

I also brought you the Saints Society whereby all members make a 'gift' in their will, and on doing so, could be invited to games in a 'box' or some form of annual benefit from doing so. The type of annual reward from the club could easily be managed on a 'threshold' basis.

 

Proof of the bequeath in your will would need to be provided, but this type of donation could easily support Saints into the future. E.g. gift the club a one year ST amount, or for every game you've been to, donate the same again, or just a percentage of your estate.

 

Fans really could then be judged on another level and also be 'thanked' whilst they are still here (annual gift).

[SaintRichmond]

Lowest attendance ever last night of 14,916! and a dreadful atmosphere according to the echo, with fans barely cheering even when we scored. I know it's midweek but by any standard it's a poor turnout . What in your opinion is the prime reason for this?

 

Reasons ???

 

1 Rupert Lowe

 

2 - 1000 ..... as 1

 

1000 onwards .... Michael "Judas" Wilde

 

BOTH are back for their OWN benefit .... NOT SAints

 

and Lowe has only done what an Administrator would have done to cut costs, he (still) has NO intention of even trying to attract Investment to rock his own little Kingdom

 

(YES, I know there is a "global" recession etc etc ......... BUT, for example, it was the same recession for the likes of Man City, so don't try to tell me that there are no Investors out there. It is simply none can get past Lowe, in the first instance

 

Perhaps another Relegation, even lower attendances, and an Administration situation will finally convince all those that wanted Lowe back, just how much a BACKWARD step that was.

 

I live for the day when Wilde and Lowe LOSE all their money. Lowe got his Saints "Shares" on the cheap, so he should not complain