Plastics Or Not?

[Gemmel]

Seen a few posts on here with people getting annoyed with the JCL's and hacked off that we can sell out against West Ham, but not others etc.

 

Then there was the guy who went into a certain block in the Northam and had season tickets waived at him

 

And then finally my lad, who gets very annoyed at our new found fans or those that only turn up for certain matches.

 

 

Trouble is ............ I just don't get why!

 

I'm happy to see as many Saints fans as possible, at as many games as possible. For those that cherry pick the good ones, then surely there's the hope that they get the bug and stick...... becoming regular fans.

 

And if we make it back home, then a few thousand more will come out of the wood work................******* marvellous as far as I am concerned.

 

Not sure if I am in the majority or minority, but more fans can only be a good thing ...surely

[sfc4prem]

I agree with your sentiments entirely.

[Turkish]

My issue is if people are Saints "fans" they go to watch and support Saints, it shouldn't matter who the opposition are. Some people only seem interested in going if the opposition is attractive. Why? As a Saints fan i'm not there to watch the other team.

[Saint_Jonny]

I'm sure most people will agree with you, myself included. But there will always be the thicko's that use their consistent attendance as a sort of badge of honour.

[mcjwills]

I think a lot of people can not afford or are available to go to every game and have to pick which games they can go too. If I was in their position I would choose the more glamorous games, I am a season ticket holder and I don't always go to cup games that cost me extra unless the team is a big team that I really want to watch.

I just like to see the ground as full as it can be.

[pap]

I personally don't mind.

 

Those who have stuck with the team over the last few years have done a brilliant job, and I think we've been justly rewarded for sticking with the team.

 

I don't actually get to that many games on account of living up North, and you have to take personal circumstances into account. I'll be down for the Brighton game, first home game in a long time. To some eyes, I might appear like a plastic but the reality is that I'm the head of a household with a fixed budget and conflicting commitments. It's all too easy to think the worst.

 

I'd welcome the truly shallow, truly plastic fan too. If they're going to St Marys, just a positive reflection on the team's performance.

 

We are not Liverpool and we are not Man Utd. If we want to eventually compete with those clubs, we shouldn't be turning fans away.

[1976_Child]

Most people come to some games and leave other games alone. When a big game comes along they all come at once. Not a problem. I'd much sooner have the stadium full and money in the till even if the same people don't show up every game. Having a large and broad fan base is one of the club's biggest 'assets'.

 

What does fek my royally off is when you get utter non-fans just piling in when Manure etc come to town. You can actually tell they have never followed Saints at all when you over hear them asking who such and such a player is or who the manager is etc.

 

And what REALLY gets on my tits is when my non-saints mates ask me to get them a ticket to a big game. I tell them to politely **** off.

[jawillwill]

We do not have more fans for big games. We have exactly the same amount of fans, only generally the bigger, more important games tend to attract those who can't afford season tickets/physically can't make it to every game.

 

I've supported Saints most of my life, but I'm pretty poor at the moment and live a few hours away from Southampton now. I make an extra effort though (like many thousand other fans who have lives which don't revolve entirely around football), to get to the more glamorous or important games (i.e. the Walsall game last season, Pompey games, relegation 6 pointers etc.). That doesn't mean I never go to any other games either though. I do. As do many others, but generally speaking more people go to the bigger games. The concept really isn't that difficult to grasp is it?.

 

I very much doubt many people at the West Ham game last month, at Walsall or Man United last season, or Pompey later this season have never been to a Saints game. In fact, I'd hazard a guess that the vast majority go to at least 3 or 4 games per season.

[1976_Child]

I very much doubt many people at the West Ham game last month, at Walsall or Man United last season, or Pompey later this season have never been to a Saints game. In fact, I'd hazard a guess that the vast majority go to at least 3 or 4 games per season.

 

Sorry, wrong.

 

Sure, not all who turn up to Manure etc are complete non-fans but a good many are. They literally have never followed the club before. To them it is just like going to the theatre or the cinema. And they block people who genuinely follow the club from coming.

 

I guess it would be alright if they then get the bug and come back again, but very much doubt they do.

[buctootim]

Games are a 4 hour round trip for me. If I want to go the game alone it means blowing out a 8 yr old and 6 year old who only see their dad half the week. If I want to take them to the game it means nightmare negotiations with their mother and spending at least £100. I actually think going to 5-6 games a seasn on that basis shows more dedication than a single bloke wandering down from his flat in the city via the pub for every home game.

[Mr saint]

Sorry, wrong.

 

Sure, not all who turn up to Manure etc are complete non-fans but a good many are. They literally have never followed the club before. To them it is just like going to the theatre or the cinema. And they block people who genuinely follow the club from coming.

 

I guess it would be alright if they then get the bug and come back again, but very much doubt they do.

 

I agree with Jawillwill, but think Man United was a bad example (similarly any games v Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool or Arsenal would be bad examples too). I'd guess last season there were probably in the region of 500-1000 complete "non-fans" in the stadium to watch Man United. I doubt many of these non-fans turned up just to watch west ham last month though.

 

Games are a 4 hour round trip for me. If I want to go the game alone it means blowing out a 8 yr old and 6 year old who only see their dad half the week. If I want to take them to the game it means nightmare negotiations with their mother and spending at least £100. I actually think going to 5-6 games a seasn on that basis shows more dedication than a single bloke wandering down from his flat in the city via the pub for every home game.

 

That's quite a commitment, but you should make a special effort to ensure you only go and watch us play sh!t, unglamorous opposition. Otherwise, you're a rubbish fan.

[1976_Child]

no, I think everyone at the hammers game was a 'genuine' fan. Like I said, some will come to one game, but not others and that is why we get about 25k ish. Then a big game comes along and everyone makes sure to be there. Nought wrong with that.

 

On a side issue, I was very impressed with Coventry at the game last saturday. They are running a schools initiative over several games and have basically given free tickets to over 1000 kids per game. Makes perfect sense. They would normally come, it is a good 'community' thing and with loads of spare seats it is a good 'loss-leader'. Hopefully then then get the bug and go home and nag their parents to take them again and end up life long fans.

 

Wish we could do something similar on a similar scale too. plenty of room in the chapel.

[Didcot Saint]

Not got a problem with any of this except.... When the queue is massive for a drink before/at half time for a drink etc, I often wonder why the club don't have a season ticket holders queue or a prepaid voucher for priority service as in the main it ****es me off when all the glory hunters get served before the regular customers. Sorry if I've offended anyone but it is bloody annoying.

[JRM]

I work with a skate in London, often would say “I can’t get a ticket otherwise I’d be there” yet he did often go to the top games and boast he was there at work as if he was some kind of super fan, I used to love unpicking his stories in front of other less knowing colleagues asking why he wasn’t at certain games that weren’t sold out, or do aways. He hasn’t done a game since they were relegated and pretty much openly admits he won’t “pay money to watch that rubbish”

 

I love having the ground full, and don’t think any saints fan can ever be called a glory hunter, but every team has people like that and you only see then in the “good times” , it’s not like he can’t afford it.

 

On the other hand, I really feel for people struggling financially, kids etc, who would love to be at each game but can’t afford it, for those people I completely understand why you would save your cash and pick and choose – it is a position I have found myself in and wouldn’t want to miss games like Brighton at home that will be a superb atmosphere.

[voteforpedro]

I get so much more of a buzz walking in to a packed out St. Marys. Can't understand waving season tickets at those extra fans, sheer stupidity.

[View From The Top]

Some people can't afford every game so it's no surprise that they target the big games. I've no issues with that.

 

If it were me in that position I'd target the cheap games and get more for my ££ allowing for Bronze, Silver and Gold.

[saint_in_munich]

Who gives a flying shyte if fans go or not. Why don't people just support the team rather than moaning all the time, when we get back to the prem will those people be happy with say 15-20000 loyal super fans being the only ones allowed in to watch? I can bet these are the same people talking about ground expansion or a bigger stadium, who will fill those extra seats then? I live overseas and only get back maybe once a year to see a match and would feal pretty narked is some chav was waving his season ticket at me.

[trousers]

More people go to the theatre if there's a 'star' actor in town. More people go to the cinema if there's a blockbuster film out. More people will want to see an England test match vs Australia than vs Bangladesh. More people will tune into Eastenders if Robbie Williams made a guest star appearance.

 

It's simple supply and demand dynamics.

 

Some people have the time, money and desire to go and see their favourite football team week in week out. Some people will pick and choose matches based on budget, other commitments and (shock horror) quality of the opposition.

 

Both types of 'fans' are equally valid and equally important (financially) to the club.

 

All very simple really.

[NickG]

agree, its a hobby - I enjoy watching Saints as much as possible

 

I'm sure most people will agree with you, myself included. But there will always be the thicko's that use their consistent attendance as a sort of badge of honour.

 

 

My issue is if people are Saints "fans" they go to watch and support Saints, it shouldn't matter who the opposition are. Some people only seem interested in going if the opposition is attractive. Why? As a Saints fan i'm not there to watch the other team.

 

[Stoozer]

Some of us can't afford season tickets. I go to as many games as I can afford whatever league we are playing in.

I hope this doesn't make me a so called plastic.

[hasper57saint]

I've supported Saints since Jan '57 (hence my forum name) and I now live 200 miles North of our great City. If my nipper didn't but me a season ticket AND drive me the 400 mile round trip then I wouldn't get to the 'home' games. Birmingham,Coventry,Leicester,Forest and Derby are all within an hour and a half travel time by car which means some 'away' games are on my doorstep. Does this mean missing a Tuesday evening 1945 kick off at St Marys make me less of a Saint? We get to SMS when we can. If we lived in Southampton we wouldn't miss a game.I think some of the posters on here forget that there's a heck of a lot of us who have to travel quite long distances to get to see Saints. Yorkie, bless him, is an example.

[Mark``]

Some people can't afford a season ticket...

Some people work most weekends

 

Why wouldn't you pick the best games to go to if you couldn't go everyweek?

[hasper57saint]

Sorry it should read 'buy' me an ST .....

 

Apols

[Bucks Saint]

Agree with the OP

 

I used to go to every game, including cups, and, sad old me, even some reserve games at Staplewood. When I moved away (4 hour round trip) I still went to every league game for about 5 years. When we went down in 2005 I kept going to most home games, probably 15 /16 per season. The first season in L1 I went to about 13. My circumstances have been different since then, and I go to only the odd home game and maybe 4 or 5 away matches per year.

 

So as we have turned things around, and climbed the leagues, I have gone a lot less than I did when we were sh%t. What is the opposite of a JCL?

[SNSUN]

I'm not a plastic fan, but I'm not a regular fan. I go to the few games I can get to, around 12 a season or so, but I've only managed one game so far this season. That said, if there's a big game on, and I fancy going, I'll book it off especially. As with tickets? It's just a case of booking as soon as possible. If I could get to most/all of our home games, I'd cut my left nut off to have a season ticket. Sigh, if only.

 

There's nothing wrong with plastification, if people want to be armchair fans, that's fine. They'll eventually spend money that will go to the club, be it through merchandise or SaintsPlayer. And as with the growing crowds back in the Premiership? Good. With so much television coverage up there, there's really very little need to attend a lot of games - and filling stadiums out is more impressive. Even our hardcore support in the bowels of League One was good. We have a support some other teams can only crave. Long may that remain.

[Leicestersaint]

The more the merrier!

[The Cat]

Anyone that goes to less games than me is a plastic as far as I'm concerned.

 

(Winky thing in case that offends anyone)

[kipstryker]

I started the thread on season ticket waivers. I was angry because I have followed home and away since 75 and it hurt me that nippers that weren't born then were slagging me. Emotive I know. Anyone, yes anyone, that pays to watch this team, this city is welcome. We are the pride of the south. We are Southampton. I will say again. We are Southampton. A small club that for many years has stood up to the big boys. We have beaten them on the pitch and stood our ground ( for right or wrong off of it). If you come to support our club, our team our town - you are welcome. Please come again. We come from Southampton. The pride of the South.

Sorry if this sounds ott. But Southampton are back. Hello?

[Fan The Flames]

Calling other fans plastic is probably the wa*kiest thing ever.

[Crouchie Crouchie]

So if people are getting annoyed at 'fans' turning up at the big games and not at others, why is there a need to wave season tickets at people on a tuesday night against peterborough?

 

Some people work weekends.

[Ziggy]

Calling other fans plastic is probably the wa*kiest thing ever.

 

Absolutely. I am lucky that I can afford a season ticket for me and my lad and can afford the time to travel to each home game. Many can't.

 

I work with a few Saints fans up in the Midlands. They don't go to many home games but make the effort for the close away games and are in every way as good a fan as me and share the passion. We are all Saints fans regardless of whether we go to all games or none. I much prefer a full stadium and if the person next to me doesn't know half the team well who cares? And I bet the players prefer a full stadium to one with a few thousand empty seats.

[rocknrollman no2]

In my book everyone is welcome wether you go to all home games(me),or only one per season.

We are all there to support Saints and anyone who thinks they are any better than anyone else because they have a ST,is a deluded prat.

[krissyboy31]

I probably qualify as a plastic these days. I go to 5 or 6 home games a season (not based on who we are playing but when we are at home the weekends I'm able to get down). Now I could afford the £500 or so for a season ticket but I can't afford (or have no wish to) the £2k+ petrol bill for the season.

[SNSUN]

Some people only want to pay to see something good, I guess. IfI want to watch a Shakespearian actor play Hamlet, I pay good money. If Wayne Rooney was performing as Hamlet, I'd be less inclined to go.

[lordswoodsaints]

It's all about picking and choosing your games if for some reason you can't make every game.

Some of the younger supporters seem to forget that us old boys have been following saints around the country week in week out deccades before they were even born but as you travel through life things change,families come along,priorities change and saints take a bit of a back seat.

So think before you label people as plastic,they have probably contributed to this club more than you ever will.

[Danish Saint]

If going to a Saints match is some sort of badge of being a Saints fan, then I really can't be a Saints fan. I've only been to St. Mary's once (3-3 vs Newcastle, 2004), but I've been cheering and supporting the Saints since 1996, buying six Saints shirts in the process and showing it, when ever Saints was on Sky at the pub over here. I've argued, debated and defended my support and dedication to Saints almost every time. I've been applauded for not "going with the flow" and supported Liverpool, Man Utd, Leeds, Chelsea, Arsenal or Spurs as many other Scandinavians have done.

 

This whole "Plastics or not"-discussion is very tiring. A large part of me, tells me that I shouldn't be the one to comment in this argument, but then there's that tiny little voice that tells me: "Who are these people, who think they are better supporters than me, just because it's easier and cheaper for them to support the same team?"

[krissyboy31]

If going to a Saints match is some sort of badge of being a Saints fan, then I really can't be a Saints fan. I've only been to St. Mary's once (3-3 vs Newcastle, 2004), but I've been cheering and supporting the Saints since 1996, buying six Saints shirts in the process and showing it, when ever Saints was on Sky at the pub over here. I've argued, debated and defended my support and dedication to Saints almost every time. I've been applauded for not "going with the flow" and supported Liverpool, Man Utd, Leeds, Chelsea, Arsenal or Spurs as many other Scandinavians have done.

 

This whole "Plastics or not"-discussion is very tiring. A large part of me, tells me that I shouldn't be the one to comment in this argument, but then there's that tiny little voice that tells me: "Who are these people, who think they are better supporters than me, just because it's easier and cheaper for them to support the same team?"

Good post Danish!

[Jonnyboy]

Ive gone to more matches in the L1 and championship years during our decline than before...only been to two this season...tend to pick and choose depending on how rich Im feeling and if any mates are up for it that week.

[moonraker]

To save effort i will repost what I posted on a similar thread in April 2009:

I never cease to be amazed at the self righteous fan police. Whilst I am sure that not all of them are under 25, single, no kids, living within the city, the tone and style of their posts would indicate this profile to be the most prevalent. If attendance is a key guide I am a plastic only 3 games this season, despite over 45 years of support behind me. Why so few visits, I have a round trip of 160 miles to home games, I have family who don’t all share my passion and I also enjoy the egg chasing game and am a season ticket holder at Bath (I missed Saturdays top of the table game to support my football club in its hour of need) I took my eight year old, his 8th game, who said on Saturday when I explained the problems we have, "they can have all my money", he hasn’t taken his new shirt off since Saturday. He is of course currently a plastic, but watch out the self appointed fan police, in 10 years time he will be in the Northam setting the rules for the married over 35’s with kids who live outside the city and don’t quite share his youthful and admirable passion for our fantastic club, you never know some of you may have grown up by then and will be one of his targets.

 

PS My son has now been to 24 games has 8 saints shirts and wouldn't dream of wearing any other teams shirt when he plays football at school or in the park, but hey ho were only plastics.

[up and away]

Sorry, wrong.

 

Sure, not all who turn up to Manure etc are complete non-fans but a good many are. They literally have never followed the club before. To them it is just like going to the theatre or the cinema. And they block people who genuinely follow the club from coming.

 

I guess it would be alright if they then get the bug and come back again, but very much doubt they do.

 

Most that I have come across are locals who are only going because it's ManU, not even Saints fans. Normally a family thing with not much clue about football but I don't really have any issue with them. Practically I am the thwat who trundles along on a wet, cold November night to watch some of the dross put before us. I would certainly have enjoyed my football far more if I had their attitude.

 

As for those who have come onboard the bus of late, great to see them because it only means one thing, we are on the up. If you are desperate for tickets it's usually no problem if you are prepared to put in the effort and there are always ways if you can afford it. If you can't, get Saints player, the best value for supporting Saints.

[Billyboy]

Although I am not Southampton born and bred, I have supported "The Mighty Saints" since moveing to the area in September 1966,attending as many matches home and away as shift work permitted until I retired in 2002.

I have been my wifes 24hr a day carer since then. I manage to arrange to attend 4 or 5 home games a year.

Does this make ME a plastic???????????

[SparkySaint]

I've had a season ticket for the last few seasons but not this season. I've been to every league game so far and three away. If someone waived their season ticket at me i'd laugh at them and tell them to do one. On reflection I should have purchased a season ticket so its only my fault

[RobM]

Sorry, wrong.

 

Sure, not all who turn up to Manure etc are complete non-fans but a good many are. They literally have never followed the club before. To them it is just like going to the theatre or the cinema. And they block people who genuinely follow the club from coming.

 

I guess it would be alright if they then get the bug and come back again, but very much doubt they do.

 

How on earth can you possibly know that is true? And how are these people blocking others? These super fans have seasons tickets, no? If they don't, how are they any 'better' than any other fan of our club who pay as they go? Tickets go on sale to all equally, if somebody gets in first perhaps it's because they want it more?

[doubleonothing]

I only make it to a handful of games these days as most of the time I'm on a ship. Appologies if that makes me a "plastic" or a "JCL" but surprisingly being on the other side of the world or in the middle of the high seas, does prevent me attending more games.

[djharvey]

I have supported saints all my life but they are not my life.

 

My life priorities are:

 

1. Family.

2. Job/career.

3. Leisure time, including following saints.

 

When push comes to shove, Items 1 & 2 will always come before anything in 3.

I think its ridiculous to wave season tickets at fellow supporters who have their own reasons for not purchasing a season ticket. They have purchased a ticket for a seat that is available.

 

And yes i am a season ticket holder!

[Sour Mash]

Although I am not Southampton born and bred, I have supported "The Mighty Saints" since moveing to the area in September 1966,attending as many matches home and away as shift work permitted until I retired in 2002.

I have been my wifes 24hr a day carer since then. I manage to arrange to attend 4 or 5 home games a year.

Does this make ME a plastic???????????

Of course it doesn't and you don't need to justify yourself on here.

[Barry the Badger]

I've been both sides. When I first moved back from uni I couldn't really justify a season ticket, I attended maybe 5-10 games each season and yes, when a big game came along I wrote it on the calendar nice and early. In the season we stayed up under Pearson I attended maybe 10 games but when the Sheffield United game came along of course I was there.

 

Now I'm lucky enough to have a season ticket, and am delighted when we get bigger crowds. My uncle attends about 5 games a season with us, doesn't mean he's any less passionate when he does come along, he just has other commitments.

[View From The Top]

Although I am not Southampton born and bred, I have supported "The Mighty Saints" since moveing to the area in September 1966,attending as many matches home and away as shift work permitted until I retired in 2002.

I have been my wifes 24hr a day carer since then. I manage to arrange to attend 4 or 5 home games a year.

Does this make ME a plastic???????????

 

You certainly don't have to justify yourself to the self-important cocks on here.

[Dr Who?]

I have supported saints all my life but they are not my life.

 

My life priorities are:

 

1. Family.

2. Job/career.

3. Leisure time, including following saints.

 

When push comes to shove, Items 1 & 2 will always come before anything in 3.

I think its ridiculous to wave season tickets at fellow supporters who have their own reasons for not purchasing a season ticket. They have purchased a ticket for a seat that is available.

 

And yes i am a season ticket holder!

 

100% this. Before I had a family and a career I had a season ticket and went to every game home and away. Now I have a family with 2 children, and a 3rd on the way in January, and a career which I travel to London for. Football over the last few years has hit the back burner, but I am still 100% in love with Southampton Football Club, and they are still a huge part of my life and a very importnant part of it. They do not come above my family, and career, which the career feeds my family!

 

Just last weekend I was all set to go to Coventry, but we have a delivery of flat pack furnature for the girls room as they are going to share due to the baby boy on the way. With my wife being 7 months pregnant, I felt that building a double wardrone, and a bunk bed was much higher up the priority list.

 

Just the way it is, but have my Brighton ticket and will be hoping to go to Doncaster away, and I cannot wait!! COYRS!!

[shurlock]

To save effort i will repost what I posted on a similar thread in April 2009:

I never cease to be amazed at the self righteous fan police. Whilst I am sure that not all of them are under 25, single, no kids, living within the city, the tone and style of their posts would indicate this profile to be the most prevalent. If attendance is a key guide I am a plastic only 3 games this season, despite over 45 years of support behind me. Why so few visits, I have a round trip of 160 miles to home games, I have family who don’t all share my passion and I also enjoy the egg chasing game and am a season ticket holder at Bath (I missed Saturdays top of the table game to support my football club in its hour of need) I took my eight year old, his 8th game, who said on Saturday when I explained the problems we have, "they can have all my money", he hasn’t taken his new shirt off since Saturday. He is of course currently a plastic, but watch out the self appointed fan police, in 10 years time he will be in the Northam setting the rules for the married over 35’s with kids who live outside the city and don’t quite share his youthful and admirable passion for our fantastic club, you never know some of you may have grown up by then and will be one of his targets.

 

PS My son has now been to 24 games has 8 saints shirts and wouldn't dream of wearing any other teams shirt when he plays football at school or in the park, but hey ho were only plastics.

 

Wait till the pencil-necked in the northam start chasing some local munter - they drop like flies and are nowhere to be seen. Have much more respect for people who try, and often struggle to reconcile saints with work, family and the bottom line.

 

Yes being a Saints fan is a long-term commitment but its a state of mind as much as anything that's reflected in lots of different behaviour, not just the games and grounds you've attended as legislated from high by the superfans.

 

Watching egg chasers, though, is another matter...

Edited 10 November, 2011 by shurlock