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How many, Uhmm, 'Returning Fans' have you come across?


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Glory suporters are scum, they should be dragged out into the street and executed in front of their families. by glory suppoerter I mean people who intentionally support someone good just to boast and rub real fan's noses in it.

 

Fact is though, for many people going to football is no different to going to the cinema or theatre - it's just a day out. They might have zero interest in watching Saints in the championship or league one but might be interested in Saints v Man U. There's nothing wrong with that, they are still Saints fans.

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Fact is though, for many people going to football is no different to going to the cinema or theatre - it's just a day out. They might have zero interest in watching Saints in the championship or league one but might be interested in Saints v Man U. There's nothing wrong with that, they are still Saints fans.

 

Not in my book they're not.

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Not in my book they're not.

 

But they are. The thing is the only people who give a sh!t about how great a fan you are are the self proclaimed superfans, no one else cares.

 

It's like if you went to the theatre and the bloke in front of you turned round and said "where were you when it was sh!t?", you would think, "I didn't go because it was sh!t, what's your point?". That's how many people view football.

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But they are. The thing is the only people who give a sh!t about how great a fan you are are the self proclaimed superfans, no one else cares.

 

It's like if you went to the theatre and the bloke in front of you turned round and said "where were you when it was sh!t?", you would think, "I didn't go because it was sh!t, what's your point?". That's how many people view football.

 

But football is completely different to the theatre. To many people it is the thing they look forward to all week, it is all they talk about and it is their release after a week at work. It's about having pride in the city and following your team to a stupid part of the country on a Tuesday night. Completely different to theatre.

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But they are. The thing is the only people who give a sh!t about how great a fan you are are the self proclaimed superfans, no one else cares.

 

It's like if you went to the theatre and the bloke in front of you turned round and said "where were you when it was sh!t?", you would think, "I didn't go because it was sh!t, what's your point?". That's how many people view football.

 

Would a theatre goer regularly spend £100+ travelling acrooss the length and breadth of the country for a show they can see on Telly?

 

Would a theatre goer feel the elation of seeing a great performance that makes you buzz for days?

 

Would a theatre goer be able to be in any pub in the county and be able to strike up a conversation about what shows they have been to see and have totally different opinions on the star performers yet still have a laugh while doing it?

 

Would a theatre goer be mates with people who they have absolutely nothing in common with outside of the theatre yet are good mates because they both love their local theatre?

 

Are theatre goers currently on the mayflower web trying to convince other theatre goers that they are just like football fans?

 

If you can't see the difference then I suggest you stick to the theatre sunshine.

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Would a theatre goer regularly spend £100+ travelling acrooss the length and breadth of the country for a show they can see on Telly?

 

Would a theatre goer feel the elation of seeing a great performance that makes you buzz for days?

 

Would a theatre goer be able to be in any pub in the county and be able to strike up a conversation about what shows they have been to see and have totally different opinions on the star performers yet still have a laugh while doing it?

 

Would a theatre goer be mates with people who they have absolutely nothing in common with outside of the theatre yet are good mates because they both love their local theatre?

 

Are theatre goers currently on the mayflower web trying to convince other theatre goers that they are just like football fans?

 

If you can't see the difference then I suggest you stick to the theatre sunshine.

 

Of course there are differences you plumb, to many people they are just both forms of entertainment though.

 

I go to the Rose Bowl once in a blue moon, I'm still a Hampshire fan though.

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Of course there are differences you plumb, to many people they are just both forms of entertainment though.

 

I go to the Rose Bowl once in a blue moon, I'm still a Hampshire fan though.

 

What percentage would you say it was that view going to the theatre exactly like going to the football? How many people do you know personally that hold this view?

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Yep, as close to a confession as you're likely to get.

 

If you cannot fathom why those of us who stuck by our club through all the sh.it times feel utter contempt for those so called "fans" who are only interested now we are back in the EPL then you clearly don't have a clue about what being a fan is supposed to be about.

 

Does going through the relegation's, administration & L1 make us better fans than those who deserted Saints? Fu.cking right it does.

 

And so what? does the club really care about so called better fans! to succeed we need revenue to get revenue we need more fans also as i said before someone not committed may come along and get hooked! you did didn't you?

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Sh!t loads.

 

So just to clarify you know personally "sh!t loads" of people that view a night out at the theatre exactly the same as going to football? Something you just do for bit of entertainment, no real passion or interest in it? Do you include yourself in the "sh!t loads"?

Edited by Turkish
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And so what? does the club really care about so called better fans! to succeed we need revenue to get revenue we need more fans also as i said before someone not committed may come along and get hooked! you did didn't you?

 

Would you say a good source of revenue would be season ticket holders?

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So just to clarify you know personally "sh!t loads" of people that view a night out at the theatre exactly the same as going to football? Something you just do for bit of entertainment, no real passion or interest in it? Do you include yourself in the "sh!t loads"?

 

Of course it's not exactly the same you thick f*ck. Where have I said it's exactly the same?

 

I can see why you think other posters are more intelligent than you. Are you 12 years old?

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Of course it's not exactly the same you thick f*ck. Where have I said it's exactly the same?

 

I can see why you think other posters are more intelligent than you. Are you 12 years old?

 

So hang on a minute, do "sh!t loads" of people view going to the theatre as entertainment exactly the same as they do going to football or don't they? Which is it?

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So hang on a minute, do "sh!t loads" of people view going to the theatre as entertainment exactly the same as they do going to football or don't they? Which is it?

 

I know **** loads of people who think going to the theatre is entertainment, and **** loads of people who think watching a game of footie is entertainment. Yes.

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As luck would have it, I was just counting back through 5 years of threads on this forum and can delightfully reveal that this thread marks the 1,000th circular argument on here in that time frame.

 

Here's raising a glass to the pointless debate art form and long may she continue.

 

(cue a chortle invoking Chris De Burgh quip from our resident purveyor of wit)

 

:-)

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Maybe we should limit entry to those fans who attended regulalry during the Branfoot days and the league 1 days only. How long will we able to stay in the pemiere with that type of blinkered thinking and what sort of success will the club achieve. Lets remember we got saved and promoted because a benefactor (Marcus who would have probably have been defined by some as a new plastic fan) put a lot of investment into the club and in the process actually got hooked on it. Without this do we really believe we would have got to where we are with only our hard core of anywhere between 15 to 20k of fans.

 

Rather than chiding people for not being "uber supporters" we should put aside these ridiculous jealousies and focus on encouraging and supporting anyone with even a cursory interest in watching and supporting saints as that is how clubs grow.

 

New fans plastic or not, local or from across the globe (many of whom may never get the chance of watching us live) will all help to ensure we are on TV more often and they will also buy the shirts and the memrobilia, all of that helps as grow enables us to afford better players in the market place and ultimately improves our chances of success.

 

Also the next time we drop from grace it will ensure a greater number of fans will be so hooked thay cannot let go!

 

I recollect the way some of our new Japanese fans were chided on this forum as being plastic new fans when they came to watch Tadanari Lee. What the hell was the point of being so inhospitable to them, they paid their money and bought their shirts and should have been welcomed as part of a growing and hopefully more successful Saints family.

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Would you say a good source of revenue would be season ticket holders?

 

No, it helps but TV and merchandising are the key and it is the so called plastic fans who will watch it. So by discouraging them we will be less popular worldwide and therefore less likely to be scheduled both in the UK and more particulalry overseas. also we will sell less shirts etc etc

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..and that's modern football for you. People see football in a similar way as the theatre. Ridiculous.

 

Actually some people are fanatic about theatre and will spend thousands and travel many miles to see a particular play and or actors. Others will go along to any old show and not be too bothered however they may also get hooked. Just because we and the majority of people in the UK prefer football dosent mean you cant get hooked on Rugby, Athletics, Ice Hockey, grand prix, cricket as well as theatre, film, TV series pop stars etc etc. We are all free to decide what interests to pursue in our leisure time and It takes all sorts!

 

In all these past times you will find the full spectrum of committed fanatics to the occasional practioner/viewer!

 

And as I keep saying unless you catch and keep the occasional viewer you will never create another fanatic!

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No, it helps but TV and merchandising are the key and it is the so called plastic fans who will watch it. So by discouraging them we will be less popular worldwide and therefore less likely to be scheduled both in the UK and more particulalry overseas. also we will sell less shirts etc etc

 

Good point. So how many of the "sh!t loads" people who view going to football just like going to the theatre. Sit at home on Sundays wearing "I heart the mayflower" shirts?

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I know **** loads of people who think going to the theatre is entertainment, and **** loads of people who think watching a game of footie is entertainment. Yes.

 

Why go to Saints though? Of all they won't to see is a game of football and don't care who it is why not go to Reading? Ita cheaper for a start.

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I'd rather be in a ground of 20,000 loyal fans with a good atmosphere than in a 32,000 soulless ground surrounded by people who want to sit and don't know the names of the players or the words to any songs.

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I'd rather be in a ground of 20,000 loyal fans with a good atmosphere than in a 32,000 soulless ground surrounded by people who want to sit and don't know the names of the players or the words to any songs.

 

OK we would all rather do that! but in this world the rules are grow or die. By not encouraging new fans we are on a slow road to decline and death (for how long will you be able to keep 20k and a good atmosphere going as we lose good players to teams with more ambition and cannot afford good enough replacements due to other teams having more revenue?) in the end no growth leads only to decline in the business world (and like it or not football is now big business) and without growth we will ultimately end up the lower leagues with a team supported by a hard core of 10k fans that will also decline to 5k and less over more time. (a bit like Pompey). Any way within your 32k and growing fan base there is always likely to be a growing core of 20k plus fans who do know the words and can create an atmosphere and with success and a growing following you may one day be in a 40k or even 50k plus crowd of loyal fans as a result. There really is no choice run, grow compete or die (Darwins survival of the fittest) ! Can't say I necessarly like it but that is reality!

Edited by Saint Without a Halo
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The OP describes "returning fans" as those who for whatever reason stooped supporting Saints and started supporting someone else. These sort of fans imho are NOT real fans in any sense......but if they want to put money into my club so be it.

 

For me "returning fans" means supporters of Southampton who for whatever reason may not have been to St Mary's during the football league era or at least only two or three times a year, and now decide to buy a ST or end up going to at least 10 games this season.

 

This is quite obviously going to happen because as the team improves - and so does the opposition - more people are going to turn up.

 

The definition of real fans is someone for whom Southampton FC is in their heart and ALWAYS will be. It is NOT about having a ST and going to every game because there are so many different reasons why people cant go to every game and therefore do not purchase a ST. Equally I know people who have/have had ST knowing full well that they are not going to go every game - does that make them better? No, it means they like to sit in the same place when they do go with the same people. It's their choice to pay for that.

 

If you knew me you would very quickly understand the passion for Saints I have but do I go to every game...no. Have I ever been a ST? Yes, for the last 7 years at The Dell. Why then over the years have I not gone as often as these self-proclaimed super-duper-A list- fans? A complete mix of work commitments (working away/working weekends), living the other end of the country, mates not around to go with (although I have been to many games on my own), finance, family commitments, weddings, stag-do's, holidays, cross-over fixtures with England cricket or Hampshire Finals, illness, injury, and once or twice when I could of gone "I really could not be arsed"!!!!

 

Those who sit in judgement of others need to get in the real world. As long as you love Saints F.C. that's good enough for me....

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I'd rather be in a ground of 20,000 loyal fans with a good atmosphere than in a 32,000 soulless ground surrounded by people who want to sit and don't know the names of the players or the words to any songs.

 

Yeah, but empty seats don't make any noise. Better off with 20,000 loyal fans and 12,000 others.

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Good point. So how many of the "sh!t loads" people who view going to football just like going to the theatre. Sit at home on Sundays wearing "I heart the mayflower" shirts?

 

Not enough! Hence the reason to encourage more and with more so called plastic fans the probability of more real fans increases. Without demand from fans who cannot go to matches because of distance, time or money but still have an interest in a team the demand to put the said team on the TV decreases leading to other teams getting more matches aired. This then leads to more revenue for others and their being able to afford better palyers, which in turn means less chance of us competing with them!

Edited by Saint Without a Halo
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Good idea lets encourage all potential new Saints fans to support Reading. Am really glad you are not in charge of Saints commercial marketing and sales department!

 

But if as has been claimed "sh*t loads" of people view going to football just like going to the theatre it won't matter who they see will it? They could pop up to Reading for the day, have a wonder round the oracle then go and see Reading. Or better still take the bird up to London. Bit of shopping, nice lunch somewhere then off to the Emirates or Stamford Bridge. Why not do that instead?

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I'd rather be in a ground of 20,000 loyal fans with a good atmosphere than in a 32,000 soulless ground surrounded by people who want to sit and don't know the names of the players or the words to any songs.

 

I remember once in my younger days and our premier league days being told to sit down and stop making so much noise by a bloated, arrogant middle aged helmet. Be quite. At a football match. Anyone would think we were at the theatre!

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No because these JCL ****s are interspersed between our normal lot leading to everyone being quiet.

 

At some of the League 1 games the atmosphere was shocking. Like watching a reserve match.

 

I think you will find the atmosphere in the Prem much better, even with the theatre going types dotted around.

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At some of the League 1 games the atmosphere was shocking. Like watching a reserve match.

 

I think you will find the atmosphere in the Prem much better, even with the theatre going types dotted around.

totally agree.

last time we were in the prem the atmosphere was miles better at SMS than 99% of league 1, passionate, real fan games

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totally agree.

last time we were in the prem the atmosphere was miles better at SMS than 99% of league 1, passionate, real fan games

 

Same could be said of 90% of the Championship games. So many half full stadiums full of miserable fans watching a game that means naff all.

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At some of the League 1 games the atmosphere was shocking. Like watching a reserve match.

 

I think you will find the atmosphere in the Prem much better, even with the theatre going types dotted around.

 

Won't they be angry at the queues for refreshments during the interval?

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Same could be said of 90% of the Championship games. So many half full stadiums full of miserable fans watching a game that means naff all.

remember the barnsley game this season just gone

quite sunny, quite warm and a complete snore fest

 

other than the goals, Tadanari lee causing them problems (and his bow when coming off) there was no atmosphere what so ever

 

Ironically, the games with the best atmosphere were more like premier league games anyway

Edited by Thedelldays
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But if as has been claimed "sh*t loads" of people view going to football just like going to the theatre it won't matter who they see will it? They could pop up to Reading for the day, have a wonder round the oracle then go and see Reading. Or better still take the bird up to London. Bit of shopping, nice lunch somewhere then off to the Emirates or Stamford Bridge. Why not do that instead?

 

Not that I am a theatre goer but I think you will find that many of them are actually quite discerning in the plays they go to see and the particulat actors performing on stage. I did not suggest the parallell of theatre to football but there are significant similarities, just as there are significant differences. The point is theatres also try to capture the occasional visitor in the hope of turning him or her more permenant over time just as football does. Also like football a theatre that cannot grow cannot get good actors or be shown on TV and ultimately declines and dies losing whatever atmosphere it had in the process!

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Not that I am a theatre goer but I think you will find that many of them are actually quite discerning in the plays they go to see and the particulat actors performing on stage. I did not suggest the parallell of theatre to football but there are significant similarities, just as there are significant differences. The point is theatres also try to capture the occasional visitor in the hope of turning him or her more permenant over time just as football does. Also like football a theatre that cannot grow cannot get good actors or be shown on TV and ultimately declines and dies losing whatever atmosphere it had in the process!

 

Surely this type of theatre goer would be more like a seaon ticket holder at football. More regular and knowledgable than someone who just happens to have a spare £40 on Saturday and nothing to do so decided to go along to the theate, or the football, depending on What mood they were in.

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Surely this type of theatre goer would be more like a seaon ticket holder at football. More regular and knowledgable than someone who just happens to have a spare £40 on Saturday and nothing to do so decided to go along to the theate, or the football, depending on What mood they were in.

 

Aha so you do see some parallels!

However you are constantly missing the point that you need the occasional £40 pound spare fans (as you call them) to have a better chance of creating more new £600 a year season ticket holder fans. These are usually seduced gradually. Also it is the less committed fans and those who cannot attend live matches, through reasons of finance, distance, commitments etc who ultimately buy merchandise and create additional demand for TV to screen Saints matches which is where greater income to help us compete and grow ultimately comes from.

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Aha so you do see some parallels!

However you are constantly missing the point that you need the occasional £40 pound spare fans (as you call them) to have a better chance of creating more new £600 a year season ticket holder fans. These are usually seduced gradually. Also it is the less committed fans and those who cannot attend live matches, through reasons of finance, distance, commitments etc who ultimately buy merchandise and create additional demand for TV to screen Saints matches which is where greater income to help us compete and grow ultimately comes from.

 

Actually I think it's you missing the point that are keyboard thumping friend aintforever made. That for "sh!tloads" of people going to the theatre is just like watching football. He wasn't comparing the discerning theatre goer to the football season ticket holder. More the one that just wants to see a show or a football match. If that's the case then it wouldnt matter who you see surely? If that's the case then surely a day trip to London, shopping, lunch, then a show at the West End or football match at the Emirates to see a top team I their new stadium is a better option than going to see a newly promoted one in Southampton? And these type view going to football just like going to the theatre then they're unlikely to become £600 season ticket holders, unless you know of any £600 theatre season ticket holders?

Edited by Turkish
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Actually I think it's you missing the point that are keyboard thumping friend aintforever made. That for "sh!tloads" of people going to the theatre is just like watching football. He wasn't comparing the discerning theatre goer to the football season ticket holder. More the one that just wants to see a show or a football match. If that's the case then it wouldnt matter who you see surely? If that's the case then surely a day trip to London, shopping, lunch, then a show at the West End or football match at the Emirates to see a top team I their new stadium is a better option than going to see a newly promoted one in Southampton? And these type view going to football just like going to the theatre then they're unlikely to become £600 season ticket holders, unless you know of any £600 theatre season ticket holders?

 

The thread as I understood it in my simplicity is about new and returning potentially less committed fans who are now showing interest they didnt show in the lower leagues and whether they are good or bad for the club. The theatre to which you seem to have become very attached was used by others to illustrate a point.

In summary I believe that for the club to be successful we need new fans for us to get new fans we need to attract people who may initially exhibit little interest. This will ensure some of them will get hooked and provide us with the live crowd growth and new blood essential for success. Similarily the greater number of people with however small an interest in Saints both in the UK and worldwide will also lead to more TV and merchandise selling and therefore more revenue and again more chance of success. so better to encourage the occasional watcher rather than send them to Reading as you suggested. Unless of course I have misunderstood your point in which case you have my apologies!

 

How do you know which type of person coming for the first time may or may not become a committed fan? I believe our current hard core of 20k plus supporters includes all types of people and ages and therefpore by putting off any potential newcomers by labelling them plastic JCL or any other label that makes them uncomfortable we are doing our club a disservice!

Edited by Saint Without a Halo
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The thread as I understood it in my simplicity is about new and returning potentially less committed fans who are now showing interest they didnt show in the lower leagues and whether they are good or bad for the club. The theatre to which you seem to have become very attached was used by others to illustrate a point.

In summary I believe that for the club to be successful we need new fans for us to get new fans we need to attract people who may initially exhibit little interest. This will ensure some of them will get hooked and provide us with the live crowd growth and new blood essential for success. Simiarily the greater number of people with however small an interest in Saints both in the UK and worldwide will also lead to more TV and merchandise selling and therefore more revenue and again more chance of success. so better to encourage the occasional watcher rather than send them to Reading as you suggested. Unless of course I have misunderstood your point in which case you have my apologies!

 

How do you know which type of person coming for the first time may or may not become a committed fan? I believe our current hard core of 20k plus supporters includes all types of people and ages and therefpore by putting off any potential newcomers by labelling them plastic JCL or any other label that makes them uncomfortable we are doing our club a disservice!

 

Actually you jumped into a discussion where aintforever said for "sh!t loads" of people going to the theatre and going to the football are exactly the same. When clearly it isn't.

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