Football, falling out of love with

Max Powers

Well Lads/Ladies,
A lot of passionate talk (scouse this, manc that) and love expressed on this site for 'their team'. I used to feel passionately about a Premiership team too years ago but with getting a lil older,the crazy money, the idiots tweeting, the badge kissing and the moving to a different club for an extra few grand a week, the fact that at the end of the day, who cares, these arent even our country's teams. Have other people just falling out of love with the game and if so, what did it for you. I barely watch football anymore, maybe if Barca were on the TV or a good champions league game, obvioulsy I still love our national team but as for buying shirts and giving a shi(r)t about a team, it just aint there anymore, I would be more interested in watching my local LOI team play.

_blank_

Max Powers wrote: »

I would be more interested in watching my local LOI team play.

So do it then!

New season starting in a few weeks.

The difference between following a team on the tv, and getitng over to one or two games a season, and actually going week-in week-out (easier if Dublin based, Premier team granted) is amazing.

I guarantee if you head to at least five LoI games in a row, you will begin to feel the passion again.

I guarantee it.

Ronan|Raven

What Des said, get out and try make it to a few LOI matches if there is a team in your area.

I still like to watch Liverpool play and do well but I get more enjoyment standing in Flancare Park with my friends watching Longford play.

I agree completly with you Max Powers in regards to the OTT hype, twitter talk, non stop analysis of nothing. It has turned into an ugly monster which hopefully one day eat itself..

Crazy Horse 6

Went to go watch two LOI games a few years back when Rovers moved back to Tallaght tbh the standard was shocking and i did'nt enjoy it at all.

GavRedKing

What team used you support?

Iang87

Max Powers wrote: »

Well Lads/Ladies,
A lot of passionate talk (scouse this, manc that) and love expressed on this site for 'their team'. I used to feel passionately about a Premiership team too years ago but with getting a lil older,the crazy money, the idiots tweeting, the badge kissing and the moving to a different club for an extra few grand a week, the fact that at the end of the day, who cares, these arent even our country's teams. Have other people just falling out of love with the game and if so, what did it for you. I barely watch football anymore, maybe if Barca were on the TV or a good champions league game, obvioulsy I still love our national team but as for buying shirts and giving a shi(r)t about a team, it just aint there anymore, I would be more interested in watching my local LOI team play.

Sorry to be honest

Nalz

Crazy Horse 6 wrote: »

Went to go watch two LOI games a few years back when Rovers moved back to Tallaght tbh the standard was shocking and i did'nt enjoy it at all.

Just two? Started watching bohs 5 years ago... good times and bad and loved it.

I'm still passionate about Manchester united as I ever will be, though I understand where the OP is coming from.

Kess73

Des wrote: »

So do it then!

New season starting in a few weeks.

The difference between following a team on the tv, and getitng over to one or two games a season, and actually going week-in week-out (easier if Dublin based, Premier team granted) is amazing.

I guarantee if you head to at least five LoI games in a row, you will begin to feel the passion again.

I guarantee it.

That a money back guarantee, Des?

Father Damo

Since the sacking of Hodgson, the treatment Torres got at the hands of fans he loved but who had no patience for him to regain fitness, the blindness over the Suarez incident, I couldnt care less anymore. Liverpool have become Man Utd mark II. Same cardboard cut out fans, same blind arrogance, same glory hunting. Ive never rated Hodgson getting sacked for a populist appointment that I reckon in 5 years will be viewed as an error. Dont really have a team anymore I guess, I take more interest in wishing Arsenal and Newcastle well these days and pray to god City win the league this year. Id also be keeping a close eye on Villa with our lads there.

_blank_

Crazy Horse 6 wrote: »

Went to go watch two LOI games a few years back when Rovers moved back to Tallaght tbh the standard was shocking and i did'nt enjoy it at all.

Good for you. Two games!

You ahve, literally, zero idea about what you are talking about, but still you shíte on and on in threads related to the LoI.

super_furry

Crazy Horse 6 wrote: »

Went to go watch two LOI games a few years back when Rovers moved back to Tallaght tbh the standard was shocking and i did'nt enjoy it at all.

Judge Liverpool on two games and the exact same could be said.

_blank_

super_furry wrote: »

Judge Liverpool on two games and the exact same could be said.

Leave it alone.

He's not worth it.

the only thing that happens is that people who react to him pick up cards and bans.

Crazy Horse 6

Des wrote: »

Good for you. Two games!

You ahve, literally, zero idea about what you are talking about, but still you shíte on and on in threads related to the LoI.

Don't think i've ever posted in a LOI thread but continue on anyway you seem to be on a mission.

_blank_

Crazy Horse 6 wrote: »

Don't think i've ever posted in a LOI thread but continue on anyway you seem to be on a mission.

Hi Mister, men have gone to LoI games and enjoyed them.

You are telling lies there.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=76713068&postcount=30

Crazy Horse 6

Des wrote: »

Hi Mister, men have gone to LoI games and enjoyed them.

You are telling lies there.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=76713068&postcount=30

I see what you did there

Jagera

Des wrote: »

New season starting in a few weeks.

I'm planning to rally a few friends together to make a regular trip to LOI games.

It grass roots stuff out there, and the quality is pretty good.

gimli2112

Yea I just don't care as much anymore. I blame a lot of it on Sky. The nonsense the pundits/commentators come up with has just really put me off and all the reasons mentioned by the OP.

I've been devestated for weeks by a bad result in my youth now it's just..... meh!

Sgt Pepper 64

Max Powers wrote: »

Well Lads/Ladies,
A lot of passionate talk (scouse this, manc that) and love expressed on this site for 'their team'. I used to feel passionately about a Premiership team too years ago but with getting a lil older,the crazy money, the idiots tweeting, the badge kissing and the moving to a different club for an extra few grand a week, the fact that at the end of the day, who cares, these arent even our country's teams. Have other people just falling out of love with the game and if so, what did it for you. I barely watch football anymore, maybe if Barca were on the TV or a good champions league game, obvioulsy I still love our national team but as for buying shirts and giving a shi(r)t about a team, it just aint there anymore, I would be more interested in watching my local LOI team play.

Fair play to you for a very honest post.
I have a mate in England who stopped watching Arsenal years ago because of the cost etc and started watching Sunday Football.
He said the same, the standard wasnt great, but he still got a buzz out of it.

Jelle1880

Go check out your local club, back to the roots of football.

I do it often, helps keeps things in perspective.

_blank_

Jelle1880 wrote: »

Go check out your local club, back to the roots of football.

I do it often, helps keeps things in perspective.

Out of curiosity, when you lived in Dublin did oyu go to any LoI games?

Giruilla

Barca have made me begin to hate football.

Fuhrer

Des wrote: »

So do it then!

New season starting in a few weeks.

The difference between following a team on the tv, and getitng over to one or two games a season, and actually going week-in week-out (easier if Dublin based, Premier team granted) is amazing.

I guarantee if you head to at least five LoI games in a row, you will begin to feel the passion again.

I guarantee it.

Not true, I went to a bunch of LOI games last year and each one left me more and more disillusioned with it.


Now ill only go to games against Shamrock Rovers because it was always fun seeing them behaving like animals and having the Gardai setting the dogs on them.

Lamper.sffc

I feel the same about English football aswell. Find myself watching less and less. Leeds in the championship doesnt help but if I was to say that was the reason for my growing disinterest then id be kidding myself.

I would definitely agree with Des about the LOI reigniting your passion for football. It definitely did it for me. There is plenty wrong with our own league and I also experienced that side of it, but this thread is about football and the passion for the game.
I have taken a break from the LOI for very good reasons but I am hoping to start getting back to it for the new season.

Ill finish and just say the excitement I felt every friday heading off to watch my local team was far greater to say the least, than anything sky could have offered. Each to there own and Im not here to help start another tedious LOI/Premier league debate but its just how IV experienced football over the last few seasons.

hidinginthebush

I agree with you there OP. I followed Man. City all through my youth, all the way when they were relegated in 2 successive years to the 2nd division, then came back up the 1st the next year, then once again back to the EPL, and when they went down again in '01, and returned yet again, but after that I jsut found it hard to care about them any more. Then Shinawatra took over, top that off with the sacking of a few more decent managers due to them not being to the liking of the current owners and I just gave up. It's a bit of a sickner now that I see them doing so good in the last 2 years, but the City team I see today (or since Shinawatra took over in 2007) isn't the team I supported since the 80's, I just feel no connection with them so am happy to let them go. Plus (and I may ge thorribly flamed for this) but watching footie just takes up so much time. My brothers and my dad would spend the whole weekend watching whatever match is on, or failing that will happily sit in fromnt of Jeff Stelling giving updates on the matches, and I just don't have the inclination to commit my whole weekend to that anymore, I guess I've just moved on. I still follow the Irish team and am a season ticket holder, but not watching premiership and first division week in week out, I even feel myself drifting away from that too, as I generally only know half the players out there. I'm a bit sad to see it go, but at the same time my love with the game seems to have run it's course, so there's not too much I can do about it. Guess I just have to let it go.

Renn

I gave up on it years ago - well, gave up on it in a sense that I no longer support any team and just watch whatever game I want to watch and not have a ridiculous biased opinion about x team etc. Still enjoy watching the odd game, especially the Champions League, but there's no way I'll ever support a team again. Fans kinda put me off that idea tbh.

Tiocfaidh Armani

Max Powers wrote: »

Well Lads/Ladies,
A lot of passionate talk (scouse this, manc that) and love expressed on this site for 'their team'. I used to feel passionately about a Premiership team too years ago but with getting a lil older,the crazy money, the idiots tweeting, the badge kissing and the moving to a different club for an extra few grand a week, the fact that at the end of the day, who cares, these arent even our country's teams. Have other people just falling out of love with the game and if so, what did it for you. I barely watch football anymore, maybe if Barca were on the TV or a good champions league game, obvioulsy I still love our national team but as for buying shirts and giving a shi(r)t about a team, it just aint there anymore, I would be more interested in watching my local LOI team play.

I support Shels and Celtic, other than them I hardly watch a game. The EPL is morally bankrupt and the diving etc does my head in. More of a GAA person anyway but other than my teams I care little about the game.

Keep up your support for your LOI team, good man:)

Jelle1880

Des wrote: »

Out of curiosity, when you lived in Dublin did oyu go to any LoI games?

I went to Bohs - Shamrock Rovers once, and with a friend to 2 or 3 St Pats games, that's about it.

Tiocfaidh Armani

Jelle1880 wrote: »

I went to Bohs - Shamrock Rovers once, and with a friend to 2 or 3 St Pats games, that's about it.

I take it you were one of the Leixlip Loyal:D

Jelle1880

Aye, often teaming up with the Ashbourne Billy Boys

Tiocfaidh Armani

Jelle1880 wrote: »

Aye, often teaming up with the Ashbourne Billy Boys

Did you drink in the Foxhunter in Lucan by any chance?

Xavi6

I don't buy this idea of falling out of love with football, there's too many aspects of it for a real fan (I hate that term but it's the most appropriate) not to find something to connect with.

It's also almost become 'cool' to say you're disillusioned with it and long for the "good ol' days".

Hipster-esque if you will.

AgileMyth

Max Powers wrote: »

Well Lads/Ladies,
A lot of passionate talk (scouse this, manc that) and love expressed on this site for 'their team'. I used to feel passionately about a Premiership team too years ago but with getting a lil older,the crazy money, the idiots tweeting, the badge kissing and the moving to a different club for an extra few grand a week, the fact that at the end of the day, who cares, these arent even our country's teams. Have other people just falling out of love with the game and if so, what did it for you. I barely watch football anymore, maybe if Barca were on the TV or a good champions league game, obvioulsy I still love our national team but as for buying shirts and giving a shi(r)t about a team, it just aint there anymore, I would be more interested in watching my local LOI team play.

Get to a few LOI games. You won't regret it. As long as its not Shams

_blank_

Xavi6 wrote: »

I don't buy this idea of falling out of love with football, there's too many aspects of it for a real fan (I hate that term but it's the most appropriate) not to find something to connect with.

It's also almost become 'cool' to say you're disillusioned with it and long for the "good ol' days".

Hipster-esque if you will.

Yes, I wear my skinny jeans and black skinny tie, lensless glasses and smoke a pipe in the Drumcondra Stand most weeks from March to November.

You got me.

Kess73

Des wrote: »

Yes, I wear my skinny jeans and black skinny tie, lensless glasses and smoke a pipe in the Drumcondra Stand most weeks from March to November.

You got me.

Could almost imagine you and Alan strolling about like that as Alan tells you about his new trabs.

_blank_

Kess73 wrote: »

Could almost imagine you and Alan strolling about like that as Alan tells you about his new trabs.

Bringing up old hurts there Kess. Alan has promised me many, many times that he'd accompany me to a Shelbourne game, and he still never has.

Xavi6

Des wrote: »

Yes, I wear my skinny jeans and black skinny tie, lensless glasses and smoke a pipe in the Drumcondra Stand most weeks from March to November.

You got me.

But see you found your niche, i.e. local league games (plus you still have an oul soft spot for the Red Sox ), you haven't become completely fed up with the game.

And that was my point.

_blank_

Xavi6 wrote: »

But see you found your niche, i.e. local league games (plus you still have an oul soft spot for the Red Sox ), you haven't become completely fed up with the game.

And that was my point.

Completely fed up? Of course not, that could never happen, but yeah, I fell out of love with the glitz and glamour and all round fakeness of the big leagues. It's a pantomime, and depending on where you are sitting the bad guys are there and the good guys are there, it's "sports entertainment" and not too far removed from WWF for me. This duel between Liverpool and ManU and Evra and Suarez is so much like The Rock/HHH back in the day. I don't care about it in any more than a superficial sense.

carlop

I still love football, however I do think that as I've gotten older this has changed somewhat.

I've been a Man United 'fan' since I was 6 or so. Why did I start supporting them? No doubt because as an impressionable 6 year-old, they were top of the league and other kids liked them too. I still 'support' them in that I watch every game more or less and it has an effect on my mood for the following few hours, however I wouldn't claim to be a genuine fan. I'm not from Manchester and I've never been to Old Trafford, so to do so would just be a lie.

My mother is from Naples and when I was 10 or so I went to Napoli-Milan in the San Paolo. This experience was unlike anything I'd ever experienced, and despite losing 2-1 to an Ibrahim Ba-inspired Milan (weird, I know) I felt an attachment to the team. However, my grandparents died soon after, my various relatives moved away, and I didn't go back to the city for 11 years. I watch almost every Napoli game and tried as best as possible to follow their progress down in Serie C1, Serie B and then finally the promotion back to Serie A.

However I will admit that my interest has probably increased with their recent success, and for this reason alone I can't really call myself a 'fan' in the true sense of the word.

Bizarrely, it took for me to go to a small, provincial, Spanish city to properly appreciate football support. I lived in Salamanca for a month three years ago and had a friend in the city who was a season ticket holder. I went along to three home games with him while there and thought it a bit depressing to see only 4-6,000 at a second divison game in a country that was football-mad. I went back to Ireland with another team's results to look out for.

I moved back to Spain, Madrid this time, a year and a half ago and have made it along to a few Salamanca away games. Some matches attract more than others, but there is always the core group of lads who will travel to every away match within a 300-mile radius, and quite often much further afield.

Most of them are unemployed and really can't afford it, but for them it is what their week is based around. And it is great fun, really great fun. Standing in a bar in some random backwater Spanish town exchanging friendly banter with the locals, and then singing for 90 minutes non-stop, regardless of the result, is a fantastic experience. When they win, even better. (The only similar feeling I get is going to Ireland matches, where I have a genuine sense of belonging).

The question 'Madrid or Barca' permeates every level of society over here, and as a result local teams are widely neglected (much like in Ireland). My friend and his mates are one of the few who really don't care about it. When Barca played Madrid in the Clasico this season, they were on a bus on the way back from some village having seen Salamanca (now in the Segunda B, a bit like a regionalised League One with 64 teams in it) struggle to a point.

These lads are people I'd describe as in love with football, and though they would deny it and often question why they do it, they take far more out of it than the average football 'fan.'

There is a sensation to going week in-week out to live football that isn't matched on the TV. It's also a huge commitment and one that many people aren't willing to make, myself included. I love going to watch Salamanca play, but I'm not about to sacrifice every weekend or second weekend to go and see them.

I'm happy to go along two or three times a season, experience the thrill, and then withdraw back to the comfort of the armchair for the rest of the season. I am going to buy an Atletico Madrid season-ticket for the rest of the season, but this is in a large part because Barca, Real Madrid and Valencia are all playing them in the next month or two. I also feel conflicted doing it because though they and Salamanca are leagues apart, Atleti can never be the team I follow in Spain.

Having experienced real support first-hand, I've come to realise that my previous and current relationship with football counts for little. Yes, I've watched countless hours, cried, felt great elation, but it isn't the same as going along to watch YOUR team, the team from the place you've grown up, go to some part-time outfit and grind out a point.

That I only came to this realisation after leaving Ireland is a shame, and though when I move back I may very well try to adopt a LOI team, I won't have the same attachment that my Salamanca friends feel. Much like I do at times with them, I'll enjoy it but will always feel like an intruder.

Tl-dr - I wouldn't say I've fallen out of love with football, I've just realised that I didn't love it as much as I thought I did, and nowhere near as much as others do.

Kess73

Des wrote: »

Bringing up old hurts there Kess. Alan has promised me many, many times that he'd accompany me to a Shelbourne game, and he still never has.

Well I guess that just shows that Alan has some taste afterall. :pac:

Renn

Xavi6 wrote: »

I don't buy this idea of falling out of love with football, there's too many aspects of it for a real fan (I hate that term but it's the most appropriate) not to find something to connect with.

It's also almost become 'cool' to say you're disillusioned with it and long for the "good ol' days".

Hipster-esque if you will.

What's a real fan? One who blindly follows 'his' team? If so, I'll gladly remain not a real fan.

You don't have to buy my idea of not supporting any team yet still enjoying watching a game of soccer, but it's the truth.

Xavi6

Renn wrote: »

What's a real fan? One who blindly follows 'his' team? If so, I'll gladly remain not a real fan.

You don't have to buy my idea of not supporting any team yet still enjoying watching a game of soccer, but it's the truth.

Read it again. I spoke about finding an aspect of the game that you like, even if that is just watching the Champions League.

I never said anything about having to support a team, the 'real fan' was in the context of being a fan of the sport.

Pinturicchio

carlop wrote: »

I went along to three home games with him while there and thought it a bit depressing to see only 4-6,000 at a second divison game in a country that was football-mad.

Try seeing 400-600 at a premier division game in a country that is "football mad".

Maximus Alexander

carlop wrote: »

Fantastic post

Similar feelings myself. I love football, watching it, playing it, talking about it, reading about it. I love United and have "supported" them my whole life. I can get very emotional about them. But ultimately I am a "barstooler" and that's unfortunate, because I do feel I missed out on that sense of belonging that comes with supporting your local team.

I think the folks who had parents, uncles or friends who encouraged them to get involved with a local club at a young age should feel very lucky.

gimmick

Max Powers

Des wrote: »

So do it then!

New season starting in a few weeks.

The difference between following a team on the tv, and getitng over to one or two games a season, and actually going week-in week-out (easier if Dublin based, Premier team granted) is amazing.

I guarantee if you head to at least five LoI games in a row, you will begin to feel the passion again.

I guarantee it.

I have been going to LOI last few years, i find it far more appealing even if the ball aint as good a quality

carlop

LeighH wrote: »

Similar feelings myself. I love football, watching it, playing it, talking about it, reading about it. I love United and have "supported" them my whole life. I can get very emotional about them. But ultimately I am a "barstooler" and that's unfortunate, because I do feel I missed out on that sense of belonging that comes with supporting your local team.

I think the folks who had parents, uncles or friends who encouraged them to get involved with a local club at a young age should feel very lucky.

Yeah this basically sums it up for me, and would have saved me a lot of time too!

markesmith

OP, I see where you're coming from, it's something I've given more thought to as I've gotten older (mid-30s now).

• Tevez
• Cashley
• the buying of titles by Chelsea and (soon to be) Man City
• John Terry and the way the FA are lighthanding him
• Ferguson's ability to stretch injury time to suit his ends
• The way Sky Sports have hyped games like Stoke v Wigan into gladiator contests, with EPIC music and HUGE graphics
• Andy Gray, Mark Lawrenson, Jamie Redknapp..."he's literally bust a gut to get there"
• Liverpool's disgraceful handling of the Suarez affair
• Arsene Wenger's "I didn't see it" routine and the way Arsenal fans now leave games early regardless of score
• Mike Ashley and the way that St. James' Park has been renamed to whatever it's been renamed to

I could go on. A lot of the soul has gone out of football, maybe all-seater arenas and the rise of BSkyB have contributed. But escalating player wages and the 'bubble' that they seem to exist in means that I have about as much in common with a professional footballer as I do with Jay-Z.

Maybe I'm just an old fart, but I'm not feeling the love like I used to. And I'm a Spurs fan, so I should be loving it

Fr Tod Umptious

I think age and where one is in their life may be something to do with it and where you are in your life.

It is for me anyway rather than having epiphany about how the game is maorally bankrupt.

From my own point of view i no longer have the time to sit down every evening for a CL game or on a Saturday and Sunday for a EPL game, and as that happens you drift away from the game, you know less about who is playing for who, who is out injured etc.

Still try not to miss a ROI game on TV though and try to get to one a year in Dublin or away.

gustavo

markesmith wrote: »

OP, I see where you're coming from, it's something I've given more thought to as I've gotten older (mid-30s now).

• Tevez
• Cashley
• the buying of titles by Chelsea and (soon to be) Man City
• John Terry and the way the FA are lighthanding him
• Ferguson's ability to stretch injury time to suit his ends
• The way Sky Sports have hyped games like Stoke v Wigan into gladiator contests, with EPIC music and HUGE graphics
• Andy Gray, Mark Lawrenson, Jamie Redknapp..."he's literally bust a gut to get there"
• Liverpool's disgraceful handling of the Suarez affair
• Arsene Wenger's "I didn't see it" routine and the way Arsenal fans now leave games early regardless of score
• Mike Ashley and the way that St. James' Park has been renamed to whatever it's been renamed to

I could go on. A lot of the soul has gone out of football, maybe all-seater arenas and the rise of BSkyB have contributed. But escalating player wages and the 'bubble' that they seem to exist in means that I have about as much in common with a professional footballer as I do with Jay-Z.

Maybe I'm just an old fart, but I'm not feeling the love like I used to. And I'm a Spurs fan, so I should be loving it

so top level English football rather than football then

Liam O

When was football/most sports not morally bankrupt? Using that as an excuse as something that in this era is turning you off it isn't really something I'd agree with. I mean I seen diving when I was playing U-12s and this was before the Ronaldos and Drogbas hit the league. I'll admit I fell out of love with playing football for a team back then with the backwards coaching and amount of scumbags playing but playing in a park with friends still has that same feeling. I still really enjoy talking about United, though I'll admit I do watch less games from other teams than I used to but this is mainly a work and college time issue, which is why I don't get to any Shels games despite looking out for them...

Fr Tod Umptious

Liam O wrote: »

When was football/most sports not morally bankrupt? Using that as an excuse as something that in this era is turning you off it isn't really something I'd agree with. I mean I seen diving when I was playing U-12s and this was before the Ronaldos and Drogbas hit the league. I'll admit I fell out of love with playing football for a team back then with the backwards coaching and amount of scumbags playing but playing in a park with friends still has that same feeling. I still really enjoy talking about United, though I'll admit I do watch less games from other teams than I used to but this is mainly a work and college time issue, which is why I don't get to any Shels games despite looking out for them...

You could ask a fan in 1982 and they wouldf list the same reasons for being disillusioned as one in 2012

i.e that ' A lot of the soul has gone out of football'