Really annoying rugby fans

Tim Robbins

Was at the match today and had a really annoying experience. Several fans with more interest in pints than the match kept asking me and the lad beside me to keep getting up to let them through. Now here is what the really annoying part was. Rugby is a stop start game. Especially today's game. There are plenty of moments of "downtime": injuries, players walking over to a lineout, substitutions , etc. So if you have to get up for a pint or toilet break and have any feel for the sport, surely that is the time to do it, not when an attack is on. What made it even worse was it was happening in the row before us. Ball getting moved along the backs (which didn't happen that much) and then the row in front of us would have to stand up to let some punter in returning with a tray of pints.

Why do these idiots go to rugby matches? They have no interest in the sport. But hey, they want an excuse for pints. They spend money on a ticket and money on drink, so they are useful to the professional game which has to make money.

However, surely we could reach a compromise by reminding them that in rugby you are supposed to respect players, fans, ref etc. Just like occasionally the PA will remind fans to be quiet for the kicker, it's time now to guide the blow in rugby fans that if you have to get up, wait for a downtime.

aimee1

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Was at the match today and had a really annoying experience. Several fans with more interest in pints than the match kept asking me and the lad beside me to keep getting up to let them through. Now here is what the really annoying part was. Rugby is a stop start game. Especially today's game. There are plenty of moments of "downtime": injuries, players walking over to a lineout, substitutions , etc. So if you have to get up for a pint or toilet break and have any feel for the sport, surely that is the time to do it, not when an attack is on. What made it even worse was it was happening in the row before us. Ball getting moved along the backs (which didn't happen that much) and then the row in front of us would have to stand up to let some punter in returning with a tray of pints.

Why do these idiots go to rugby matches? They have no interest in the sport. But hey, they want an excuse for pints. They spend money on a ticket and money on drink, so they are useful to the professional game which has to make money.

However, surely we could reach a compromise by reminding them that in rugby you are supposed to respect players, fans, ref etc. Just like occasionally the PA will remind fans to be quiet for the kicker, it's time now to guide the blow in rugby fans that if you have to get up, wait for a downtime.

its the irish event junkie syndrome.

durkadurka

I was fit to punch someone today. Was standing there talking shyte to someone in front of me while the play is going on right in front of us .

It's just plain rudeness.

punisher5112

I have a beer or 2 and can't stop pissin or getting more beer

I was at a match before had a few drinks before match but have a weak bladder so kept having to go back the toilet I got some stupid looks and comments and to be honest its none of their business I wasn't drinking during the match.

washman3

Calling these people 'fans' is an insult to sports followers everywhere. They are a typical Irish bandwagon that are now following rugby simply because this is the event that it's cool to be seen at these days.

Tim Robbins

washman3 wrote: »

Calling these people 'fans' is an insult to sports followers everywhere. They are a typical Irish bandwagon that are now following rugby simply because this is the event that it's cool to be seen at these days.

The Munster band wagon didn't have as much of this crap. Surely?

Tim Robbins

punisher5112 wrote: »

I have a beer or 2 and can't stop pissin or getting more beer

I was at a match before had a few drinks before match but have a weak bladder so kept having to go back the toilet I got some stupid looks and comments and to be honest its none of their business I wasn't drinking during the match.

If someone has a weak bladder get an ailse seat near a toilet.

It's head recking. You go the cinema and people would go crazy if they had to get up every 5 minutes. But Leinster fans we put up with it. We need to start to pushing back on these blow ins. Today, after about the 7th time when asked to get up I look at your man and said: "listen just move quickly, I'm watching the game here".

thomond2006

washman3 wrote: »

Calling these people 'fans' is an insult to sports followers everywhere. They are a typical Irish bandwagon that are now following rugby simply because this is the event that it's cool to be seen at these days.

A username called washman uses the term 'bandwagon'.

Yep, it's the same washman.

El_Duderino 09

durkadurka wrote: »

I was fit to punch someone today. Was standing there talking shyte to someone in front of me while the play is going on right in front of us .

It's just plain rudeness.

What happened when you spoke to them like a mature adult, you politely and firmly told them that they were obstructing your view and asked them to either sit down or go somewhere else to talk?

duckysauce

durkadurka wrote: »

I was fit to punch someone today. Was standing there talking shyte to someone in front of me while the play is going on right in front of us .

It's just plain rudeness.

had the same at the England Ire match , I said ffs to the knob that kept going for pints and he was in complete shock that someone would say anything to him , same dicks were txting and looking at phones for most of the match

irishbucsfan

thomond2006 wrote: »

A username called washman uses the term 'bandwagon'.

Yep, it's the same washman.

Like clockwork!

Diabhal Beag

If you, a grown adult, don't have the formula sorted out to enjoy yourself without needing to make me stand up 3 times during a 2 hour or so time-frame I'm more than entitled to tell you to cop on (politely obviously). That's common sense. Two times is fine, nature calls, but you're embarrassing yourself if it's any higher for one 80 minute game. If reading this thread makes one person think about holding it in till after the game it'll be worth it.

El_Duderino 09

duckysauce wrote: »

had the same at the England Ire match , I said ffs to the knob that kept going for pints and he was in complete shock that someone would say anything to him , same dicks were txting and looking at phones for most of the match

Did it cause them to think about going for pints as often of at least go during breaks in play?

CatFromHue

You don't have to move if you don't want to.

Del.Monte

God be with the days of the old East Stand when you had to bring your own drink into the ground and hold it in until half time before a visit to the wall at the back pitch. Great result today!!

Tim Robbins

Del.Monte wrote: »

God be with the days of the old East Stand when you had to bring your own drink into the ground and hold it in until half time before a visit to the wall at the back pitch. Great result today!!

it is a joke. More than 50% of the people sitting around me today had as much interest in Rugby as I have in Downtown Abbey.

washman3

Tim Robbins wrote: »

The Munster band wagon didn't have as much of this crap. Surely?

Yes, just as much. Probably even worse.

mfceiling

Was at the Ireland Wales game 2004 and in the middle of nowhere a young d4 head girl stands up and roars "tackle brian"...Fair enough except play had stopped and someone was receiving treatment.

washman3

thomond2006 wrote: »

A username called washman uses the term 'bandwagon'.

Yep, it's the same washman.

Thinking of changing it to Christian Cullen.!!
Remember him.?? Or was he 'before' your time...;)

Balmed Out

Perhaps guilty to the very sensitive.


I have a few friends who have always been big rugby fans. I like all sports though rugby wouldn't be my favorite. We've always gone to the odd league of Ireland or munster game in cork.

As mid 30 year olds some of the lads don't get out too often and as the years have passed I've noticed we drink way more at a rugby match then we used to. For some reason wives who like rugby seem a lot less put out if they go to a rugby game then the pub.

So yes we use a rugby game as a night out in the pub though to be fair we would be going back and forth when play is dead or at least not at either end.

durkadurka

Unless you're one of washman's 15 then you're nothing.

"At the old Thomond, Leinster fans used to gather underneath the scoreboard at the Caherdavin end, all 15-20 of them.!! but since the bandwagon has come on board the "fans" are now generally scattered around the ground, but dont be fooled by the Raybans and fake tan

ThisRegard

There's a fairly high snobbery ratio in this thread and it's only page 2. As someone said, you get to the point where a game is your equivalent to a night out, none of anyones business how many pints a person wants.

Realistically how many milliseconds of actions would a person miss, (if in fact any depending on where on the pitch the action is at that moment). And so what if people are talking ****e, it's not like they're talking over the commentary or anything.

Going to a match is a social event for many, always has, always will be, can't change that. If you think that makes them less of a fan than you it's not them the problem lies with.

Tobyglen

Atmosphere was limp. The whole event stank the place out.

El_Duderino 09

ThisRegard wrote: »

There's a fairly high snobbery ratio in this thread and it's only page 2. As someone said, you get to the point where a game is your equivalent to a night out, none of anyones business how many pints a person wants.

Realistically how many milliseconds of actions would a person miss, (if in fact any depending on where on the pitch the action is at that moment). And so what if people are talking ****e, it's not like they're talking over the commentary or anything.

Going to a match is a social event for many, always has, always will be, can't change that. If you think that makes them less of a fan than you it's not them the problem lies with.

It clearly wasn't important enough to the OP to have a polite word with the offender at the time, you know like a grown up does when something's bothering them.

tastyt

ThisRegard wrote: »

There's a fairly high snobbery ratio in this thread and it's only page 2. As someone said, you get to the point where a game is your equivalent to a night out, none of anyones business how many pints a person wants.

Realistically how many milliseconds of actions would a person miss, (if in fact any depending on where on the pitch the action is at that moment). And so what if people are talking ****e, it's not like they're talking over the commentary or anything.

Going to a match is a social event for many, always has, always will be, can't change that. If you think that makes them less of a fan than you it's not them the problem lies with.

No, people who go to a rugby game in Munster or Leinster, as a social event are definitely less of a fan than people who go for, you know, the rugby.

El_Duderino 09

tastyt wrote: »

No, people who go to a rugby game in Munster or Leinster, as a social event are definitely less of a fan than people who go for, you know, the rugby.

Have you considered taking it further and policing how much fun they can have? Since they're not as good at being a fan as the hardcores, then maybe you could stop them celebrating if their team wins.

tastyt

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

Have you considered taking it further and policing how much fun they can have? Since they're not as good at being a fan as the hardcores, then maybe you could stop them celebrating if their team wins.

Ah no, sure it doesn't really matter who wins really. Party on!!

ThisRegard

tastyt wrote: »

No, people who go to a rugby game in Munster or Leinster, as a social event are definitely less of a fan than people who go for, you know, the rugby.

You don't get the concept of building a day out around a sports event do you. What about those who go to games in Ulster and Connacht, do you have a special category for them?

El_Duderino 09

tastyt wrote: »

Ah no, sure it doesn't really matter who wins really. Party on!!

Really? Do we have your permission?

If it really mattered to the OP they would have used their big boy words at the time. It clearly only mattered enough to them to cause a whinge in the internet.

molloyjh

tastyt wrote: »

No, people who go to a rugby game in Munster or Leinster, as a social event are definitely less of a fan than people who go for, you know, the rugby.

Also you go to a game to watch the game and you can easily miss important moments due to people coming and going. Very easily. It's not a millisecond when someone is coming back from the bar with 4 pints and gingerly squeezing past the people in the row in front of you. It impacts your experience on the game and is therefore completely your business. If you're going to a game then watch the f-ing game. If it's the only way you can excuse going for a few beers then tell the missus you're going to the game and don't go. That's one of the most God awful excuses I've seen for getting in the way. Either that or grow a pair of balls and just go to the pub. The wife doesn't like her husband going to the pub? Tough. Shes your wife, not your owner.

Some people simply have no respect or show no common decency to others. And while we can address that in a polite and grown up manner they could always act in a polite and grown up in the first place. They aren't the only ones at the game and they'd do well to remember that.

ThisRegard

molloyjh wrote: »

If you're going to a game then watch the f-ing game. If it's the only way you can excuse going for a few beers then tell the missus you're going to the game and don't go. That's one of the most God awful excuses I've seen for getting in the way. Either that or grow a pair of balls and just go to the pub. The wife doesn't like her husband going to the pub? Tough. Shes your wife, not your owner.

Your extrapolation couldn't be more ridiculous if you tried. Maybe stay at home and watch in an environment you have full control over instead of going out, getting annoyed by people and imagining some crazy fantasies in you high blood pressured head?

If you still feel you can handle a public environment, maybe ask the clubs to ban the sale of drink as it annoys the tee totalling 'real' fans.

tastyt

ThisRegard wrote: »

You don't get the concept of building a day out around a sports event do you. What about those who go to games in Ulster and Connacht, do you have a special category for them?

I totally understand the concept, and it's great for the game in Ireland. It creates huge revenue and is one of the main reasons the provinces can compete. I never argued that.

My point is that their is a growing number of people,men and women, who treat a big match as a social event which is the place to go, to be seen at, as if the ground is a new trendy bar or club and they have little passion or interest for what's going on on the pitch.

Yes these paying customers are needed but I stand by my statement, they are not fans of the team or the club and will vanish as quickly as they arrived if the success and glamour fades from these events.

When they do the RDS upgrade they should put a beer tap and a urinal by each seat so that the purists don't miss a SECOND of Heaslips fabulous hair.

I don't leave my seat often during a game, maybe a little bit more if I have the kids. Im always apologetic but that's life. If anyone told me off for it I'd probably politely tell them off for it back.

This is an awful thread imo.

CatFromHue

Deleted User wrote: »

When they do the RDS upgrade they should put a beer tap and a urinal by each seat so that the purists don't miss a SECOND of Heaslips fabulous hair.

I don't leave my seat often during a game, maybe a little bit more if I have the kids. Im always apologetic but that's life. If anyone told me off for it I'd probably politely tell them off for it back.

This is an awful thread imo.

There's a big difference to what you do and what others do.

No one has a problem to move for people at halftime or once during the game but when it starts to happen a few times per half it gets annoying.

Swan Curry

It's your ticket and you can enjoy the match however you want imo. However, if you're going to be constantly getting up and going to the bar/toilets you really should do everyone else a favour and not sit in the middle of the row.

diusmr8a504cvk

Assuming you were at a Leinster match, Leinster don't have many real fans. Most of them go to these matches for the social aspect of it.

CatFromHue

Allison Disgusting Paddle wrote: »

Assuming you were at a Leinster match, Leinster don't have many real fans. Most of them go to these matches for the social aspect of it.

When you get 10-12K for a Treviso or Zebre game I think it's safe to say that's not true.

diusmr8a504cvk

CatFromHue wrote: »

When you get 10-12K for a Treviso or Zebre game I think it's safe to say that's not true.

Cheap tickets.

thomond2006

There was very little movement in the stands in the Ireland matches this year, a lot less compared to last season. (I was at all 5 this season and 4 last season).

The worst of it for me is people turning up late. There's no 'buildup' atmosphere at the ground. It's definitely more of a problem at the Aviva than RDS or Thomond. I suppose the terrace in those grounds means there will be a sizeable crowd and/or a full section well before kickoff.

Allison Disgusting Paddle wrote: »

Cheap tickets.

They're more expensive than Pro12 matches at Thomond. Tbh with the product Leinster have served up at times this year you'd have to be a fan to go!

Bridge93

Leinster last year had an average Pro12 attendance of over 19,000 and 7,000 higher than the next biggest Ulster. Hardly no real fans.

efb

I was at the match today - lunster man hands up - with my bro and his Leinster mates. I promised to shout for Leinster til Strings came on!

Jesus but people arriving late into their seats want app fcuking annoying! It wasn't exactly packed what was the delay??

This up and down like yoyos is infuriating too. Stay in the pub if you want to drink! A pint for each half with a pÍss at HT FT should do!!!

Wasn't a great match but delighted Leinster won and Stringer got a great reception.

efb

Swan Curry wrote: »

It's your ticket and you can enjoy the match however you want imo. However, if you're going to be constantly getting up and going to the bar/toilets you really should do everyone else a favour and not sit in the middle of the row.

Should the same apply to the cinema? Theatre? People are not impressed when people get put of their seats mod performance and a half of rugby is much shorter

Ash.J.Williams

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Was at the match today and had a really annoying experience. Several fans with more interest in pints than the match kept asking me and the lad beside me to keep getting up to let them through. Now here is what the really annoying part was. Rugby is a stop start game. Especially today's game. There are plenty of moments of "downtime": injuries, players walking over to a lineout, substitutions , etc. So if you have to get up for a pint or toilet break and have any feel for the sport, surely that is the time to do it, not when an attack is on. What made it even worse was it was happening in the row before us. Ball getting moved along the backs (which didn't happen that much) and then the row in front of us would have to stand up to let some punter in returning with a tray of pints.

Why do these idiots go to rugby matches? They have no interest in the sport. But hey, they want an excuse for pints. They spend money on a ticket and money on drink, so they are useful to the professional game which has to make money.

However, surely we could reach a compromise by reminding them that in rugby you are supposed to respect players, fans, ref etc. Just like occasionally the PA will remind fans to be quiet for the kicker, it's time now to guide the blow in rugby fans that if you have to get up, wait for a downtime.

In music I call this o2 (three arena) syndrome. When your band or sports team get so popular that 70% of the attendance are utter twats.

efb

efb wrote: »

Should the same apply to the cinema? Theatre? People are not impressed when people get put of their seats mod performance and a half of rugby is much shorter

A match isn't the cinema or the theatre. They're totally different events, don't make some spurious comparison between them.

molloyjh

Swan Curry wrote: »

It's your ticket and you can enjoy the match however you want imo. However, if you're going to be constantly getting up and going to the bar/toilets you really should do everyone else a favour and not sit in the middle of the row.

I don't like this "I bought my ticket I can do what I want" attitude (not exactly what you're saying but I've seen others say it). Obviously people can get up to go to the loo or to the bar during the match, but they also need to be conscious of the fact that others are watching the game as well and they have an impact on them. I think the problem is those people who refuse to acknowledge that. As CFH said, if you know you're going to be up and down constantly select an aisle seat. It's not fair to expect others to constantly move for you while they're watching the game.

BBDBB

Scuse me....sorry..... Just on my way to the match thread.....sorry.....Scuse me.....can I just squeeze past.......sorry to interrupt you reading this thread.......excuse me.....

Phil Mitchell

I've been to a fair few Leinster games at LR but yesterday was probably the worst. The Group of about 5 people on my row were up and down like jack in the boxes. It must have been about 10 times during the game.

One of them even spilled beer on a kid in front of me as I was letting him through and didn't even notice and then chanced his arm at smoking until a steward ran down to put it out.

When I go to games, I usually have a prematch pint and a ht pint. Anything in between my pints, I bring in a mini-can of Bacardi & coke or Gin & Tonic. There is no need to be getting up in the 30th minute, 60th minute etc. If you're out for a day on the booze and a match, do some preparation.

Brewster

Where is my popcorn ?!!! Good reading this!!

Look, I've seen a massive change over the last 20 years at Ireland games. I totally sympathise with the original poster, but there is not much you can do about it. Rugby is the IN thing, and unfortunately this is the by-product of success. It will be even worse at World Cup, the bandwagon will be bursting at the seems come September. It was same in 2007 with all sorts of people looking for a day out. It's the 'fans' shouting offside while they are seated behind the goal while the play is 80 yards away are the ones that get to me!!

pc7

Brewster wrote: »

s. It will be even worse at World Cup, the bandwagon will be bursting at the seems come September.

I think the costs involved will stop this, I know die hard fans that freeze their nads off in the pit week in week out who aren't travelling due to costs.
Last year at the Aviva a man beside is asked a guy in the row in front to sit down so he could see (had been in and out about 5 or 6 times to the bar and was blocking play), he turned on him and kept bitching and moaning and was trying to start a row with the man who asked him very nicely to take his seat. He ruined it for a lot of fans because everyone was expecting a fight to start and was on edge. Yesterday about 10 seats behind us didn't even come back, I assume they just stayed in the bar. I only go out at ht if I've to go to the loo, it can drive me batty the up and down lark but each to their own I'd never call someone on it after last year.

Tim Robbins

ThisRegard wrote: »

There's a fairly high snobbery ratio in this thread and it's only page 2. As someone said, you get to the point where a game is your equivalent to a night out, none of anyones business how many pints a person wants.

Realistically how many milliseconds of actions would a person miss, (if in fact any depending on where on the pitch the action is at that moment). And so what if people are talking ****e, it's not like they're talking over the commentary or anything.

Going to a match is a social event for many, always has, always will be, can't change that. If you think that makes them less of a fan than you it's not them the problem lies with.

No problem with points, socialising or people who aren't passionate fans turning up. The issue is disrupting the spectacle for others needlessly. As I said Rugby is a stop start game. every 3 minutes there is a little break for some reason and you could pop out easily then.

If you are telling me that someone shouldn't have to have that base level of consideration for people who love rugby when those people are happy to compromise people who only have a passing interest then I think you need to get some perspective.

How about you go to something you love (maybe the cinema, I don't know)? and get up at key moments to let people out for a p8ss when there is no need to.

molloyjh

Tim Robbins wrote: »

No problem with points, socialising or people who aren't passionate fans turning up. The issue is disrupting the spectacle for others needlessly. As I said Rugby is a stop start game. every 3 minutes there is a little break for some reason and you could pop out easily then.

If you are telling me that someone shouldn't have to have that base level of consideration for people who love rugby when those people are happy to compromise people who only have a passing interest then I think you need to get some perspective.

How about you go to something you love (maybe the cinema, I don't know)? and get up at key moments to let people out for a p8ss when there is no need to.

It's not even about people get up in your row that's the issue. It's those getting up in the row in front of yours. You then have 3 or 4 people all stood together directly in front of you totally blocking your view. If it happens once or twice it's no great shakes, but if the same person is causing it to happen several times in a game then it's far too disruptive.