Leaving early at a football match - Yay or Nay?

prendy · 02-01-2008 03:39PM

if you're leaving just to beat the traffic or you're tired etc, you're not worthy of the ticket you have.

WTF????
if i pay 20€ into a LOI game i can and will leave whenever i like.im supporting the club by purchasing the ticket.
what i do with that ticket is my business.i dont leave early but IT IS MY CHOICE. and i hate peoples comments to suggest people who leave arent real fans??

LeixlipRed · 02-01-2008 03:43PM

Can't understand people going to England to see a game and leaving early. though I don't understand why you'd go in the first place

As for myself, I've left one or two games early. Both when the score was wrapped up and both when I really needed to catch a train/bus whatever. Did miss a goal in one of those games though. Jason Byrne's final goal against FK Vetra in the Intertoto in 2006. No cameras there either so I'll never see it

Never left an Ireland game either. Cyprus was tough to sit through but worth it just to boo Stan and the players at the end

DSB · 02-01-2008 03:43PM

prendy wrote: »

what i do with that ticket is my business.i dont leave early but IT IS MY CHOICE. and i hate peoples comments to suggest people who leave arent real fans??

You're right. It is your choice. But em its peoples CHOICE to make those comments about you 'fans'

chopperbyrne · 02-01-2008 03:48PM

First Ireland match I went to was a friendly against Croatia.

2-1 down with a few minutes to go and we leave.

Missed the equaliser on the way out.

Never left a game early again.

A Dub in Glasgo · 02-01-2008 03:56PM

I depise the 'holier than thou' that some people take. They are almost trying too hard to show they are a better supporter than others.

DSB · 02-01-2008 04:01PM

A Dub in Glasgo wrote: »

I depise the 'holier than thou' that some people take. They are almost trying too hard to show they are a better supporter than others.

Maybe people are just genuinely irritated by fairweather supporters?

A Dub in Glasgo · 02-01-2008 04:08PM

This goes beyond irritation. I am irritated that Celtic Park empties with 10 minutes to go but as long as those leaving early do not block my view, I could not care less that those fans are missing part of the game. If that qualifies them as fairweather supporter, so be it. What about the folk that do not sing? what about those who talk through the game? what about those that nip down to the food area before the game has finished?

I think some people are more interested in putting themselves up on the pedistal as the best supporter in the world than actually supporting the team.

Fratton Fred · 02-01-2008 04:11PM

DSB wrote: »

Maybe people are just genuinely irritated by fairweather supporters?

Maybe, but the fans who go week in week out are just as likely to leave as fair weather fans.

It is a visible way of showing your disatisfaction regarding the team. Some people boo, others just get up and walk out. As I said earlier, I have done it because I just couldn't watch any more of the gutless shameful performance from players earning seriously large salaries. It is a last resort and one I would never criticise people for taking. It does anoy me when you see people leaving just to miss the traffic, you should see the west Stand at Stamford bridge, there are a lot there who leave early so they can get back to the Jaguar and miss the traffic back to Mayfair:D

DSB · 02-01-2008 04:14PM

Nothing wrong with not singing really. It is definitely good for atmosphere but certainly not synonymous with being a supporter. Sticking by your team through thick and thin is. And no of course people don't spend their days fretting over these fairweather supporters. But it was brought up in the thread, probably related to Ferguson's comments, so it is kinda natural that people are gonna have an opinion on it.

DSB · 02-01-2008 04:17PM

Fratton Fred wrote: »

Maybe, but the fans who go week in week out are just as likely to leave as fair weather fans.

It is a visible way of showing your disatisfaction regarding the team. Some people boo, others just get up and walk out. As I said earlier, I have done it because I just couldn't watch any more of the gutless shameful performance from players earning seriously large salaries.

You can't expect the team to perform week in, week out. Regardless of salary. If every team did, every team would finish the season on 38 points. Important to take the good with the bad. It is that unpredictability which makes football so exciting. Why do you need a visible way of showing your dissatisfaction regarding the team?

Davidth88 · 02-01-2008 04:18PM

Fratton Fred

It used to be the East Stand at the Bridge , esp the upper tier.

Now I live here ( Ireland ) I don't get to the Bridge so often but I imagine the West Stand Upper could be like that ( although it's actually heated ..... )

therecklessone · 02-01-2008 04:18PM

Fratton Fred wrote: »

Maybe, but the fans who go week in week out are just as likely to leave as fair weather fans.

Nailed on.

I know a fella has been going to Spurs for years, was at the 1967 FA Cup final against Chelsea.

He leaves the ground when he wants, rarely at home but usually away so as to avoid Old Bill wrapping us up and marching us round the houses. He managed to sneak out of Anderlecht with the binmen while the rest of us were behind a wall of Robocops, he was on his second pint while we were still in the ground.

Anyone wants to question his loyalty I can arrange a meet, but he was dodging a kicking at Millwall and Leeds while most of us were in short trousers.

I also know a fella who had to leave Fratton Park for our game vs Pompey recently after 20 minutes because of four **** who were standing behind us and slating our entire team. Keith decided he couldn't trust himself to keep his temper in check so left of his own volition rather than assisted by the local constabulary.

smemon · 02-01-2008 04:21PM

prendy wrote: »

WTF????
if i pay 20€ into a LOI game i can and will leave whenever i like.im supporting the club by purchasing the ticket.
what i do with that ticket is my business.i dont leave early but IT IS MY CHOICE. and i hate peoples comments to suggest people who leave arent real fans??

The best atmospheres are created by hardcore, loyal fans who actually stay inside the stadium. Or arrive like 4 hours before kick off into the ground... you see it in eastern european football and that's why it's so difficult for sides to go there as that sort of loyalty and noise awakes fear in the opposition.

Touristy/gambling/business/fairweather type fans are what kill the atmosphere which ironically most of them probably came to see and hear :rolleyes:

No good throwing money at a club if there's no heart and history to go along with it. Football doesn't run on money alone you know.

What you rather play against as a player - a stadium with 60,000 Utd fans or 60,000 Celtic fans? Utd fans of course, as the Celtic fans are the more intimidating in general.

Fratton Fred · 02-01-2008 04:26PM

DSB wrote: »

You can't expect the team to perform week in, week out. Regardless of salary. If every team did, every team would finish the season on 38 points. Important to take the good with the bad. It is that unpredictability which makes football so exciting. Why do you need a visible way of showing your dissatisfaction regarding the team?

I'mnot talking about a bad performance, I'm talking about a gutless shameful one when the team really need to put in a good show. There is a difference and how else do you show your frustration with the team.

As I said earlier, I was at the Boro match saturday and we were very poor. A lot of people did leave early (Around the 90 minute mark) and most of those were in the Fratton End which is all season ticket holders.

Nunu · 02-01-2008 04:28PM

I know it's going to seem like I'm showing a holier than thou attitude on this but I had to post in this thread because I genuinely detest when people leave grounds early.

Of course, there can be mitigating factors the odd time, but I'd say 90% who leave are doing it to beat the rush etc.

Then there's the cases where fans leave early to show their disgust at ineptitude. Well, using the Cyprus Croke Pk debacle as an example I think it would have been far more pertinent if all fans had stayed to the bitter end and do the reverse refusing to leave for a good half hour after the game as a form of protest. This really would have shown we cared and we might be rid of the clowns in the FAI aswell as Staunton as a result.....it's too easy just to walk out.

On the flip side it's hilarious when fans miss goals as a result.
The most memorable personally would have to be the Real Madrid v Leverkeusen Champions League final at Hampden. It wasn't a case of leaving the ground early but a mass exodus of fans minutes before half time to the corporate bars, eateries and toilets missed Zidanes wonder goal - I'm talking about 5,000 - 10,000 people:eek:
I made a mental note to myself then never EVER head out of the stands during play...I never could have forgiven myself if I missed that goal live!:D

A Dub in Glasgo · 02-01-2008 04:28PM

smemon wrote: »

The best atmospheres are created by hardcore, loyal fans who actually stay inside the stadium. Or arrive like 4 hours before kick off into the ground... you see it in eastern european football and that's why it's so difficult for sides to go there as that sort of loyalty and noise awakes fear in the opposition.

Touristy/gambling/business/fairweather type fans are what kill the atmosphere which ironically most of them probably came to see and hear :rolleyes:

No good throwing money at a club if there's no heart and history to go along with it. Football doesn't run on money alone you know.

What you rather play against as a player - a stadium with 60,000 Utd fans or 60,000 Celtic fans? Utd fans of course, as the Celtic fans are the more intimidating in general.

Only for the European games

The bigger the capacity of a ground, the bigger chance the ground will be populated by 'Touristy/gambling/business/fairweather type fans'.

Fratton Fred · 02-01-2008 04:29PM

therecklessone wrote: »

I also know a fella who had to leave Fratton Park for our game vs Pompey recently after 20 minutes because of four **** who were standing behind us and slating our entire team. Keith decided he couldn't trust himself to keep his temper in check so left of his own volition rather than assisted by the local constabulary.

I wasn't there, but by all accounts Spurs were quite good that day, especially Berbatov.

You always get those sort of muppets, there were four pompey "Fans" throwing rascist abuse at Shaka Hislop at fratton park whilst he was still the Pompey keeper, fortunatey they got serious abuse from those around them, reported to the stewards and are now banned from every ground in the country:)

DSB · 02-01-2008 04:32PM

Fratton Fred wrote: »

I'mnot talking about a bad performance, I'm talking about a gutless shameful one when the team really need to put in a good show. There is a difference and how else do you show your frustration with the team.

As I said earlier, I was at the Boro match saturday and we were very poor. A lot of people did leave early (Around the 90 minute mark) and most of those were in the Fratton End which is all season ticket holders.

Why do you need to show your frustration with the team? They certainly haven't seen you and said 'oh no, Fratton Fred is leaving the stadium, we'd better buck up our act'. And I really don't think it matters if you're a season ticket holder or not. You could go to every game a team plays in a season and be a poor supporter. Its about taking the good times with the bad. No1 is expected to accept terrible performances, and places like this are a great place to air your grievances, but theres no need for people to act like spoilt children over it.

Fratton Fred · 02-01-2008 04:32PM

A Dub in Glasgo wrote: »

Only for the European games

The bigger the capacity of a ground, the bigger chance the ground will be populated by 'Touristy/gambling/business/fairweather type fans'.

Also the "hardcore" fans get split up so the singing doesn't seem to be so loud.

DSB · 02-01-2008 04:34PM

Fratton Fred wrote: »

You always get those sort of muppets, there were four pompey "Fans" throwing rascist abuse at Shaka Hislop at fratton park whilst he was still the Pompey keeper, fortunatey they got serious abuse from those around them, reported to the stewards and are now banned from every ground in the country:)

I love stories like that. Always so nice when people aren't afraid to stand up to horrible people like them.

Unearthly · 02-01-2008 04:38PM

Never left a game in my life

Now where's my gold star :cool:

Fratton Fred · 02-01-2008 04:39PM

DSB wrote: »

Why do you need to show your frustration with the team? They certainly haven't seen you and said 'oh no, Fratton Fred is leaving the stadium, we'd better buck up our act'. And I really don't think it matters if you're a season ticket holder or not. You could go to every game a team plays in a season and be a poor supporter. Its about taking the good times with the bad. No1 is expected to accept terrible performances, and places like this are a great place to air your grievances, but theres no need for people to act like spoilt children over it.

I stayed to the end on Saturday, sung my heart out and it did **** all good

I understand what you are saying, but we will just have to agree to disagree on this. I have taken the good with the bad, the bad times (of which I have seen many) make the good times ten times better, but sometimes enough is enough and you can't take it any more. Whilst pointless, a personal protest does make you feel better.

Fratton Fred · 02-01-2008 04:45PM

Davidth88 wrote: »

Now I live here ( Ireland ) I don't get to the Bridge so often but I imagine the West Stand Upper could be like that ( although it's actually heated ..... )

They aren't heaters, they are sunbeds so the sloanies can top their tan up while watching whatever it is those hunky rich men are doing on the pitch

Call Me Jimmy · 02-01-2008 04:52PM

DerekD Goldfish wrote: »

Since when is going to a game about enjoyment?

are you serious? A huge amount of the people who watch football watch it for entertainment, it is not a life commitment. Think of it like your favourite TV show. They enjoy watching it, nothing more. If it's a crap "episode" they'll change channel/ leave the stadium etc. And I don't think anyone should look down on them for that at all.

DSB · 02-01-2008 04:57PM

Call Me Jimmy wrote: »

are you serious? A huge amount of the people who watch football watch it for entertainment, it is not a life commitment. Think of it like your favourite TV show. They enjoy watching it, nothing more. If it's a crap "episode" they'll change channel/ leave the stadium etc. And I don't think anyone should look down on them for that at all.

No. That is a perfectly fine attitude to have. Lotsa neutral supporters out there. But those same people shouldn't claim any real affinity to the club. Or refer to the club as 'we' when speaking about them. That is just hypocrisy.

eirebhoy · 02-01-2008 05:02PM

I don't know any team worse than Celtic for fans leaving early and I really don't understand it. If people have reason to leave early then of course that's perfectly alright but I don't see why more Celtic fans have to get home earlier than the fans of any other team. Although, Celtic games rarely sell out these days and it's getting worse every year. Maybe it's just a motivational/lack of interest thing now.

Call Me Jimmy · 02-01-2008 06:23PM

DSB wrote: »

No. That is a perfectly fine attitude to have. Lotsa neutral supporters out there. But those same people shouldn't claim any real affinity to the club. Or refer to the club as 'we' when speaking about them. That is just hypocrisy.

These fans I'm referring to wouldn't be neutral, they have a favourite team that generally gives them the most pleasure to watch.

Imo, 90% of people who use "we" referring to a foreign club are being stupid anyway. Most of them just picked the club out of thin air (or because the team was successful when they started watching football) so they are just as hypocritical as the fans who don't devote every minute of their life to it.

I'm finding it very hard to talk about this because there are so many places we can misunderstand each other and get sidetracked...

Gavin "shels" · 02-01-2008 06:33PM

DesF wrote: »

Only **** leave games early imo.

Support your team to the final whistle.

Spot on. And personnally I'd stay to clap them off the pitch no matter how much we loss by.

DSB · 02-01-2008 06:33PM

Call Me Jimmy wrote: »

These fans I'm referring to wouldn't be neutral, they have a favourite team that generally gives them the most pleasure to watch.

Surely the most appealing team to watch changes on a regular basis?

Gavin "shels" · 02-01-2008 06:38PM

Nunu wrote: »

Then there's the cases where fans leave early to show their disgust at ineptitude. Well, using the Cyprus Croke Pk debacle as an example I think it would have been far more pertinent if all fans had stayed to the bitter end and do the reverse refusing to leave for a good half hour after the game as a form of protest. This really would have shown we cared and we might be rid of the clowns in the FAI aswell as Staunton as a result.....it's too easy just to walk out.

Remember you're talking about Irish fans here, which a large amount have no pride in our national team or our Irish clubs.

Leaving early at a football match - Yay or Nay?

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