One issue that raised it’s nit laden, dandruff encrusted head yesterday was that of support. Specifically those who were ‘true’ fans, those who were ‘real fans’.
There is a certain type of individual that always unsolicited feels the need to make such distinctions. This type of individual usually has something missing in their own life. Usually oxygen. Sadly they’ve just enough to keep them in a drifting half existence, but not quite enough to allow the sticky toffee pudding like matter they refer to as their ‘brain’ to function at an anyway near an efficient level.
Let’s not get into defending the abused, but who the abusers think they are actually talking about. Their fantasy revolves around the premise that there are characters weaker than they are. Less committed, less efficient with their contribution, less of a man or woman than they. Heh, their premise smacks of National Socialism for a reason.
It’s my experience that fans who don’t live ‘up the road from the ground’, don’t hold season tickets are amongst the most passionate, articulate and interesting. Having been at this game for a few weeks now I have a working knowledge of of other bloggers and website people out there. The best work is done by those who do not claim to be ‘true’ fans, but just support in their own way.
So how a man in Germany, Ireland, Barbados or The USA who doesn’t get to games is somehow less of a fan than someone who goes home and away and most cup games is beyond me. Sorry, but was I in an undiagnosed coma when someone concocted a points scoring system to weed out the folks they viewed as weak and promote themselves the strong?
‘True’ fans are always bores. I’ve thankfully never knowingly stood in the same room as one, but I would imagine them to be shorter than average, in need of a haircut and not that fussed about their general appearance (‘I’m not that fussed about clothes, I just use them for getting from A to B’ – Fry & Laurie).
Freedom of expression is a wonderful thing. Sometimes one man’s delight is another man’s cue to self harm, but what makes my heart sink is the notion that an opinion is devalued if it comes from someone who somehow isn’t qualified to have one just because they watched a game on a telly rather than a seat in the Paxton.
With the exception of a few folk who are upfront about their whereabouts – outside of heavily moderated forums – fans are frequently hesitant to mention that they are in Egypt less halfway through a debate on Lennon’s pubic artwork a booming’ what would you know about it anyway?’ is hurled at them.
The Stratford debate highlighted this. In truth it did serve to reveal the quality of some of the Anti Stratford support. As soon as anyone who couldn’t prove they lived within the M25 was suspected at joining the debate they were sneered at.
Got a season ticket? Go to lots of games? Well done you. I went to the toilet this morning and managed not to fall in. Now it’s your turn to tell us something interesting.
Fair points. But I don’t see the relevance to yesterday’s game, unless the Anti-Stratford mob were full of “shame about West Ham” – even then, a bit misplaced, and desperate at Stamford Bridge.
Can’t agree with all of the article. Passionate support is passionate support, be it on the Shelf, in the pub, or in the arm-chair. But it’s the number of United fans from Kent that will never even apply for a match-day ticket; the number of City ‘fans’ suddenly to crawl out the wood-work while large portions of their stadium sits empty); and most of all, the Chelsea fans that claim some preaching rights, given their brief spell in the financil sunlight, but won’t apply to risky games. It’s these counter-elements that give a sense of pride in being a ‘true’ Spurs fan, of being there, through and through.
You only get out what you put in, in my opinion. The price of tickets is ridiculous, granted. But the gobbiness of football culture means that those that go to game are naturally self-defensive over something they’ve invested in. This doesn’t mean that football owes them a living, but I do think you get a different (often harsher) perspective from the stand, making it tough to swallow having “outside” opinions bandied about. I guess it’s “only banter”.
I wasn’t at the Bridge, but what exactly has ‘true fans’ got to do with yesterday’s result?
I wasn’t at the Bridge, but what exactly has ‘true fans’ got to do with yesterday’s result?
Nothing. This blog was addressing a minority of knowitalls that appear now and again.
I don’t know if it is only banter.
I get the impression from some of the posts that I have seen over the past few months, that if you disagree with anything they say, it’s the ultimate heresy. As we all know heretics are only fit to be burned at the stake.
Why should my view or yours over a common cause lead to such hatred? Why can’t we agree to disagree? Why is it when someone who has his views on running the club shattered by his own misunderstanding about reality, cannot accept that he may be wrong?
There are so many of us who labour under the illusion that we are the only true keepers of the faith, and like the Pope, we are infallible when it comes to all pronouncements on Spurs.
we are angry because our beloved team are playing like a bunch of wankers managed by blind pugh and Fagin as chairman
had a season ticket for 3 seasons before i couldnt afford £700 on a hobby.without the cost of getting from my surrey home,a few sherbets and a lump of fried lard on the way back.Ive supported spurs since the 81 cup win,i was 7yrs old and as any kid whos father has no real alliegance to a football side went for the “glory”.Boy have i seen the light since but still watch every week via tv or net.I sat at the lane through the “gerry francis experiment”great name for a mullet hair pop group i add.paolo trammazzani??? why and even cheered for steffen fruend ??? we had good players but never a good team.spurs fans are the most fickle of all fans i know.chelsea fans are most predominate near me and really are either hairy knuckled neanderthals or couldnt give a shit.just enjoy this “good” spell why it lasts,we have called for the heads of too many managers and i know sometimes you do get what you wish for Christian Gross !!!
The psychology of our team when we go a goal in front. I would part with money if someone could tell me the number of times we have gone from 1-0 in front to 2-0 in the last 5 years in comparison with others.
Why continue to act like victims post half-time yesterday? Didn’t see players running through walls. Pleasantly surprised by Azza, Billy G, Sandro and never surprised by Modders’ and Daws’ commitment. Kaboul is all heart – will be immense when he gets to play in a more central role.
Roman took a bung from Roman. That failure to pass to Bale in the first half rather than shoot from the most obtuse angle was a sackable offence (oh, but he is SO MERCURIAL).
What exactly would have been the financial implications of bringing our 2 kyles back 2 weeks ago?
We just need to trim the dead weight. Would love to see Bentley part exchanged for Foster.
If Foster was any good do you really think Fergie would have sold him, knowing he had a 40 year old to replace?
Just think that he is still learning, has all the potential in the world, and I don’t think Gomes needs replacing. Just seemed like a good option. I would have Robinson back tomorrow. Only reason he plays for the chicken men is a divot.
Personally we should buy schmichel (jnr of course)
Tony, Kyle Walker cannot come back this season. They have these rules, you see. Financial implications don’t come into it.
oh ok! Thanks. Is that what differentiates the loan to a fellow Premier League side?! Excuse my ignorance – I am from The Cotswolds…
Given in Gomes 2 nd choice !
the only Foster im interested in is in a can and brewed in Australia
scoucers leading 1-0 thats us 6th
rather be 6th than 5th
Still think we could get fourth though.
Blowin’ bubbles for one day only….
The Sunday Lesson should be:
1 – Gomes is finished at Tottenham.
2 – Same might be true of Lennon (can’t get in the game enough).
3 – Sandro needs to cut out the number of silly little ten yard first time passes (puts other people under pressure).
4 – One decent full back at the club is not enough and not sure if it will ever be Kaboul’s position.
5 – Two class strikers an absolute must (remember the transformation when we bought Archibald and Crooks?)
5 – Arry needs and axe and a cheque book.
gomes has lost his bottle,hes turn into another robinson..scared of long shots,how many pot shots did chelsea hit him with? was definately worked on.
lennon needs a right back behind him who doesnt steal his space,gives him nowhere to go.
when the midfield has no movement,the forwards cant hold the ball up??????everyone just gave the ball to modders yesterday and thought that was enough.
agree on the axe.jenas,ohara,dos santos,woodgate,keane,krancjar,pav.at least have to go. got to save 250k a week in wages
1- Disagree.
2 – Chelski and the Bridge is oh so narrow.
3 – He needs to increase the number of 10 yard passes.
4 – I think Younes has the potential to be an immense Centre Half.
5- agree
6 – yup