Do You Go To Games?

[PaulMcC]

I go.

 

Normally get to about 25-30 a season.

[The Midnight Rambler]

I always gauge other teams supporters on if/how many games they go to. It dawned on me last season with the Blackpool sit-in just how many Spoilt soulless 'fans' go to watch us regularly though. Normally takes just a two minute conversation to find out if someones heart is really in it.

[Guest LFD]

and this bit made me howl LFD - 'i'm constantly on this site supporting the players/club'

 

yes you are, if you call slagging off NEW members of the team after 6 or 7 games, ripping in to young players in a NEW team.

 

Slagging them off?

 

Constructively saying why I don't rate them. Hardly slagging off.

 

As a fan who contributes to their wages and a passionate fan, I am entitled to have an opinion on players.

 

I always want them to do well though.

[Whelan]

Reading between the lines it would seem that I am fucking great fan! And dead knowledgable as well....as my support for Barry instead of Alonso and approval of Paulson's signing (I did!) indicates.

 

Hate to think what shite I would come out with if I didn't go the match like the rest of you part timers!

[Guest ShoePiss]

I think getting a better viewpoint from the game very much depends on where you sit. I’ve found that when I’m kop or anny road end, or in an away end behind the goal, the match always looks very different to what I watch later that evening on tv. However, on the occasions I’ve been near the half way line and near the back looking down on the pitch I really do get a very strong appreciation for tactics and the movement of players. I love sitting there if I want to watch one player in particular, be it a new signing or a young player. But, for 99% of the time I am watching the ball anyway, so what you see on tv is what I see when at the game.

 

I remember last season watching a game from the Kop and then writing a small match review on here and getting quite a few comments back asking was I facing the right way. The forum Don, Mr Usher, told me to go and watch the replay on TV and come back then. I did, and it was a completely different game to what I’d seen from my spec behind the goal.

 

The most games I’ve gone to in a season is probably about 25. The least would be 1 home and about 4 away in the final full season of the H&G ownership when I just couldn’t face the place. This season I’ll probably go to about 10-15 depending on cup comps.

 

As for what makes someone a better fan? If you’ve got Liverpool in your heart and a loss like Spurs is still pissing you off now, then that’s good enough for me. But you also need to respect the city. I can never understand OOTers like me mouthing off that the city is shite or telling shit jokes about stealing hubcaps.

 

Well said Johnny

[Randy Marsh]

Kop Season ticket holder since the age of 7. Usually get to a few home cup games and a couple of aways too whilst at Uni, will get to a good few more when I'm home for good in a few months.

[Delmar]

I've stayed out of this because I think it's a futile argument, but here goes. I think the bolded part above only existed pre Shanks. When Shankly took over he didn't so much speak just to the people of Liverpool his words echoed throughout the whole land, he made people sit up and take notice, he presented a collective front, behind socialism ideals maybe, that people from all corners of the land could identify with. You wanted to be part of what was happening because he was a charismatic character and his words reverberated in your consciousness. This wasn't something local any more, football and political sensibilities were intermingling and people identified with this. Shankly put LFC in the hearts of many from outside the City because it, maybe, wasn't the shirt colour that mattered but the collective sense of identity and belonging, God Bless him.

 

I went to the game pretty much all the time, home and away, with my uncle and family as a young'un (Even standing on the old Kippax with my colours on). My uncle and me sat and watched the 'Spice-boys' final on TV, we couldn't afford it! It was that game which changed everything for me, my uncle moreso, because we saw them in their white fucking suits and we've never felt so disassociated with the players at our club and this has stayed with both of us to this day. I can't justify paying x amount of money to sustain the lives of people who have no idea what it is to struggle to make ends meat, and this is only growing deeper with the way football inc is today.

 

I like your post. However, after reading it, the only thing I would change in my own post is that "LFC should be there for the people of LIverpool first". All football clubs are geographically based somewhere, it was the whole purpose of starting the club to begin with. Very few exist to promote an idea or vision. Even with today's mercenary type players a football club is still based geographically somewhere. In other words, Lucas is a Scouser, people better deal with it...

[marpetwilson]

It definitely matters. Someone who goes the game week in week out definitely has more of an idea of a player and formations etc. than me watching on a shitty stream 10,000 miles away being drip-dread soundbites and absolute bollocks by some middle-class whopper who only comments on football as it's en vogue and who actually knows next to fuck all about the game or the culture that surrounds it.

 

...now this is a proper fan!

[Coro]

Thicko

 

I'm going to carry on assuming you're on a constant wind up and that you are in fact a comedy genius.

[Iceman]

You definitely see the game better when you are there, you just see so much more of the player's movement and off the ball runs and all the off the ball incidents too. I used to go the game with my Dad when I was a kid.

 

Was lucky enough to see The King, Rush, Barnes, Molby and all the greats when we were totally on top of the football world. What a fucking team that was. Full of giants. I actually saw Dalglish score with what my Dad used to call "the Dalglish turn" when he used to spin and hit the ball all in one movement. Rush slotting in a goal. Craig Johnston tearing down the wing. Fantastic memories.

 

Haven't been to a match for way too long. Watch every time we play though. Addicted to LFC. Be it Cable or stream, I have to see us play.

 

Left the UK years ago but I'll be back one of these days to go to the game.

[Stella]

Forgive me, I rarely post but this thread resonates with me quite significantly.

 

I used to regularly go the game from the late eighties through to about 2002 when I met my husband (who does not like football?!) and my attendance stopped. My allegiance didn't wane, but the passion subsided a little as other 'life' things started getting in the way. Footballing 'events' still shook me though; a loss to Everton ruined my week, similarly I remember storming off out for a long walk after getting beat by the Mancs when it was suggested that 'it didn't matter'. It did matter. A lot.

 

Istanbul, though I hadn't been to a game in years, had me nervous for days before, utterly morose and bereft at half time before I remembered that actually we never do walk alone and there is a way, and sheer esctasy and delight as Dudek saved Shevchenko's penalty. I inadvertantly punched my husband's glasses off his face as I thumped the air in relief and complete delirium and then went running off into the street 'der derring' 'Ring of Fire' as loud as I possibly could because for a small moment the passion returned. Drink fuelled admittedly, but I cared. But I have to say these moments of peak and trough were, for me, few and far between because although I felt I knew what I was going on about, I wasn't actually there. Being at the game counted for something which I couldn't really capture in my living room.

 

Which brings me to today. Kenny returning awakened something in me which has makes me need to go the match again. That, and the fact that I now live in what can only be described as 'bandit country' in terms of football allegiance where there are plenty of us, but far too many Mancs with a smattering of Blueshite to make it comfortable for me to rest. I feel the need to take my children to a match, because I want them to embrace Liverpool totally. Ask them who their team is and they'll say 'Liverpool' but it's not quite enough for me. I want them to experience being swept away in the euphoria and despair which I have to say is most keenly felt by me by being at a match.

 

I think what I am trying to say is that you can be a knowledgeable, passionate fan from afar, and it's a good job because the sheer logistics of getting to the match are expensive and complicated; a far cry from the late eighties when I started going, along with many of us fans who are now late thirties and mortgaged up to the hilt, tripping over offspring, etc. Our attendance is made difficult. From my perspective though, the dynamics of my support changed when I stopped going and in an ideal world I would want to be going regularly, instilling in my kids the experience of supporting the club from the inside rather than being Liverpool fans by default, because of me. I want them to have a personal affection, if you like.

 

And finally, there have always been total whoppers in our support who boast some sort of superfan status and an almost oracle like tendency becuase they go the game. It really isn't the case. Listen to them and they are talking utter bollocks. The possession of an internet stream or an armchair firmly wedged on your backside does not bar you from having a totally valid and well substantiated opinion on the club you support. We're all fans in my opinion

[Markmywords]

Brilliant work Stella

 

Both with the post and the impressive lurking

[twelvesmallsteps]

Absolutely brilliant post Stella! Hats off.

[Stella]

Ta!

 

Jesus Christ, I'll be at 20 posts before the end of the year if I'm not careful! Way too scary!

[VladimirIlyich]

I've stayed out of this because I think it's a futile argument, but here goes. I think the bolded part above only existed pre Shanks. When Shankly took over he didn't so much speak just to the people of Liverpool his words echoed throughout the whole land, he made people sit up and take notice, he presented a collective front, behind socialism ideals maybe, that people from all corners of the land could identify with. You wanted to be part of what was happening because he was a charismatic character and his words reverberated in your consciousness. This wasn't something local any more, football and political sensibilities were intermingling and people identified with this. Shankly put LFC in the hearts of many from outside the City because it, maybe, wasn't the shirt colour that mattered but the collective sense of identity and belonging, God Bless him.

 

I went to the game pretty much all the time, home and away, with my uncle and family as a young'un (Even standing on the old Kippax with my colours on). My uncle and me sat and watched the 'Spice-boys' final on TV, we couldn't afford it! It was that game which changed everything for me, my uncle moreso, because we saw them in their white fucking suits and we've never felt so disassociated with the players at our club and this has stayed with both of us to this day. I can't justify paying x amount of money to sustain the lives of people who have no idea what it is to struggle to make ends meat, and this is only growing deeper with the way football inc is today.

 

What a belter of a post.

[Wor Horse]

I used to have a season ticket but gave it up when I went to University and then stayed down south.

 

I think I probably get to see Liverpool in person maybe two or three times a season. Usually away games, but try and get to Anfield at least once a season, ticket permitting.

 

I used to have a season ticket but gave it up when I went to University and then stayed down south.

 

I think I probably get to see Liverpool in person maybe two or three times a season. Usually away games, but try and get to Anfield at least once a season, ticket permitting.

 

You should have kept one of the tickets.

[Wor Horse]

I've got tickets to most of the home games up to christmas and I still think someone who goes to all the aways is a better fan than me.

 

It's just simple logic. If you drive hundreds of miles on a wednesday night from Liverpool to Exeter and Brighton you've got more of a right to comment on certain players that you've seen than I have if I've watched it on tv.

 

I think it works both ways though, you've got to be dignified with it and not hold it over people that you go to all the games.

 

I HaT3 W00L$

[Rorschach08]

If there's one event in history I wish I would have been able to go to it's Woodstock '69, but due to being born thousands of miles away and a few decades too late I couldn't make it.

 

I've probably watched every you-tube clip there is and every documentary that's been made on the subject.

 

I can tell you that Hendrix killed it and give my opinion on most bands who played, but only the people who were there can truely talk about the Woodstock experience and the feel of the place.

 

Same for the match I reckon.

[Squabblefest]

Great post by Stella there.

It's a genuine fucking joy logging in to this place sometimes..

[Guest TK-421]

As good as a cold pint of Wife Beater itself.

[brucespanner]

What a belter of a post.

 

Cheers mate, I can be sensible when I try.

 

Damn good post Stella.

[RobbieOR]

I've got tickets to most of the home games up to christmas and I still think someone who goes to all the aways is a better fan than me.

 

It's just simple logic. If you drive hundreds of miles on a wednesday night from Liverpool to Exeter and Brighton you've got more of a right to comment on certain players that you've seen than I have if I've watched it on tv.

 

I think it works both ways though, you've got to be dignified with it and not hold it over people that you go to all the games.

 

I HaT3 W00L$

 

You only hate wools because its what you see in the mirror.

[WaltonRed]

For the record once more, I wasnt having a go at people from outside the City.

[Durango]

Forgive me, I rarely post but this thread resonates with me quite significantly.

 

I used to regularly go the game from the late eighties through to about 2002 when I met my husband (who does not like football?!) and my attendance stopped. My allegiance didn't wane, but the passion subsided a little as other 'life' things started getting in the way. Footballing 'events' still shook me though; a loss to Everton ruined my week, similarly I remember storming off out for a long walk after getting beat by the Mancs when it was suggested that 'it didn't matter'. It did matter. A lot.

 

Istanbul, though I hadn't been to a game in years, had me nervous for days before, utterly morose and bereft at half time before I remembered that actually we never do walk alone and there is a way, and sheer esctasy and delight as Dudek saved Shevchenko's penalty. I inadvertantly punched my husband's glasses off his face as I thumped the air in relief and complete delirium and then went running off into the street 'der derring' 'Ring of Fire' as loud as I possibly could because for a small moment the passion returned. Drink fuelled admittedly, but I cared. But I have to say these moments of peak and trough were, for me, few and far between because although I felt I knew what I was going on about, I wasn't actually there. Being at the game counted for something which I couldn't really capture in my living room.

 

Which brings me to today. Kenny returning awakened something in me which has makes me need to go the match again. That, and the fact that I now live in what can only be described as 'bandit country' in terms of football allegiance where there are plenty of us, but far too many Mancs with a smattering of Blueshite to make it comfortable for me to rest. I feel the need to take my children to a match, because I want them to embrace Liverpool totally. Ask them who their team is and they'll say 'Liverpool' but it's not quite enough for me. I want them to experience being swept away in the euphoria and despair which I have to say is most keenly felt by me by being at a match.

 

I think what I am trying to say is that you can be a knowledgeable, passionate fan from afar, and it's a good job because the sheer logistics of getting to the match are expensive and complicated; a far cry from the late eighties when I started going, along with many of us fans who are now late thirties and mortgaged up to the hilt, tripping over offspring, etc. Our attendance is made difficult. From my perspective though, the dynamics of my support changed when I stopped going and in an ideal world I would want to be going regularly, instilling in my kids the experience of supporting the club from the inside rather than being Liverpool fans by default, because of me. I want them to have a personal affection, if you like.

 

And finally, there have always been total whoppers in our support who boast some sort of superfan status and an almost oracle like tendency becuase they go the game. It really isn't the case. Listen to them and they are talking utter bollocks. The possession of an internet stream or an armchair firmly wedged on your backside does not bar you from having a totally valid and well substantiated opinion on the club you support. We're all fans in my opinion

 

Stella,

 

are you a fella?

[Pony Princess]

I go to maybe 3-4 games a season to my shame but the older I get the more inclined I am to sit at home or the pub, in the warm with a nice pint of cider. Nothing worse than watching a dire 0-0 draw with the likes of Villa or someone, freezing ones balls off in January up in the Upper Centinary,

 

I don't see a problem with people who don't go to the games but I do have a problem with people who don't watch the game and then feel they have a right to comment on it.

 

If you formed your opinion from what you read in the paper the day after the match, fuck off and don't talk to me about football. By all means talk to your mong mates about it, but don't try that shit with me. I've kinda got that attitude to people who only watch match of the day as well. Football condensed into nice bitesize chunks for them.