I was there. Atmosphere was good but I think this was due to us having the chance to go 3rd.
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Supporters or fans?
- Thread starter basskadet
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The reason why Jenas got grief is what some perceive as a lack of effort, I don't agree with booing at all but he just didn't look bothered half the time.
I was there Monday, the shelf and park lane fantastic as always. I was saving my voice for tomorrow, so limited it to a song about Ledley and a Spurs go marching in.
Being a supporter vs being a fan
Something has hit me with our recent success in that watching from the comfort of my living room/local/Laptop that this season I don’t feel as close to success of THFC or to THFC this season as I have done in seasons past.
To explain the history, my family is from Enfield and Tottenham is in my blood. My first game was almost 30 years ago and I can still remember that meeting Paul Allen being the undoubted highlight of my childhood. Fighting with fans of Leicester City and Forrest in my teens because they didn’t understand my love for David Howells and why he was superior to Muzzy Izzet or Iain Woan.
Through out my 20’s would go to as many games as possible often doing 30 games a season mainly away games, because the banter and the drinking and drugs were better and also because you got a true sense of belonging you were part of just a few thousand people who wanted to see us lose to Middlesbrough but would be there again next week.
Gradually as I got tired of working in a dead end job, I put more of my time into work and about the same time met my wife, Yes I’d still go to games and enjoy it amazingly but I wouldn’t make a weekend beano out of every occasion, then my daughter came along – money got tight and in the last 18 months I’ve been to three games , with this season looking like my first without seeing us live.
My question is this, can you truly hand on hart say that you are a support when you don’t go to games? Yes I still buy a club shirt and wear it with pride and I still openly boo any adult or child wearing a scum shirt and no I refuse to laugh at anything Alan Davies will ever say. Does being there make a difference? I miss the buzz of match day as much as ex-pros miss the banter in training, but no don’t think I can consider myself a supporter of THFC just another armchair grabbing on to the coat tails of glory. The Gross, Gra**m and Hoddle era’s were poor but the YIDS were top class and that’s why we deserve every success we have now and I just wish I could be a bigger part of it.
Something has hit me with our recent success in that watching from the comfort of my living room/local/Laptop that this season I don’t feel as close to success of THFC or to THFC this season as I have done in seasons past.
To explain the history, my family is from Enfield and Tottenham is in my blood. My first game was almost 30 years ago and I can still remember that meeting Paul Allen being the undoubted highlight of my childhood. Fighting with fans of Leicester City and Forrest in my teens because they didn’t understand my love for David Howells and why he was superior to Muzzy Izzet or Iain Woan.
Through out my 20’s would go to as many games as possible often doing 30 games a season mainly away games, because the banter and the drinking and drugs were better and also because you got a true sense of belonging you were part of just a few thousand people who wanted to see us lose to Middlesbrough but would be there again next week.
Gradually as I got tired of working in a dead end job, I put more of my time into work and about the same time met my wife, Yes I’d still go to games and enjoy it amazingly but I wouldn’t make a weekend beano out of every occasion, then my daughter came along – money got tight and in the last 18 months I’ve been to three games , with this season looking like my first without seeing us live.
My question is this, can you truly hand on hart say that you are a support when you don’t go to games? Yes I still buy a club shirt and wear it with pride and I still openly boo any adult or child wearing a scum shirt and no I refuse to laugh at anything Alan Davies will ever say. Does being there make a difference? I miss the buzz of match day as much as ex-pros miss the banter in training, but no don’t think I can consider myself a supporter of THFC just another armchair grabbing on to the coat tails of glory. The Gross, Gra**m and Hoddle era’s were poor but the YIDS were top class and that’s why we deserve every success we have now and I just wish I could be a bigger part of it.
Re: Being a supporter vs being a fan
I used to make the distinction between supporters and fans, but not nowadays. I get to as many games as I can, about 12 a season I counted over last few years, but whether I'm at a game or shouting my head off in a pub full of scum or chavs, or just in front of the telly at home, I don't feel distant from the club.
There are obviously lots of 'armchair fans' around. People who have a passing interest in Spurs, watching the big games on TV. But not everybody who doesn't go, is choosing not to go. They might live on the other side of the world, or might live in London but live on minimum wage and just can't afford it. If the passion is there, I don't think it matters whether they're labelled 'fans' 'supporters' or whatever else really.
Some people in America for example are getting up at five am and heading down the 'local' Spurs pub, which is probably miles from where they live, just to watch the game surrounded by other yids.
I do agree though that if I'd only just got into Spurs, through our current success, and not known the dark times, I might feel less 'involved' than long time supporters. But I'd get over it, I'd still be passionate about the club from that point.
I used to make the distinction between supporters and fans, but not nowadays. I get to as many games as I can, about 12 a season I counted over last few years, but whether I'm at a game or shouting my head off in a pub full of scum or chavs, or just in front of the telly at home, I don't feel distant from the club.
There are obviously lots of 'armchair fans' around. People who have a passing interest in Spurs, watching the big games on TV. But not everybody who doesn't go, is choosing not to go. They might live on the other side of the world, or might live in London but live on minimum wage and just can't afford it. If the passion is there, I don't think it matters whether they're labelled 'fans' 'supporters' or whatever else really.
Some people in America for example are getting up at five am and heading down the 'local' Spurs pub, which is probably miles from where they live, just to watch the game surrounded by other yids.
I do agree though that if I'd only just got into Spurs, through our current success, and not known the dark times, I might feel less 'involved' than long time supporters. But I'd get over it, I'd still be passionate about the club from that point.
Re: Being a supporter vs being a fan
I'm not saying this is true for every fan, but it is for me...
I think you have to have seen us lose at least once in your first couple of Spurs games, and then be man enough to carry on going to consider yourself a proper fan.
For the many (and there are MANY) 'newbies' who now just tag along when the going is good... try explaining Bobby Mimms, Stewart Nethercott or Paulo Trammezzani to them and they'll look at you like you're a kiddie fiddler... and try to describe the series of events that lead you to take out your white hankie and wave it at Christian Gross when 0-3 down at home to Sheffield Wednesday... and yet to look at us now, you'd think we'd had a seamless transition from Hoddle & Ardiles to Modric & Bale... far fucking from it! we've had plenty of Booth's, Rasiak's and Fenwick's to contend with in between...
...it's remembering the pain of the dark days that make the current ones SO bright for us 'lucky' enough to have plummeted the depths... I'm glad I'm IN THAT NUMBER!
Remember... 'Fan' is short for 'FANATIC'... Supporters are merely glorified Bras and Pantihose!
100% Spurs, through thick, thin, thinner and downright obscenely shithouse!
I'm not saying this is true for every fan, but it is for me...
I think you have to have seen us lose at least once in your first couple of Spurs games, and then be man enough to carry on going to consider yourself a proper fan.
For the many (and there are MANY) 'newbies' who now just tag along when the going is good... try explaining Bobby Mimms, Stewart Nethercott or Paulo Trammezzani to them and they'll look at you like you're a kiddie fiddler... and try to describe the series of events that lead you to take out your white hankie and wave it at Christian Gross when 0-3 down at home to Sheffield Wednesday... and yet to look at us now, you'd think we'd had a seamless transition from Hoddle & Ardiles to Modric & Bale... far fucking from it! we've had plenty of Booth's, Rasiak's and Fenwick's to contend with in between...
...it's remembering the pain of the dark days that make the current ones SO bright for us 'lucky' enough to have plummeted the depths... I'm glad I'm IN THAT NUMBER!
Remember... 'Fan' is short for 'FANATIC'... Supporters are merely glorified Bras and Pantihose!
100% Spurs, through thick, thin, thinner and downright obscenely shithouse!
Re: Being a supporter vs being a fan
We discussed this here
http://www.thefightingcock.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=457&hilit=supporters+fans
[just pointing it out to say it is also worth a read as it is on the same topic - can merge if people want (?) but will leave as is for now... no rules!]
Personally I was an armchair fan for years.
None of my friends were spurs fans, and unlike most, my ol'man didn't support a team (if he did it would be Palace). I just gravitated towards Tottenham because my older cousin supported them, and I loved Lineker, Gazza and Hoddle. I'd listen to EVERY game on the radio, or obviously on TV if we were on.
Now I try to go to as many games as I can afford and I'm usually in the North stand - so I'll shout (obv not as much as you guys in the Park Lane, but as someone said about the East Stand (which i've also sat in) you get the feeling you will be ruining someones game by shouting too much.
I think the difference between fan and supporter - put simply is one will go there to support the team regardless. The other will go to a game with more of an expectation to be entertained.
We discussed this here
http://www.thefightingcock.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=457&hilit=supporters+fans
[just pointing it out to say it is also worth a read as it is on the same topic - can merge if people want (?) but will leave as is for now... no rules!]
Personally I was an armchair fan for years.
None of my friends were spurs fans, and unlike most, my ol'man didn't support a team (if he did it would be Palace). I just gravitated towards Tottenham because my older cousin supported them, and I loved Lineker, Gazza and Hoddle. I'd listen to EVERY game on the radio, or obviously on TV if we were on.
Now I try to go to as many games as I can afford and I'm usually in the North stand - so I'll shout (obv not as much as you guys in the Park Lane, but as someone said about the East Stand (which i've also sat in) you get the feeling you will be ruining someones game by shouting too much.
I think the difference between fan and supporter - put simply is one will go there to support the team regardless. The other will go to a game with more of an expectation to be entertained.
for me
a supporter = someone who goes to games and offers vocal support whilst also supporting the club financially by buying match tickets/season tickets etc
fan = someone who follows the club but doesn't attend games
not saying anyone loves the club more than anyone else - but i think there is a clear difference between those that go and those that don't. also within that you have different levels of supporters - there are plenty of supporters better than me and there are plenty not as good as me
someone who go's to all but a handful of games home and away pisses all over me who just has a season ticket but hasn't really been on the away scene for a 3 or 4 years for example.
but supporter or fan is doesn't matter - as long as you have Spurs running through your blood that is all that matters
a supporter = someone who goes to games and offers vocal support whilst also supporting the club financially by buying match tickets/season tickets etc
fan = someone who follows the club but doesn't attend games
not saying anyone loves the club more than anyone else - but i think there is a clear difference between those that go and those that don't. also within that you have different levels of supporters - there are plenty of supporters better than me and there are plenty not as good as me
someone who go's to all but a handful of games home and away pisses all over me who just has a season ticket but hasn't really been on the away scene for a 3 or 4 years for example.
but supporter or fan is doesn't matter - as long as you have Spurs running through your blood that is all that matters
Billyiddo said:
Thing is fan is short for fanatic, which implies that their whole life is devoted to that one thing (like an extremist). I agree with your summary of a supporter, but a fan would be more than that (a bit mental).
For me you're description of "fan" is what i always think of a "follower" as being, someone who follows the club's fortunes but doesn't attend games.
Of course it's all open to all sorts of complications based on various different factors, the above is a simplistic view of it.
Begs another question, going by my definition of Fan, which of TFC team would strap a bomb vest to themselves in devotion for the club
Re: Being a supporter vs being a fan
Have to say that this is a real concern of mine. I've been in London in two stints (studying & now working) and have probably seen 15 or so home games (away games always tend to be beyond my means to travel & get back) but whenever I've been there, we've always won (except Chelsea this year, 1-1).
I don't want to see Spurs lose, but I'm pretty sure that I'd be back regardless. It's one hell of a drug to go to the Lane & I'm a shameless addict.
1882 said:
Have to say that this is a real concern of mine. I've been in London in two stints (studying & now working) and have probably seen 15 or so home games (away games always tend to be beyond my means to travel & get back) but whenever I've been there, we've always won (except Chelsea this year, 1-1).
I don't want to see Spurs lose, but I'm pretty sure that I'd be back regardless. It's one hell of a drug to go to the Lane & I'm a shameless addict.
Re: Being a supporter vs being a fan
Well, you may just be a lucky charm (I bet THAT'S gone through your mind) but what happens when we DO lose, and you're there to witness it... has the Lucky charm worn off...? or is it simply a rite of passage that EVERY Supporter of EVERY Club (even the 'orrible ones) HAS to go through...
you need the sick taste of defeat in your mouth as you trudge back down the Tottenham High Road, with that 'eerily distant' sound of the Away fans celebrating in the corner ringing in your ears... it's a bitter taste, but one you must sample at SOME point my friend... THEN you'll know if you'll be back or not!
cutlass said:
Well, you may just be a lucky charm (I bet THAT'S gone through your mind) but what happens when we DO lose, and you're there to witness it... has the Lucky charm worn off...? or is it simply a rite of passage that EVERY Supporter of EVERY Club (even the 'orrible ones) HAS to go through...
you need the sick taste of defeat in your mouth as you trudge back down the Tottenham High Road, with that 'eerily distant' sound of the Away fans celebrating in the corner ringing in your ears... it's a bitter taste, but one you must sample at SOME point my friend... THEN you'll know if you'll be back or not!
Re: Being a supporter vs being a fan
I remember this game, I walked into a post outside the Spurs Shop (it was about 1997 wasn't it, so i would've been 6 years old). Knew then it would be a bad day at the office.
1882 said:
I remember this game, I walked into a post outside the Spurs Shop (it was about 1997 wasn't it, so i would've been 6 years old). Knew then it would be a bad day at the office.
Kinda on topic, but here we go anyway with a little anecdote.
I went to Stamford Bridge last year with a couple of mates who support Ipswich for their FA Cup 3rd round game. They lost 7-0 and on the way home they were all despondant and questioning why they bother. I piped up with something along the lines of: "Going to these kinda games makes the success that your club has even more sweeter"
I was thinking along the lines of losing to Hull 1-0 at home, 2 points 8 games situation and then 18 months later, Champions League we're having a laugh and all that jazz.
3 days after Ipswich got beat 7-0 at Stamford Bridge, they beat Woolwich 1-0 at home in the Carling Cup Semi-final...got a text from my mate saying I was right. After feeling so down, 3 days later they were now on top of the world after beating the scum, and it was even sweeter as they didn't expect nothing from their team but just hoped for the best and got behind their team.
I went to Stamford Bridge last year with a couple of mates who support Ipswich for their FA Cup 3rd round game. They lost 7-0 and on the way home they were all despondant and questioning why they bother. I piped up with something along the lines of: "Going to these kinda games makes the success that your club has even more sweeter"
I was thinking along the lines of losing to Hull 1-0 at home, 2 points 8 games situation and then 18 months later, Champions League we're having a laugh and all that jazz.
3 days after Ipswich got beat 7-0 at Stamford Bridge, they beat Woolwich 1-0 at home in the Carling Cup Semi-final...got a text from my mate saying I was right. After feeling so down, 3 days later they were now on top of the world after beating the scum, and it was even sweeter as they didn't expect nothing from their team but just hoped for the best and got behind their team.
YidoBuckler said:
I had a ticket for that game & had to write an essay that was due in after the weekend. Internet was fucked so I couldn't even listen to the game or follow it in any way, shape or form. Decided to wait for MotD & just wished I was at the game every few minutes.
Needless to say, I felt like I WAS a lucky charm at the time. Still kind of do. Which is why I tried incredibly hard to get a ticket for Man United. No such luck.
If anyone's got one going....
Seriously, though, I have thought about it & I guess I won't know until I go to a game where we inevitably do lose (quite possibly to undeserving opposition). I've not been a supporter (or a fan) for all that long, compared with those who've grown up with the club, so I guess I don't have history to draw on. But while I've known it, I've loved the shirt as much as I can.