Tonights attendance looked an embarrassment. Have venkys alienated vast amounts of our (former) fanbase permanently? Paul Lambert was clearly annoyed by the reserve team atmosphere. He may have an impossible task on his hands.
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Tonights attendance looked an embarrassment. Have venkys alienated vast amounts of our (former) fanbase permanently? Paul Lambert was clearly annoyed by the reserve team atmosphere. He may have an impossible task on his hands.
It is a worrying point, JR. I suppose it was on tv, it was the second home game in the weekend, and it is nearly Christmas! All the same, you'd have thought the run we are on would have brought in a few extra thousands.
It was a bit echoey at times. Also, a surprise to get more for Rotherham than Forest.
A lot of our fan base will not forgive let alone forget
however it must be said fans of any team are fickle if we get in the play offs expect a few thousand added on
play off final 30000 rovers fans?
we need them now sadly we are not good enough yet for them to return.
I often ponder this on my recent visits, and wrestle with: 'why is this?'
It's not any one particular thing really.
In some ways, it's what level of support you're gauging it against. If it's the gates of the JW era, it's an illusion. Those gates were a passing phase.
If I consider the 20 years preceding that the gates now are probably pretty much about a couple of thousand down on what we could expect.
The reason; the Venky factor? Without a doubt.
The change to the game generally Sky etc.? Without a doubt.
More 'distraction' for the common man away from the local footie club? Probably.
Being very much a working class town and players being paid ridiculous salaries? For sure.
The demographic factor? Yes for sure.
As we have all recognised, we have gone from a lowly mill town club that felt like our club. To a very well to do giant killing local club that felt even more like our club. To one of a club that suddenly was not ours any longer and was making a mockery of itself and
The long and short, (in the wake of losing so many over the Kean era); is promotion. It is the only way to get 20k back in. If I've realised anything being in an emplty ground over the last few seasons, it's about the opposition as much as Rovers, not to mention the hype of the Premier League. There are those with pride that stay away, but far larger in terms of empty seats are the fickle fans that wnt to see Man United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal etc. Don't go up and 15k is the most that can be hoped for. The sad truth. There is no point in comparing this to 2001, as times have changed. Many fans alienated and the fickle fans just remebering the toxic atmosphere of 2011/12
Most fans don't go anymore simply because we aren't in the Prem.Quote:
Originally Posted by Despair
However I rarely watched Rovers in their "glory" years.
I resemble all the remarks you make above and am very unlikely to watch the Rovers more than once or twice a season irrespective of performances and position.
I personally have got out of the 'habit' of attending. Haven't been on ewood in over a year, and must admit I don't intend on going on in the foreseeable with other things to do. There just more things in life than attending football for me these days and I still get the buzz when we get good results anyway following online.
Oddly enough, I have never got disillusioned - simply because the irresistible act of watching my team takes precedence for me over all the politics. I remember having this discussion with Bigmoon during the Kean era. I had to admit to him (with a slight sense of shame) that I would have continued going to every game, despite the obvious matters of principle that should have led to a protest. I know I wouldn't have been able to resist going along.Quote:
Originally Posted by jordan12rhodes
As it is, I watch any live sport I can in NZ - including local football of a pretty dire standard.
Nothing wrong with that at all Aucks, not sure why you seem to think you need to justify it.
How can you be sure?Quote:
Originally Posted by AucklandRover
Driving an hour and more each way to the match, getting there very early to grab a parking spot then a 20 minute plus walk to the ground in the howling wind and pouring rain. Sat in the wet and cold in a stadium completely void of atmosphere .......................... have you been to Blackburn?