In younger years I'd collect the Panini stickers in an album, play in the park pretending to be one of my heroes - jumpers for goalposts and all that! Football was a huge part of my life. I could reel of stat after stat, remember new signings, keep ahead of the transfer gossip etc, I was really into it.
So here we are, the first weekend of the new season, the football league has kicked off, today is the Community Shield day, and we have an England friendly to look forward to mid week before the Premier League and SPL kick off. the trouble is - I just am not excited by it any more! I think England's performance in this year's world cup sort of cemented it. All of the hype and expectation, and to be dashed in such a disappointing manner sort of chuffs you off (For want of a more explicit phrase).
I look at the players I want to adore, for all of the three teams mentioned above, and I just can not be arsed anymore! As I mature in years and understand more about this life and this world we live in, I can not begin to support how they conduct their business, (Particularly United & England players) and how they lead their lives etc. I look at their more often than not less than average performances on the pitch, and then compare it to the way they lead their much publicised lives, and I can't begin to agree with that. Over £100,000 a week and I feel that they treat their fans with contempt and a loathing akin to a medieval king and a peasant.
Football is now so alien to its grass roots beginnings, even the price of watching my local team - Lincoln City is nearly £20.00. A family trip to watch my League two under par side will set me back £50.00 before pies n peas! What sort of working man can afford that every other week? The same trip to Old Trafford is nearer £150.00!!!
It's the anticipation and excitement that turns into anti climax and disappointment that I can not deal with anymore. Why do I need to build up my hopes, get excited and then dashed again all in the name of 11 men who collectively in that week have just earned somewhere near £1.5m to do what? Make me scowl, frown and rant!! Well not anymore, well for now at least.
Football - You and I are "On a Break". It's over. Until you show me you care, love me back a bit, you can GTF! I need a new obsession, and it's not going to be you!!
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Inclined to agree with you Rob, especially as my team's new dawn disintegrated yesterday with a 3-1 defeat at mighty Shrewsbury :)
ReplyDeleteEverybody feels that way about England & the world cup debacle.
What about a non league team nearby? Would be inexpensive & no fancy dans there, just good honest blokes with the will to win.
I'm sure you'll be feeling better about it once things get underway proper.
Thanks Anthony. I may try Lincoln United. No3's best friend's dad is a player/coach there, "Back to Basics" as you say. Have you ever parted with the wonderful game?
ReplyDeleteI think more and more are starting to feel the same way - football is a financial car crash waiting to happen, and it needs to get back to realise that it is simply the fans that count - most modern players have lost all grip on reality, which when you are 21 and earning £50k a week is not surprising.
ReplyDeleteAnd the England situation, well, the fact that even the FA are not pushing this friendly shows that they realise the current feeling of the country there...
Pleased you agree Simon. Thinking on, 21 yr olds earning £50k a week, However can that expect to aid them into becoming regular, decent hard working men? It only adds to the "Setting them up for a fall" scenario. As for the FA..... Utter disgrace. If they were running a PLC there would have to be an inquest into the way they show total disregard for the business and it's associated finances.
ReplyDeleteI lost faith in football a fair few years ago, so I understand your predicament. With football now a multi-million pound industry the concept of it as a sport, seems to have been lost for many clubs. As already mentioned, maybe if you tried a non-league team you may get the satisfaction of watching a game unspoilt, so to speak, by the big marketing giants.
ReplyDeleteGlad there is more people that agree with me Dave. I still may look at the Non-league, hopefully no prima donna players there....?
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