Chelsea fans who booed Rafa Benitez made their point, but what if there were 20,000 empty seats at the Bridge? Daniel Storey on the only way fans can really protest...article by Daniel Storey here... http://www.football365.com/f365-says/8285174/Sad-Irony-Of-Fans-Paying-To-Voice-Displeasure
Daniel Storey is spot on. But what he suggests is unlikely. This is because, in the main, football fans of top flight clubs are intrinsically selfish consumers who overuse inaccurate terms like "we" (especially overused by glory hunters to over compensate for their inactive non-attendance - selecting the appropriate Sky channel, or watching it at the pub, doesn't count) to suggest some form of active-group-collective-belonging-family behaviour, when all they really do is sit motionless and open their eyes to passively absorb the action of others. The reality is that each spectator is merely seeking their own personal, passive gratification from an experience. Usually this does not depend in the slightest on the feelings of others. In fact, most football fans couldn't care less about the person sat next to them, once the final whistle blows. Nothing wrong with that, but don't call it a "movement" as if the fans being there are attached by common purpose. This carries with it the delusion of loyalty to some badge, some town or some coloured kit and that this loyalty is somehow a "shared experience". The irony is that the beneficiaries of this loyalty are the owners of the club, ironic because their only interest in the club is how it affects their stock.
Daniel Storey is spot on. But what he suggests is unlikely. This is because, in the main, football fans of top flight clubs are intrinsically selfish consumers who overuse inaccurate terms like "we" (especially overused by glory hunters to over compensate for their inactive non-attendance - selecting the appropriate Sky channel, or watching it at the pub, doesn't count) to suggest some form of active-group-collective-belonging-family behaviour, when all they really do is sit motionless and open their eyes to passively absorb the action of others. The reality is that each spectator is merely seeking their own personal, passive gratification from an experience. Usually this does not depend in the slightest on the feelings of others. In fact, most football fans couldn't care less about the person sat next to them, once the final whistle blows. Nothing wrong with that, but don't call it a "movement" as if the fans being there are attached by common purpose. This carries with it the delusion of loyalty to some badge, some town or some coloured kit and that this loyalty is somehow a "shared experience". The irony is that the beneficiaries of this loyalty are the owners of the club, ironic because their only interest in the club is how it affects their stock.
The phrase "put your money where your mouth is" comes to mind. Walk the talk, or shut the fuck up." Until the selfishness of fans is replaced with genuine desire to take action - at cost to self - then the clubs - read "investment opportunities" - will continue to drain as much credit out of the fans as they possibly can.
"Fans" of these top four clubs ought to quit moaning when there is very little wrong. Try supporting a real football club with organic foundations which class survival as success, and who survive thanks only to benevolent donations. For one Chelsea there are several Brentfords, Leyton Orients, Lutons. For every Manchester, there are several Bury, Stockport, Oldham and Prestons. Then you might find something worth complaining about, and where fans' money, and presence is more valued by the club.
"Fans" of these top four clubs ought to quit moaning when there is very little wrong. Try supporting a real football club with organic foundations which class survival as success, and who survive thanks only to benevolent donations. For one Chelsea there are several Brentfords, Leyton Orients, Lutons. For every Manchester, there are several Bury, Stockport, Oldham and Prestons. Then you might find something worth complaining about, and where fans' money, and presence is more valued by the club.
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