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Post by somersetstokie on Sept 25, 2020 8:57:39 GMT
I have strong concerns that, probably as a result of the restrictions facing football followers, there has been a dramatic, though hopefully temporary, decline in levels of supporter activity. Are we at the moment just losing interest? It seems apparent that as supporters are no longer actively involved in supporting their club in the manner they are used to, in going to matches or even hanging around the Stadium or Training ground, then we have lost a crucial element of participation. At the moment we have lost major opportunities for fans to identify with the club, and there seems to be a disconnection between the fanbase and the actvities of the club. What we have now is apathy where there was once enthusiasm, and the fanaticism of some sections of the supporter base has been nullified.
If you look at activity on this Message Board, which is a key platform for comment and criticism amongst fans, it is at the moment very flat and one might say dull. Look at the Summer Transfer Thread, which as I write has been relegated to page 2, with no new comments posted for around thirty hours. The club has made a promising start to the season, we are clearly improving and have progressed well in a cup competition. We are also, significantly, approaching the climax of the transfer window. Yet there are no current comments or posts. There may actually be no transfer activity, but usually fake news and rumour moves in to fill the vacuum, but there is nothing. Are we just that disenchanted with the current reality of the game that we do not care and are just indifferent to possible new developments.
What is it going to take to motivate and energize the fans again, and even restore the oatcake to its vibrant and controversial former self. Have we lost part of our connection to the game indefinitely or can we again become as enthusiastically involved and committed as we should be.
Using the term "energize" there, reminded me of what a colleague said to me to the other day, that we are now in the Star Trek Dimension. "Its Life Jim, but not as we know it."
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Post by somersetstokie on Sept 25, 2020 9:07:08 GMT
I had to laugh. My partner just commented. "Imagine posting a thread on Apathy, and no one bothers to respond!"
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Post by retrostoke on Sept 25, 2020 9:08:56 GMT
I have strong concerns that, probably as a result of the restrictions facing football followers, there has been a dramatic, though hopefully temporary, decline in levels of supporter activity. Are we at the moment just losing interest? It seems apparent that as supporters are no longer actively involved in supporting their club in the manner they are used to, in going to matches or even hanging around the Stadium or Training ground, then we have lost a crucial element of participation. At the moment we have lost major opportunities for fans to identify with the club, and there seems to be a disconnection between the fanbase and the actvities of the club. What we have now is apathy where there was once enthusiasm, and the fanaticism of some sections of the supporter base has been nullified. If you look at activity on this Message Board, which is a key platform for comment and criticism amongst fans, it is at the moment very flat and one might say dull. Look at the Summer Transfer Thread, which as I write has been relegated to page 2, with no new comments posted for around thirty hours. The club has made a promising start to the season, we are clearly improving and have progressed well in a cup competition. We are also, significantly approaching the climax of the transfer window. Yet there is no current comment or posts. There may actually be no transfer activity, but usually fake news and rumour moves in to fill the vacuum, but there is nothing. Are we just that disenchanted with the current reality of the game that we do not care and are just indifferent to possible new developments. What is it going to take to motivate and energize the fans again, and even restore the oatcake to its vibrant and controversial former self. Have we lost part of our connection to the game indefinitely or can we again become as enthusiastically involved and committed as we should be. Using the term "energize" there, reminded me of what a colleague said to me to the other day, that we are now in the Star Trek Dimension. "Its Life Jim, but not as we know it." I think it’s more a reflection on the struggle of the last 2 years and FFP Restrictions draining our enthusiasm. Three wins on the spin will kick us off again |
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Post by femark on Sept 25, 2020 9:21:06 GMT
Football has currently been relegated to a bit of a crap TV series. All we can do is sit and watch the occasional show, then go about our day to day business.
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Post by spitthedog on Sept 25, 2020 9:25:36 GMT
The problem with football becoming a TV sport is that nearly every young kid will be growing as a supporter of either
Man City
Man Utd
Liverpool
Chelsea
Arsenal
maybe Tottenham for the quirky ones
though I have noticed in school there a kids who support Real Madrid or Barcelona which tells you everything you need to know.
That is it.
Going to see Stoke in the flesh changed my life tbh.
I got addicted from Live Match experience
Stoke fan base will be and is an ageing population. That is a problem.
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Post by maninasuitcase on Sept 25, 2020 9:34:59 GMT
Football has currently been relegated to a bit of a crap TV series. All we can do is sit and watch the occasional show, then go about our day to day business. This^ The routine of going to the match and all it entailed has gone during the lockdown. To many, including myself, it was a minimum 7 hour activity, with pub before and after, the game, food, etc. Now its lucky to last the whole game when its on a stream, as the distractions of home life start to eat in to our love of the game. How many of us now can say they watch the whole game without a distraction. Its a slippery slope thats for sure, as many fans weekends evolve into life without the routine of the match. |
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Post by mickeythemaestro on Sept 25, 2020 9:39:14 GMT
I have strong concerns that, probably as a result of the restrictions facing football followers, there has been a dramatic, though hopefully temporary, decline in levels of supporter activity. Are we at the moment just losing interest? It seems apparent that as supporters are no longer actively involved in supporting their club in the manner they are used to, in going to matches or even hanging around the Stadium or Training ground, then we have lost a crucial element of participation. At the moment we have lost major opportunities for fans to identify with the club, and there seems to be a disconnection between the fanbase and the actvities of the club. What we have now is apathy where there was once enthusiasm, and the fanaticism of some sections of the supporter base has been nullified. If you look at activity on this Message Board, which is a key platform for comment and criticism amongst fans, it is at the moment very flat and one might say dull. Look at the Summer Transfer Thread, which as I write has been relegated to page 2, with no new comments posted for around thirty hours. The club has made a promising start to the season, we are clearly improving and have progressed well in a cup competition. We are also, significantly approaching the climax of the transfer window. Yet there is no current comment or posts. There may actually be no transfer activity, but usually fake news and rumour moves in to fill the vacuum, but there is nothing. Are we just that disenchanted with the current reality of the game that we do not care and are just indifferent to possible new developments. What is it going to take to motivate and energize the fans again, and even restore the oatcake to its vibrant and controversial former self. Have we lost part of our connection to the game indefinitely or can we again become as enthusiastically involved and committed as we should be. Using the term "energize" there, reminded me of what a colleague said to me to the other day, that we are now in the Star Trek Dimension. "Its Life Jim, but not as we know it." If yoos ask me it has far more to do with the abject dog eggs we have been served up by SCFC over the last 4 years. I find it amazing we were still getting 20k crowds to be honest. And deeper than that I think a lot of it is the apparent "apathy" that has been projected down from the boardroom leaving the fans thinking they just don't seem to get it. Cant remember who said it but I recall a quote that went something along the lines of "what is all the fuss about!!!!!" |
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Post by spitthedog on Sept 25, 2020 9:41:06 GMT
Football has currently been relegated to a bit of a crap TV series. All we can do is sit and watch the occasional show, then go about our day to day business. This^ The routine of going to the match and all it entailed has gone during the lockdown. To many, including myself, it was a minimum 7 hour activity, with pub before and after, the game, food, etc. Now its lucky to last the whole game when its on a stream, as the distractions of home life start to eat in to our love of the game. How many of us now can say they watch the whole game without a distraction. Its a slippery slope thats for sure, as many fans weekends evolve into life without the routine of the match. The social aspect cannot be underestimated and i think its even more crucial for less achieving clubs. There were seasons supporting Stoke in the past when I nearly phased out but got carried along by mates. |
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Post by spitthedog on Sept 25, 2020 9:45:02 GMT
I have strong concerns that, probably as a result of the restrictions facing football followers, there has been a dramatic, though hopefully temporary, decline in levels of supporter activity. Are we at the moment just losing interest? It seems apparent that as supporters are no longer actively involved in supporting their club in the manner they are used to, in going to matches or even hanging around the Stadium or Training ground, then we have lost a crucial element of participation. At the moment we have lost major opportunities for fans to identify with the club, and there seems to be a disconnection between the fanbase and the actvities of the club. What we have now is apathy where there was once enthusiasm, and the fanaticism of some sections of the supporter base has been nullified. If you look at activity on this Message Board, which is a key platform for comment and criticism amongst fans, it is at the moment very flat and one might say dull. Look at the Summer Transfer Thread, which as I write has been relegated to page 2, with no new comments posted for around thirty hours. The club has made a promising start to the season, we are clearly improving and have progressed well in a cup competition. We are also, significantly approaching the climax of the transfer window. Yet there is no current comment or posts. There may actually be no transfer activity, but usually fake news and rumour moves in to fill the vacuum, but there is nothing. Are we just that disenchanted with the current reality of the game that we do not care and are just indifferent to possible new developments. What is it going to take to motivate and energize the fans again, and even restore the oatcake to its vibrant and controversial former self. Have we lost part of our connection to the game indefinitely or can we again become as enthusiastically involved and committed as we should be. Using the term "energize" there, reminded me of what a colleague said to me to the other day, that we are now in the Star Trek Dimension. "Its Life Jim, but not as we know it." If yoos ask me it has far more to do with the abject dog eggs we have been served up by SCFC over the last 4 years. I find it amazing we were still getting 20k crowds to be honest. And deeper than that I think a lot of it is the apparent "apathy" that has been projected down from the boardroom leaving the fans thinking they just don't seem to get it. Cant remember who said it but I recall a quote that went something along the lines of "what is all the fuss about!!!!!" Lack of success had an impact but this is not the main issue as with all clubs they go through low achieving periods. I don't think even success will increase our number of supporters at the moment if this online experience continues Its just doesn't work with inspiring younger fans when you are competing with the online might of Liverpool. Its a virtual non-situated world so whats the point in supporting a team like Stoke.... unless you are some kind of geek? |
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Post by mickeythemaestro on Sept 25, 2020 9:46:12 GMT
And additionally to what I have muttered above I think a lot of fans have a problem with the new "wokeness" of sport in general. Its all politics in my opinion and politics has no place in sport or football because it will kill it slowly and painfully. You can see it on this board all over the place.
I don't go to games to have politics and the woke police shoved down my throat. I go to games to forget about politics and have a good laugh with friends. Its supposed to be our chance to relax and enjoy life before heading back to work on Monday.
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Post by maninasuitcase on Sept 25, 2020 9:46:16 GMT
This^ The routine of going to the match and all it entailed has gone during the lockdown. To many, including myself, it was a minimum 7 hour activity, with pub before and after, the game, food, etc. Now its lucky to last the whole game when its on a stream, as the distractions of home life start to eat in to our love of the game. How many of us now can say they watch the whole game without a distraction. Its a slippery slope thats for sure, as many fans weekends evolve into life without the routine of the match. The social aspect cannot be underestimated and i think its even more crucial for less achieving clubs. There were seasons supporting Stoke in the past when I nearly phased out but got carried along by mates. The mates part is key. As a group there are varying degrees of love/hate for the club, but the common theme is we are all there regardless and as mates we support each other as well as the club. Without it there is a large void to fill for many. |
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Post by franklin on Sept 25, 2020 9:46:35 GMT
Its very true when we scored the other night I showed barely a flicker of emotion.
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Post by somersetstokie on Sept 25, 2020 9:57:46 GMT
Spitthedog: quote. "Lack of success had an impact but this is not the main issue as with all clubs they go through low achieving periods.
I don't think even success will increase our number of supporters at the moment if this online experience continues
Its just doesn't work with inspiring younger fans when you are competing with the online might of Liverpool.
Its a virtual non-situated world so whats the point in supporting a team like Stoke.... unless you are some kind of geek?"
Good point. You are no longer physically or emotionally restricted to following your home town club. You can effectively choose to follow any team in the world based for example on your like of their kit design, and follow the day to day life of the club online, from your home in Bentilee. So what indeed in reality is the point of supporting a team like Stoke.
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Post by spitthedog on Sept 25, 2020 10:01:28 GMT
Spitthedog: quote. "Lack of success had an impact but this is not the main issue as with all clubs they go through low achieving periods. I don't think even success will increase our number of supporters at the moment if this online experience continues Its just doesn't work with inspiring younger fans when you are competing with the online might of Liverpool.
Its a virtual non-situated world so whats the point in supporting a team like Stoke.... unless you are some kind of geek?"Good point. You are no longer physically or emotionally restricted to following your home town club. You can effectively choose to follow any team in the world based for example on your like of their kit design, and follow the day to day life of the club online, from your home in Bentilee. So what indeed in reality is the point of supporting a team like Stoke. It's a very relevant point which clubs like Stoke will need to work hard on addressing. No easy solutions there. My own feeling is that supporters of teams like Stoke are a dying breed. Literally. How do teams like Stoke find a USP when there is no geographical reason to be associated with them. |
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Post by mickeythemaestro on Sept 25, 2020 10:06:22 GMT
The problem with football becoming a TV sport is that nearly every young kid will be growing as a supporter of either Man City Man Utd Liverpool Chelsea Arsenal maybe Tottenham for the quirky ones though I have noticed in school there a kids who support Real Madrid or Barcelona which tells you everything you need to know. That is it. Going to see Stoke in the flesh changed my life tbh. I got addicted from Live Match experience Stoke fan base will be and is an ageing population. That is a problem. I kind of get what you're saying but I'm knocking 50 years old and when I was a kid I had a Liverpool shirt, Barcelona shirt, French international shirt, Spanish international shirt yet I've been a Stoke fan my whole life and had a season ticket for at least 25 of those years. Maybe it is becoming a bigger problem but its not a new phenomenon. Kids are kids. It does bother people though, I was in Sports direct last year and my lad was trying on a Barcelona shirt to the fairly obvious disgust of some portly Man Utd fan stood near by, which got my attention and then I heard him at the counter bantering with the sales assistant in a very deep NI accent  And btw my lad has dozens of football shirts mostly Stoke and Man Utd but random others chucked in. And to be fair to him he was born in Manchester and lives in Old Trafford/Whalley Range (so the man utd thing is my fault, sorry  ). He's still a Stokie at heart, at least in front of me anyway! |
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Post by Goonie on Sept 25, 2020 10:21:26 GMT
I used to be apathetic but I stopped as I just couldn't be arsed
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Post by spiderpuss on Sept 25, 2020 10:25:27 GMT
I don't like streams and as I said on another thread I'm the worst fidget in the world and start doing other things whilst it's playing in the background.
I'm sure I'll be straight back to the stadiums once they are 100% open and that's because it's a chance to meet chums and get out of the house.
Plus some away days were cracking days out to boot. I get the young person worry and that's why the club need to make a deal on offer for streams so they capture that market - coupled with offers on clothing. They need to go back to the EFL and renegotiate the current non-deal.
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Post by The man from Utch on Sept 25, 2020 10:28:27 GMT
Its very true when we scored the other night I showed barely a flicker of emotion. The other night when Newcastle scored 7 and Everton scored 5, Tom Rennie made a good observation that there was no goal celebrations from the players. |
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Post by spitthedog on Sept 25, 2020 10:31:14 GMT
The problem with football becoming a TV sport is that nearly every young kid will be growing as a supporter of either Man City Man Utd Liverpool Chelsea Arsenal maybe Tottenham for the quirky ones though I have noticed in school there a kids who support Real Madrid or Barcelona which tells you everything you need to know. That is it. Going to see Stoke in the flesh changed my life tbh. I got addicted from Live Match experience Stoke fan base will be and is an ageing population. That is a problem. I kind of get what you're saying but I'm knocking 50 years old and when I was a kid I had a Liverpool shirt, Barcelona shirt, French international shirt, Spanish international shirt yet I've been a Stoke fan my whole life and had a season ticket for at least 25 of those years. Maybe it is becoming a bigger problem but its not a new phenomenon. Kids are kids. It does bother people though, I was in Sports direct last year and my lad was trying on a Barcelona shirt to the fairly obvious disgust of some portly Man Utd fan stood near by, which got my attention and then I heard him at the counter bantering with the sales assistant in a very deep NI accent And btw my lad has dozens of football shirts mostly Stoke and Man Utd but random others chucked in. And to be fair to him he was born in Manchester and lives in Old Trafford/Whalley Range (so the man utd thing is my fault, sorry ). He's still a Stokie at heart, at least in front of me anyway! I used to have a WHU away strip and loved it when I was a kid. I never even liked WHU. That's a different thing I think. I just don't see how teams like Stoke are going to attract a new generation of supporters when the sport is becoming increasingly (and at the moment exclusively) an online phenomenon. The way of experiencing football has changed and is changing radically. |
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Post by somersetstokie on Sept 25, 2020 10:40:05 GMT
If you follow things through to a natural conclusion why will we need large expensive stadia. If we are going to have "training ground" football we could play it on a training ground pitch. We can still get fan paying revenue by fee based streaming and televised match screenings. A whole new world of health and safety based football activity.
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Post by nottsover60 on Sept 25, 2020 10:43:51 GMT
My son (a man utd fan unfortunately - he even went to uni to be near them and now lives there) specialises in buying foreign stripes that he likes the design and colour of.
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Post by mickeythemaestro on Sept 25, 2020 10:44:50 GMT
I used to have a WHU away strip and loved it when I was a kid. I never even liked WHU. That's a different thing I think. I just don't see how teams like Stoke are going to attract a new generation of supporters when the sport is becoming increasingly (and at the moment exclusively) an online phenomenon. The way of experiencing football has changed and is changing radically. Randomly my brother had a Crystal Palace one from the 70s early 80s with the diagonal stripe. I was delighted when it got handed down to me!! I get your concern about this online stuff. And its a worry as to whether Stoke have the ability to get with the times to shore up future support. I'm not sure their recent record of getting with the times fills me with confidence. Hopefully they prove me wrong. |
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Post by iglugluk on Sept 25, 2020 10:59:18 GMT
The internet seems to be causing life itself to become a vicarious experience and football is a part of that and as far as I'm concerned that denudes the value of almost everything. Lockdown, whilst necessary unless your a tinfoil hat wearing type, has accentuated that process massively in many areas. Someone needs to find that IT Crowd internet box and burn it.. I reckon Ned Ludd had a point |
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Post by somersetstokie on Sept 25, 2020 11:07:54 GMT
The kit thing is very relevant, particularly as Club Shirts have become a fashion statement. Before the season fans await the unveiling of a new replica kit as eagerly as the announcement of the fixture list. The detail and look of each new issue can be hugely important and critical to a clubs merchandising revenue.
When I was at school clubs were just beginning to show imagination in this area, and the hottest strips on the playing fields at that time were a couple of Man City/ Coventry copies that had red and black vertical stripes. (The club away kits). We had never seen anything like them before, and I think the lads who owned them were probably Wolves fans, yet they certainly loved their red and black kit.
I have no real interest in American Football and its various franchises, but when it was being screened regularly in the UK on a Sunday night, I used to favour the Cincinnati Bengals, as I thought they had a really smart orange and black strip. So yes, the playing strip selections can have significance.
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Post by spitthedog on Sept 25, 2020 11:13:35 GMT
I used to have a WHU away strip and loved it when I was a kid. I never even liked WHU. That's a different thing I think. I just don't see how teams like Stoke are going to attract a new generation of supporters when the sport is becoming increasingly (and at the moment exclusively) an online phenomenon. The way of experiencing football has changed and is changing radically. Randomly my brother had a Crystal Palace one from the 70s early 80s with the diagonal stripe. I was delighted when it got handed down to me!! I get your concern about this online stuff. And its a worry as to whether Stoke have the ability to get with the times to shore up future support. I'm not sure their recent record of getting with the times fills me with confidence. Hopefully they prove me wrong. I personally think things like strips are just a superficial part of this. The internet has changed our way of experiencing everything completely and Lockdown has accelerated this process. Football, like everything else is not immune from this. |
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Post by spitthedog on Sept 25, 2020 11:15:48 GMT
The kit thing is very relevant, particularly as Club Shirts have become a fashion statement. Before the season fans await the unveiling of a new replica kit as eagerly as the announcement of the fixture list. The detail and look of each new issue can be hugely important and critical to a clubs merchandising revenue. When I was at school clubs were just beginning to show imagination in this area, and the hottest strips on the playing fields at that time were a couple of Man City/ Coventry copies that had red and black vertical stripes. (The club away kits). We had never seen anything like them before, and I think the lads who owned them were probably Wolves fans, yet they certainly loved their red and black kit. I have no real interest in American Football and its various franchises, but when it was being screened regularly in the UK on a Sunday night, I used to favour the Cincinnati Bengals, as I thought they had a really smart orange and black strip. So yes, the playing strip selections can have significance. Interesting to read this though. |
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Post by LGH87 on Sept 25, 2020 11:21:24 GMT
I’ve not watched a single game from start to finish yet this season be it Stoke or anyone else.
I watched every single one after the restart and a fair bit of other football too but this new season I just can’t seem to get up for it at all.
I’m missing the match so badly, we build our whole week around it and for it not to be there for the foreseeable is hard to come to terms with.
There is zero point in football if we can’t attend. I’m not talking about the restricted version either which will be just as bland and sterile as watching it at home currently.
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Post by LGH87 on Sept 25, 2020 11:26:04 GMT
The social aspect cannot be underestimated and i think its even more crucial for less achieving clubs. There were seasons supporting Stoke in the past when I nearly phased out but got carried along by mates. The mates part is key. As a group there are varying degrees of love/hate for the club, but the common theme is we are all there regardless and as mates we support each other as well as the club. Without it there is a large void to fill for many. Which is exactly why the now postponed restrictions didn’t work for many. There’s 7 of us on our row and all of us have said we won’t return until restrictions are lifted because it just won’t be the same, we’d have to go in two’s and one poor sod would have to sit alone. That isn’t a match day experience, that isn’t what football is about. At some point though people will find other things to do and get used to life without football. I honestly do fear the worst for the sport as we all know and love it, this is giving the powers that be exactly what they’ve wanted for years a tv sport. It may never recover. |
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Post by marylandstoke on Sept 25, 2020 11:45:01 GMT
If you follow things through to a natural conclusion why will we need large expensive stadia. If we are going to have "training ground" football we could play it on a training ground pitch. We can still get fan paying revenue by fee based streaming and televised match screenings. A whole new world of health and safety based football activity. What a horrible though. I have always enjoyed new grounds and love a “real” ground. Always wanted to do the 92. I’m guessing if things don’t improve it will be the 42 or something similar. One major change over here is that NBC have opened a new paywall service Peacock TV. NBC show Prem games over here and, as they it tell, due to The TdF and golf, all but two games were behind the paywall. That left us with two games shown that, frankly, were not even that appealing. Meanwhile there was a full program of Buntcake League games, all over the tv and web for free. At a time when you would think the league would want to show case it’s new season, promoted clubs, new imports, Dirty Leeds......nothing much to see here. I will say one thing in summary. If I ever get a grand child in my life time (and I am old) I would even prefer they wanted a Fail shirt than the Bayern or Barca shirt that they will ask for. |
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Post by stantheman on Sept 25, 2020 12:19:33 GMT
I've been home and away for 40 years and just cant be arsed with watching the streamed matches, even though my Son is in the living room watching every game.
Apathy? Definitley, and I cant see it changing anytime soon.
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). He's still a Stokie at heart, at least in front of me anyway!
