Players giving shirts to the crowd.

[stayingupforbigbazza]

What do people think of this ?

Heard some clubs are trying to ban it.

Think I am sitting on the fence with this .But well done to Jacob Brown on Saturday and Ben Wilmot and Wesley tonight who made some lucky fans very happy..

😁🤔🤔

[mtrstudent]

Why'd anyone be against it?

[ElworthPotter]

Aug 9, 2023 5:56:59 GMT mtrstudent said:

Why'd anyone be against it?

I know for smaller clubs it’s as simple as cost saving. They can’t afford x amount of new shirts every week because players keep giving them away.

There are others where bigger clubs are concerned who think the kids in the crowd with the “please can I have your shirt” signs are then just giving them to their dads to sell on. I’m sure this may be the case sometimes but surely the majority are genuine.

[mtrstudent]

Aug 9, 2023 5:59:56 GMT ElworthPotter said:

Aug 9, 2023 5:56:59 GMT mtrstudent said:

Why'd anyone be against it?

I know for smaller clubs it’s as simple as cost saving. They can’t afford x amount of new shirts every week because players keep giving them away.

There are others where bigger clubs are concerned who think the kids in the crowd with the “please can I have your shirt” signs are then just giving them to their dads to sell on. I’m sure this may be the case sometimes but surely the majority are genuine.

I'm sure Jacob brown would be thrilled to see his top going for a fiver (plus P&P) on eBay

I like to believe there are enough genuine kid fans who will treasure the moment. I'm all for it.

[questionable]

Interestingly I was once told that players shirts aren’t of the same fabric of the ones sold in the club shops

[ladyinred]

I recall seeing a photograph of a dressing room notice once - think it was at Stoke, could've been another team.
Basically it said something along the lines of each player is allowed to give 2/3 shirts to the crowd each season without any penalty. Any further kit donations would need to be paid for by the player.

[cvillestokie]

Aug 9, 2023 5:59:56 GMT ElworthPotter said:

Aug 9, 2023 5:56:59 GMT mtrstudent said:

Why'd anyone be against it?

I know for smaller clubs it’s as simple as cost saving. They can’t afford x amount of new shirts every week because players keep giving them away.

There are others where bigger clubs are concerned who think the kids in the crowd with the “please can I have your shirt” signs are then just giving them to their dads to sell on. I’m sure this may be the case sometimes but surely the majority are genuine.

If they give them away, they should be happy to pay for the replacement. If the shirt is theirs, then they need a new one. If it is the club’s, then they need to replace what they have thrown away.

The cost of the shirt isn’t the same as the one that fans pay.

Problem solved.

[olias]

I can imagine it getting quite expensive per season, by non-moneybag clubs.


On a similar theme, when watching baseball, it's always amused me to see how many baseballs get given to, or caught by, fans, per game.

[Vermelho20312505]

I didn't think it was that clubs were against the shirts being given away but more against the signs asking for them specifically.

[dirtclod]

Aug 9, 2023 15:27:47 GMT olias said:

I can imagine it getting quite expensive per season, by non-moneybag clubs.


On a similar theme, when watching baseball, it's always amused me to see how many baseballs get given to, or caught by, fans, per game.

They buy those balls in bulk, so it's relatively "cheap" when compared to giving away a match-shirt.
If I was the club I'd do what some have suggested - you can give away 2/3 shirts a season but any more than that and you have to pay to replace it. (They can afford)

[ElworthPotter]

Aug 9, 2023 12:10:08 GMT cvillestokie said:

Aug 9, 2023 5:59:56 GMT ElworthPotter said:

I know for smaller clubs it’s as simple as cost saving. They can’t afford x amount of new shirts every week because players keep giving them away.

There are others where bigger clubs are concerned who think the kids in the crowd with the “please can I have your shirt” signs are then just giving them to their dads to sell on. I’m sure this may be the case sometimes but surely the majority are genuine.

If they give them away, they should be happy to pay for the replacement. If the shirt is theirs, then they need a new one. If it is the club’s, then they need to replace what they have thrown away.

The cost of the shirt isn’t the same as the one that fans pay.

Problem solved.

This is the rule at lots of clubs I believe. You give a shirt away and it comes out of your wages.

[Widget123]

Frankly if I was a footballer at (perhaps at championship level or above where pay is substantially higher than average) I'd just give my shirt away to a supporter at every game. Great and easy supporter engagement method and costs practically nothing for the player other than diluting the resale value of shirts they keep themselves. Probably even tax deductible as a PR expense if the club invoiced the player for them.

[Bojan Mackey]

I can’t stand those Fortnite playing little snot nose wankers who make the signs begging for shirts.

If I was a player I’d deliberately hand mine over to whoever was stood next to them.

[The Drunken Communist]

Aug 9, 2023 17:13:10 GMT Bojan Mackey said:

I can’t stand those Fortnite playing little snot nose wankers who make the signs begging for shirts.

If I was a player I’d deliberately hand mine over to whoever was stood next to them.

I'd crank some 90's on them into a quick Mongraal classic, one pump to the face, sorted.

*I realise this comment will be lost on most people!

[bayernoatcake]

I hate the signs begging for shirts.

But if a player wants to give someone his shirt then crack on.

It’s a lovely gesture.

[stokieinlondon]

Aug 9, 2023 9:56:55 GMT questionable said:

Interestingly I was once told that players shirts aren’t of the same fabric of the ones sold in the club shops

You are playing pretty fast and loose with the word ‘interestingly’ there

[coldtuesdaynight]

I think the problems arise when they throw shirts into the crowd, rather than give them out to a specific person. People seem to genuinely lose their minds over it and get aggressive, even if the one of the other people grabbing at the shirt is a child.

[Linx]

It’s possible that Brown gave his shirt away on Saturday because he knew it would be his last league appearance for Stoke.

[wearestoke80]

Aug 9, 2023 17:13:10 GMT Bojan Mackey said:

I can’t stand those Fortnite playing little snot nose wankers who make the signs begging for shirts.

If I was a player I’d deliberately hand mine over to whoever was stood next to them.

The odd sign is okay but it’s getting to the point where everyone has them even grown men and it’s ruined the idea

[spiderpuss]

Aug 10, 2023 20:50:17 GMT wearestoke80 said:

Aug 9, 2023 17:13:10 GMT Bojan Mackey said:

I can’t stand those Fortnite playing little snot nose wankers who make the signs begging for shirts.

If I was a player I’d deliberately hand mine over to whoever was stood next to them.

The odd sign is okay but it’s getting to the point where everyone has them even grown men and it’s ruined the idea

And then they just whack the fucker on the 'bay anyway.

[Gods]

Slightly off topic but do players get a new shirt every match these days?

And if not is there some dude at the club charged with laundering them? Or perhaps the players take turns to wash all the shirts? I suppose when it's Sol Sidibe's turn he can just give them to his mum!

[LL Cool Dave]

Aug 9, 2023 15:37:44 GMT Vermelho20312505 said:

I didn't think it was that clubs were against the shirts being given away but more against the signs asking for them specifically.

I absolutely despise them.

[Scouse]

It’s become very lucrative business .. adults with entire folders of professional photographs ,blank cards waiting to be signed , is why some clubs , players no longer sign ..or only do so for kids , which is why at some clubs adults use kids to get things signed

Match worn items are particularly coveted by sellers ..

Some fans invariably push themselves ( or their kids forward )  ..what started as a trickle has become a flood , you only need to go a few games to see it’s invariably often the same small knot of adult fans appealing for shirts , boots , gloves etc or kids holding the signs , even after they’ve been handed shirts previously

while I can understand the joy of a young or disabled fan being ‘selected’ , rewarded for their support , call it what you want , imho the handing out of match worn items isn’t something I think the clubs and indeed players should be doing or encouraging … not out of jealousy , being a kill joy etc , but because for every fan that’s rewarded , there’s several with signs that arnt , and therefore are left disappointed or worse broken hearted because their hero didn’t pick them. Theres also countless others in the crowd just as deserving

A kid who spends all day , a week even making a sign ..then gets broken hearted as their hero ignores them ..or worst still picks someone else isn’t a good or easy watch

Adults who do the clamouring ..I can only say give it a rest 

[Robo10]

Same parents who send their kids onto the pitch begging for stuff from Ronaldo/Messi - whole family should be banned for life :-)

[mattface]

Aug 9, 2023 15:27:47 GMT olias said:

I can imagine it getting quite expensive per season, by non-moneybag clubs.


On a similar theme, when watching baseball, it's always amused me to see how many baseballs get given to, or caught by, fans, per game.

Funny you should say that. I have a friend who goes to AFC Wimbledon. When his lad asked a player for a shirt the response was "I'd like to, but I have to pay for the replacement" #division4

[JudgeMental]

Aug 9, 2023 15:27:47 GMT olias said:

I can imagine it getting quite expensive per season, by non-moneybag clubs.


On a similar theme, when watching baseball, it's always amused me to see how many baseballs get given to, or caught by, fans, per game.

Yep - always tickles me how cricket is so precious about the ball/new ball thing and in baseball they chuck them into the stands like sweets.