"Part-Time Supporter Debate"

[GrandStokie]

Okay, as an avid Stoke fan for well over thirty years I’m somewhat confused if I can still call myself a fan/supporter or not judging by some peoples opinions on this board. Ive read many threads about stay away fans, part-timers, arm-chair supporters etc and Im at a complete loss as to what category I fall under. Im an exile stokie who would like to think he’s a Stoke City Supporter/Fan, but when I read threads slagging off fans who don’t attend on a regular basis, I begin to wonder if I can call myself a fan or even if I am welcome at Stoke anymore?

In the 70s I was reliant mainly on my dad and my mate’s dads to take me to watch the mighty potters and gate crashing the Boothen End when they opened the gates towards the end of the match. In the 80s I was old enough to earn money and pay my own way which then led to a sustained period from the mid 80s to mid nineties following Stoke home and away almost every week. I then met the wife and moved south where I’ve been for the last 13 years. In the first few years I watched as many games as possible which was okay as I didn’t mind the travelling, I had no kids and it was good to get away from her indoors. Then came the reality check, our first child, and the games slowed down, mainly catching the away games in and around London and East Anglian regions (as well as home games of course). The following years, another child, three dogs, several cats and a big mortgage to work off, the games slowed to a crawl. Now though, the kids are older and its easier to take them both to the game and we’ve managed 6 home games so far this season, Friday being the seventh!!

So where does that leave me, it’s a fact that situations change and mine did, but after 10 years hard following I think I deserve my classification of supporter/fan.

[onlyonesirstan]

A True supporter who loves Stoke City end of

[GRUMPY 1]

In the eyes of todays young'uns you are like me regarded as "justafan" but in the eyes of us "knowing folk" we are all true Stokies.

Just remember, when the insults are flowing our way, we were probably just as keen as them when we were younger, we just have an image to live up to.

I was in the family stand with my 2 daughters last night and I was surprised how many of the "responsible adults" in there were familiar to me as "old compatriots" of my youth.

We had a little bit of a reunion singing and laughing like the old days and yes, the girls were embarrassed to see their "old man" and his mates having a bit of "fun".




So falkez, in the eyes of the knowing, "YOU ARE STOKE, AND YOU KNOW IT."


so clap yer 'ands.

[fullerlegend]

i think there's just some "supporters" who go for the games
like southampton, kids a quid etc.
noone likes them type of people, well i don't.
now this is the beast year the clubs had for a long time.
they're should be more&more fans coming every week.
nevertheless, they're exscuses are always "i never have the money"

[BraveSirRobin]

If they never have the money,then the cheaper games seems the only option to them.They may love SCFC as much as you but just cant afford it so these cheaper games are a chance to be able to afford to follow the club they love.
They shouldnt be beaten down by the likes of you.


BSR...season ticket holder.

[soicowboy]

'noone likes them type of people'

?????



Personally think it's great to see 20k odd there and nice to see the club encouraging them.


Had one guy on this morning moaning he had to sit near someone who's first game it was- obviously had no idea if it was or not- so what if it was?

[tigger68]

it boils down to what people earn and around here it is'nt much,im a humble pottery worker and i earn now what i was 20 years ago...only now i have a wife and kids.........what comes first family or football..........

[slangking]

I had a few of these 'I'm a season ticket holder, who the fuck are you?' types around me. F'chrissakes we average around 13,000 if we are lucky and you count out offer games, we have a 27,000 seater stadium and a morgue like atmosphere when the precious season ticket holders have it to themselves, we can hardly afford to be snobby about people who genuinely can't justify the cost of going to every home game.

[KevinWhimper]

good post mate, i empathise with you,
true supporter no question

[tigger68]

fullerlegend you are either single or a selfish ass.......................hole

[supergerrytaggart]

As far as I'm concerned, the only fans I have a problem with are the rediculously cynical ones. The ones that are cynical to the point of delusion. There are still fans that refuse to go because Pulis is in charge, or refuse to go because Coates is chairman.

These fans put their principles above supporting the team. I have no problems with anybody else, just raving cynics!

[tigger68]

i'll be totally honest i've been to at least half of the home and half of the away games this season...but how many of the "if you don't go every week at home your a part time supporter" brigade have even been an away game...........and i know they will all come on and say i've been this one and that one just to save face,its just something to moan about instead of pulis is negative shite..................

[nzstokie]

As I live on the South Island of NZ I probably live further than any Stokie from the Brit. But make no mistake they can still evoke the same emotions of joy and misery (usually with a few minuites of each other) from 12000 miles away.

[bigbren]

We need to welcome everybody to the Britannia, first timers, part timers, lapsed Stokies from way back when, ST-holders. The more the merrier in my opinion.

I couldn't give a damn if they weren't there home and away during Graham Paddon's reign - who quite honestly gives a toss.

We have enough room for everyone (even without the corners filled in). That stadium needs 17,000+ in every week. It really makes a difference to the atmosphere! We shouldn't be turning anyone away.

bb

[JoeinOz]

Being a true supporter isn't something you can measure by actions. Its a feeling and something unique to the individual.

[mumf14]

The Friday night game will cost me at least £300 Falkez...so I can appreciate where your're coming from.

[JoeinOz]

Its expense that prevents many being more regular. Thats why the BOGOF offer is good.

Weren't Wolves tickets 27 quid?

[vodka]

Myself a mad Stoke fan (ball boy 3 seasons) i am now and have been in the forces for 10 years. Being away so much and living so far away makes it hard enough but i wouldn't mind seeing a discount rate once in a while for forces people ive emailed club b4 and they ignored me. I know in my heart im a true stokie but its all about priorities.

[hanibal7]

I suppose if i came home from thailand for a couple of weeks(before visa expires) and went to a play off match i would be described as a hanger on.
A few silly posts on here,(which is a minority of stoke voices) and there is a growing gap between sth and pay on the gate fans.
realy is pathetic,and i couldnt give a monkeys if a few came out the woodwork,so to speak,or new supporters etc etc.
shit stirring,as the anti and pro pullis debates a few weeks ago,so the babies on here need to act your age.
Would love to come back for a couple of games and sit next to someone who accuses me of being a part time fan,he wouldnt see the game.

[shiny nosehair]

As with vodka have been with the armed forces for over 16 years which has meant living far from Stoke for pretty much all of that. If I'm in Stoke and there's a game on I will be there. Due to the nature of the Job that's rarely the case and on average i've probably only seen 4 or 5 games a season since i joined up. Even more so these days, spent most of last season in Iraq(I'm sure many oatie regulars will remember the 'Hello from Basra' thread on the old site), am in Afghan typing this now, and will be here next summer aswell.

Am i still a Stoke supporter? you bet your arse I am !

Well done to those who managed to make the most of a BOGOFF ticket, wish i could of done the same, the more people we get through those turnstiles the better !

[soicowboy]

Tend to base my trips home around games- managed to catch 6 or 7 last season



Didn't miss a game in 9 seasons but don't think that gave me the right to criticise say those who were at the Brighton/Gills games etc- think missed 1 home game in 11 seasons. If folk take advantage of reduced tickets well I hope it gives them the bug to come more often.

[Northy]

falkez, a lot of us mirror your situation, however I moved back up north from down south 12 years ago and take in quite a few more games than was down south, when down South I was an executive member so was still supporting the club in some capacity if not in voice.
As I run a lads team and coach some evenings, and watch other games over a weekend I have to plan (or lie about going to B&Q a lot) accordingly ;D

[frasier37]

You don't need to ask people on here whether you can call yourself a "fan/supporter.

who are they to tell you?

you know what you are...
























... a wanker ;D ...only joking

[basingstokie]

I'm in a similar situation to you (Falkez), I also live down south (bet you can guess where from my user name), I go to between 8 -12 games per season, usually split as anything down south (ie London, Bristol, Cardiff, Soton, Ipswich, Colchester etc) plus a couple of home games.

IMO, anyone who follows stoke, regardless of the method is a fan, generally we would all like to go to more games, but circumstances/costs dictate that this isn't always possible

[stockportpotter]

Falkez I know exactly how you feel. I started going to Stoke in 1988 and went mainly to home games up until 1997. I left Alsager for college years and met my know wife. I work weekends and now have 2 youngboys which restricts the old trips back to the mecca.

In my own mind I know i still love the club and have done ever since that first game against Sunderland in '88. The tension at the match the other night reminded me of how good it is watching Stoke when they have a team with some ability.

[MrFlirty]

As far as I am concerned there are just supporters and thats it. If you have followed the team from childhood and have not gloryhuntered off to another team. You have still supported them through all the crap we have had to put up with, then you are a supporter.

All those youngsters who say you are not a true supporter are probably still living at home with there mums still washing their undies and wiping there bums. The samechavs who think its hard to beat defencless people and act hard in the street.

They have probably not hit the real world yet where mortgages, bills and kids take all your money. For me and the wife to go its a £100 a game thats £200 a month. So thats mortgage payment or food on the table gone. So games have to picked carefully and offers have to be taken advantage of.

If someone asks you who you support and without hesitation you say "Stoke City" then you are a true supporter. Only idiots will try and divide people on the same side.

[frasier37]

stockportpotter >> exactly.
You don't need a stranger to tell you if your a Stoke fan because you obviously are falkez.
I only go to about 10 home matches a season and i go to no away matches this season i've done less due to work and timing.
So if you're not a fan falkez, i'm not either

[albanianstokie]

A friend of mine put it well (lordb by the way), he said that if you want to stoke to win every time they play then basically you are a true supporter. Attendance is not obligatory.

I haven't attend for a while, dissaalusionment, cash, kids, moving south etc all contributing to this. I would like to go to games again soon, but it look like cash (or the lack of) will intervene once more! At the end of the day, lives change, for me Ollie (my boy) comes 1st, my wife second, Stoke is up there but if it's a choice between being a good dad to my boy or watching stoke then the boy wins. The time will come when I can combine the two and I will take the nipper along. Until then, I will think carefully before choosing any games. That said, I always want Stoke to win, I'm always in a foul mood when we lose. I will always support stoke!

[Thank you from Moorlander1]

No debate we need every single supporter we can muster,we are going up folks.

[banburypotter]

i have lived in banbury all my life relations in stoke got me and my dad into watching stoke, i have been a season ticket holder for the last 5 seasons, before that would go to games when i could as i we were bringing up our two lads and money was tight.

you know you are a stoke fan, your mates know you are a stoke fan, thats all that matters, its the first result you look out for when you don't go to a game.
its in the blood.
we should be welcoming all the new supporters, or old supporters that are returning.
its not just the young uns that go on about glory hunters etc, some old boy in the gardeners at the newcastle home game accused me of being a gloryhunter because we were stood at the bar where they normally stand

if you have seen them play, and you think of no other team then you are a supporter full time, once bitten it si impossible to cure.