wanderer28 Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 Some fine posts on this thread I can only echo folks feelings, that the magic and anticipation felt when going to a game have all but gone - i still enjoy it,but just not as much as i used to. I first started to feel this way about 3 seasons ago, and assumed it was just "an age thing" but knowing that the ages vary on here,and reading the views of people who feel the same, then it's obvious that this lethargy is spreading - and it isn't exclusive to BWFC. Call me old fashioned, but i like a team playing with 2 wingers, who can beat full backs occasionally and whip crosses in from the by-line, with players steaming forward in support. I know that this tactic is just unrealistic against half of the teams in the Prem, but against the bottom half teams at home - why not at least try and attack with a bit more adventure? In truth, watching the Whites has become dull - and people are getting fed up with it. You wouldn't go to the pictures and watch the same shite film every week but thats how it feels lately, so it's little wonder that crowds are dwindling because there is very little excitement. Best thread and post for a long while. In the first season in the Prem we played Newcastle at home, midweek I think, early in the season. We were played off the park but all our players had done their best and nobody had a moan about it. Now I rarely think after any match that every player did there best and with the wages they are on I think this is the reason people are quick to get on their backs. Also, Julian Darby got far worse stick than Nolan or Megson has. A lot of people used to hold up cards with his number on whenever a sub was made.
superjohnmcginlay Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 I agree with all said and been going since the late 80's, had the privilege of seing us throught the White Hot / Rioch Years great ride, but as well as the fans since the Premiership I also think move from Burnden to the Reebok has added a great deal to the decline in how some feel. Alot of you are a tad older than me and must have some real deep feeling memories and great times that made football whtat we want that stem from Burnden, I mean for me its gotta be the Preston game when we inveded the pitch at the end, SuperJohn making that save against Reading after scoring, Wolves, Brescia etc etc. Since the move to the Reebok we were for the majority in the Prem, this is whats some of the younger fans have seen our best times and do not know where we have been before, im sure some of the yoof think Bolton Wanderers have always been at the Reebok, I may be wrong, but as well as the money and football being removed form us working class, something for me died when we left Burnden, dunno if this is from anyone from here but I like it http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=PsIXJMBT4qc
Pea-Lad Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 I have supported the whites since my first match in 1990-1991, and I remember my late father telling me how lucky I have been to watch the Wanderers from that time onwards. I have only seen BWFC on the rise, and to many supporters that is what they want from their club. Success. I love it when we win, and would love to see Bolton win something like the FA Cup one day. But if we don't I don't care. I'll still renew my season ticket, I'll still go to games, and I still will be a wanderer. As the song goes, "I'm Bolton till I die, I'm Bolton till I die. I know I am, I'm sure I am, I'm Bolton till I die". I was born to be a wanderer... and I'll die one. Just like my late dad was. Now lets get back to doing what wanderers supporters do best - cheering OUR club on and win, lose or draw... come back the following week and do it all over again!
Bifferboy Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 There have been a lot of good posts made in this thread. For me it?s disheartening that so many long time and obviously passionate supporters are feeling so disenchanted with what is happening at the moment. You people are the life blood of this club who have been there through good and bad times and it?s a sad indictment of the way things are going that so many feel disillusioned. I have been a season ticket holder for a long time but for in the last couple of years I have become increasingly reluctant to want to part with my money. I used to look forward to match day but now it feels like a chore to even go. I just don?t seem to have the enthusiasm anymore but I know that come June I will renew again because no matter how bad things get Bolton Wanderers are still important to me. Was so pleased when we managed to establish ourselves as a Premier League side after years of trying but for me the thrill of playing in the ?most exciting league in the world? has faded. The majority of games just don?t live up to the billing and very few remain in the memory after the final whistle. Money has totally taken over and the glory of winning the league has been lost in the rush to finish in the top 4 and qualify for access to Champions League cash. Bill Shankly would turn in his grave to hear that Liverpool are happy to finish fourth. Where I sit in the East Lower we used to be able to get a few songs going during a match but now there is virtually nothing. People just don?t seem to have the passion anymore and would rather spend time slagging off players or the match officials. We all know certain players aren?t popular and that even the best players will sometimes have a bad game but while they are on the pitch wearing the white shirt then they should be given 100% support by the fans. Am sure a couple of good results would get us back on track and help to diffuse the negativity that is infecting certain elements of the supporters. Every club has fickle fans but it is the loyal supporters who back the team no matter what that can make a difference, not those who seem content just to moan about everything.
Guest pansyroadwhite Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 I hope someone from BWFC are reading these posts just to give them an idea about how the REAL fans feel
MickyD Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 Oh they are. I'm not sure this is read by anyone with the balls to call Gartside in and tell them to take a look though.
Happy Wanderer Posted January 30, 2009 Author Posted January 30, 2009 Oh they are. I'm not sure this is read by anyone with the balls to call Gartside in and tell them to take a look though. I'm sure someone will print it off and send it to the police Gartside.
trigger Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 all very sad posts really, and the big cheeses at the club could do well to read them! on a brighter note! no fuc*wit or JCL or nonce who's only come cos the ticket was free or a fiver is going to stop me watching or supporting BWFC. for me it's about more than football, it's a belonging,and i'm increasingly narked with these nob rots associating themselves with our club. i'm willing to risk being banned from the ground at this point, came close against wigan when the numpty behind me started slagging off the usual suspects, nobby,taylor etc. turned round and said look mate, if you dont want to be here just fcuk off eh?! family stand or not, he'll get it lumpy if he carries on! plus he made me swear in front of my eldest, i think she was in shock as i'm so mild mannered usually on match days! keep the faith! the club and the fans are bigger than the current chairman or manager or team, its up to us which direction we go in, if the majority drown out the minority,then we'll be reet!!!! and just for the record, it doesnt do to well to rely on the "silent" majority, one noise and it's gone! it's time for all those who look on and say nowt to stand up and be counted IMO! and make some positive noise!!
tyldesley_white Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 all very sad posts really, and the big cheeses at the club could do well to read them! on a brighter note! no fuc*wit or JCL or nonce who's only come cos the ticket was free or a fiver is going to stop me watching or supporting BWFC. for me it's about more than football, it's a belonging,and i'm increasingly narked with these nob rots associating themselves with our club. i'm willing to risk being banned from the ground at this point, came close against wigan when the numpty behind me started slagging off the usual suspects, nobby,taylor etc. turned round and said look mate, if you dont want to be here just fcuk off eh?! family stand or not, he'll get it lumpy if he carries on! plus he made me swear in front of my eldest, i think she was in shock as i'm so mild mannered usually on match days! keep the faith! the club and the fans are bigger than the current chairman or manager or team, its up to us which direction we go in, if the majority drown out the minority,then we'll be reet!!!! and just for the record, it doesnt do to well to rely on the "silent" majority, one noise and it's gone! it's time for all those who look on and say nowt to stand up and be counted IMO! and make some positive noise!! I would like to thank all the true fans that have written so many very truthful remarks on this thread, they have encompassed all my thoughts of what Bolton Wanderers means to me in a far better way then I ever myself could put into print. You have restored my faith in the fans of this great club, but its also up to those same fans to make them self heard before/during and games, this way the people you are dragging the great tradition of this club through the shit will know that 'you' the true voice of the club will not let it happen
Northern White Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 Nothing for me matches the feeling you get when you're on the way to the ground. It doesn't matter to me, win, lose or draw. It's supporting the team that doesn't change. I get as excited now going to a game as I did when I was 8. The only thing that spoils it for me are some of the uneducated grunts that sit near me.
Garrp Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 Nothing for me matches the feeling you get when you're on the way to the ground. It doesn't matter to me, win, lose or draw. It's supporting the team that doesn't change. I get as excited now going to a game as I did when I was 8. The only thing that spoils it for me are some of the uneducated grunts that sit near me. Dont worry you spoil it for us to
Traf Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 Nothing for me matches the feeling you get when you're on the way to the ground. It doesn't matter to me, win, lose or draw. It's supporting the team that doesn't change. I get as excited now going to a game as I did when I was 8. The only thing that spoils it for me are some of the uneducated grunts that sit near me. you wot?
seasoned Traveller Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 Bolton fans are amongst the most fickle, I'm one of them and many on here are too. Although I have never booed a man who wear a white shirt, I have booed the decisions of many a manager. I've seen Bolton fans kicking the shite out of each other at Blackpool when we got through to the Frieght Rover final, because of a dis agreement over a player. I reckon I lost interest in going properly about 5-6 yrs ago, watching these multi millionaires and paying plenty for the privelage did'nt appeal to me anymore. I've had some laughs along the way, one seeing Smiley getting a bloodied head v Burnley laste 80's, but football in general now is becoming a joke, our sole aim as a club is to retain Premier League Status, well woppee fooking doo!!!, you see it's all about the 'Money' now, and unless your one of 6 clubs, trophies are secondary. 100 million for a player is an utter disgrace, when lads cant afford to go now as prices are vastly inflated to watch your beloved team. Megson's appoinment was a joke, and it only takes a few results of the boo boys to give him stick, common he's not been popular from day one, but to call paying supporters 'Pathetic' takes the biscuit. The club lost many fans during the League Cup Ticket fiasco, this bloke will lose us many more.
MickyD Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 Megson's appoinment was a joke, and it only takes a few results of the boo boys to give him stick, common he's not been popular from day one, but to call paying supporters 'Pathetic' takes the biscuit. The club lost many fans during the League Cup Ticket fiasco, this bloke will lose us many more. I agree with most of your post. I don't, however, see why calling paying supporters pathetic is such a crime. Hell, they spent half a gme calling him a wanker, why shouldn't he fling a bit back? Regards the ticket fiasco, it's history, gone, in the past. Let it go for f?cks sake or you'll end up bitter and twisted in your memories of YOUR team.
seasoned Traveller Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 Micheal, I got a ticket for that final, I am pointing out that many did'nt and have not been back since. He could have said a minority of suppoters, but he chose to tar everone with the same brush.
HomerJay Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 Micheal,I got a ticket for that final, I am pointing out that many did'nt and have not been back since. He could have said a minority of suppoters, but he chose to tar everone with the same brush. its 'michael' jsl
MickyD Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 Micheal,I got a ticket for that final, I am pointing out that many did'nt and have not been back since. He could have said a minority of suppoters, but he chose to tar everone with the same brush. I didn't intimate that you didn't get a ticket. I said it's time everyone stopped talking about it as though it still matters. As I said, it doesn't, it's gone, in the past, it's time to let it go. Yes, he could have said a minority. He diidn't. What he has done today on SSN, though, is retract the generalisation and aim it at the minority. He also said thanks to those fans who have sent emails applauding his stance in this matter. I didn't send an email but I applaud his stance. I left Ewood feeling thouroughly embarrassed . . . more so than walking home having been beaten 6-0 at home to United. I got over that game, I'm sure I'll get over this one.
captainmed Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 Been going since 77. Been on over 100 grounds watching BWFC. I still love the away game atmosphere and banter. In my opinion then BWFC supporters are no worse than any other fans in the country. When you care that much about something and things go wrong then things are often said that are regretted afterwards, especially after large quantities of alcohol. That maybe the case from Wednesday - we've all been there. Aside from that then people are getting far too emotional. Megson and the players will sleep at night, dont worry about that. The days of the players and the support having a strong bond died years ago when Sky TV came along. They are employees nothing more, with no loyalty whatsoever. Its a job for them, they go home and forget about it. This will blow over like everything in life does eventually and be forgotten as soon as the team start winning. Megson is the manager and abuse is part and parcel of the game especially if the players do not act on his instructions. That fact is the most worrying part of all this.
Tonge moor green jacket Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 Very intersting common theme, many have lost the enthusiasm they once had, I feel the same and many more do who have voted with their feet, I know of at least 5 people who have stopped buying season tickets in the last 2-3 years and who don't go now at all. Something that may well accelerate at the season's end. I am looking forward to then end of the season again; no stress and not having to go, (when your better judgement says don't bother); bring on the ashes
Guest Muzzle Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 I wonder if it because a number of fans couldn't afford the price to sit down at the Reebok, and perhaps this hardcore support has dwindled over the years, being replaced by fans who don't know the rough times we had before the premiership years. Bolton fans have always criticised the club, players, board etc, but wednesday night was something different. I don't agree with some people on here, but I don't boo the players and manager, I may voice my views on why I believe megson is inept in every department, but the viciousness of Wednesday was embarrassing and uncomfortable. Perhaps relegation will get rid of some of them?
Arrested development Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 Been going since 77. Been on over 100 grounds watching BWFC. I still love the away game atmosphere and banter. In my opinion then BWFC supporters are no worse than any other fans in the country. When you care that much about something and things go wrong then things are often said that are regretted afterwards, especially after large quantities of alcohol. That maybe the case from Wednesday - we've all been there. Aside from that then people are getting far too emotional. This will blow over like everything in life does eventually and be forgotten as soon as the team start winning. Finally a bit of perspective. People are getting far too emotional. We sold a player who hasn't seen his best in over a year and lost a two goal lead away from home. Yes we have supporters who chanted inappropriately at our manager. But is that really enough to make you want to walk away. If you are seriously considering walking away then don't bother posting it, just do it. A positive result against spurs and everything will be back on track.
bolty58 Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 Very intersting common theme, many have lost the enthusiasm they once had, I feel the same Possibly not the right thread to air this but it is a continuation of what many of us have been saying lately about the sterile, sanitised shiyte we get served up in the Prem these days. I watched Cambridge v Oxford on Setanta this morning. Beltin. Small stadium - folk packed in, singing and passionate - proper English players generally playing like SKD. Loved it. I must be turning (blue) square.
H Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 First time for many a year that I've not held a Season Ticket. I don't know what it is but I don't seem to get enough of an urge to make a four hundred mile round trip any more. Yes I've blamed it on travel costs, motorway problems etc but deep down I think it's the game in general that has blunted my appetite. I know though that I have just been watching SSN and felt good, better, worse, terrible and elated in that order. BWFC is like a drug and you're never that far away from your next fix no matter how much time you've been 'clean'
snowball Posted February 1, 2009 Posted February 1, 2009 Lot of very honest, interesting points on this thread. I've been going since 1976 and it is clear that a lot of fans from that era onwards have fallen out of love with the modern game rather than particularly with BWFC in my opinion. I have a lot of sympathy with this but also think that nostalgia can be a little selective in that we tend to remember the good things and gloss over the bad. But yes there are things that were better in the past but life moves on. Nothing seems to last forever. Except the idiots maybe. They have always been there. From those that enjoy slagging of certain players/managers/board members to those that seem to have no perspective in relation to a club like ours being in the Premiership at all, let alone being established there. But I don't think that relegation will be good for the club in any shape or form. I do not want to sit in a half empty (or worse) Reebok just to raise the IQ level or count myself as a 'real' fan. Days like yesterday though remind me that I do still love the club. When KD banged that one in, the feeling of sheer joy was still there. My 10yr old went mad too and I know it made his weekend as well. As long as that feeling is still there I'll still keep going. After Saturday I'll be looking forward to the next home match and I can see the mood improving this season around the place.
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