I dont get why some people are determined to disparage fellow fans by referring to them as 'plastic', JCLs etc. Surely anyone who forks out for a season ticket or even a single match ticket and then supports the team is simply a 'fan'? Of course some are more vociferous, dedicated, obsessed than others but by being there they are, by definition supporting, their club.
Some people have either limited knowledge of the past or selective memory. I recall going to a Div 1 league game (Wimbledon I think) at the Goldstone when the crowd was only slightly over 7000. Does this mean that we only had 7000 true fans and all the other 23000 that crammed in for that first game against Arsenal were all 'plastics'?. Of course not!
Thankfully football has moved on in many ways since the '70s and '80s when loyalty was judged (by some) by the size of your firm or who 'ran' first. I prefer flags and music to seeing familes with small children being terrified and never returning.
One down side of the game now is that it is alot more expensive than it used to be. Anyone who spends say £25+ to go and watch their team is making a commitment and in my book is welcome regardless of whether it is their first ever football game or whether they were previously a season ticket holder at Chelsea.
I smile every time I see someone in an Albion shirt, see a seagulls car sticker or hear how many season tickets we have sold. I dont think about whether anyone is as 'good' a fan as I am.
But then why would you?
Some people have either limited knowledge of the past or selective memory. I recall going to a Div 1 league game (Wimbledon I think) at the Goldstone when the crowd was only slightly over 7000. Does this mean that we only had 7000 true fans and all the other 23000 that crammed in for that first game against Arsenal were all 'plastics'?. Of course not!
Thankfully football has moved on in many ways since the '70s and '80s when loyalty was judged (by some) by the size of your firm or who 'ran' first. I prefer flags and music to seeing familes with small children being terrified and never returning.
One down side of the game now is that it is alot more expensive than it used to be. Anyone who spends say £25+ to go and watch their team is making a commitment and in my book is welcome regardless of whether it is their first ever football game or whether they were previously a season ticket holder at Chelsea.
I smile every time I see someone in an Albion shirt, see a seagulls car sticker or hear how many season tickets we have sold. I dont think about whether anyone is as 'good' a fan as I am.
But then why would you?