Booing the team

[Withdean Wanderer]

Is it acceptable? Are 'supporters' supposed to do nothing but encourage the team?

I can't help but think that it seems to be almost fashionable for crowds to abuse their own teams at the moment. Is that because of the prices we're now having to pay, or has there just been a general change in attitudes as to the role of the 'supporter'?

If YOU boo, why do you do it?

 

[maffew]

Other
where they look like they're not trying or have just played shit. Dont mind if its not always enjoyable

 

[Napper]

other,


when they have put in a performance that looks lacking in effort and the management have made the wrong decisions

I'd say dont boo the first time , but the 3rd time then evry right to boo

 

[junior]

Other
where they look like they're not trying or have just played shit. Dont mind if its not always enjoyable

DITTO.

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

Ok, so the poll is flawed as 'other' is probably going to win!

But it's interesting - my Dad insists that until recently when watching football NOBODY booed, as it wasn't your job to be entertained, but instead to encourage and support. He gets pissed off at any sort of negativity because he claims it's not supposed to be like that.

Seems as though people do feel differently nowadays.

 

[pasty]

Never actually during a game. Booing at the end of an unacceptable performance however is fully justified.

 

[Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo]

Other
where they look like they're not trying or have just played shit. Dont mind if its not always enjoyable

Agree totally, we can lose and I won't mind (too much) if the players have looked like they cared about the result and their performance.

 

[1066gull]

I've chosen two, because I wouldn't boo the team if it was just unenjoyable or heavily beaten but if it was both in a catalogue of games, and there is no passion there, then I will jeer.

 

[BUTTERBALL]

Does not really help at all, but if they are blatantly not trying then it is fair enough.

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

Does anyone remember the team getting abuse in the 70's and 80's at the Goldstone?

 

[1066gull]

Does anyone remember the team getting abuse in the 70's and 80's at the Goldstone?

Yes. Crystal clear.

 

[Ding Dong !]

Depends on how they play. If they trey hard and fight then no.

I left 15 mins before the end of the game on saturday because it was diabolical. I can only probably guess that they were booed off.....and rightly so !!

 

[Locky]

Never.

Ok if they really havent looked like they were trying I would not clap them off the field...............but boo my team NEVER.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Never.

Ok if they really havent looked like they were trying I would not clap them off the field...............but boo my team NEVER.

What he said.

 

[Clothes Peg]

I never boo, but then again, I'm too self conscious to clap or cheer as well.

 

[Brovion]

Personally I'm with Locky. I've never booed my team and I never will. I DO understand it though; there is the "I've paid my money, I'm entitled to boo if I want!" view. There is obviously some commercial truth in that. After all, given that you can't actually demand your money back like you can with other goods and services booing is one of the few ways you've got of voicing your disapproval - that and not bothering to return. Coupled with this is the view that players are happy enougt to accept cheers and praise when they're playing well so putting up with the abuse is just the other side of the same coin.

But... We all want to see Brighton do well. When the crowd are on the players' backs it does NOT help. We saw this with England against the Spanish goat-herders the other week. Booing might give you a bit of immediate gratification and help to make you personally feel a bit better but it won't help make the situation better. I'm not saying we should be like 'Stepford Wife' fans - happy clappy smiley cheering all the time - groaning and moaning when things go wrong is understandable, but booing is just negative. Also there is a certain dignity in supporting the team when they're shit. You could argue that's when they need it the most.

 

[Rookie]

only ever booed once last game of last season and that was based at McGhee and not the team as such.

 

[Billy the Fish]

Ok, so the poll is flawed as 'other' is probably going to win!

But it's interesting - my Dad insists that until recently when watching football NOBODY booed, as it wasn't your job to be entertained, but instead to encourage and support. He gets pissed off at any sort of negativity because he claims it's not supposed to be like that.

Seems as though people do feel differently nowadays.

That may be the case, but it is a totally different game now that the players are earning big money. If I think that a player, or a team, has not put in the effort then I will tell them. The same would happen if you didn't put the effort in at work, or you were just crap at your job.
With a few notable exceptions, players and managers are only temporary representatives of a club, if I boo the Manager I am not booing BHAFC.

 

[Titanic]

Booing... won't help make the situation better.

Also there is a certain dignity in supporting the team when they're shit. You could argue that's when they need it the most.

Abso-blooming-lutely

 

[Icy Gull]

Also there is a certain dignity in supporting the team when they're shit.

Rochdale must have the most dignified fans in the land then.