Mo Gosfield
Well-known member
- Aug 11, 2010
- 6,362
I don't define ' hard core ' support by seeing every game to the final whistle and beyond. That is down to individual attitude. Certain fans will always say that they have never left early and never would. That is their choice. Is it a choice based on getting full value for their money irrespective of what is happening on the pitch? Is it based on supreme optimism that miracles can happen? Is it a fear of actually missing something? Is it a need to feel that their team needs some support at the end of the game, irrespective of performance and therefore applause is beneficial? Is it any manner of other things? It certainly doesn't provide a definition of hard core.
Hard core is turning up to every game, home and away, whatever level and whatever competition your team is playing in. If any of those particular fans leave on 90 mins every game, then, to me, it doesn't diminish their hard core status. That is their individual choice.
So many factors determine fans decisions to leave. At West Ham, you are a long way from transport and 60,000 fans all funnelling in a similar direction toward Stratford is a logistical nightmare. The stewards there employ a stacking system, only allowing certain numbers through at a time, to ease congestion at the railway. It still takes a long time to leave that area. Some longer distance fans have other transport links to make. They don't all come from that immediate area of London. It is time pressured. A number of the fans who saw it through to the end v Arsenal may well be those who live fairly locally and decide to avoid the first 45-60 mins of madness after the final whistle, see the game right through and enjoy some post match refreshment, before leaving when the crowds have died down.
Those considerations equally apply at the Amex.
Hard core is turning up to every game, home and away, whatever level and whatever competition your team is playing in. If any of those particular fans leave on 90 mins every game, then, to me, it doesn't diminish their hard core status. That is their individual choice.
So many factors determine fans decisions to leave. At West Ham, you are a long way from transport and 60,000 fans all funnelling in a similar direction toward Stratford is a logistical nightmare. The stewards there employ a stacking system, only allowing certain numbers through at a time, to ease congestion at the railway. It still takes a long time to leave that area. Some longer distance fans have other transport links to make. They don't all come from that immediate area of London. It is time pressured. A number of the fans who saw it through to the end v Arsenal may well be those who live fairly locally and decide to avoid the first 45-60 mins of madness after the final whistle, see the game right through and enjoy some post match refreshment, before leaving when the crowds have died down.
Those considerations equally apply at the Amex.
