[Albion] Games on my own

[the wanderbus]

Usually go with a couple of mates but one has cancer so can’t attend while having chemo , the other has child care issues at the moment so if my daughters aren’t around I’m more and more a Billy no mates!

 

[CaptainDaveUK]

I only remember going on my own once, Boxing Day at QPR, I was in London for Christmas and suddenly decided to go about 2 hours before KO and went in the home end, then convinced a steward to let me go in the away end.

 

[Sid and the Sharknados]

Almost always go on my own.
It's fun getting into a chat with random people (whether Brighton fans or local people who've made the mistake of being in the same pub as me).

 

[Mancgull]

My Dad took me to the Albion when I was 5, and I went with him and his mate on a regular basis. His mate died about 15 years ago.
My dad got ill and eventually gave up going about five years ago. He died this summer but when I go to games now ( on my own) I still feel as if he’s there with me.
I don’t mind being on my own and enjoy chatting to fellow Albion fans and some opposition fans.

 

[The Wookiee]

I don’t go to games anymore as I now struggle mixing socially- I would love to sneak a few games on my own but I know lots of fans and the thought of chatting to “football friends” puts the fear of god into me - shame as I have missed out on the best team we have ever had

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Initially went with a group but had to give season ticket for a few years when eldest was born due to family and work etc.

Started going with eldest son who was enjoying it but this season has started favouring Fortnite with mates on occasion ahead of some games.

So mixed bag of sometimes going on my own and with him or my youngest who is also now a A+ member.

Initially felt weird going on my own as had hadn’t done it before but actually don’t mind it, and gives me a break from reality.

Need to make more of an effort with my new seat neighbours (having moved seats this season) though

 

[HangletonGull]

Away games I do on my own I have no problem I enjoy it

 

[Oh_aye]

Not as often as I'd like. I genuinely prefer it.

 

[rebel51]

I don’t go to games anymore as I now struggle mixing socially- I would love to sneak a few games on my own but I know lots of fans and the thought of chatting to “football friends” puts the fear of god into me - shame as I have missed out on the best team we have ever had

I totally get that matey

 

[jakarta]

Better than watching Cricket on your own, most of the crack at cricket is talking rubbish over a few beers with your mates while a game is being played out there...

 

[WATFORD zero]

I normally go with my two nephews (who 'share' a ST) and between the three of us, my kids and their kids, various friends etc, the two seats we hardly ever go unoccupied.

Last Billy no mates I did at the Amex was a Leicester game in the pissing rain. However often, like today, I travel there and back on my own but always seem to see someone I know on the P&R and, on the occasions I haven't, chatted to complete strangers including away fans

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Not games but have been to a lot of gigs on my own. Also eaten at restaurants I’ve really wanted to go to on my own. I rather like it.

 

[rebel51]

I've found that giving up alcohol has helped my physical health, it has proved that I can't socialise confidently without the aid of it. I also get bored a lot quicker and that includes the experience of the amex games or any football games(the waiting around on the concourse . It doesn't mean I love the albion any less it does mean that I find it hard to get up for live games or the travelling to away games which is a shame though.includes live gigs etc.

 

[Happy Exile]

I go home and also a few games a season away on my own. Sometimes meet up with mates at half time but not often. I wouldn't have it any other way at the moment simply because between work and family going to a game is the only time I get my own space without needing to be somewhere for anyone else - my friends are thankfully very understanding of this!

 

[The Hermit Kingdom]

I don’t go to games anymore as I now struggle mixing socially- I would love to sneak a few games on my own but I know lots of fans and the thought of chatting to “football friends” puts the fear of god into me - shame as I have missed out on the best team we have ever had

Very much relate. What caused the change from being ‘able to do it’ to struggling with it, if that’s not too personal a question?

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

I don’t go to games anymore as I now struggle mixing socially- I would love to sneak a few games on my own but I know lots of fans and the thought of chatting to “football friends” puts the fear of god into me - shame as I have missed out on the best team we have ever had

Wow. Sorry to hear that. Aside from the two lovely people I share matchday with most games (plus my son when he can join me), my interactions with my wider network of footy pals is usually brief and enjoyable. Perhaps it helps that I'm apparently a bit annoying - so nobody wants to chat with me for too long .

Have you thought about going to part of the ground where you know it is unlikely there will be people you know?

As someone on the autism spectrum I find unfamiliar crowds and unfamiliar shouting quite unsettling, and if there are annoying people near me I lose my tiny mind (which is why I rarely go away these days). I stopped going to home games for a year, 15 years ago after falling out with someone who sat near me at Withdean. Luckily at the Amex I have settled in a place where everyone around me is lovely, and my interactions are all stress free.

But I have been to loads of football and gigs over the last 50 years on my own. If you can, try to find a way round your predicament. We all have a right to be what we are and go where we want. And all things have to fit around that, rather than the other way around. Don't forget that.

 

[patchamalbion]

Rarely go on my own but also did yesterday due to my mates family circumstances.
Was nice - spoke to two Burnley old boys on the train, both late 70’s, cracking chat about football past and present.
Spoke to other familiar faces at the ground I hadn’t spoke with in ages and brought a programme for the first time in about 15 years, quite good really….apart from the result!

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Not games but have been to a lot of gigs on my own. Also eaten at restaurants I’ve really wanted to go to on my own. I rather like it.

This. Been to hundreds of gigs on my own (as well as scores of gigs as part of a group). To me, watching, say, The Fall, or The Birthday Party was always best served as a solitary experience, lost in music. Ditto European mini-breaks. I can, and do, experience those with others, tho the experience IMHO is best done alone. Lovely to be there chomping at the bit for the breakfast buffet to open, leaving a big full day to explore a new town exactly as you please. Waiting for others to fanny around for half the morning to get ready to go out is not the same thing at all

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

This. Been to hundreds of gigs on my own (as well as scores of gigs as part of a group). To me, watching, say, The Fall, or The Birthday Party was always best served as a solitary experience, lost in music. Ditto European mini-breaks. I can, and do, experience those with others, tho the experience IMHO is best done alone. Lovely to be there chomping at the bit for the breakfast buffet to open, leaving a big full day to explore a new town exactly as you please. Waiting for others to fanny around for half the morning to get ready to go out is not the same thing at all

I’ve had a few snowboarding trips on my own as well as all my US marathon running trips. These were really enjoyable partly due, as you say, to having no one to answer to. Ski trips were always bad for people fannying around getting ready.

 

[Mr Banana]

I don’t go to games anymore as I now struggle mixing socially- I would love to sneak a few games on my own but I know lots of fans and the thought of chatting to “football friends” puts the fear of god into me - shame as I have missed out on the best team we have ever had

Sorry to read this. I have always dealt with it by inhaling whiskey and anxiety meds but those take their toll… admire your courage.