[Albion] I Just Don’t Care Anymore

[poidy]

The 23/24 season represents my 30th season of supporting the Albion and as we all know this has been a truly historic year for the club. Starting my Albion supporting journey back in 93/94, never did I envisage we’d be beating the likes of Man U and Liverpool (amongst many others) in the top flight of English Football.

Which makes my recent indifference to football all the more difficult to understand. Not too long ago, my whole working week would be solely focused on the game at the weekend. The pre and post match drinks, visiting new town/cities, the smell of the pitch, the atmosphere and 90 mins of escapism.

None of that invokes any kind of excitement in me anymore, yet given the recent success of the Albion I know it should. As recently as Fulham away I shamefully walked out after 15 mins for, no other reason than sheer boredom - back to the pub I went. Ajax away, whilst fantastic to go there and win, didn’t quite fill with me the euphoria it previously might have done.

So I then ask myself is this just part of getting older where one starts finding enjoyment elsewhere? Possibly, but I’m only 39.

Is it the Premier League? So focused and hell bent on getting there, that the destination is never as good as the journey? Possibly, but given this seasons Europa exploits you could argue against that.

Or through our success, are we now just too far removed from the ‘grass roots’ of the game? Has the monetisation of football evaporated my enjoyment from the game I once loved? I’ve certainly not ruled out taking in some non league football to reignite some passion.

I don’t know what the answer is, but it started creeping in pre COVID and whilst for a short while it abated following numerous national lockdowns, the ambivalence has very much returned. I’ve renewed my Season Ticket for a 14th year and will in all likelihood attend a handful of away games once again, but my hopes for renewed invigoration are decreasing with every passing season.

The truth is I just don’t care like I once used to and whilst I know I should probably pack it all in and cancel my ST (or adopt a local non league team), I can’t bring myself to do it.

 

[Keith the Kipper]

Sounds as though the drinking is more important than the football so perhaps concentrate on that.

 

[BN41Albion]

I'm around the same age as you and while i certainly don't feel as low as you do with football, it definitely doesn't stir anywhere near the same emotions as it used to. Still love the game although rarely watch full games other than BHA unless there's a lot riding on them (like Arsenal - Villa today) but still usually half watch while doing other stuff.

The thing that makes me laugh more than anything now re football is fully grown folk getting so irate or gloating so much over a game they played absolutely no part in. The phone-in shows are the worst to listen to in that respect, especially those phoning in to gloat as if they played a starring role in the team. I've totally lost interest in football banter - I nor any other fan has any influence over the outcome

In a nutshell, I don't feel quite as you do but I definitely take the game lightly now and only get worked up over games of sport I'm actually playing in thesedays

 

[Super Steve Earle]

I wonder if part of the issue is that for many weeks and months this year, we have been without several of our best and most inventive players. The lesser lights have done their best, but aren't yet ready to play starring roles and whilst I don't mean to pick out just one individual, Fati came with huge expectation and excitement and delivered nothing. A damp squib on firework night. The outcome is that every match seems very similar, regardless of personnel or opposition and we are stuck in a loop of underperforming your and De Zerbi's expectations. Our manager's body language reflects the same as your post. Chin up. When we reconvene next season, we'll have our stars back, some new ones, and they will be physically and mentally fresher, like you. There will be more shots, goals excitement and you'll get back your love of the Albion. A local non league side can never replace that.

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

I fully understand what the OP is saying, I’ve been heading down a similar path myself, though I’m not quite as far gone yet. Previously I was obsessed with football, I’d watch all the Champions League matches, Europa League, Bundesliga if nothing else was on. Now, I just CBA with any of it, I still look forward to going to the Albion, and being in Marseille was incredible, but I’ve definitely hit a flat spot, and I simply cannot put my finger on what the reason could be. Strange considering where the club is currently, and being 41yrs old I’ve seen us come up all the way from the very bottom.

 

[Mancgull]

I still get worked up about the games at the age of 58.
I think the fact that we are mid table this season may take the edge off things.

 

[Weststander]

I suspect it’s more enjoyable for the folk who make a trip of it with boozing/socialising. Making us being schooled by mega spenders or failing to breakdown mass low-block defences less unpalatable. Until the hangover .

My interest in attending blows hot and cold. April 2022 to Sept 2023 was a high (plus Europe:, whilst the entire Championship period under CH was heavenly. It’s not just about the winning, but everyone rising from their seats to admire brilliant counter attacks, or a mercurial Albion forward tearing defenders apart, the crowd matching the display, all combine to make 4 hours out worthwhile,

I’ve been very bored of attending Amex games for a while now, CP was the last. Underneath the draws and losses there was good Albion football eg Wolves at home first half, then we blow it.

Will possibly use the Exchange to sell and hope to get my mojo back by August.

 

[Kosh]

I’ve been in this boat for a while, and posted a similar thread a few months back… little has changed since then… at 43 I’ve mellowed and, as the Eagles once rightly quipped… you start to lose your highs and lows… it’s what comes with age, maturity and wanting to conserve energies for more important stuff… I guess…

That and the PL really is, for the most part, an absolute bore fest and the inevitability of the outcome doesn’t really stand up to repeated viewing… the hyperbole that surrounds it too, it’s ridiculous especially when you examine the ‘product’ in the cold light of day… Burnley vs Brighton ? Best league in the world my ARSE.

 

[The Mole]

Don’t worry- as someone who has been following football, cricket and to a lesser extent rugby for most of my 62 years there are times when these sports take more of an interest than others. I think it’s quite healthy to take a step back now and then as there are actually other things you can do with your life!.
you may have other interests that are more important which is great. But you will probably come back to football at some point. Don’t feel you owe anything to the game - make the most out of life.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Nick Hornby’s ‘Fever Pitch’ touched on these themes of getting older and feeling differently.

Brighton is a shining beacon of a club at the top of the game, but football is a cess pit of charlatans, con men, cheats, chancers, all with the unifying goal of milking us all dry.

It’s not Brighton’s fault but the game’s actual soul went a long time ago. They try to sell each game as a magical event, but at the end of the day, a football match can be a bit shit, and often is. We’ve kind of lost the acceptance of that, like Maximus asked, “are we not entertained?” - not this week mate no….

 

[gripper stebson]

Yep. I know this should be the best time ever supporting the Albion. But I am getting bored.

I think I loved the (long) journey way more than the destination.

From the Goldstone to beating Ajax, I also feel a bit like I have 'completed the Albion'!!

...oh, and VAR has killed the joy of actually scoring.

All the best,

A miserable 50 year old!

 

[5Ways Gull]

I'm 66, I went to my first albion game with my dad in 1967. The period between our 4-1 win over Chelsea last season and maybe the away leg v Roma was completely beyond belief, and almost certainly the best of times. The way we were playing, the results we were getting, the positivity from respected pundits was just amazing. Ok there were the occasional missteps, but wow!!

So now we may have to recalibrate, we've been stuffed by injuries this season and our coach hasn't helped the situation. But there are a lot of clubs out there who have massively overspent against FFP or whatever and I imagine there are some oscillating sphincters within those clubs. We have been prudent, ok maybe if we'd kept Caicedo and MacAllister we would have been going for a treble now, but as much as this season is petering out I think we are in a fairly solid situation for next season.

Keep the faith!!

 

[KZNSeagull]

Nick Hornby’s ‘Fever Pitch’ touched on these themes of getting older and feeling differently.

Brighton is a shining beacon of a club at the top of the game, but football is a cess pit of charlatans, con men, cheats, chancers, all with the unifying goal of milking us all dry.

It’s not Brighton’s fault but the game’s actual soul went a long time ago. They try to sell each game as a magical event, but at the end of the day, a football match can be a bit shit, and often is. We’ve kind of lost the acceptance of that, like Maximus asked, “are we not entertained?” - not this week mate no….

This plus we expect it to be a reasonably fair game but know that it is anything but nowadays.

 

[Weststander]

This plus we expect it to be a reasonably fair game but know that it is anything but nowadays.

And that’s potentially fixable. Imho UEFA officials are so much better than the PL lot, not unconsciously biased to a home crowd, or desperate not to upset the worldwide presence of Manure.

Consistency would be a starter. UEFA refs and VAR prove it is achievable.

 

[dejavuatbtn]

The problem with getting older is that I always look back with rose tinted glasses. I have loved supporting my club since 1962 and been involved with putting up players, having my kids as ball boys, and lived with famous ups and downs over the years until we reached the Crystal castle in the sky, at which point it sort of fell to pieces. I have become sick of the Premier League entity and the vast amounts of money it collects from us all and wastes. The working class supporter is being phased out. It saddens me. I will never get those happy times back but am lucky to be of an age to remember them.

 

[Eeyore]

Don’t worry- as someone who has been following football, cricket and to a lesser extent rugby for most of my 62 years there are times when these sports take more of an interest than others. I think it’s quite healthy to take a step back now and then as there are actually other things you can do with your life!.
you may have other interests that are more important which is great. But you will probably come back to football at some point. Don’t feel you owe anything to the game - make the most out of life.

Well, this really.

Life changes and evolves as do priorities. I'd be relieved that my whole week doesn't revolve around the weekend match. It's placing happiness in one basket.

As for sport, I probably spend just as much time on the cricket threads here. As for Albion, it's more about the relationships I've built rather than the football itself.

I'd say the OP is beginning to see that. I wouldn't be concerned about it. I would embrace it.

 

[essbee1]

I'm the same. And the worst bit is people think I don't care any more. I care desperately about
the Albion, but I just can't place why I feel the way I do (struggle to motivate myself to go to matches,
find the travel from London a pain in the arse) and when I get to the match, all I think about is the
pain it will be to get back home again.

 

[Wrong-Direction]

I'm 35 and this year has been completely Meh. Half my mates go for the drinking and the other half go for the football, neither of which are that appealing anymore. Tbh it was different 10 years ago when football was life but really its always just been an excuse to socialise with friends and family. The game is usually the worst part of the day which is why I couldn't bring myself to go to Europe. Absolutely fair play to everyone that travels home and away week in week out, I just can't be arsed

 

[Wrong-Direction]

I'm the same. And the worst bit is people think I don't care any more. I care desperately about
the Albion, but I just can't place why I feel the way I do (struggle to motivate myself to go to matches,
find the travel from London a pain in the arse) and when I get to the match, all I think about is the
pain it will be to get back home again.

I feel this and I live down Lewes road!

 

[dazzer6666]

The 23/24 season represents my 30th season of supporting the Albion and as we all know this has been a truly historic year for the club. Starting my Albion supporting journey back in 93/94, never did I envisage we’d be beating the likes of Man U and Liverpool (amongst many others) in the top flight of English Football.

Which makes my recent indifference to football all the more difficult to understand. Not too long ago, my whole working week would be solely focused on the game at the weekend. The pre and post match drinks, visiting new town/cities, the smell of the pitch, the atmosphere and 90 mins of escapism.

None of that invokes any kind of excitement in me anymore, yet given the recent success of the Albion I know it should. As recently as Fulham away I shamefully walked out after 15 mins for, no other reason than sheer boredom - back to the pub I went. Ajax away, whilst fantastic to go there and win, didn’t quite fill with me the euphoria it previously might have done.

So I then ask myself is this just part of getting older where one starts finding enjoyment elsewhere? Possibly, but I’m only 39.

Is it the Premier League? So focused and hell bent on getting there, that the destination is never as good as the journey? Possibly, but given this seasons Europa exploits you could argue against that.

Or through our success, are we now just too far removed from the ‘grass roots’ of the game? Has the monetisation of football evaporated my enjoyment from the game I once loved? I’ve certainly not ruled out taking in some non league football to reignite some passion.

I don’t know what the answer is, but it started creeping in pre COVID and whilst for a short while it abated following numerous national lockdowns, the ambivalence has very much returned. I’ve renewed my Season Ticket for a 14th year and will in all likelihood attend a handful of away games once again, but my hopes for renewed invigoration are decreasing with every passing season.

The truth is I just don’t care like I once used to and whilst I know I should probably pack it all in and cancel my ST (or adopt a local non league team), I can’t bring myself to do it.

Attendance is optional…..if you don’t enjoy it any more, don’t go