http://www.onlinegooner.com/exclusive/index.php?id=1026
In response to "I felt ashamed to call myself an Arsenal supporter", a defence of those who choose to boo.
A much debated topic, with opinions from both sides.
To boo or not to boo, that is the question.......
I am a fan, I have a right to react, I do react
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Basil is a Gooner
- Posts: 7025
- Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2007 10:04 am
- Location: Anywhere away from you lot.....
Absolutely spot on - I agree with everything you say.
Lets get the facts straight
1. We pay the most expensive ticket prices on average in Britain
2. We were sold the myth of "competing with Europe's elite" when we moved to our expensive, soulless concrete bowl
3. On top of the admission money we pay transport costs (fuel, train, tube) that have never been higher
4. We are rarely consulted on any matters of significance concerning the club
5. Many of us are not "Johnny come latelys" who have just turned up since AW took over. I've been going since Terry Neill's day as a manager.
If we want to boo at constant shitty performances with no hope of a goal then we are entitled too. It doesn't make us wankers. It doesn't mean that we should piss off and support Chelsea or Man U. It doesn't make us less loyal than those chanting "Stand up if you hate Tottenham" all the way through.
It's about expressing a view of unhappiness in the only way the club can hear. They will not read our letters or hear our blogs, you can't speak to them on the phone or down the pub. So, can I have alternative suggestions as to how we should voice displeasure....or is the feeling of being let-down banned from our society ?
Lets get the facts straight
1. We pay the most expensive ticket prices on average in Britain
2. We were sold the myth of "competing with Europe's elite" when we moved to our expensive, soulless concrete bowl
3. On top of the admission money we pay transport costs (fuel, train, tube) that have never been higher
4. We are rarely consulted on any matters of significance concerning the club
5. Many of us are not "Johnny come latelys" who have just turned up since AW took over. I've been going since Terry Neill's day as a manager.
If we want to boo at constant shitty performances with no hope of a goal then we are entitled too. It doesn't make us wankers. It doesn't mean that we should piss off and support Chelsea or Man U. It doesn't make us less loyal than those chanting "Stand up if you hate Tottenham" all the way through.
It's about expressing a view of unhappiness in the only way the club can hear. They will not read our letters or hear our blogs, you can't speak to them on the phone or down the pub. So, can I have alternative suggestions as to how we should voice displeasure....or is the feeling of being let-down banned from our society ?
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gooner1711
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Mon Mar 02, 2009 9:56 pm
I do Get Upset
I care a great deal but we all have to be honest and say that the football we have seen since October has been awful. Apart from RVP post the Theo and Cesc injuries it has been the worst since the dark, dying days of GG reign for the most recent memories.
I do not boo, but I can understand the sheer frustration that abounds from the vast sums of money we cough up. If you went to the Theatre, Cinema, restaurant or any other live entertainment then you'd feel the same feeling that you had been shortchanged? Why is football any different?
Emirates Stadium is a morgue. It has no life apart from 3-4 matches per season. Even Roma was quite tame. My first ever match versus WBA in 1983 had more atmosphere although only 21,000 there that day. That hooked me but the hook is loosening. Not dropping off but it is becoming harder. Read on...
It costs me 90 quid a game for ticket, train, food and drink and with 6 games in 5 weeks that is quite an outlay.
The investment in squad is minimal and if we can see it why can't the board and AW when it comes to the mediocrity on display. Many players quite simply are not up to the task.
Supporting Arsenal is not a question worth answering but there is no divine right to agree with what is happening on the pitch.
I am not, just because we are playing poorly going off to support MUFC or ChavFC. I am red and white through and through. I am not however, going to sit and accept that my 2,500 quid investment each season is not taken without comment or opinion. I will not boo but I will not remain silent!
I do not boo, but I can understand the sheer frustration that abounds from the vast sums of money we cough up. If you went to the Theatre, Cinema, restaurant or any other live entertainment then you'd feel the same feeling that you had been shortchanged? Why is football any different?
Emirates Stadium is a morgue. It has no life apart from 3-4 matches per season. Even Roma was quite tame. My first ever match versus WBA in 1983 had more atmosphere although only 21,000 there that day. That hooked me but the hook is loosening. Not dropping off but it is becoming harder. Read on...
It costs me 90 quid a game for ticket, train, food and drink and with 6 games in 5 weeks that is quite an outlay.
The investment in squad is minimal and if we can see it why can't the board and AW when it comes to the mediocrity on display. Many players quite simply are not up to the task.
Supporting Arsenal is not a question worth answering but there is no divine right to agree with what is happening on the pitch.
I am not, just because we are playing poorly going off to support MUFC or ChavFC. I am red and white through and through. I am not however, going to sit and accept that my 2,500 quid investment each season is not taken without comment or opinion. I will not boo but I will not remain silent!
I did boo - I regret it now....no fuck it I do not. Any team suffers a dip in the league, a dip in performance levels, lack of confidence in front of goal, modern football asks a lot of these athletes nowadays and to expect 100% high level performances week in week out, what I find unacceptable is the body language of some of these players that appear to me that they just don't give a fuck. THIS is why people boo, shout and very soon will not return to buy their £2000 season ticket. How has Denilson got so many oppertunities compared to Ramsey?? Why has'nt Toure moved into Central midfield in games like Cardiff at home or this weekends game just to have a look?? Why is Simpson not even on the bench when the human pinball machine that is Bentdner is starting so many games??
What was Wenger's response to the boos - it does not concern him. Here lies the problem the club, the manaement and the players do not care about the fans that are paying all their wages and fast cars.
I am, will always be an Arsenal Supporter, however I am also very concerned about the playing and non playing side of this football club and am happy to voice my opinion.
Campions league, Trophies and success is not the be all and end all of what Arsenal is about - pride in your shirt, honour and sheer determination will get me on my feet every match applauding.
Season ticket holder since 1991
What was Wenger's response to the boos - it does not concern him. Here lies the problem the club, the manaement and the players do not care about the fans that are paying all their wages and fast cars.
I am, will always be an Arsenal Supporter, however I am also very concerned about the playing and non playing side of this football club and am happy to voice my opinion.
Campions league, Trophies and success is not the be all and end all of what Arsenal is about - pride in your shirt, honour and sheer determination will get me on my feet every match applauding.
Season ticket holder since 1991
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Jumpers For Goalposts
- Posts: 2245
- Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 12:42 pm
Those are three of the best posts on the Gooner website all season.
I have been to the majority of games at Arsenal since the very early 80s and the last few matches have been as bad as anything I have seen. At least the players in the 80s and 90s seemed to care about the club and looked as if they were doing their absolute best for us.
This current bunch seem obsessed with money and image and that is why we are so far off the pace being set by Fergie's mob.
Arsene seems unwilling to shake things up, hence the constant appearances of Eboue, Bendtner, Denilson and Song - four shite players that wouldn't get in Man Utd's reserve team.
Arsenal have shown time and time again that they don't listen to supporters and all the while the attendance figure is 60,000 - they won't listen to us.
However, the booing is starting to let them know that we won't accept the dross that they are currently serving up.
The fans letting Arsene know how we feel are NOT the problem - the problem is on the pitch and with the idiots saying "f**k off to Chelsea" to anyone who doesn't think everything is rosy.
I have been to the majority of games at Arsenal since the very early 80s and the last few matches have been as bad as anything I have seen. At least the players in the 80s and 90s seemed to care about the club and looked as if they were doing their absolute best for us.
This current bunch seem obsessed with money and image and that is why we are so far off the pace being set by Fergie's mob.
Arsene seems unwilling to shake things up, hence the constant appearances of Eboue, Bendtner, Denilson and Song - four shite players that wouldn't get in Man Utd's reserve team.
Arsenal have shown time and time again that they don't listen to supporters and all the while the attendance figure is 60,000 - they won't listen to us.
However, the booing is starting to let them know that we won't accept the dross that they are currently serving up.
The fans letting Arsene know how we feel are NOT the problem - the problem is on the pitch and with the idiots saying "f**k off to Chelsea" to anyone who doesn't think everything is rosy.
I have been a season ticket holder since 1983.
I have seen the best and worst football watching Arsenal in this period.
It cost me a lot of money to pay for my season ticket, parking, petrol,
food, airfares and hotels for European trips and other Arsenal related items as well as time off work.
This season has been very difficult and the great times I was expecting to isee at our new home has not yet begun.
We have had no luck with injuries that has engulfed our best attacking options (RVP excluded).
I think Arsene Wenger is the best Arsenal manager of all time but he does deserve critisism for our current situation.
I think that some of the current squad of fit players are doing the best that they can but others are never going to fulfil their potential and others that are clearly scared to make a mistake and their play and form reflect this.
Not much in the way of luck during games, consider how many times we have hit the woodwork (especially when you consider how few shots we seem to have).
I get to my seat on time and stay to the end unlike many others.
There are many other points I could make but I think you all get the idea.
For all these reasons and I feel qualifed to make my feelings as vocal as the next supporter. I was screaming for Eboue to be substituted when he seemed determined to play some of the worst football I have ever seen but when he made his next appearance I applauded him when he came on.
For me, the bottom line is that any supporter can be critical of the team they support and they can show the pleasure and displeasure however they chose because that is their right.
Personally, I will not boo the team however poor the performance because it just seems childish. It is certainly making a point and the boo that went up at the final whistle after the Fulham game was the loudest yet.
I do not know if booing is right or wrong but it reflects the disappointment that we are all feeling.
I have seen the best and worst football watching Arsenal in this period.
It cost me a lot of money to pay for my season ticket, parking, petrol,
food, airfares and hotels for European trips and other Arsenal related items as well as time off work.
This season has been very difficult and the great times I was expecting to isee at our new home has not yet begun.
We have had no luck with injuries that has engulfed our best attacking options (RVP excluded).
I think Arsene Wenger is the best Arsenal manager of all time but he does deserve critisism for our current situation.
I think that some of the current squad of fit players are doing the best that they can but others are never going to fulfil their potential and others that are clearly scared to make a mistake and their play and form reflect this.
Not much in the way of luck during games, consider how many times we have hit the woodwork (especially when you consider how few shots we seem to have).
I get to my seat on time and stay to the end unlike many others.
There are many other points I could make but I think you all get the idea.
For all these reasons and I feel qualifed to make my feelings as vocal as the next supporter. I was screaming for Eboue to be substituted when he seemed determined to play some of the worst football I have ever seen but when he made his next appearance I applauded him when he came on.
For me, the bottom line is that any supporter can be critical of the team they support and they can show the pleasure and displeasure however they chose because that is their right.
Personally, I will not boo the team however poor the performance because it just seems childish. It is certainly making a point and the boo that went up at the final whistle after the Fulham game was the loudest yet.
I do not know if booing is right or wrong but it reflects the disappointment that we are all feeling.
I bet the club are not far off seeing just how disgruntled a LARGE number of fans are.......when the renewals come through, including Club Level and Boxes, I think the club will be shocked at just how many do not renew.
Oh, and we are now advertising tickets being available in the free newspaper 'London Lite'. We took the piss when Chelsea did it, now we are just as embarrassing. This is a sign of things to come and the club better get used to it. The fans are NOT mugs and will not continue to pay the extortionate prices for shite like Song, Diaby, Eboue etc etc etc
Oh, and we are now advertising tickets being available in the free newspaper 'London Lite'. We took the piss when Chelsea did it, now we are just as embarrassing. This is a sign of things to come and the club better get used to it. The fans are NOT mugs and will not continue to pay the extortionate prices for shite like Song, Diaby, Eboue etc etc etc
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WestUpperRed
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Tue Sep 02, 2008 12:12 pm
Totally agree.
I think the club are very close to seeing how dissapointed a large number of the loyal support is with Sundays visit against Burnley in the Cup.
Not part of the allocated 7 games on the season tickets it will interesting to find out if possible how many they have sold to season ticket holders compared to red members and general sale.
Im sure a low take up from season ticket holders would send a message, albeit Burnley in the cup.
I think the club are very close to seeing how dissapointed a large number of the loyal support is with Sundays visit against Burnley in the Cup.
Not part of the allocated 7 games on the season tickets it will interesting to find out if possible how many they have sold to season ticket holders compared to red members and general sale.
Im sure a low take up from season ticket holders would send a message, albeit Burnley in the cup.
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QuartzGooner
- Posts: 14474
- Joined: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:49 pm
- Location: London
Booing your own team?
But you still go to games right?
If you feel that strongly, then boycott games or give up your tickets, stop going altogether.
If you are at a game, get behind the team and support it. Simple as.
Best way to protest is to write a letter to the manager.
Seriously, the club has to log all incoming mail of that type.
If he gets hundreds of complaints a week, all from members, with their membership number, name and address on the letter, it will have an effect.
I totally disagree with these ideas of the new stadium as a "Souless Concrete Bowl".
There were loads of Corporate fans and tourists at Highbury too, even in the 1980's.
It is up to YOU to make the atmosphere!
Of course it will not be like Highbury for many years, because a lot of what Highbury had was a history built up since 1913.
It takes two or three generations for that to apply to a football stadium, and we should count ourselves lucky to have been the generation that got to go t games in both stadiums, part of our past, and part of our future.
But you still go to games right?
If you feel that strongly, then boycott games or give up your tickets, stop going altogether.
If you are at a game, get behind the team and support it. Simple as.
Best way to protest is to write a letter to the manager.
Seriously, the club has to log all incoming mail of that type.
If he gets hundreds of complaints a week, all from members, with their membership number, name and address on the letter, it will have an effect.
I totally disagree with these ideas of the new stadium as a "Souless Concrete Bowl".
There were loads of Corporate fans and tourists at Highbury too, even in the 1980's.
It is up to YOU to make the atmosphere!
Of course it will not be like Highbury for many years, because a lot of what Highbury had was a history built up since 1913.
It takes two or three generations for that to apply to a football stadium, and we should count ourselves lucky to have been the generation that got to go t games in both stadiums, part of our past, and part of our future.
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12thGooner
- Posts: 2398
- Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2008 8:27 am
- Location: 103117114109111107104
All excellent posts on this thread.
i understand the posters on here that feel booing is the only way that we can get our message across to the club. The team represent on the pitch like they are supposed to and we represent in the stands like we are supposed to. If the crowd feel let down, the only way is to be vocal about it, this applies to all live events sporting or performance, and you have every right to.
My point is that after the fulham game the booing was the loudest i'd heard in the grove (what a said thing that it happens often enough, i have a loudest booing memory). Where were your voices when we were on the attack, where are your voices before and during the game. You cannot and should not boo if you are silent for the whole of the game, if you're gonna be vocal be vocal and get behind them all the way before you start complaining.
i understand the posters on here that feel booing is the only way that we can get our message across to the club. The team represent on the pitch like they are supposed to and we represent in the stands like we are supposed to. If the crowd feel let down, the only way is to be vocal about it, this applies to all live events sporting or performance, and you have every right to.
My point is that after the fulham game the booing was the loudest i'd heard in the grove (what a said thing that it happens often enough, i have a loudest booing memory). Where were your voices when we were on the attack, where are your voices before and during the game. You cannot and should not boo if you are silent for the whole of the game, if you're gonna be vocal be vocal and get behind them all the way before you start complaining.
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Exiled-Gooner
- Posts: 1089
- Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 3:26 pm
- Location: the spirit of 69!
I can understand everyone's frustration's and agree with a vast majority of them.The times i've been to the grove it's sometimes resembles a doctors waiting room but that's not helped by stewards who PATROL like a prison guard and treat fans like children instead of adults.I also believe that supporters who wish to chant(like myself) should be allocated a section so the atmosphere can be generated to boost the team,unlike at present where it is scattered around the ground and doesn't create any volume.
I think ,not only the performances of the team but, at board room level is also pissing off fans.I can tell you of the bertie mee days etc when after the double season he broke up a great side and we spiralled into a average team but today is different.With all the commercial and sponsors finance plus with the board stating that the grove was to put us on par with competing with the cream of europe etc there has been no investment in the playing side.
I think ,not only the performances of the team but, at board room level is also pissing off fans.I can tell you of the bertie mee days etc when after the double season he broke up a great side and we spiralled into a average team but today is different.With all the commercial and sponsors finance plus with the board stating that the grove was to put us on par with competing with the cream of europe etc there has been no investment in the playing side.
I think its down to personal opinion. If people want to boo then it is their right to.
My view is that booing just doesnt achieve anything. Its like the Dads who stand on the touchline watching their kids & constantly barracking them. It doesnt make them more determined, it makes them resent the person putting them down.
However I do understand fans frustrations but its just my view that booing isnt the answer. I watched Newcatle fans boycott the Club in November & boo the team & all I could think was "they dont deserve success".
My view is that booing just doesnt achieve anything. Its like the Dads who stand on the touchline watching their kids & constantly barracking them. It doesnt make them more determined, it makes them resent the person putting them down.
However I do understand fans frustrations but its just my view that booing isnt the answer. I watched Newcatle fans boycott the Club in November & boo the team & all I could think was "they dont deserve success".
