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Tagged: Premiership

Football FanCast columnist Sam Hollis is fed up of hearing the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Everton and Spurs bemoaning their misfortune and feels that they should take a closer look at what is happening elsewhere in the football league. You could say somewhat trivia in comparison.

One thing is really grinding my gears at the moment. In recent weeks, I have noticed a significant increase of extreme moaning. I feel I have to stick up for the real football fans.

When fans of the 'top four' constantly whine about mundane, un-important issues such as: "Gallas clearly tried to move his hand AWAY from the ball" and "This multi-millionaire owner only cares about the money - get him out!", it makes my blood boil. You are in the Premier League. Unless the 'big four' headlines are all these people read - Bournemouth have just been saved from extinction and my club, Luton Town, are set to be docked another 15 points for the start of their season in League Two after we have just been relegated. Surely not in the same league as a dodgy penalty decision.

While I admire passion for football and passion for a football team, I can't help but feel that these fans should try standing on the terraces at Chesterfield on a Tuesday night, or at York, or, indeed face an outstanding struggle in keeping the circulation flow to your legs at Luton. You see, it is very hard to find any sympathy for a club who are having such a terrific season. I ask, what exactly do these fans have to moan about?

I have no doubt the top-flight clubs haven't always enjoyed Premier League football, and at some point they have been struggling for their lives. But in this day and age, with all the money floating around the top League which you don't need me patronising you fine people about, Everton, Spurs, Liverpool or Arsenal do not appear to be bad teams to support. While Steven Gerrard and co were in a Boeing 737, which flew for just 26 miles and burned nearly a ton of fuel - just so that England's pampered soccer stars could avoid spending an extra half an hour on a coach - I no doubt was contemplating an away trip to Gillingham on a Tuesday night. While Everton fans were 'heartbroken' after defeat to Fiorentina in the UEFA Cup, I was barely home from a lovely tip to Carlisle the previous night reflecting on a 2-1 defeat.

I understand it is not a competition, and while I rant I am fuelling what these fans were expressing in the first place. Heck, let's not beat about the bush here - I am extremely bitter. I simply cannot help but think that when I read headlines such as: 'Ferguson has one eye on semis', and: 'Lampard - Blues revenge not the agenda', that the media and other sports fans could at least throw a little attention to real issues. Real issues that affect real fans. Please do express your love for your team - just not on the same day lower League teams have once again been shot in the teeth by the Associations that supposedly care for all Leagues. I'm sure there are many fans that are far worse off than you, if you think about it.

 


 

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Des
Picture of Des
It does make you wonder
It does make you wonder sometimes but its the authorities and TV companies that are screwing these teams over. If the Carlton deal hadnt collapsed there wouldnt be such problems.

Gladwys Street
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It certainly does put into
It certainly does put into perspective at highlights the growing decline of football in the country. I guess it will take a high profile casualty to go into administration before clubs get together to help others.

Frank
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Call me old fashioned but we
Call me old fashioned but we desperately need to bring back a feeder club system in order for these clubs to survive. I know a lot of small clubs will see this as a slight on them but surely it is better than going out of business all together????

Stewie
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I understand your sentiments
I understand your sentiments Sam but if these fans of top clubs are true fans then they, like us all, will feel emotion for their team, no matter the division

Stuart
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Leeds were pretty high
Leeds were pretty high profile and nothing really happened after that

Joe Jennings
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Posts: 146
Joined: 2007-11-21
Well written, Sam and I can
Well written, Sam and I can only pity Luton's predicament. Keep the faith!

Nick
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what division your team
what division your team plays in is meaningless to a true fan. I follow Arsenal everywhere, but whilst at uni I did the same for Scarborough. only difference is, it costs me more now. saying that supports of 'smaller' clubs are true fans, and supporters of 'big' clubs arn't smells alot like head up own arse syndrome. Worry about the hangers on, the people that support their clubs without going to the City let alone the games. not those of us who have a genuine love for our team and a passion to show it.

Linda
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Its all relative mate
Its all relative mate regardless of who you support, we just have different issues thats all.

Gaz
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I feel sorry for Luton and i
I feel sorry for Luton and i really admire fans who make an effort like a lot of lower league club's fans do. However, as a fan you will appreciate that every club has its concerns and problems, and they all differ in magnitude. Just because Luton is going out of business doesn't mean that fans don't care. its just because we always look after number one and care about the clubs that mean the most to us. Every club has a section of fans that only turn up for the biggest games/cup finals/glory hunters. Thats football. But every club also has its hardcore supporters who follow the club everywhere and live and breathe football.

Sam Hollis
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Posts: 80
Joined: 2007-10-30
Thanks Joe.
Thanks Joe.