Over the last few years my passion for football has gone from watching almost every game live on Sky to not missing it one bit during the lockdown.
The game has changed so much from when I really enjoyed the game, or maybe, at nearly 50, I'm finally growing up and football isn't the be all.
The game will come back, eventually, but I don't think my passion for the sport will, living in the arse end of the Western Lake District I'm not exactly 5 minutes away from the Cottage, so seeing games live are few and far between.
I'll watch what I can of Fulham but football in general, no longer interested.
So many other ways to enjoy life than football, anyone else drifting away?
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Afraid not, can't wait for the return.
Only really interested in Fulham and England in tournament's.Don't tend to watch other football on TV.When in the pub before matches might catch a bit on the TV there.These days I find the England qualifying games a chore and don't bother.
Lost interest in the England national team about 10-15 years ago and very rarely watch or care about their games, even during the big tournaments.
Never really found it satisfying to watch teams besides Fulham.
Also very disappointed with many footballers' conduct during this crisis, which I won't forget for a long time.
But the passion for Fulham will never go and will, like most things, be back to normal by the end of this year, I'm sure
I really miss Fulham games, and can't wait for football to return, though not interested in the game generally.
My support for Fulham has waxed and waned a bit through my life, but being older I find myself even more dependent on the escapism it offers, than when i was younger with more distractions.
VAR has slightly damaged my interest in football but it still remains strong. I cant wait to once again hear the Champions League theme blare out before two heavyweights go at it in a game where anything can happen. I enjoy Fulham games in a different way. The lack of quality sometimes frustrates me, but it is more about passion and a desire to win and see our players do well.
Since retiring Fulham matches have been the big event of the week for me, England games have also been of interest but I rarely watch other football matches.
If I lived in the Lake District , like Tempest, and was fit I would be obsessed with fell walking and bagging peaks.
Like Statto I have been disappointed in the behaviour of the highly paid elite players. I have also been disgusted by the self serving antics of the game's administrators. I also find the inflated money in the game hard to justify and the bloated money machines like the Champs league a joke. There is a lot to dislike.
Despite that I still have my love of FFC, it's not just football it's the club and the entire experience of supporting Fulham. It's totally unique and for me will never go away. The rest of it I have long since fallen out of love with
since moving up here to Nottingham my interest in Fulham hasn't diminished however my interest in football has wained, I've zero interest in the Premiership and even less in the Champions League.
I don't get to many home games anymore but Forest, Derby, Burton, Birmingham, Sheffield and Leeds are all, at most an hour and a half away so I do get to more away games than I used to.
I am really missing football and Fulham in particular, although I watch all televised matches. I agree with Sgt Fulham, I too get frustrated with our lack of quality or consistency at times but that is only because I care so much about Fulham and am always desperate for us to do well, and always will.
Once upon a time, I would never dream of missing a home game but, these days, don't even have a season ticket so I can face missing games. However, with this lock down I'd love to watch a live game somewhere, even if only round the corner at my local non league club.
I'm sure there are some other cricket followers on here and I've missed meeting up with my accomplices at Lord's this April.
One good thing is my bank balance has gone up no flights or fares to worry about.
Like many on here, I have very little interest in any other professional football, I go to my local Cricket club to watch Fulham games if i'm not actually going to the game and sometimes tag along to wind up my Brighton supporting friends if they are on. If I'm in my local cricket club and there's a game on, I find it difficult to watch, although always want the underdog to win if there is one. To be honest I doubt I would go and watch a professional game if it was at the bottom of the garden and I had a free ticket. I never go out to watch England games and never watch qualifying games even if they are on home TV. If I happen to stumble on a park game at any level (kids to adults)I will stop and watch for a while. I still play at least once a week despite being nearly 55 and have played 11 a side for a vets side this year a couple of times. I also managed to get an over 45 s six a side competition in the pipeline for May at my local football club, sadly now cancelled.
Fortunately away from all those in danger or really suffering I do miss my Fulham football. However, becoming 75 next week I am more concerned over when, pre-vaccine, I will feel safe to go down the Cottage once again.
But what I miss the most is the hugging of my 8 year old twin granddaughters. That longing pushes football well out of the way.
092.gif
Going to the cottage regularly and becoming a ST holder rekindled my interest in football generally, I know look forward to the season and the Monday to Sunday when Fulham are playing (depending on when Sky/EFL/Police decide they are)
However I am drifting away from watching football on the tele now, and very rarely do. Lost interest in England following Italia 90
Quote from: bog on May 01, 2020, 12:03:57 PM
Fortunately away from all those in danger or really suffering I do miss my Fulham football. However, becoming 75 next week I am more concerned over when, pre-vaccine, I will feel safe to go down the Cottage once again.
But what I miss the most is the hugging of my 8 year old twin granddaughters. That longing pushes football well out of the way.
092.gif
Happy Birthday for next week; Just in case I miss it.
My growing disdain for the Prem was not helped by our recent performance in it but like others my ears only p**** up for news on the Championship or Fulham so they have had very little exercise. Prem Football, despite the hints and assurances, might not return until the winter and it could all be a bit messy. Only two or three games in the title could be Liverpools and equally the bottom three could be further adrift thus making the majority of mid table games thereafter rather meaningless. It seems it is the European places that dictate everything. I think the Dutch and the French may have got it right and can focus on a new season, training, transfers and crowd management. The important downside of course is the race for compensation, retaining jobs and the continued existence of some Clubs. What a mess.
I'm not as interested in or excited by it as I was, but last 2 seasons my son (16) has had an ST. There have been a few times when I've got him to bring a mate who's used my ST (one of his mates is, or was pre-CV, becoming a Fulham fan). My journey involves about an hour and a half each way on public transport - without my son's company there's no way I'd have settled for that as an acceptable ratio bearing in mind how dull the football's been of late (yes I know we're third, but we are dull, there's no getting away from it). And now, once things start getting going again, that ratio of 3hrs on public transport for 1.5hrs football - so 4.5hrs of being in too close proximity to other people - isn't going to be worth it I suspect. If it wasn't for my son, for whom next season will be the last before he goes to further education, I wouldn't waste one second deciding whether or not to renew. Tough decision ahead.
Quote from: gang on May 01, 2020, 10:51:23 AM
One good thing is my bank balance has gone up no flights or fares to worry about.
That's the only consolation but I do miss the football. Costs my wife and I about £8k plus season tickets. :54:
Having moved back down South in summer 2018 after 25 years in Yorkshire, I have really enjoyed getting to the Cottage far more regularly, especially with my Dad (who's fault this all is anyway!). I am looking forward to getting back whenever we kick off again, especially with the new stand imminent....
Quote from: rebel on May 01, 2020, 12:19:23 PM
Quote from: bog on May 01, 2020, 12:03:57 PM
Fortunately away from all those in danger or really suffering I do miss my Fulham football. However, becoming 75 next week I am more concerned over when, pre-vaccine, I will feel safe to go down the Cottage once again.
But what I miss the most is the hugging of my 8 year old twin granddaughters. That longing pushes football well out of the way.
092.gif
Happy Birthday for next week; Just in case I miss it.
Thanks Rebel. Was two days before the end of the war. How lucky was I?
I'm only interested in Fulham and the league in which they play, be it Championship, Prem, League 1, whatever. I have zero interest in the England team and, in general, think there's far too much football on tv. I'll continue to go to the Cottage as long as I'm able - including the game and a pre match meal with friends/family it's currently an 8-10 hour round trip. I don't even try to put a financial cost to it, but it's worth it.
Quote from: bog on May 01, 2020, 01:16:16 PM
Quote from: rebel on May 01, 2020, 12:19:23 PM
Quote from: bog on May 01, 2020, 12:03:57 PM
Fortunately away from all those in danger or really suffering I do miss my Fulham football. However, becoming 75 next week I am more concerned over when, pre-vaccine, I will feel safe to go down the Cottage once again.
But what I miss the most is the hugging of my 8 year old twin granddaughters. That longing pushes football well out of the way.
092.gif
Happy Birthday for next week; Just in case I miss it.
Thanks Rebel. Was two days before the end of the war. How lucky was I?
That's cool. I really need to build a 'time machine', PDQ because 'the clock' really is ticking.
Quote from: rebel on May 01, 2020, 01:39:59 PM
Quote from: bog on May 01, 2020, 01:16:16 PM
Quote from: rebel on May 01, 2020, 12:19:23 PM
Quote from: bog on May 01, 2020, 12:03:57 PM
Fortunately away from all those in danger or really suffering I do miss my Fulham football. However, becoming 75 next week I am more concerned over when, pre-vaccine, I will feel safe to go down the Cottage once again.
But what I miss the most is the hugging of my 8 year old twin granddaughters. That longing pushes football well out of the way.
092.gif
Happy Birthday for next week; Just in case I miss it.
Thanks Rebel. Was two days before the end of the war. How lucky was I?
That's cool. I really need to build a 'time machine', PDQ because 'the clock' really is ticking.
And the older you get it ticks much faster!
I unfortunately fell out of love with the game many years ago. If I wasn't a Fulham supporter I wouldn't even watch a single game, it bores me unless Fulham are involved. I'm from an era when tackling and physical contact was normal but that has been replaced with......well you know where I'm going with this.
Quote from: sarnian on May 01, 2020, 01:01:50 PM
Quote from: gang on May 01, 2020, 10:51:23 AM
One good thing is my bank balance has gone up no flights or fares to worry about.
That's the only consolation but I do miss the football. Costs my wife and I about £8k plus season tickets. :54:
Wow that's dedication. Where are you based?
Quote from: Fulham 442 on May 01, 2020, 07:09:19 PM
Quote from: sarnian on May 01, 2020, 01:01:50 PM
Quote from: gang on May 01, 2020, 10:51:23 AM
One good thing is my bank balance has gone up no flights or fares to worry about.
That's the only consolation but I do miss the football. Costs my wife and I about £8k plus season tickets.
Wow that's dedication. Where are you based?
Guernsey. We have been season ticket holders since we moved back from Loftus Road. Only miss home games if on holiday or because of bad weather. Also means staying at a hotel overnight for evening games.
When there is a return to some form of normality, I shall try to watch more local and amateur sport. I often get more enjoyment out of watching my local rugby union, cricket and football teams play than I do from watching Fulham and the professional game, particularly if the match involves family members or friends. It is partly an age thing, but while I acknowledge and respect the fitness and skill levels of professional players, I find myself less enthused and excited about the game they are playing as professionals, especially football.
Can only really focus during Fulham games these days - thankfully I can see them out here on Fulham TV .
Can't seem to sit through a premier league or champions league game these days.
England team I'm more interested these days since Gareth got them playing well.
I don't mind watching women's football, much improved and lots of quality. Some could play in the Prem (I know you're shocked).
Just to add to my previous post; one other thing to dislike about football is the resurgence of racism, homophobia and extreme nationalism. Obviously most noticeable in several other countries in Europe and Sth America but there have also been worrying incidents in the UK of late.
I completely stopped going to football in the late 70's and 80's when violence and thuggery infected the game, I would hate to see a return of all that.
Quote from: sarnian on May 01, 2020, 08:02:39 PM
Quote from: Fulham 442 on May 01, 2020, 07:09:19 PM
Quote from: sarnian on May 01, 2020, 01:01:50 PM
Quote from: gang on May 01, 2020, 10:51:23 AM
One good thing is my bank balance has gone up no flights or fares to worry about.
That's the only consolation but I do miss the football. Costs my wife and I about £8k plus season tickets.
Wow that's dedication. Where are you based?
Guernsey. We have been season ticket holders since we moved back from Loftus Road. Only miss home games if on holiday or because of bad weather. Also means staying at a hotel overnight for evening games.
Brilliant. Especially given the last season we had in the EPL!
Fulham is my team and has been for 60 plus years. Still get a thrill walking down Finlay St or walking through the park and seeing the ground. Can't wait to get back to the Cottage for a game.
Have little interest in the Premier league or England matches nowadays. Don't even bother with CL. I try to follow the lower EFL and National leagues although coverage of these is disgracefully sparse.
Am missing the cricket season like mad🏏
Quote from: Twig on May 02, 2020, 10:20:57 AM
Just to add to my previous post; one other thing to dislike about football is the resurgence of racism, homophobia and extreme nationalism.
This statement would more accurately reflect reality if you replaced "resurgence of" with "lower-than-ever actual levels of, but increased sensitivity to and reporting of,"
Fulham are a Religion, unfortunately l have to worship from afar.
Nostalgia isn't what it was. Yes I think we remember the good old days of standing on weed ridden terraces and having a connection to the team. The game seems less physical than it was. Less enjoyable and dominated by the Prem and television. The International side is no longer 'our' side but a bunch of millionaires I care little about and struggle to name or which club they play for.
But I miss the Fulham experience, the build up, the never again and the way fans see the game and the team so very differently. Life without Fulham or football or whatever sport you happen to enjoy is clearly a little dull. Losing yourself in things outside of your control is no fun when it could leads to death, illness or bankruptcy. But when it is sport or film or music or any entertainment it is worth every wasted minute. Life isn't so much about being better than it was. Just about being something that helps us forget about every bone crushing dull bit of it. Life is for forgetting about and Fulham and sport and entertainment helps with that.
Quote from: Lighthouse on May 02, 2020, 04:47:20 PM
Nostalgia isn't what it was. Yes I think we remember the good old days of standing on weed ridden terraces and having a connection to the team. The game seems less physical than it was. Less enjoyable and dominated by the Prem and television. The International side is no longer 'our' side but a bunch of millionaires I care little about and struggle to name or which club they play for.
But I miss the Fulham experience, the build up, the never again and the way fans see the game and the team so very differently. Life without Fulham or football or whatever sport you happen to enjoy is clearly a little dull. Losing yourself in things outside of your control is no fun when it could leads to death, illness or bankruptcy. But when it is sport or film or music or any entertainment it is worth every wasted minute. Life isn't so much about being better than it was. Just about being something that helps us forget about every bone crushing dull bit of it. Life is for forgetting about and Fulham and sport and entertainment helps with that.
What a brilliant post.
Quote from: Statto on May 02, 2020, 03:17:20 PM
Quote from: Twig on May 02, 2020, 10:20:57 AM
Just to add to my previous post; one other thing to dislike about football is the resurgence of racism, homophobia and extreme nationalism.
This statement would more accurately reflect reality if you replaced "resurgence of" with "lower-than-ever actual levels of, but increased sensitivity to and reporting of,"
For me it's not "football" in itself that is the issue, but some of the people attending the games, so it's a social issue, a reflection of trends in our society. And frankly I have seen very little, in fact next to none, of it at Fulham. (I don't count the haranguing of Frank Lampard as "a fat bastard" as a) he clearly wasn't fat, and b) he also saw the funny side of it.)
To Statto's point I think you could add that in fact there may be a polarization and a growth of extreme behaviour and views, but in fact there are many more open and fair-minded people around. Older people today are (I believe) generally (note .. generally) more tolerant than they were in the past, but this does not make news.
And to reply to the topic, no, still find the game absorbing. Tend to follow the division Fulham are in more than others, but still love MoTD. Admire the standard of today's football .. the pace and technique ... it's unfair and pointless to compare standards across generations, but the standard is higher than it has ever been.
Frustration at Fulham's inconsistency - well, yes, but what makes football such a good game is that the best team does not always win, that it is hard to sustain top level performance throughout a game, and moments can determine outcomes.
Yes, the downside is play-acting and conning the ref. But the games are generally still pretty good. Don't forget 3 points for the win was introduced to try and end the number of boring draws as teams settled for half of the points.
Quote from: Statto on May 02, 2020, 03:17:20 PM
Quote from: Twig on May 02, 2020, 10:20:57 AM
Just to add to my previous post; one other thing to dislike about football is the resurgence of racism, homophobia and extreme nationalism.
This statement would more accurately reflect reality if you replaced "resurgence of" with "lower-than-ever actual levels of, but increased sensitivity to and reporting of,"
Complete and utter nonsense.
Lost interest in football in general a few years back. Had it not been for Fulham I would have stopped watching altogether or started going to see Bury St Edmunds play. The players are now so far removed from the fans and appear to have lost all sense of reality with their multi million pound salaries. Will be very nervous getting the trains and tube to see the Whites. Sad old git that I am 092.gif
Quote from: somerset cockernee on May 01, 2020, 03:36:46 PM
I unfortunately fell out of love with the game many years ago. If I wasn't a Fulham supporter I wouldn't even watch a single game, it bores me unless Fulham are involved. I'm from an era when tackling and physical contact was normal but that has been replaced with......well you know where I'm going with this.
I'm exactly the same. I'll watch Fulham but not fussed about the rest. As a neutral I'd rather watch rugby. It's the greed in the game that's turning me off.
Ps. Where in Somerset are you. We moved to Ilminster just over a year ago. Love it here.
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Quote from: bobbo on May 01, 2020, 08:52:47 AM
Afraid not, can't wait for the return.
is that to get out of the house away from the wife
Quote from: Cambridge Pete on May 03, 2020, 02:52:02 PM
Lost interest in football in general a few years back. Had it not been for Fulham I would have stopped watching altogether or started going to see Bury St Edmunds play. The players are now so far removed from the fans and appear to have lost all sense of reality with their multi million pound salaries. Will be very nervous getting the trains and tube to see the Whites. Sad old git that I am 092.gif
My feelings entirely.
The beautiful game has become the ugly game in more ways than one, and I cannot see it recovering, it has turned itself into a House of Cards.
Quote from: Tempest on May 01, 2020, 08:40:41 AM
Over the last few years my passion for football has gone from watching almost every game live on Sky to not missing it one bit during the lockdown.
The game has changed so much from when I really enjoyed the game, or maybe, at nearly 50, I'm finally growing up and football isn't the be all.
The game will come back, eventually, but I don't think my passion for the sport will, living in the arse end of the Western Lake District I'm not exactly 5 minutes away from the Cottage, so seeing games live are few and far between.
I'll watch what I can of Fulham but football in general, no longer interested.
So many other ways to enjoy life than football, anyone else drifting away?
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Season before last I'd very occasionally watch my old local team Welling Utd. Football standard not great but the 350 odd fans were enthusiastic. I loved it in a very different way to Fulham. Not better, just different.. If only the FA would have the balls to force rich clubs to trickle finance down the leagues, everyone is happier..
Except for
The greedy fat cats of the Prem.
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I currently watch more than I did before Covid19, and I was watching a lot then. Now I'm watching at least 4 full games (not just Fulham) per week.
I'm too new to loving the sport to have burnt out already. I love it.
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This has finally shown football for what it is, the players think they are so precious that they make me sick, I won't be back and will support my local non league side in future so I can just watch players play because they love the game and not for the money.
Quote from: Nero on May 03, 2020, 03:51:52 PM
Quote from: bobbo on May 01, 2020, 08:52:47 AM
Afraid not, can't wait for the return.
is that to get out of the house away from the wife
No definitely not . Sadly my wife is no longer with us.
I was struggling with the amount of games in the Championship with working full time & commuting. But, I've just seen a drone view of the pitch on Sky & it looks absolutely stunning. I now feel fully recharged & desperate to get back. Hopefully, that's the end of commuting too.
Quote from: KJS on May 04, 2020, 08:19:41 AM
This has finally shown football for what it is, the players think they are so precious that they make me sick, I won't be back and will support my local non league side in future so I can just watch players play because they love the game and not for the money.
Football is their career, their, job, I am guessing by your comment that if you work you don't take a wage.
Quote from: alfie on May 05, 2020, 05:05:46 PM
Quote from: KJS on May 04, 2020, 08:19:41 AM
This has finally shown football for what it is, the players think they are so precious that they make me sick, I won't be back and will support my local non league side in future so I can just watch players play because they love the game and not for the money.
Football is their career, their, job, I am guessing by your comment that if you work you don't take a wage.
You guess wrong I work and get paid a decent wage for a hard days work, they are all over paid and the difference in the amount each player is paid for doing the same job is ridiculous! I hope the EFL do as they suggest and CAP wages none of the players are worth the money and when the TV companies and Sponsors reduce the amount of cash they put into the game then perhaps we may see normality brought back.
But as I said I will not be back despite my love for FFC it just isn't worth paying the amount we have to shell out to watch them anymore.
Quote from: KJS on May 05, 2020, 06:23:56 PM
Quote from: alfie on May 05, 2020, 05:05:46 PM
Quote from: KJS on May 04, 2020, 08:19:41 AM
This has finally shown football for what it is, the players think they are so precious that they make me sick, I won't be back and will support my local non league side in future so I can just watch players play because they love the game and not for the money.
Football is their career, their, job, I am guessing by your comment that if you work you don't take a wage.
You guess wrong I work and get paid a decent wage for a hard days work, they are all over paid and the difference in the amount each player is paid for doing the same job is ridiculous! I hope the EFL do as they suggest and CAP wages none of the players are worth the money and when the TV companies and Sponsors reduce the amount of cash they put into the game then perhaps we may see normality brought back.
But as I said I will not be back despite my love for FFC it just isn't worth paying the amount we have to shell out to watch them anymore.
Actually I think my season ticket works out as great value and well worth the outlay.
Whether all (your words) players are overpaid is, in my view questionable. Some certainly are and a few ridiculously so. I do agree that those who are very well paid (say £20k per week plus) should have done much more in these difficult times. Statto has been critical and I agree with him . Where I differ from your view is in your generalisation.
Just to add that I am also disgusted by the money made by agents (leeches). Cap player salaries by all means if international agreement can be reached but also cap agents fees.
There is a load wrong with football
Too much money
Too much hype
too much cheating on and off the pitch
poor referees
biased referees
weak referees
agents, the whole lot of them
diving
rolling on the floor
generally being pathetic
lack of integrity
But I just have to watch some of those matches on FFCtv or think about wembley portsmouth home to derby carlisle juve and hamburg... kamara at man city a last minute winner against swansea etc and I know I absolutely am besoted with the game.
What I want is the game to be rid of the cheating and corruption that is self evident to anyone with a brain in their head and eyes to see.
