Crowd?

Very True!

The Majority of players, not all, show loyalty to their Bank Accounts and don't give a toss about their employers and fans.

Take the fans away and they are nobodys

 

I didn't go to see Mansfield Town. I would have been there if the opposition were Worsborough Bridge.

I went to see: our new signings at Oakwell for the first time, to see what they look like; Barnsley playing a match at Oakwell for the first time since the end of last season; but over ALL of that, I went to see a good, hardworking footballer play his last game in a red shirt with some of his team mates from not so long ago also playing their last game in a red shirt. Some of them looked like they should STILL be playing for us as well.

As I said in a previous posting, it was an emotional day all round and I 'm really glad I went. I understand that people had their own reasons for not going but that's up to them. Lets face it, some people who go to Oakwell are football followers, not Barnsley fans. A genuine Barnsley fan grits their teeth and suffers the pain that inevitably follows the pleasure. It's what supporting a small football club is all about and if you're not prepared to accept that then other Saturday afternoon pursuits are a better bet.

I'll stick with my team. I've missed hundreds, maybe thousands, of matches because of living away most of my life. I'm not missing any more.

 

Which is what around 9,000 Barnsley fans do 23 times a season so I'm not sure what point you are making?

 

Don't forget unreserved seating which is a pain with people having to find somewhere good to sit when they turn up late

 

Not denying that and thank goodness we have that core support. Mind you, should we drop down to the Fourth Division that figure will drop just like it did when we were there before.

The only point I am trying to make is that there are plenty of people, many who come on here, who are not genuine, committed fans. I'm not trying to score points or say "I'm a better fan than you blah blah". It's just a fact - some of us give our support unconditionally. Others apply conditions and, more often than not, turn away.

Everyone is entitled to their point of view but if you are an habitual complainer then there's no point in pretending that you are a Barnsley fan through and through. You're a football follower, just as likely to watch a Premier League match on Sky as you are to watch the genuine article at Oakwell. I'm not having a go at people, really I'm not. We are all different and have different personal circumstances. I'm lucky that I am now in a position to go to as many matches as I like. That will be every home game and a selection of away ones. I expect to be disappointed often, but I will keep at it!

 

Glad to see my point has received some support as I stand by it. Ludicrous in your mind Conan. Any plans to offer your season ticket for sale if things don't go as you've planned?

 

The one and only reason why I went. I hardly ever go to pre season friendlies but yesterday I'd have gone even if we'd been playing a working men's club third XI. I went to say thank you and goodbye to Bobby and the fact I also got to see Fozzy, Disco and some others was a bonus.

 

yes, 'cause they dont get paid very either do they, compared to the general population of the town...

 

I think testimonials were all well and good when players maximum wage (in the season) was about 2.5 times the national average. However since Bosman and agents, their pay bears no relationship to the average punter.

 

And your point is?

 

I think testimonials were all well and good when players maximum wage (in the season) was about 2.5 times the national average. However since Bosman and agents, their pay bears no relationship to the average supporter.

 

Did you miss the fact that Bobby is giving all profits to charity?

 

Wow. I would imagine that is quite insulting to a lot of people.

I really cannot imagine anyone who considers themselves to be a football fan rather than a Barnsley fan would choose to watch a mediocre third division team. I think at this stage in our history there are only two reasons people do go to Oakwell - blind loyalty and/or sheer force of habit.

Every single person who has bought a season ticket (especially the early birds) has given their support unconditionally as we are not in a position to make any terms or demands.

 

Sorry to hear you suggest I'm insulting anyone. Absolutely none intended.

 

Or the taxman...

 

The chance to get a crowd befitting the occasion that Bobby Hassell deserved was lost by the club last year. Had his testimonial been last summer, against a decent sized club, we'd have seen 8-10,000 attend imo. Even someone like a Stoke or Sunderland. But Mansfield Town a year later, with a strange set up swapping the team with twenty minutes to go... no wonder the crowd was low. Still would have hoped for 5,000 to show, but most fans I know basically said, 'loved Bobby, but can't be bothered with watching a friendly against Mansfield waiting 70mins to see the old team.' Shame it wasn't all organised better, equally a shame he left when he did.