Toxicity and modern football fans

[Duke of Northumberland]

I was thinking from the City game, Pep was complaining after about the City fans not supporting in the first half. There were some Blue Moons and chants but the overwhelming sound was booing. Booing official decisions, booing defending, booing opposition players, and then the booing at half time when 2-0 down.

When you ask fans what they want, they'll all say spending on players and trophies. The City fans should be in the position that we all want to be in- having won 4/ 5 last titles and a bottomless transfer budget. But even they are booing at half-time in a game they'll go on to win 4-2.

We used to ridicule the Arsenal fans for booing and their persistent moaning on AFTV and lack of support all during the years we were on top. Now our fans behave just like that. We boo at the end of the games and at half time and sometimes even our players coming on as subs because they've had some dodgy performances before. The forums and Twitter are full of angry messages about players, Conte, ENIC, Levy. People are trying to start campaigns to force ENIC to sell out to Qataris, never mind the politics. And for what? To be in the City fans position. Booing at half time.

During the Poch years I remember genuine joy around the ground, a feeling of progress and excitement at what we were seeing each week, and nobody complaining about not winning trophies, genuinely. I really miss that, and wonder if it can return. But I think people are so bothered by windups from rival fans on Twitter or Arsenal having a good season and a general sense of entitlement, because it seems the only happy fans now are the ones whose club is in 1st place, and even then they're angry and complaining about referees or lack of "credit" from the media or something. Makes you wonder what it's all about really...

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

 

[Athenspur]

Fantastic post. My thoughts exactly.

 

[easley91]

There is a definite sense of entitlement amongst today's football fans (not just this club). It's a want it now mentality with little to no patience.

There is also the fact that the majority of world news and views is largely negative in nature. People tend to react when they're angry and not when they're happy. They'll believe something that is negative in nature and think worst case scenario every time, while anything remotely positive is laughed at.

I know we lost on Thursday, but I felt and still feel we are a better away side than a home one, because of the toxic fanbase we currently have.

 

[slartibartfast]

I think that society in general globally are in a bad place right now. Post covid high living costs etc, everyone is on a short fuse.

 

[taidgh]

I was thinking from the City game, Pep was complaining after about the City fans not supporting in the first half. There were some Blue Moons and chants but the overwhelming sound was booing. Booing official decisions, booing defending, booing opposition players, and then the booing at half time when 2-0 down.

When you ask fans what they want, they'll all say spending on players and trophies. The City fans should be in the position that we all want to be in- having won 4/ 5 last titles and a bottomless transfer budget. But even they are booing at half-time in a game they'll go on to win 4-2.

We used to ridicule the Arsenal fans for booing and their persistent moaning on AFTV and lack of support all during the years we were on top. Now our fans behave just like that. We boo at the end of the games and at half time and sometimes even our players coming on as subs because they've had some dodgy performances before. The forums and Twitter are full of angry messages about players, Conte, ENIC, Levy. People are trying to start campaigns to force ENIC to sell out to Qataris, never mind the politics. And for what? To be in the City fans position. Booing at half time.

During the Poch years I remember genuine joy around the ground, a feeling of progress and excitement at what we were seeing each week, and nobody complaining about not winning trophies, genuinely. I really miss that, and wonder if it can return. But I think people are so bothered by windups from rival fans on Twitter or Arsenal having a good season and a general sense of entitlement, because it seems the only happy fans now are the ones whose club is in 1st place, and even then they're angry and complaining about referees or lack of "credit" from the media or something. Makes you wonder what it's all about really...

I agree with everything you've said. It's really bad with Spurs right at the moment, but it's been going that way for a good few years now. I do think football mirrors society, where people are unhappy and disaffected with the government, disastrous economic and social policies, l in angering effects from the pandemic, and increasing climate instability. Yes these things existed in the past, for the most part, but football was always a distraction from all that, but where people stuck together as a fan base and stood by their club. That isn't necessarily the case anymore. The money that has come into the game hasn't helped, with the average fans disaffected by the mind boggling transfer fees and wages being paid. I think there's also a feeling of injustice at the sudden success of the likes of Chelsea and City, and the feeling that normal clubs just can't compete anymore.

But as you noted, even City fans are unhappy, which is quite an amazing thing. Whatever the reason, the culture around football has changed, and I don't see it ever going back. For me, maybe it's time to find another interest, as there are so many other things in life that are stressful and make me feel unhappy, that I just don't need another one.

 

[coy-spurs1882]

I was thinking from the City game, Pep was complaining after about the City fans not supporting in the first half. There were some Blue Moons and chants but the overwhelming sound was booing. Booing official decisions, booing defending, booing opposition players, and then the booing at half time when 2-0 down.

When you ask fans what they want, they'll all say spending on players and trophies. The City fans should be in the position that we all want to be in- having won 4/ 5 last titles and a bottomless transfer budget. But even they are booing at half-time in a game they'll go on to win 4-2.

We used to ridicule the Arsenal fans for booing and their persistent moaning on AFTV and lack of support all during the years we were on top. Now our fans behave just like that. We boo at the end of the games and at half time and sometimes even our players coming on as subs because they've had some dodgy performances before. The forums and Twitter are full of angry messages about players, Conte, ENIC, Levy. People are trying to start campaigns to force ENIC to sell out to Qataris, never mind the politics. And for what? To be in the City fans position. Booing at half time.

During the Poch years I remember genuine joy around the ground, a feeling of progress and excitement at what we were seeing each week, and nobody complaining about not winning trophies, genuinely. I really miss that, and wonder if it can return. But I think people are so bothered by windups from rival fans on Twitter or Arsenal having a good season and a general sense of entitlement, because it seems the only happy fans now are the ones whose club is in 1st place, and even then they're angry and complaining about referees or lack of "credit" from the media or something. Makes you wonder what it's all about really...

the time has changed. during Poch years we were told that we are building the new stadium and we accepted the fact that our funds are limited. we had hope that once the new stadium is completed we will be able to compete at the highest level. however, after these years we are going backwards, especially when our best players left or will be leaving and we seem can't find a way to replace them, we probably will not have the chance to compete at the highest level again and that's all the board/ENIC's fault. i don't think you can blame the fans being annoyed

 

[A Bit Much]

Totally agree. Talking about us in isolation - we have had to watch our rivals hoover up trophies for years now and I think most long-term fans are just a bit fed up and sick of how chewed up spurs are through modern football and sportswashing.

I find myself more agitated by games because there's that pressure and stress that spurs should finally win a bloody trophy/the game. It isn't healthy and at least I didnt feel this in the early poch era.

 

[Japhet]

I was thinking from the City game, Pep was complaining after about the City fans not supporting in the first half. There were some Blue Moons and chants but the overwhelming sound was booing. Booing official decisions, booing defending, booing opposition players, and then the booing at half time when 2-0 down.

When you ask fans what they want, they'll all say spending on players and trophies. The City fans should be in the position that we all want to be in- having won 4/ 5 last titles and a bottomless transfer budget. But even they are booing at half-time in a game they'll go on to win 4-2.

We used to ridicule the Arsenal fans for booing and their persistent moaning on AFTV and lack of support all during the years we were on top. Now our fans behave just like that. We boo at the end of the games and at half time and sometimes even our players coming on as subs because they've had some dodgy performances before. The forums and Twitter are full of angry messages about players, Conte, ENIC, Levy. People are trying to start campaigns to force ENIC to sell out to Qataris, never mind the politics. And for what? To be in the City fans position. Booing at half time.

During the Poch years I remember genuine joy around the ground, a feeling of progress and excitement at what we were seeing each week, and nobody complaining about not winning trophies, genuinely. I really miss that, and wonder if it can return. But I think people are so bothered by windups from rival fans on Twitter or Arsenal having a good season and a general sense of entitlement, because it seems the only happy fans now are the ones whose club is in 1st place, and even then they're angry and complaining about referees or lack of "credit" from the media or something. Makes you wonder what it's all about really...

Just an indication that with entitlement, comes more entitlement. Modern life I'm afraid where everybody wants more and there's no such thing as enough.

 

[JSpurs1]

I agree with everything you've said. It's really bad with Spurs right now, and has been going that way for a good few years now. I do think football mirrors society, where people are unhappy and disaffected with the government, disastrous economic and social policies, l in angering effects from the pandemic, and increasing climate instability. Yes these things existed in the past, for the most part, but football was always a distraction from all that, but where people stuck together as a fan base and stood by their club. That isn't necessarily the case anymore. The money that has come into the game hasn't helped, with the average fans disaffected by the mind boggling transfer fees and wages being paid. I think there's also a feeling of injustice at the sudden success of likes of Chelsea and City, and the feeling that normal clubs just can't compete anymore.

But as you noted, even City fans are unhappy, which is quite an amazing thing. Whatever the reason, the culture around football has changed, and I don't see it ever going back. For me, maybe it's time to find another interest, as there are so many other things in life that are stressful and make me feel unhappy, that I just don't need another one.

Great post. Feeling the same way. Struggle to accept the crazy money these people earn when you see the state of the country.

As for the boos at Spurs - we’ve had a taste of the high life and that’s the problem I think.

 

[Deleted member 13403]

One thing I have noticed in the last few years is that so many fans seem to get more joy out of other teams losing than they do from their own team winning.

 

[TheSpillage]

I think it’s got something to do with modern society’s access to instant gratification. Nobody has to work or wait or dream of anything anymore. It’s all there instantly at the click of a button and we demand immediate pleasure.

Applies to football too. Man City, of all teams, can’t cope with being behind for even one half of football without getting angry.

So, yeah, it’s the bloody internet’s fault innit.

 

[Jamturk]

Brilliant post.

Sums it all up really.

There was a poll among Spurs fans and the majority of ENIC OUT people were under 40.

I think it's generational and for me it's simply that they're spoilt brats.

 

[For the love of Spurs]

Football has only itself to blame. You treat fans like customers to be milked, it’s just like students at University, I know someone working at a university who say the last 10 years they have become totally entitled spoilt brats who view themselves as customers not students, well they get charged through the nose.

some of it is social media yes and some of it is the boring football we play but the treatment of fans is in my view a part of it, if you treat people a certain way they respond.

 

[Japhet]

One thing I have noticed in the last few years is that so many fans seem to get more joy out of other teams losing than they do from their own team winning.

So much of it is derived from bragging rights and social media posturing. Most of that really requires a mental age below 12 though, so that's all you need to know essentially.

 

[JSpurs1]

Also I think Football Manager/FIFA is partly to blame. You can spend £400m in a summer on 9 players and do the quadruple. Doesn’t quite happen like that in real life!

 

[Gassin's finest]

It's what happens when supporting your local football club changes to being able to follow any club you want, anywhere in the world. Without having at least an appreciation of the roots that a club grew out of, you're essentially just identifying with a brand.

Its possibly not even a football issue, specifically. But just another symptom of an ever shrinking, increasingly online society.

Personally I have lost a lot of interest in it in recent years, and have switched focus to the lower leagues. You get more of the culture and community that you had maybe 30 years ago in division 1.

 

[StockSpur]

football is theater…

there are heros and villains in every piece

 

[waresy]

Replace football fans with society and go wider. The symmetry of that and the increase in poor behavior will be there

 

[Duke of Northumberland]

I agree with everything you've said. It's really bad with Spurs right now, and has been going that way for a good few years now. I do think football mirrors society, where people are unhappy and disaffected with the government, disastrous economic and social policies, l in angering effects from the pandemic, and increasing climate instability. Yes these things existed in the past, for the most part, but football was always a distraction from all that, but where people stuck together as a fan base and stood by their club. That isn't necessarily the case anymore. The money that has come into the game hasn't helped, with the average fans disaffected by the mind boggling transfer fees and wages being paid. I think there's also a feeling of injustice at the sudden success of the likes of Chelsea and City, and the feeling that normal clubs just can't compete anymore.

But as you noted, even City fans are unhappy, which is quite an amazing thing. Whatever the reason, the culture around football has changed, and I don't see it ever going back. For me, maybe it's time to find another interest, as there are so many other things in life that are stressful and make me feel unhappy, that I just don't need another one.

This is where I am- I do have another interest , which is much more fulfilling although its hard to beat the high moments of football with other hobbies or media- I've been meaning to get into lower leagues, like @Gassin's finest said, and be a 'football supporter' again instead of a 'fan'.