This will be the last thread...

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

This will be the last thread to which I'll contribute on the Football Forum.

 

I have been chomping at the bit since Saturday night to leave this post, but it was suggested to me that I leave it until Monday morning for two reasons. 1), I don't have internet access at home, and 2), it gives me time to calm down a bit.

 

I haven't calmed down.

 

There are three points I really want to make in some detail this morning.

 

Point One

 

I pay what I believe to be a ridiculous average of £8 a match to see a game of Level 6 non-league football. In my mind, this gives me the right to voice an opinion at a football match if there is something I am unhappy with. We also worked out a while back that, including replica shirts, money in the bar, sponsorship etc, I have forked out roughly £6,000 in the seven years I've been coming.

 

So, on Saturday, midway through the second half, when we'd decided that enough was enough, we began calling for Castle's head. As paying customers that is our right. I do not expect to be challenged by four separate fans, one of whom is a woman I've only even seen at the club since the start of this pre-season, for voicing my opinion.

 

Our currect manager's record is the fourth worst this club have ever had. And the three managers below him were never given this long to turn things around.

 

I think of the abuse a legend like Kevin Mudd got, after less games, and with a certainly more impressive record, and I wonder if certain people round here are actually thinking straight at the moment.

 

Which brings me on to...

 

Point Two

 

Never before in my life have I fallen victim to the vicious and foul-mouthed verbal abuse I was subjected to on Saturday, by a person I had always respected and thought was a genuine all-round 'nice guy'.

 

I have never dealt out that kind of abuse myself to anybody, and I certainly don't expect to become subject to that kind of vitriol myself, when I have paid to get into a football match, just for making my unhappy feelings known.

 

I know why this person picked me out, from all the people in EFM. I was obviously seen as the "friend" or "go-between" in the group, and probably the one least likely to react nastily when being faced with such a confrontation.

 

Well thank you very much.

 

Point three

 

During the second half, I personally was challenged (again with quite some venom) about a smoke flare that was let off a good hour earlier, right at the beginning of the first half.

 

I was told that me letting off a flare would see us kicked out of the Conference South.

 

Yeah right.

 

Apart from the fact that it wasn't even me who lit the damn thing, teams do not get thrown out of leagues because a fan lets off a flare. Else we'd all be going to Hornchurch each game adorning red and white stripes and letting off flares wouldn't we?

 

I'd be very interested in seeing the last documented case of a team getting thrown out of a league because a flare was let off. I await the results of this research with great anticipation.

 

It staggers me that the so-called fans of this club can see what is happening right in front of their very eyes, yet they're just content to let it carry on as long as they can have a burger and a pint of real ale on a Saturday afternoon. They don't actually care about the quality of football, nor whether we're in League One or the South Midlands Spartan.

 

We had a situation last season where two SACFC players physically assaulted two of our fans. One of them was kicked to the ground, whilst the other was punched several times in the head.

 

This happened in our very own clubhouse.

 

Yet the club brushed it under the carpet - indeed one employee of the club told me that she felt the brutal assault was fully deserved - and subsequently most people who come on here and claim to be fans were uninterested in seeing justice done.

 

That incident still sickens me to this day.

 

As does being called a 'racist' by the club chairman in our local paper. How dare he?

 

Yet I have heard four people at the club regularly use foul racist language, one of whom is an employee of SACFC, and again no-one is interested.

 

All in all, Saturday was a final straw. Again.

 

I came home thoroughly upset, pissed off and vowing not to return, which I'm sure will please most of you who can't stand the sight of EFM, despite never actually getting to know us properly.

 

After careful consideration, I've actually just decided not to bother with home games, which generally see me handing over around £50-70 a game (over the season? You do the maths) including what goes behind the bar, to the tea bar etc.

 

I no longer wish to line this club's pockets while what is going on, is going on.

 

I will continue to support the Saints away from home, when usually I enjoy myself over the course of the day, but I have no wish, at this time, to return to Clarence Park.

 

Thank you for reading.

 

 

[Laz]

Well done, mate, that's exactly what Gibson wants! The fewer people that come to matches the fewer there will be to complain when he finally kills it off.

 

What I noticed on Saturday was those around the ground muttering about EFMs barracking of Castle and Gibson. I hear the same old "Gibson saved the club" as an excuse. How much longer can this continue.

 

As for the group of five fans behine the goal who showed their discust by moving away, the some total of your expenditure at home games is zero! Thanks for contributing f*ck all and for all the loud and foul language that you shout during games. I'm sure our neighbours in York road appreciate every word, ladies.

[EFM The Firm, The Voice]

Bernard saved the club .... then it almost died under him

Harding saved the club .... then it almost died under him

Gibson saved the club .......

See the pattern!

 

I think that the 500+ fans we've lost are the ones that can see this and not the few misguided ones left.

 

 

[AFF]

Err...

 

I read your post open-mouthed in astonishment, Zealster. And yours, Laz.

 

I was tackled in the clubhouse after the game by a fan of 30 years standing. He had consumed far more beer than I had, but we had a sensible debate for 20 minutes or so. He was criticising the chanting of 'Castle Out' etc. and he suggested that the manager should be given until December. He didn't make it clear whether he would begin the chanting at the end of November, however.

 

Arguing amongst ourselves isn't going to achieve anything.

 

One small point, Zealster. If you ever hear racist abuse at Saints games, regardless of who it comes from, they should be reported and, presumably, banned from the ground.

 

Oh, by the way. The flare. Did it come from the shop where they sell them for use at the San Ciro? Is there a larger, de luxe, size available?

 

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Quote:

Laz EFM said:
As for the group of five fans behine the goal who showed their disgust by moving away, the sum total of your expenditure at home games is zero! Thanks for contributing f*ck all and for all the loud and foul language that you shout during games. I'm sure our neighbours in York road appreciate every word, ladies.

Absolutely spot-on, Laz. Absolutely spot-on.

[Laz]

Ocean World in Embankment. Their ten quid a throw when you buy in bulk. Please direct me to any site that mentions the FIFA ruling on flares which dictates that clubs will be thrown out of the league should one be used. I will then be visiting all other grounds in the league with one until we are top.

 

As for waiting until December, okay, lets wait until then before judging. Is that the start or end? Anyway, let's just hope there will be enough time to get things back on track to save ourselves from the humilation of relegation.

[AFF]

"Ocean World" in Embankment? Do they do the very big red ones that you see at Italian games?

[Laz]

Add to the five above the person of northern British origin who was muttering too. Thanks for your contribution too: Zero pounds and zero pence!

 

What a quality moment it was when you attacked the referee that time. Your pennance was to be told to keep your head down by the then Chairman who you slag off at any given oppotunity without understanding why! My advice to you is: "Think before you speak!"

[Laz]

The pack included two red flares and two of the smoke ones. The guy in the shop explained what they were for. I can't exactly remember. Perhaps someone who isn't quite as busy as me could do some research and refresh my memory.

[AFF]

The Referee? I thought that he had a, generally, good game on Saturday. He gave a foul twice for two challenges when I would have given it the other way, but other than those, he did well. Sensible refereeing to allow advantage before booking Zoricich and he handled the sending-off very well. That could have turned very nasty.

 

Arguing amongst ourselves won't help.

[Zagreus]

I must admit it suprised me how certain individuals reacted when the EFM people started chanting for Castle and Gibson out. I think the EFM were quite restrained in dealing with that guy - I would have decked him one. Like you say - you pay your money, we live in a country that advocates free speech, you should be able to say what the hell you want.

 

I think one problem is that "non-EFM" people are "scared" of speaking out on the terraces for fear of being labelled EFM. As soon as that happens (wrongly in my opinion) people don't take you seriously - "it's only the EFM". Alot of people have swallowed the propaganda, and will not listen - no matter how valid the arguments are - to anything to do with the EFM.

 

I'm as guilty as the next person for not speaking out, but as a relative newcomer to the world of SACFC I haven't really thought it's my place. To a a certain extent I do only want to turn up, have a few pints and watch some football. I don't think there's anything wrong with that, but things are getting dire. I was impressed by alot of several players we had on trial during pre-season, but we seemed not to keep any of the ones that actually showed any talent.

 

It would be a shame if EFM people stopped attending home games. Like any of the other punters you should be able to say what you like - in fact if they don't like it, say it more (the truth hurts). Don't let the b@st@rds grind you down.

[Laz]

Good talking to you on Saturday! You and your lady are top people.

 

I think you've hit the nail on the head. Had the chanting come from anyone else other than EFM it would have been echoed by all those that care about what is happening.

 

Rob suggested a fan's forum last week. What chance of that happening I wonder.

[Saint Michael]

I think waiting until Christmas to give Castle a chance to turn things around is too long...presumably Gibson has a plan or has had discussions with the manager about when a turn-around might happen....looking at the fixtures i would say that a total of 21 points by the end of the Margate game in November would be a good measure....and we need to stay in one of the Cups (FA or Trophy) Anything less should be unacceptable.

[Laz]

Let's hope there is a plan. I don't suppose he is going to tell us though. I would imagine the bottom line last season was get us into the Conf-South, which he achieved (just).

 

Your criterea seems fair. I just can't see us achieving it. We'll have to wait and see.

[JKiF]

spot on Zag

 

dont matter if youve been here 5 mins or 500 years, if the managers crap you should be allowed to say so

 

as for waiting for xmas...... FFS wake up people

[YELLOW]

Agree with what Zag said. I was witness to some of the verbal attacks on Zeal and the guy was stunned. If that had been me I don't know how I would have restrained myself. The Saints official should have had a quiet word with EFM members instead of going in there 'mob happy' He did nothing to temper the atmosphere in fact he made it worse.

 

I don't blame you Zeal for wanting to walk away. There's only so much [***!!***] you can stand!!

[GHA EFM]

The chap who had words with gertcha efm was worse, threating to knock his 'c###ing' head off etc. Good restraint there from gertcha who could easily had laid him out without too much effort.