Angry, but Loyal

[Damien]

Did anyone see the huge flag that a few Hawthorn supporters got out at the end of the match last night? That said "ANGRY, BUT LOYAL'.

Without sounding like (can't think of what I sound like!) - I really hope all the fans stay loyal, I know most us diehards will, but I hope the people I would normally describe as fairweather really make an attempt to get out to the Hawks match in a few weeks, the Club needs us.

The only thing worse than a club going bad on the field, is one going bad off the field.


So..

Be angry, but stay loyal all!

There is a little saying in my house (started yesterday lol), "At least we are going better than Collingwood"

[Diego]

We are in Sydney. No matter what unless the swans win I can't see sydneysiders showing up to watch the swans lose or put on a pathetic display.

Gee where else do people pay big bucks for membership only to turn up once or twice a year?? In Sydney of course

This is how Sydney culture works.

our crowds have been close to pathetic all season.

[dendol]

yep thats right. Sydney people wont come to games unless we're winning. We need a few more seasons of sustained success (ie deep finals campaigns) to turn some of the fairweather friends into the diehards that will be there no matter what.

[Damien]

Well if we do play a few more rounds like the last one, I guess we will find out what our true hardcore numbers in Sydney and Melbourne are.

My guess is around 15000ish in Sydney, maybe a bit less.

[Go Swannies]

Let's be reasonable here. How many of us sat there soggily yesterday thinking what a great time we were having? Unless you are into ritual humiliation then of course you're going to have second thoughts about going along to see your team lose. Unless you've been a St Kilda fan and don't know any other way. Let's have a look at the numbers of the Magpie Army for the rest of this season! So, yes unless we start winning or start playing exciting footy then most non-members and some members will stay away. Why not? I worked flat out to fly back to Sydney just in time for the game yesterday and wish I'd stayed in Melbourne to catch up with friends.

In the years I've been a member yesterday was the first time I queried why I was there. I suspect I wasn't alone.

But if you've talked to any of the team during the season you'll know that they are doing it for the team and we are very peripheral. They are glad of our support but only as I'm glad of roadworkers as I drive around the roads. This slump is something that they have to work out themselves.

I suspect Paul Roos isn't checking RWO and thinking "kick it to Bazza. There's a good idea. I wonder why I didn't think of that myself?" If he is: Paul - get the team to kick long and down the guts. We'll live with the turnover a lot better than we can cope with the faffing around at present.

[Damien]

Originally posted by Go Swannies
Let's be reasonable here. How many of us sat there soggily yesterday thinking what a great time we were having? Unless you are into ritual humiliation then of course you're going to have second thoughts about going along to see your team lose. Unless you've been a St Kilda fan and don't know any other way. Let's have a look at the numbers of the Magpie Army for the rest of this season! So, yes unless we start winning or start playing exciting footy then most non-members and some members will stay away. Why not? I worked flat out to fly back to Sydney just in time for the game yesterday and wish I'd stayed in Melbourne to catch up with friends.

In the years I've been a member yesterday was the first time I queried why I was there. I suspect I wasn't alone.

But if you've talked to any of the team during the season you'll know that they are doing it for the team and we are very peripheral. They are glad of our support but only as I'm glad of roadworkers as I drive around the roads. This slump is something that they have to work out themselves.

I suspect Paul Roos isn't checking RWO and thinking "kick it to Bazza. There's a good idea. I wonder why I didn't think of that myself?" If he is: Paul - get the team to kick long and down the guts. We'll live with the turnover a lot better than we can cope with the faffing around at present.

I only respect the fans who stayed loyal - if St.Kilda win this year, I am happy for their true hardcore that stayed loyal through there roughest moments.

I personally don't have much time for anyone who only supports teams during winning periods. To me they don't deserve the success when it comes around.

My thoughts, not worth much, but it is how I feel.

[Go Swannies]

Originally posted by Damien
I only respect the fans who stayed loyal - if St.Kilda win this year, I am happy for their true hardcore that stayed loyal through there roughest moments.

I personally don't have much time for anyone who only supports teams during winning periods. To me they don't deserve the success when it comes around.

My thoughts, not worth much, but it is how I feel.

I was saying that I think some fans will stay loyal but stay at home. Right now I probably wouldn't turn down a wedding invitation or an overseas trip (both of which I have done in the past) because the Swannies are playing. Have you noticed that, already, just about everyone at the game is wearing a red cap?

[Damien]

Originally posted by Go Swannies
I was saying that I think some fans will stay loyal but stay at home. Right now I probably wouldn't turn down a wedding invitation or an overseas trip (both of which I have done in the past) because the Swannies are playing. Have you noticed that, already, just about everyone at the game is wearing a red cap?

I don't consider staying at home loyal, and the Red Cap means nothing if you wear it while watching the TV.

[Go Swannies]

I meant that everyone there yesterday was a member - those who turn up and buy a ticket at the gate in the hope of seeing an exciting game are already staying away.

[Schneidergirl]

I think instead of 'angry, but loyal' we should have 'disappointed, but loyal'.

Afterall I'M not angry..... just disappointed

I was saying to the fam last night... "we've been through much worse than this" referring to the abysmal 80s.

It's just a rough patch and we WILL pull through this. I'm sure the players are disheartened by their performance, there would be something wrong if they weren't!

True supporters will stick with them! We have to face the fact that winning games is the only way the Swans can pull people to their games!

[liz]

The bad times make the good ones all the much sweeter when - or if! - they eventually arise.

Personally I can't envisage not going to a home game, even if I believed we have no hope of winning (which of course I never would). It just wouldn't happen.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by lizz
The bad times make the good ones all the much sweeter when - or if! - they eventually arise.

We used to have the attitude. I remember going to the football in the 70s when a Swans win was such a rare event that we used to say that it was great following the Swans because we could celebrate each win like it was a Grand Final win!! That excitment wears off after a while, particularly when you are often shown the rarest glimpse of the ultimate prize only to have it fade away.

[SWANSBEST]

I think that Schneidergirl's 'DISAPPOINTED BUT LOYAL' would sum up the feelings of the majority of Swans supporters. I was taken aback when I saw the Hawthorn banner as anger is a more appropriate feeling of a Collingwood or Ricmond supporter. Generally most supporters are more measured in their feelings to get really angry. I have been disappointed for more years than Iwould care to admit but still remain a passionate and loyal supporter. Saying that I believe that all supporters have the right to discuss openly their reasons why the team is performing poorly and the way it can improve. Negavity for the sake of it is not productive but constructive criticism is healthy.

[liz]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
We used to have the attitude. I remember going to the football in the 70s when a Swans win was such a rare event that we used to say that it was great following the Swans because we could celebrate each win like it was a Grand Final win!! That excitment wears off after a while, particularly when you are often shown the rarest glimpse of the ultimate prize only to have it fade away.

My brother sent me a book for my birthday a few weeks ago that I have nearly finished reading, called 'The Consolations of Philosophy', which takes all kinds of human distresses (such as unpopularity, inadequacy - including sexual inadequacy, poverty) and discusses how some famous philosophers have turned them on their heads and thus offer consolation for them.

Maybe we can console ourselves with the thought of how dull it must be to be a Brisbane supporter at the moment, knowing that every year your team is going to win the premiership. What do they have to talk about with each other?

[Damien]

Originally posted by lizz

Maybe we can console ourselves with the thought of how dull it must be to be a Brisbane supporter at the moment, knowing that every year your team is going to win the premiership. What do they have to talk about with each other?

yes god forbid being in their position lol