True Supporters/Fans - Your definition

[Jeffers1984]

Are you a true fan or an idiot if you clap the boys off after a humiliating performance like Sunday?

Me thinks the latter.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by Glenn
LMAO, why would you make the effort to get to the SARC then leave after 1 quarter

Because of Norris Lurker singing horrible songs about the evil Matthew Lloyd at the next table, I guess!

JF

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by eirinn
A true fan is someone who spells Tadhg correctly

Have you ever tried cooking space cookies Erin?

Having one after Sunday may have made me feel less pain & depression yesterday at work.

Especially given how I wanted to seriously smash my computer after coming home on Sunday night & having to sift through stuff like the thread below

http://sydneyfc-unofficial.com/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=7040

JF
PS:- Lucky my Monday improved. I went on a date!

[Eala ?ireann]

A true fan wanted to die round about 10 mins from the end of the Geelong final and then came in his/her trousers at the end!

2 of my mates' Dads left their respective weddings to go and play a match for our club at home and the reception went to the match then the clubhouse! And get this..............it was only a 3rd round league match!

That's fanaticism!

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by Jeffers1984
Are you a true fan or an idiot if you clap the boys off after a humiliating performance like Sunday?

Me thinks the latter.

Further indication of how out of step with traditional footy culture many Swans fans really are. Where else in the league would a team play so poorly yet get clapped off like they were by the Brewongle concourse on Sunday?

Sometimes I think Sydney fans need to be a tad less slurpy about how we support the team. To me clapping them off constitutes that we are happy with the effort they put in.

But of course everyone follows the football differently, don't they?

JF

[Eala ?ireann]

This debate reminds me of a time I went to watch American football in San Diego and a 'supporter' told me that the supporter's job was to harrass and harangue the players into giving a decent display. When all the Canadians came to Belfast to play for our ice-hockey team they too couldn't believe that the supporters 'supported' them at all times.

It's a cultural difference maybe? In Ireland you give support win, lose or draw (not meaning that you're always hapy and never dish up a bit of criticism), but the team itself gets support at all times and encouragement to lift their game next time.

That's what I love about sport, but it isn't the same everywhere obviously.

[Bas]

I can't help thinking (after reading some of the posts here and from the other thread about leaving at 3/4 time) of the Monty Python movie of the Holy Grail and the Black Knight that gets all his limbs cut off.

A true supporter supports his or her team whatever their circumstances and in whatever way they can.

If I leave at 3/4 time in disgust in Rd 2, I'll be there again at the start of the game in Rd 4 this year. It's my choice.

I realise that the Swans winning the GF in 05 didn't make me any richer or poorer. It was a nice feeling that MY team won (I was there) but you would have serious self esteem issues if "MY" team was a reflection of me.

I remember in 99 (August) when on the Sat night the Saints thrashed the Swans by 100 points. It was the night Everitt did the ball twirl on the finger routine in front of the Ladies Stand at the SCG. Yes I stayed until full time.

The next day, there was a NFL gridiron exhibition game at the Olympic Stadium. Whilst sitting there in mourning of the previous night's loss, I watched as Greg Stafford walked by with beer schooner in hand and sat down with Stefan Carey and were having a great laugh without a care in the world. It's their business and have every right to enjoy themselves.

It put a lot of things in perspective for me on that day.

I get my greatest joy from watching my 4 1/2 yr old run around with the Gosford Tigers Auskick side. He's the youngest and shortest on the team. We'll then watch the U10's play. Now that is real passion. Watching these kids play because they love the game for what it is not because they're paid to play it.

If you really love the Swans, in my opinion, being a true supporter is not about banging drums, following them around the country side and staying for a full game (althought I acknowledge it is for some supporters) it's about becoming "famous" in your local Junior AFL team and helping in whatever way possible to nurture and develop young players. Even though 98% of these kids will never make AFL level, 100% will grow up.

Anything adults can do to impact positive comments on young impressionable minds will go a long way from preventing these kids getting into drugs and crime.

You (we) are all role models whether positive or negative.

Something to think about.

[Eala ?ireann]

*yawn*

[Eala ?ireann]

[ScottH]

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
Further indication of how out of step with traditional footy culture many Swans fans really are. Where else in the league would a team play so poorly yet get clapped off like they were by the Brewongle concourse on Sunday?

Sometimes I think Sydney fans need to be a tad less slurpy about how we support the team. To me clapping them off constitutes that we are happy with the effort they put in.

But of course everyone follows the football differently, don't they?

JF

I thought it was a sign of encouragement. We are still behind you.

[ROK Lobster]

Originally posted by Bas

perspective

Sorry to do such violence to a great post but the quoted word is thekey one. A well balanced life gives it you a sense of it. A 4 1/2 year old will too. Sadly, many 'true' fans have none. They seem to have precious little in their lives apart from 'their' team. They don't leave early because they have nowhere else to go. The cheersquad reminds me of the table of singles and misfits at a wedding - which I must say often ends up having the best time of the lot. The club has introduced programs for young players to develop their life experiences and realise the importance of life away from footy. Perhaps they should extend the initiative to the cheersquad.

[Wardy]

Originally posted by ROK Lobster
Sorry to do such violence to a great post but the quoted word is thekey one. A well balanced life gives it you a sense of it. A 4 1/2 year old will too. Sadly, many 'true' fans have none. They seem to have precious little in their lives apart from 'their' team. They don't leave early because they have nowhere else to go. The cheersquad reminds me of the table of singles and misfits at a wedding - which I must say often ends up having the best time of the lot. The club has introduced programs for young players to develop their life experiences and realise the importance of life away from footy. Perhaps they should extend the initiative to the cheersquad.

Indeed Rok - and I'm one of those who is normally at the singles table ! - but I do however have a busy life outside of following footy - doesn't mean that I love it any less - and as I said previously it is different things to different people.

It isnt a crime to leave a game early like some think it is - it happens, get over it.

And all this being ashamed to be a swans supporter because of 2 losses at the beginning of the season - what short memories you have - I recall last year our start was rubbish - and look what happened in the end - so stop with the panic and overreacting - its early days. If we lose 5-7 on the trot, then its time for questions to be asked.

[ScottH]

Originally posted by Wardy
If we lose 5-7 on the trot, then its time for questions to be asked.

Then we're gunna party like its 1992 and 1993.

[stellation]

Originally posted by ScottH
I thought it was a sign of encouragement. We are still behind you.

Mrs Stella claps after a rubbish quarter because she wants to let them know she is still behind them, I don't really clap unless I have been dazzled by them. I don't frown on her and she doesn't frown on me, people who care about how others show their support are way too precious for their own good (and I'm not too sure that being so precious is really in line with "traditional footy culture" either). If the cheer squad want to chant, wave flags and bang drums then that is great and I hope they have a wonderful time, if people want to clap them off after they have given up 10 goals to 1 in a quarter then that is great, if people want to drink white wine and eat cheese and appluad behinds or swig on goon in a ribena bottle then that is great too... to each their own. About the only thing that annoys me about other supporters is those who think they have a right to tell other people how to show their support of the team.

[Missy]

Couldn't have said it better!