Why do we take the game so seriously? I know a Charlton win lifts my mood, but even in defeat I used to like the feeling of having sung my heart out with several thousand other Addicks and then meeting a few of them after the match for a laugh. We used to joke about how dodgy Phil Chapple was and now it seems a performance like Halford's on Saturday gone needs an in depth analysis and pretty much a character assassination.
Is it only expectancy that has forged this attitude or have we become so p**sed off with the modern world that only a Charlton win will suffice as letting us know it's all worth it?!!
Perhaps as fans we shouldn't take ourselves so seriously either?
As much as I enjoyed the positive feedback I got from my "Change is hard" post, the real way for us to push on is less of that type of over-complicating of what a fan is either positively or negatively and more of "I like football me and Charlton is my club...all together now...we all follow the Charlton over land and sea..."
I want to enjoy going to a football match again so let's have a laugh and a sing-song and if the team pull some results out of the bag, brilliant, if not in a certain amount of time they'll be replaced by new players and when that happens I don't want to still be waiting for a good day out based on whoever is wearing the shirt. Charlton is our club not theirs, they should want to be part of what we are not just the other way round.
Meet your mates, have a laugh, don't take the knocks too seriously and have a sing-song - how many of us have a stage elsewhere where our poorly tuned tones are welcomed by those around us?
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Well you've just got another thumbs up off me for this post mate!
Of course, the real answer is dozens of reasons.
I would highlight is that people's expectations levels have got increasingly higher as football has got more serious.
The other thing i would highlight is that for a lot of people, and i tihnk i see quite a few examples on here, whien following Charlton in the late-teens, early 20s, it would all be about having a laugh, day outs etc. As you get older, that has to change through other aspects of your life, so you are trying to compare games and seasons that are basically uncomparable.
And in some cases it reminds me of an unhappy marriage. Someone has clearly falling out with what they originally fell in love with, the little things that used to make you laugh now wind you up and frustrate you, yet you stick with it out of habit and haven't got the balls to break away.
Nail on head again, Sco. How wonderful if that could always be the case...
Skipping the last paragraph (ahem). Perhaps a sense of perspective is needed here too - Do you have an affinity to Charlton? Are there people you see down there week in week out who on the whole you enjoy (or want to) meeting up with? Like a laugh and a release from what as you get older does become a bit/lot of a daily grind? Then why drag all the other crap that goes on into what could be a simple pleasure? Have we forgotten how to enjoy ourselves? I hope not!
Not so much not being serious, but maybe more not taking ourselves or what we get out of it so seriously. It is only a question that a thousand different people can answer in a thousand different ways. Just wanted to gauge if we go to a match to actually try to enjoy ourselves anymore, which I kind of think is the point of it all...
If i'm totally honest I can't see it changing peoples attitude. I'm not trying to be overly negative.
I have noticed my love of Charlton change over the years, not saying I love them any less, just differently. When I was younger and started supporting the team the players we had were not necessarily that gifted. But the thing the majority of them were was honest and hard working. There were always at least 5 players on the pitch that looked as if they cared, and I honestly believed they did. We can all tell stories of "special moments" involving certain players between 1996-2004. Johnny Robinson and Steve Brown being prime examples. They were never the most gifted of players but there was something about them that made me feel connected to them.
That sort of attitude on the pitch I think reflected on us as fans, I remember the old covered end always being buzzing, going away used to be a bit of a party and I have very little recollection of "booing" the players. Supporting Charlton was fun, for me "I knew my place" as a football fan and was quite content with what I had. I had my club and my little bit of hope.
I think our "success" of surviving and growing in the Premier League has changed us all as fans (me especially). The money and expectation levels have ultimately changed a number of things. Mostly (and probably most importantly) the type of playing staff we now have on our books. I don't blame anybody in particular for this but I think the attitude of the players and the type of football we've been playing has changed all of our relationship with with club. I can probably only really think of one (maybe 2 or 3) player/s at the club now that when I watch them looks as if they really actually care. Is it the money? Is it the crowd? Who knows?
We've also aquired a number of new fans which the club needed to grow and the more new fans we get financially the club will be better off. But expecting these people to come in and suddenly have a massive affection for the club is quite blinded, they're just not going to have the same enthusiasm as the rest of us and ultimately that will affect the attmosphere. I don't blame them like I said we need them to grow financially but its still affecting the "matchday experience" for those that do have the love and enthusiasm.
Basically to sum up I don't feel "connected" to virtually the whole of our squad at the moment, some of them I just plain don't like! But they're better players than any of my "boyhood heroes" they just don't have the same commitment. I think it's the money in the game today and I honestly don't think football will ever be the same. Its something I've thought about for a while it does sadden me but my love for my club will never waver I just struggle sometimes to get behind them the way I used to when it seems to me no one on the pitch gives a damn.
I might be wrong on some cases but I reckon a few people might feel the same.
Its only a game of football, to me its about meeting my pals, having a drink, chat, then watch the game then more drink, laughter and chat. if we lose oh well... if we win bloody great. Everyones in a great mood and the day gets better. But once im back in the pub after the game, after 5 mins if we lose, its forgotten. Couldnt ever imagine a normal routine league match ruining my weekend. fickle but oh well, I love Charlton but I just dont take it so seriously.
The best thing I ever did was get rid of my season ticket. I still go to most homes games but I don't feel obligated to. If I don't want to go or have something else to do, then I won't go.
Supporting Charlton is a small part of my life and that is how I want it. Maybe that makes me less of a fan than some on here but when I go, I can meet up with my mates, have a few pints and sing my heart out. Most impotantly I enjoy it!