I've done 4 away games which im happy with and after this weekend will have missed 2 home games. its doesnt matter how many fans we have, but i do think we need to reign in the slating of away fans, i remember some on here ripping millwall a new one for taking 500+ to blackburn on a tuesday night at quite short notice, not that i give a shit about them just saying thats all.
Digging out non attendees is getting tedious. I've done one away game this season, so what. I've more than done my bit in the past though.
But Large, I dont think even oohaah is personally addressing anyone. He's just presenting an inconvenient truth. Does it matter how many we take away? Well it doesn't help our finances if we take more, so there isn't any incentive for the club to push it. And I personally was never a big away attendee, even when I lived in the UK. But I suppose that, rightly or wrongly, I take it as an indication of how good hardcore fans feel about the club and its direction. It's not just our away numbers, but the away as % of average home that bothers me. It's nobody's fault if they don't go, but I do think the numbers matter, even if I can't explain better why it matters.
correct Prague I can't see how a club of our ilk is that poorly supported %age wise, why are we different to any other fan base , how can they all manage to do it and i'm comparing to some cruddy little clubs
It is quite expensive going away and takes up a lot of time - and maybe we have more people with lifestyles that make it difficult. Credit to those that do go and make some noise for the lads. I'll go to the accesable ones- so have done Watford so far this season. I don't feel guity, I do and have done my bit over the years.
Digging out non attendees is getting tedious. I've done one away game this season, so what. I've more than done my bit in the past though.
Up until 1994, I'd seen Charlton play at 82 League grounds. Since, with clubs moving into new grounds and playing new League clubs, I've never bothered to count up the additional grounds I've been to.
But like Large says, I've more than done my bit in the past though.
I only recently graduated, I have a pretty poorly paid job and renting a flat as I have no money to buy. This isn't an attempt to gain pity, but just my explanation that while I would love to be a regular visitor to away games up and down the country, it isn't an option financially. I am sure there are others with similar stories. There is no point criticising those of us who can't/don't travel the country following Charlton, I am sure that like me in many cases its a would if I could situation. I can't answer for all the other fans of other clubs, and to be honest, I don't really give a damn. I don't think anyone really has the right to qualify who should or shouldn't be a 'real' fan based solely on away game attendance.
I only recently graduated, I have a pretty poorly paid job and renting a flat as I have no money to buy. This isn't an attempt to gain pity, but just my explanation that while I would love to be a regular visitor to away games up and down the country, it isn't an option financially. I am sure there are others with similar stories. There is no point criticising those of us who can't/don't travel the country following Charlton, I am sure that like me in many cases its a would if I could situation. I can't answer for all the other fans of other clubs, and to be honest, I don't really give a damn. I don't think anyone really has the right to qualify who should or shouldn't be a 'real' fan based solely on away game attendance.
This. No need to justify your own situation @thenewbie either. I've done hundreds of aways but I'm old enough to be your Grandad and haven't done any so far this campaign compared to over 20 in the last two seasons. Does that make me a better or worse fan than you? of course not, we share the same passion and we are equals in my book! COYR
£45 for tickets for me the wife and boy, £70 in diesel, £50 for hotel and about £80 on food and drink to celebrate. We aren't rich so this is why we can't go to as many away games as we would like and guess this is many peoples situation.
£45 for tickets for me the wife and boy, £70 in diesel, £50 for hotel and about £80 on food and drink to celebrate. We aren't rich so this is why we can't go to as many away games as we would like and guess this is many peoples situation.
thank whoever that we are not in the Prem (though we'd love to be lol) .. the match ticket prices would be around twice (even three/four times) what you paid for Blackburn .. I usually have 1 or 2 nights in a hotel depending on the cost and distance from home, and book well in advance, pick a place about 10/15 miles from a major football town .. the prices are always much cheaper there: best deals are usually Campanile/Premier/Travelodge but you probably know that already
We rarely stay over for away games - maybe once or twice a year we make a weekend of it - but normally drive to the game and back the same day. I don't drive so the stress of the journeys falls on Don, Bob or Richard's shoulders and I don't envy them. However, ideally the cost of petrol is shared 3 or 4 ways which makes a lot of sense.
For Blackburn last Saturday, as for Hudders in the Cup, there were only 2 of us making the trip so we did the sensible thing and used Valley Away. Decent experience on both occasions but second choice as our ideal mode of travel.
As we are all over 60, the concessionary ticket rates obviously help a lot but we take our own sarnies, flask of tea ( I know !) and rarely buy more than one beer/wine if there's time once we arrive at our destination.
I DO know it's not cheap but car sharing is always an option although that puts a dampener on having a pint or three - something we have never worried about but understand that it's part of the day out for some.
What I'm trying (badly) to say is that often there are ways & means to make the away day experience a bit less painful financially but I totally acknowledge that it is beyond many fans' means as well as making unacceptable inroads into precious family time.
But never say never....our lives & circumstances change. Maybe save up for a couple of awaydays each season, just to have something different to look forward to and share in that camaraderie that the regulars enjoy. And your time will come to help swell the numbers on a more regular basis....just as ours did.
I'm umming and arring about Birmingham away , finances are a bit stretched at the moment to say the least , i'm hoping for Charlton to turn it on against Wigan and make my mind up about going to Birmingham.
It would be nice to have bigger away attendance, it would be nice if we were to retain some of the support at home that we have lost over the years. No club has a divine right to attendance home or away, I go away as many times as I want and don't care what other fans think of my lack of attendance. I probably have not done my bit, but then I am not really sure what that bit is meant to be.
If one is being judgemental about "good" and "bad" fans then it could be argued that where funds and time are limited, thus prohibiting attendance at all 46 league fixtures, one is a "good" fan by attending home matches rather than away matches since our cash strapped club, rather than the oppo, benefit.
As Kap implies how do you define "doing your bit?"
If one is being judgemental about "good" and "bad" fans then it could be argued that where funds and time are limited, thus prohibiting attendance at all 46 league fixtures, one is a "good" fan by attending home matches rather than away matches since our cash strapped club, rather than the oppo, benefit.
As Kap implies how do you define "doing your bit?"
There is no definition IMHO - we all support our Club in different ways, as & where we can or choose to.
But I have to say that "fair weather supporters" do make me a teeny weeny bit cross...
Nobody has any duty to go to away games or any games no matter how much money they've got or haven't got. I have a season ticket and get to 3-5 away games a season.
I would never go to somewhere like Blackburn away unless it is a particularly big game. I'm not spending my whole Saturday and £100+ to watch 90 minutes of championship football. Charlton are a big thing in my life but not the only one. I don't think that makes me a fair weather fan or a part timer, just not an obsessive!
Do about 10 a year. i am embarrassed about our numbers. Our away attendances are way below what they should be in my opinion. 200 supporters is pathetic( not talking about the ones who went) and there are no ways to put a positive spin on it even though many try.
People talk about away games as if they are a chore but to me its what football is all about. If i could afford it i wouldn't go to the valley and just do every away game always a lot more fun.
I used to love away games when I was single, but priorities change. Anyone who puts away games before his family responsibilities needs to take a hard look at himself. I do miss them though.
I went on Saturday, such a different experience to 2007. That day the team were poor and the fans were brilliant, roles reverse this time despite the 230 doing their best. But that's the past, lets support the lads in Birmingham.
I'm not sure that's right. I think it is still fair to say that Charlton is an essentially working class football club. Times are hard for working people and the cost of a long day out in an uninspiring place like Blackburn is significant. Regular trips are beyond the means of many. There are only a handful of aways that are not a long or expensive journey and our turnout for those is ok (Bournemouth: sold out, Watford almost sold out). Charlton crowds have always been more price sensitive than most. What is undeniable is that for some reason our home: away ratio is below average, but embarrassing is an odd word to use. The vocals from the diehards that do travel are usually very respectable.Hats off to you all.
Nobody has any duty to go to away games or any games no matter how much money they've got or haven't got. I have a season ticket and get to 3-5 away games a season.
I would never go to somewhere like Blackburn away unless it is a particularly big game. I'm not spending my whole Saturday and £100+ to watch 90 minutes of championship football. Charlton are a big thing in my life but not the only one. I don't think that makes me a fair weather fan or a part timer, just not an obsessive!
The older I get the less I feel like travelling to away games. As a youngster (many years ago) I went all over the country now with responsibilities & family etc my priorities have changed simple as that. I'm still a season ticket holder & get to most home games & the occasional away but if anyone thinks I'm less of a supporter than them .......carry on ;-)
But I have to say that "fair weather supporters" do make me a teeny weeny bit cross...
And you don't want to encounter a cross Fanny !
I went Saturday for only my second game of the season (Barnsley other). Nothing 'fair weather ' about what was experienced after the game, lol. it was the worst weather i've ever seen.
Anyway as for being a supporter. I go when i can. Do i choose my games, yes i do. Do i choose them based on the big games, No, not really. I go to anywhere i feel like going and that fits in with my kids and shifts at the hospital. If i was retired/unemployed and had no time retraints or financial restraints i'd go to many more, maybe even all games. I've never been to more than two home games in a season. My last big push was the Div 1 promotion season when i managed 14 away games. The club may not always get my money, but it gets my support every week whether i go or not. I log in to Charltonlife every day to find out what's happening. I read the match build up threads and i read the match reports (even if i went). I love Charlton Athletic. It's in my blood (and my dads). I get no greater buzz than seeing US win and cellebrate with a bunch of strangers that all love the club as i do. I've been to games with strangers that through experiences like Carlilse have become friends. I watch my daughter get excited about spotting Headphones Norm in the crowd, the look of joy when she saw him at Blackburn. Sorry Norm if you're reading this i don't mean to did you out, she also spotted a women in her 50's? whom she's seen before (at Barnsley also). It's fantastic when as a club we take a large crowd away and make some noise, but i sat there in the stand against Hartlepool with 27, 000 in for the promotion event, and was surrounded by people that bought a ticket for £5 then spent the game talking about Chelsea being their team and not a word of support from their lips. Those that travel aren't special people but i think that they are making quite an effort to get there, both time wise and financially, as most probably live in or near London.
I live in Sheffield so have always been an away fan. I love going to away games in the hope of a win good game. I rejoice when we win and feel totoally demoralised when we lose. How often i go doesn't ever effect the feeling i get when i stand with our supporters.
When I mentioned "fair weather supporters" I meant those who only attend games when we're in winning form - and disappear when we're struggling and NEED their support more than ever. Maybe " glory boys" ( and girls) would have been a better phrase to make the point I was mischieviously & badly trying to make.
Apologies for the confusion and in case anyone felt I was pointing the finger at them- that was not the intention.
I think the Selhurst/UP years had a real impact on our away numbers. We lost a large swathe of a generation there that would now be the hardcore going to games. I'm 28 and go to lots of always (was there on Saturday) but relatively speaking there aren't as many my age that support Charlton as there should be and I do think that affects our numbers in comparison to other clubs our size.
Comments
I can't see how a club of our ilk is that poorly supported %age wise, why are we different to any other fan base , how can they all manage to do it and i'm comparing to some cruddy little clubs
Since, with clubs moving into new grounds and playing new League clubs, I've never bothered to count up the additional grounds I've been to.
But like Large says, I've more than done my bit in the past though.
For Blackburn last Saturday, as for Hudders in the Cup, there were only 2 of us making the trip so we did the sensible thing and used Valley Away. Decent experience on both occasions but second choice as our ideal mode of travel.
As we are all over 60, the concessionary ticket rates obviously help a lot but we take our own sarnies, flask of tea ( I know !) and rarely buy more than one beer/wine if there's time once we arrive at our destination.
I DO know it's not cheap but car sharing is always an option although that puts a dampener on having a pint or three - something we have never worried about but understand that it's part of the day out for some.
What I'm trying (badly) to say is that often there are ways & means to make the away day experience a bit less painful financially but I totally acknowledge that it is beyond many fans' means as well as making unacceptable inroads into precious family time.
But never say never....our lives & circumstances change. Maybe save up for a couple of awaydays each season, just to have something different to look forward to and share in that camaraderie that the regulars enjoy. And your time will come to help swell the numbers on a more regular basis....just as ours did.
As Kap implies how do you define "doing your bit?"
But I have to say that "fair weather supporters" do make me a teeny weeny bit cross...
And you don't want to encounter a cross Fanny !
I would never go to somewhere like Blackburn away unless it is a particularly big game. I'm not spending my whole Saturday and £100+ to watch 90 minutes of championship football. Charlton are a big thing in my life but not the only one. I don't think that makes me a fair weather fan or a part timer, just not an obsessive!
People talk about away games as if they are a chore but to me its what football is all about. If i could afford it i wouldn't go to the valley and just do every away game always a lot more fun.
Our fans just don't care enough. Harsh but true.
If that was old trafford in premier league next season then do you think it would be 200? Similar distance, more expensive ticket etc
The answer is no it is likely to be 10x that amount and in my opinion that makes the 'expense of football' excuse utter rubbish.
But I have to say that "fair weather supporters" do make me a teeny weeny bit cross...
And you don't want to encounter a cross Fanny !
I went Saturday for only my second game of the season (Barnsley other). Nothing 'fair weather ' about what was experienced after the game, lol. it was the worst weather i've ever seen.
Anyway as for being a supporter. I go when i can. Do i choose my games, yes i do. Do i choose them based on the big games, No, not really. I go to anywhere i feel like going and that fits in with my kids and shifts at the hospital. If i was retired/unemployed and had no time retraints or financial restraints i'd go to many more, maybe even all games. I've never been to more than two home games in a season. My last big push was the Div 1 promotion season when i managed 14 away games. The club may not always get my money, but it gets my support every week whether i go or not. I log in to Charltonlife every day to find out what's happening. I read the match build up threads and i read the match reports (even if i went). I love Charlton Athletic. It's in my blood (and my dads). I get no greater buzz than seeing US win and cellebrate with a bunch of strangers that all love the club as i do. I've been to games with strangers that through experiences like Carlilse have become friends. I watch my daughter get excited about spotting Headphones Norm in the crowd, the look of joy when she saw him at Blackburn. Sorry Norm if you're reading this i don't mean to did you out, she also spotted a women in her 50's? whom she's seen before (at Barnsley also). It's fantastic when as a club we take a large crowd away and make some noise, but i sat there in the stand against Hartlepool with 27, 000 in for the promotion event, and was surrounded by people that bought a ticket for £5 then spent the game talking about Chelsea being their team and not a word of support from their lips. Those that travel aren't special people but i think that they are making quite an effort to get there, both time wise and financially, as most probably live in or near London.
I live in Sheffield so have always been an away fan. I love going to away games in the hope of a
wingood game. I rejoice when we win and feel totoally demoralised when we lose. How often i go doesn't ever effect the feeling i get when i stand with our supporters.When I mentioned "fair weather supporters" I meant those who only attend games when we're in winning form - and disappear when we're struggling and NEED their support more than ever. Maybe " glory boys" ( and girls) would have been a better phrase to make the point I was mischieviously & badly trying to make.
Apologies for the confusion and in case anyone felt I was pointing the finger at them- that was not the intention.