Was sat in sunny Los Angeles wondering all match what I would have done. I'm genuinely not sure. To those that walked out, I applaud you for sticking to your principles. To those who didn't, you have every right. I'm quite sad to see such a successful day end with such bitter comments.
We're all in this together. We'll all be here long after Roland has left. And you will always get dissenting opinions in a crowd. What should make us different is that we're willing to listen to those we don't agree with and treat them with respect as fellow supporters. The civility part of civil disobedience.
I fully intended to walk out. It wasn't a debate for me, it had to be done. But... I was in a new seat, where I found myself sitting next to two very pleasant young ladies whom I chatted to all game, and when they decided not to walk out... well let's just say my priorities had changed by that point. Sorry!
Seems daft to me that supporters have to criticise each other rather than stick to the regime. I couldn't walk out as I was with my wheelchair bound daughter who wanted to remain and I certainly feel it's important not to attack each other.
I fully intended to walk out. It wasn't a debate for me, it had to be done. But... I was in a new seat, where I found myself sitting next to two very pleasant young ladies whom I chatted to all game, and when they decided not to walk out... well let's just say my priorities had changed by that point. Sorry!
Protesting is more important than a threesome!
Ha ha at the point when they said they weren't going out on the 74th minute, you should have looked at them coldly and said: " Well,it could have been great between us,but you two have just fucked the chance of the best 15 seconds of your life. " And then you should have walked out proudly, leaving them trailing in your wake:-) ( Ha ha tough call Jimmy, in my youth I would have probably stayed too!)
Out on 74. I was pleasantly surprised that pretty much the whole row in my block of the West Upper also left the building.
But, amazingly, more work/publicity is still needed. Comments heard from around me included "where did everyone get the black and white scarves?" and " who paid for the beach balls?" It is clear that a significant portion of our support do not know anything at all about the significant work that other supporters have put into organising this stuff. Not sure what more can be done though. Some supporters really seem to have no relationship with the club other than just turning up every other Saturday. That's not a criticism just a statement about how differently we choose to support our club.
I walked out and heard the cheer for Harriots goal a couple of hundred yards up the road. Not the first time us scoring a goal has scuppered a demonstration. Some people's heart is just not up for joining in and most of them seem to sit in the East stand .
Wonder if they will be here in league one or two?
Most sit in the East stand ? probably because most people sit in the East stand
Of course people have a right to make their own choice. The point the good Inspector and others are making is that if you wear the black and white scarf to affiliate yourself with the protests, then protest with the rest of us. Otherwise what's the point? That just makes you a sheep, wanting to be seen as being part of something when you're not actually prepared to be.
Some protests you'll like some you won't. I've never left a game early in my life but it was important to show solidarity with those other fans who are doing the same to keep the pressure up and hopefully make the difference.
As for this 'support the team' bollocks, I guarantee protesters are as passionate about their team as any other supporter. Isnt it marvellous that some can't spare 16 minutes of their football watching lives to contribute to making the point that it's Roland, Katrien et al who have damaged the team more than anyone, and that the inevitable relegation is entirely unnecessary and entirely their fault. The long term good of the team is worth the 16 minutes in my book.
Tough today, my son was on his first witness of a winning a game as a season ticket holder and he pleaded to stay and I couldn't crush him to leave on 74. I am sad to say I stayed, he was delighted to console me that we saw the 2nd goal and was so happy to see us win, yet it felt empty. Seeing jamescafc & johnnyH2 posts make me feel I was wrong but HandG then put me back into turnmoil - it's so tough! Regardless of that, CARD we're brilliant today, hats off and I hope by staying I haven't let you down too much.
On the other hand, did Jordan Cousins and the other players deserve to finish that game in front of just the Boro fans?
I am not sure that you have quite grasped what is going on.
I'm afraid that after witnessing the limp, disappointing effort against MK Dons I decided to spend my Sunday afternoon with my family rather than rearrange my life according to the whims of Sky TV. The justification in my mind being that empty seats don't look good on telly even though mine was unlikely to be shown!
I am fully in accordance with the protests though and thank all those fans customers who actually did show the dedication to turn up and successfully cause a stir.
I will salve my conscience with a donation to the protest fund.
Left on 74 with my brother and nephew. It felt wrong but necessary at the time. Looking back, I am glad and rather proud that we did leave. Overall, I thought the sum of the parts of the various protests yesterday was a publicity triumph; of which the walkout was a meaningful statement - especially when we were winning. It is a lot easier to leave early when losing.
I admire the protestors and donated to the fund. However, as a supporter since 1962 I have seen good and bad. My belief is , we won't get a new owner if we get relegated. There is a time to protest , but I don't think it's during the 90 minutes. That said, beach balls were great due to TV coverage. Whistles were a disgrace and the sort of thing that will cause a divide.
Whistles were brilliant at the right time and right at the beginning of the second half.
Come the 50th minute I just wanted them to give it a rest though (Although always knew they'd be annoying), I wonder if that was the reason for the failed pitch invasion, i.e. everyone had run out of puff so didnt have the energy to get on the pitch
Tough today, my son was on his first witness of a winning a game as a season ticket holder and he pleaded to stay and I couldn't crush him to leave on 74. I am sad to say I stayed, he was delighted to console me that we saw the 2nd goal and was so happy to see us win, yet it felt empty. Seeing jamescafc & johnnyH2 posts make me feel I was wrong but HandG then put me back into turnmoil - it's so tough! Regardless of that, CARD we're brilliant today, hats off and I hope by staying I haven't let you down too much.
On the other hand, did Jordan Cousins and the other players deserve to finish that game in front of just the Boro fans?
I am not sure that you have quite grasped what is going on.
Getting Roland out isn't going to be a 5 minute thing, he won't see the fans streaming out and immediately get on the phone to Varney.
In the meantime there was a game to win, 3 points at stake. We have a small chance of staying up and I don't want to spoil it.
Come the summer and Chinese or Middle Eastern owners are thinking about buying a club, what would they prefer, a Championship team one promotion away from the riches and glamour of the PL... or a L1 club looking forward to trips to Rochdale and Northampton?
First home game this season. Bought a black and white scarf, walked out on 74, protested outside West Stand, return to boycotting home games. Only downside was giving Ro-land £44 for the tickets.
First home game this season. Bought a black and white scarf, walked out on 74, protested outside West Stand, return to boycotting home games. Only downside was giving Ro-land £44 for the tickets.
Comments
We're all in this together. We'll all be here long after Roland has left. And you will always get dissenting opinions in a crowd. What should make us different is that we're willing to listen to those we don't agree with and treat them with respect as fellow supporters. The civility part of civil disobedience.
And then you should have walked out proudly, leaving them trailing in your wake:-)
( Ha ha tough call Jimmy, in my youth I would have probably stayed too!)
It'll be like the Huddersfield 7-6 all over again.
But, amazingly, more work/publicity is still needed. Comments heard from around me included "where did everyone get the black and white scarves?" and " who paid for the beach balls?"
It is clear that a significant portion of our support do not know anything at all about the significant work that other supporters have put into organising this stuff. Not sure what more can be done though. Some supporters really seem to have no relationship with the club other than just turning up every other Saturday. That's not a criticism just a statement about how differently we choose to support our club.
Anyway everyone has a choice
however...at half time I did buy half a pint.
You want the new Den in Bermondsey
I am fully in accordance with the protests though and thank all those
fanscustomers who actually did show the dedication to turn up and successfully cause a stir.I will salve my conscience with a donation to the protest fund.
Come the 50th minute I just wanted them to give it a rest though (Although always knew they'd be annoying), I wonder if that was the reason for the failed pitch invasion, i.e. everyone had run out of puff so didnt have the energy to get on the pitch
I've never been to an Italian/European football game but on tv they whistle all the time. and yet it never seems to effect the play.
In the meantime there was a game to win, 3 points at stake. We have a small chance of staying up and I don't want to spoil it.
Come the summer and Chinese or Middle Eastern owners are thinking about buying a club, what would they prefer, a Championship team one promotion away from the riches and glamour of the PL... or a L1 club looking forward to trips to Rochdale and Northampton?
A fantastic gesture when winning.
Only downside was giving Ro-land £44 for the tickets.