Geordiesaddler wrote:That's exactly what its like BS!
You also tend to see greater continuity of service from more local players, and that makes things more interesting. Just like Walsall V Chesterfield was always about Buckley versus Ernie Moss tyoe of thing. I also think its the only "place" in football where the FA Cup retains its magic, and people look upon it as the holy grail, just as we used to in the lower leagues.
In you want to have any old fashioned banter with professional players these days, expect either a tirade of snarling abuse or a quizical look from some foreign bloke.
The other great thing is the absence of namby pamby health and safety. Yes folks plastic bottle tops are not regarded as lethal weapons, you can smoke or move away from someone who is smoking if you want, stand behind the goal for the last 20 minutes when the pressure of an important goal is building, go for a pint, mingle with opposition supporters, let the kids run loose without any fear of harm or being reported to social services, take you own food without contravening subsection 4.8 of the European directive on movement of foodstuffs between the outside world and football stadia, tell the players off for swearing and recieve an apology, get thanked by the manager for going to away games etc etc.
Its great, I love it. Replica kit currently drying in a force 8 gale in rediness for tonight's encounter with two times world cup winners West Auckland Town.
If its nil nil I'll get a protrait of Jeff Bonser and hang it in my shop window with the word's "Our Saviour" underneath.
There hasn't been a goaless draw in a league fixture at Hillheads Park since April 2003.
As a follower of local league football at a similar level here in the West [with a bit of Blue Square Conference South thrown in], I recognise completely what you're saying Geordie. I go with a couple of people who have been regulars at Ashton Gate and Villa Park for years, and who now, more often than not, get their football fix at Plain Ham, Larkhall [Western League Premier Division], right underneath the Solsbury Hill that Peter Gabriel sang about. A great setting, where a pint at half time costs a little over £2 and a proper mug of tea 50p. It's a friendly, no-nonsense sort of place which is largely about both community and football, the standard of which is much better sometimes than you have a right to expect. What's more, they are ambitious and attendances have nearly doubled to around 100 in the last couple of years, and It's the nearest I have had to a proper buzz in at least a couple of years. We're even sponsoring a match ball in a few home matches time.
The reason I like it so much is the sense that everyone is pulling in the same direction, from the chair/vice chair right through to the volunteers and those who pay to get in every other week. You also know that any money raised is going for the benfit of the club, and that you, by buying that cup of tea/beer, are contributing in some way. That feeling has been lost at Walsall, and is probably the primary reason why people do not attend - it's certainly mine.
I still go to a few away games to see Walsall, but I never attend Bescot/Banks's these days. I went to Charlton recently, had a good day, but that was inspite of the football, and the lack of passion displayed both on and off the pitch was there for all to see. The travel costs plus the £25 to get in to watch it was, in itself, simply not worth it, and the quality on show did not seem 5 times more than my local non league club.