Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: hawkeye on March 10, 2012, 11:22:51 PM
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A few posts today slagging off people for leaving early for not turning up.
Maybe people should be asking why there is this level of apathy from fans.
Or do these Better Supporters just want to be at the ground with 20 odd thousand of like minded supporters?
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What?
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I always thought it was yow?
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Agree Hawkeye.
Things are hostile enough at VP without us turning on our own.
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I'm glad the 'early leavers' turned up in the first place or the attendance would have been even more embarrassing.
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Its a bit like a pub I used to go in. If you went in six nights, then missed the seventh, the old biddy would slate you on your next visit. I used to wonder why she didn't go round about 2000 houses, where the occupants didn't use the pub, and slag them for never going in, instead of being rude to the regulars.
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I had a bit of a pop at the 'early leavers' earlier but I wouldn't say I'm "turning against our own" as it's been put here. It's me having a cheeky little pop at people who left early and missed out, bit of friendly banter really.
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I wasn't particularly referring to you. Light-hearted digs are fine by me. Calling people tossers as someone else did is not and for me would count as turning against our own.
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I wasn't particularly referring to you. Light-hearted digs are fine by me. Calling people tossers as someone else did is not and for me would count as turning against our own.
Ah, right.
I agree with you though, if people have been getting aggressive on the issue like that then they're just adding to the negativity that really needs to be toned down on here.
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Leaving early in a tight match where the result is in doubt is a sign of we are giving up. This encourages away teams and discourages home team. What players need is fans being there and driving them on to score.
There were people leaving in their thousands at 81/82 mins and therefor missed about 15 mins.
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I didn't leave early today and was glad I didn't, But there have been times when I have HAD to leave early and I hate this I'm better than yow crap that people come out with.
I think Villajk mentioned it on the post match thread there are a number of staff who work at Villa park who HAVE to leave leave the game early are they giving up or are they showing there commitment to the club by going back to their positions?
Are people that turn up late as guilty as those who leave early? What about those who go for a pie and pint before half time are they lesser fans? Is it only those who watch the whole 90+ mins that are proper fans?
All of this is rubbish WE WON TODAY and all some people want to do is slag off other fans????
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I'm glad the 'early leavers' turned up in the first place or the attendance would have been even more embarrassing.
What was so embarrassing about pulling in 32K? I thought that was a decent gate under the circumstances.
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I left my seat early, I always do when i'm with kids. We always go to the Holte End foyer and watch on the screen with sneaky smokers and other guys with kids. We all went suitably mental when we scored.
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If you leave 2 minutes early to avoid the traffic, do you really care what people who don't know you might think? I sometimes leave a minute or two early if we're losing...but stay to the end if we're drawing or winning. And what about those who get to their seats two minutes late because they're drinking downstairs? Or those who go for a pee and miss two minutes? Do they come under the same umbrella.
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Did this slagging happen here or at the game?
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I did leave early with my lad, as I always do at 87 minutes and missed the goal. It is a risk I take every match and I never leave the seat until the ball goes out of play. If I wait otherwise we do get caught up and it takes an age to exit the ground which means I miss the train connection from Witton and then at New Street.
It's fundamentally my choice and if people want to comment negatively that is theirs, have to say I won't lose any sleep over it.
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I wasn't particularly referring to you. Light-hearted digs are fine by me. Calling people tossers as someone else did is not and for me would count as turning against our own.
Ah, right.
I agree with you though, if people have been getting aggressive on the issue like that then they're just adding to the negativity that really needs to be toned down on here.
i called the fans who booed tossers and i stand by that! strange that you then say 'i count that as turning on our own' as surely that what any negative bollocks from these mouths does every time they vent their spleen against Aston Villa!
so as for better fan than yow, i would like to think my positivity makes me a better fan than the booers!
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Three of us went to the game yesterday and one left early to get a ahead of the traffic. He was well pissed off he missed the goal. So it's just bad luck on his part and the chance you take.
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I'm with rutski on this. I thought Weimann had to come on. A little surprised it was Zog who went off but how did it make Weimann feel, regardless of who the booing was aimed at?
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Three of us went to the game yesterday and one left early to get a ahead of the traffic. He was well pissed off he missed the goal. So it's just bad luck on his part and the chance you take.
Exactly. It's a shame for those who missed the goal, but in the grand scheme of things it's not the end of the world. There's a lot of begging for validation of opinions going around imo.
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the early leavers are a lot better fans than me, as i couldnt be bothered to go.
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Leaving early in a tight match where the result is in doubt is a sign of we are giving up.
Not really. Lots of pele leave early whatever the type of match. It's also a sign of people having other stuff to do with their lives.
Strikes me that when we can only muster 32k again, we're not in much of a position to moan about when people leave, we should be grateful they turn up in the first place.
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Not really. Lots of pele leave early whatever the type of match.
I believe Pele means "raggamuffin" or something, so that is quite apt if we are pulling, er...pele's legs about "beating the traffic".
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I have never left a game early and i'm hoping I will never have to. I really enjoyed celebrating that goal yesterday especially after the last few months. I would never have a go at a people leaving early that's their choice.
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I'm glad the 'early leavers' turned up in the first place or the attendance would have been even more embarrassing.
What was so embarrassing about pulling in 32K? I thought that was a decent gate under the circumstances.
There was definately not 32k there today more like 28k they count ST holders wether they attend or not or so I was told yesterday.
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I'm glad the 'early leavers' turned up in the first place or the attendance would have been even more embarrassing.
What was so embarrassing about pulling in 32K? I thought that was a decent gate under the circumstances.
There was definately not 32k there today more like 28k they count ST holders wether they attend or not or so I was told yesterday.
Really? Who told you that? And how can you expertly guess 28K?
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The only time i leave my seat is to go for a piss, i don't think i've ever left early. Leaving at 0-0 is a bit bizarre. There's one's who want to beat the traffic which is fine i suppose, and there's the one's who want to get back to the pub. Going under 2 hours without a pint takes it toll on some people.
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I had a bit of a pop at the 'early leavers' earlier but I wouldn't say I'm "turning against our own" as it's been put here. It's me having a cheeky little pop at people who left early and missed out, bit of friendly banter really.
Same.
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I'm glad the 'early leavers' turned up in the first place or the attendance would have been even more embarrassing.
What was so embarrassing about pulling in 32K? I thought that was a decent gate under the circumstances.
There was definately not 32k there today more like 28k they count ST holders wether they attend or not or so I was told yesterday.
Really? Who told you that? And how can you expertly guess 28K?
The attendance announced is the number of tickets sold not bums on seats.
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So...
We have villa fans who dont go to any matches
villa fans that buy a ticket and don't go
Villa fans who go but leave a few minutes early
Villa fans (Like me) who want to go but can only go 1 or 2 times a season
what are the worst fans then....
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For me it beggars belief that people left early yesterday. I can understand if not condone leaving early if we are the wrong end of a drubbing but not at nil-nil with us pressing for a win. Even more galling was having the Fulham lot taking the piss with their "Is there a firedrill?" chant (I was well chuffed to be able to sing that back to them) but most annoying of all was almost missing the bloody goal because the three blokes in front of me stood up to leave just before Bannan laid the ball to Gardner.
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I have never left a game early (although I nearly did when we losing 2-1 at home to Wimbledon in the late 90s).
But whenever the chips are down, you often hear the 'See you next year' dig to people leaving early. I think it is the rat and sinking ship analogy.
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Those who left early yesterday missed the most elated set of home supporters at VP since we routed FC D.ogshit of Birmingham. Nothing better than a last minute winner, especially when we desperately need the result. Brilliant.
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Those who left early yesterday missed the most elated set of home supporters at VP since we routed FC D.ogshit of Birmingham. Nothing better than a last minute winner, especially when we desperately need the result. Brilliant.
The reaction was tremendous - I honestly believe the vast majority of fans want a Villa win whatever the circumstances surrounding the club - I go to see them win and hope they play well but the former is the clincher.
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Cant see what the problem is about fans leaving a few minutes early - you pays your money, you takes your choice?
I leave my seat early, 2 or 3 minutes, and watch the end on the screen in the foyer, otherwise its a right bastard to get out
I`ve been fortunate enough to watch games at Barcelona and Madrid and even their fans are going a few minutes early when you have super stars playing who can turn a game in a blink of an eye.
Its not as though the players care anyway as most of them p!ss of down the tunnel at the final whistle (away games excluded), as quick as a scouser leaving Dixons
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Even more galling was having the Fulham lot taking the piss with their "Is there a firedrill?" chant
Ha ha, that's quite funny.
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I can't understand why people leave early either, but, it's their prerogative at the end of the day.
Personally, I'd rather have a dig at those who boo the team for keeping possession.
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We used to have 2 old buggers in our row who always left early - it used to drive me nuts. My comments and general display of disgust as they passed have finally got through as I only see one of them these days and he must go the other way if he leaves early, and the worst offender I've not seen him this season so he has either moved to a row that doesn't care about early leavers or not bothered to come.
If we are losing 3-0 (or 3-0 up - very rare) I don't mind so much but at 0-0 there should be no reason to leave early. Traffic with crowds in the low 30,000s is not that bad. There are no queues to get out these days. No crowd trouble without that mob from Small Heath FC. If you need a pee cross your legs or don't drink so much at half time.
If nothing else it is extremely bad manners. I've always believed we should expect higher standards at Aston Villa. We know we are the best club in the area.
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We used to have 2 old buggers in our row who always left early - it used to drive me nuts. My comments and general display of disgust as they passed have finally got through as I only see one of them these days...
Perhaps he couldn't be bothered with the stroppy git that used to make sarcy comments at him every match? I would have told you to fuck off and mind your own business.
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My mate wanted to leave early to avoid the Asda car park rush and as he was driving I didn't have a problem with it and I don't give a shit what other people think... you pays your money and make your choice!
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We used to have 2 old buggers in our row who always left early - it used to drive me nuts. My comments and general display of disgust as they passed have finally got through as I only see one of them these days and he must go the other way if he leaves early, and the worst offender I've not seen him this season so he has either moved to a row that doesn't care about early leavers or not bothered to come.
What a hero.
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It should be like the theatre. If you arrive late you shouldnt be allowed to take your seat unless there is an extended break in play. The same with if you wish to leave before the end of the performance, only allowed if there is a substantial stoppage. Switch your mobile phones off too !
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Why leave early when there are no crowds to beat anyway?
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We always stay to the end to avoid the crowds.
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I always feel it's like walking out of the cinema with 5 mins of the film left, you just wouldn't do it.
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I always feel it's like walking out of the cinema with 5 mins of the film left, you just wouldn't do it.
I'm just about old enough to remember the dash for the exits the moment the film finished to beat standing for the National Anthem.
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I am with you Stu. If anybody by me had the balls to get sarcastic with this old git for choosing what time he wanted to leave I would tell him to mind his own fucking business.
I never leave early but I fully understand that a lot of people have valid reasons for doing so. Saturday night is the highlight of a lot of people's social life getting away from the worst of the traffic may well be the difference between a pleasant evening or a horrible one.
My son left at 90 minutes yesterday because his wife had tickets for the theatre in London. He was in his seat for the start of the play at 7.30.
I left two minutes after the whistle at 4.55 and due to traffic problems arrived home in Cambridge at 10.20. Wife in bed dinner in dog.
It is the nature of football these days when fans travel great distances and spend many hours going to and from games both home and away.
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We had to leave Wigan early as I had to be in London for work at 8pm. We had to get a taxi to the station. Taxi firms won't take bookings directly after the final whistle so it had to be early. I had to go to work or let the job down and be light in the pocket. So it was either leave early or not go. The latter is not an option.
The bloody train was 30 minutes late and was cursed by me up hill and down dale.
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We used to have 2 old buggers in our row who always left early - it used to drive me nuts. My comments and general display of disgust as they passed have finally got through as I only see one of them these days...
Perhaps he couldn't be bothered with the stroppy git that used to make sarcy comments at him every match? I would have told you to fuck off and mind your own business.
I'm still there supporting the team - old git or not.
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I am with you Stu. If anybody by me had the balls to get sarcastic with this old git for choosing what time he wanted to leave I would tell him to mind his own fucking business.
I never leave early but I fully understand that a lot of people have valid reasons for doing so. Saturday night is the highlight of a lot of people's social life getting away from the worst of the traffic may well be the difference between a pleasant evening or a horrible one.
My son left at 90 minutes yesterday because his wife had tickets for the theatre in London. He was in his seat for the start of the play at 7.30.
I left two minutes after the whistle at 4.55 and due to traffic problems arrived home in Cambridge at 10.20. Wife in bed dinner in dog.
It is the nature of football these days when fans travel great distances and spend many hours going to and from games both home and away.
But you wouldn't leave the theatre early would you?
My gripe is with those who leave in the last few minutes when there is still a chance of winning as yesterday.
What you do if your wife decided to get out of bed to make a cup of tea when you were just about to ........
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Honestly, why do you care if somebody needs to get out of the ground a bit earlier than you? There are lots more things to get annoyed about.
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Honestly, why do you care if somebody needs to get out of the ground a bit earlier than you? There are lots more things to get annoyed about.
This.
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Honestly, why do you care if somebody needs to get out of the ground a bit earlier than you? There are lots more things to get annoyed about.
I know, so what if some people want to leave? It's up to them and no one else
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More room to celebrate?
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Honestly, why do you care if somebody needs to get out of the ground a bit earlier than you? There are lots more things to get annoyed about.
Like someone beating you to it.
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If there are far more important things to do that wait for the end of the match.
1. Get yourself a seat near the end of a row.
2. Do it before injury time.
3. Wait till there is a break in play.
4. Go to the nearest aisle (unlike the old git who used to annoy me so much - who sat 3-4 seats from an aisle to his left - but always left early by walking to his right along the row in front of myself and others - stopping to watch the game if it got interesting)
5. Don't sit in my row cos I'm a miserable old git!
But very pleased I waited till the end yesterday!
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Well I think number five about covers it.
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I always feel it's like walking out of the cinema with 5 mins of the film left, you just wouldn't do it.
I'm just about old enough to remember the dash for the exits the moment the film finished to beat standing for the National Anthem.
I was a boy scout dib dib whatever. I used to stand to attention for the bloody thing! Bloody Pathe news. pft.
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I'm glad the 'early leavers' turned up in the first place or the attendance would have been even more embarrassing.
What was so embarrassing about pulling in 32K? I thought that was a decent gate under the circumstances.
There was definately not 32k there today more like 28k they count ST holders wether they attend or not or so I was told yesterday.
Really? Who told you that? And how can you expertly guess 28K?
The attendance announced is the number of tickets sold not bums on seats.
Plus a lot of people stand up ;)
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All ST holders are included in the recorded 'gate'.
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Another side to this are the cussed people who get in the ground at 130 and sit in the aisle. Some of them set themselves up as if it is a day at the cricket, then tut at people who arrive at 245, for who they have to get off their arses to let them get past.
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Bring back standing. None of that blankets, popcorn and thermos flasks then.
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Another side to this are the cussed people who get in the ground at 130 and sit in the aisle. Some of them set themselves up as if it is a day at the cricket, then tut at people who arrive at 245, for who they have to get off their arses to let them get past.
I had a couple I'd never seen before tutting and sniping at me when I was getting to my seat 10 minutes before the Citeh game. Apparently they'd moaned at the two others who had to get past them.
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I got taken to the Villa by my next door neighbour as a kid. He always left five minutes before the end but is a more dedicated and passionate Villa fan than pretty much anyone I know. When I started going to the pub with my mates before the game when I was in my twenties we missed a few kick-offs. Now I take my ten year old son and we get in the ground about fifteen minutes before the game, we never miss the start of the second half and we stay until the final whistle. Does that make me a better fan than when I was a kid and had to leave early or when I was younger and loved a pre-match pint with my mates? I have never slagged off anyone for arriving late, leaving early or causing me to get up to let them past and no-one has ever had a pop at me either.
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The only time I leave 'early' is when selling H&V afterwards and I always watch until F-T in the concourse. The exception to that is before I became part of Dave's empire when I left a couple of B-Lose games at VP when they first got promoted and I preferred to get home in one piece.
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I normally get there late, leave a few minutes before half time for a pie and a pint, get back for the second half late as I'm finishing it and then get downstairs a few minutes before the the final whistle so I can clearly see and harangue those disloyal fuckers who are going to 'beat the traffic', bastards.
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I'm guilty of arriving late.
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There is nothing wrong with leaving early. Some people do it as a matter of habit, others have to that day and some with children to avoid splitting up etc. People here are mis-understanding what happened yesterday. With about 10 mins to ago VP was an unbelievable site. People were leaving as if the match had ended. Most were cursing and swearing and no doubt ready to confirm their opinion on Eck and the team. I thing about half had gone by the time the winner came.
I have no problem with routine leavers but IMO I thought lot of our supporters were too eager to desert when the team had really played well and fully deserved the support right to the end.
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Re the above, I though the atmosphere was pretty supportive and positive overall, even as we seemed to be heading for the usual 0-0, the team had made the required effort.
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I don't think the cinema/theatre comparison is a valid one, it would be a poor film/play indeed if you knew before the end exactly how things would pan out in much the same way that it was patently obvious that we were never going to score yesterday. Oh. I'm sure you all catch my drift.
When it's a particularly dismal performance, I often stay to the end purely to boo them off the pitch. And when 4-1 down and reduced to nine men with 20 minutes to go against Man Utd a few years ago, I stuck it out until full time as I couldn't bear the thought that anyone might think I was ducking out early to watch the sodding Rugby World Cup final that night.
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I walked out of Eyes Wide Shut 10 minutes after it started. I could see it was going to be bad. I had the same feeling 10 mins into the Citeh game... but I stayed in my seat til the end.
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There's a bloke, with a mate and kids who sits in our row, that always turns up 8 minutes into the game. We're not talking just a few games this season, we're talking the last 2, maybe 3 seasons. I don't get it? Is it really that hard to leave 8 minutes earlier to get to the game on time?
Add to this them leaving 5 minutes before half-time and then arriving about 5 minutes into the second half. They will then leave the game with about 5 minutes to go.
So, from a possible 90 minutes of football, he gets to see less than 70 minutes. When you're paying that much money for it, I don't understand why you'd miss so much of it.
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So, from a possible 90 minutes of football, he gets to see less than 70 minutes. When you're paying that much money for it, I don't understand why you'd miss so much of it.
Yep, if you total that up, 20 minutes lost per game, that's 19 x 20 minutes gone, 380 minutes of football at Villa Park.
This season, you'd expect us to have at least 12 minutes of possession and maybe one or two shots in those 380 mins.
What a mug.
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We used to have 2 old buggers in our row who always left early - it used to drive me nuts. My comments and general display of disgust as they passed have finally got through as I only see one of them these days...
Perhaps he couldn't be bothered with the stroppy git that used to make sarcy comments at him every match? I would have told you to fuck off and mind your own business.
I'm still there supporting the team - old git or not.
And? Nobody cares what you do.
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Less of that, please.
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Surely if you didn't care you wouldn't have commented?
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Less of that, please.
Apologies, should have posted a bit more context.
I meant no one is bothered by sasha wanting to stay until the end of the match - its entirely up to him. This doesn't give him the right to slag fellow fans who do things differently though.
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Surely if you didn't care you wouldn't have commented?
It kind of annoys me that some folk think they can trap off to people because they do things differently to them, it really smacks of 'I love Villa more than you do'.
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Leaving early in a tight match where the result is in doubt is a sign of we are giving up. This encourages away teams and discourages home team. What players need is fans being there and driving them on to score.
There were people leaving in their thousands at 81/82 mins and therefor missed about 15 mins.
I left at 80 minutes on Saturday because my daughter, at her first game, was absolutely shattered.
Does that make me a bad fan??
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Does that make me a bad fan??
No, your ticket, your money & your life, do what you like. You don't really have to answer to anyone.
All this better/worse fan stuff is a load of bull shit. We all support the same club. Can't see why we argue about this sort of pointless shit.
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Does that make me a bad fan??
No, your ticket, your money & your life, do what you like. You don't really have to answer to anyone.Does that make me a bad fan??
No, your ticket, your money & your life, do what you like. You don't really have to answer to anyone.
All this better/worse fan stuff is a load of bull shit. We all support the same club. Can't see why we argue about this sort of pointless shit.
All this better/worse fan stuff is a load of bull shit. We all support the same club. Can't see why we argue about this sort of pointless shit.
Probably because we have just won. Got to have a reason to moan.
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We love a good moan us Villans.
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We love a good moan us Villans.
I used to love moaning but realised that it just torments you.
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When Dalian Atkinson scored in injury time against Tranmere, I was in the chip shop up the road from the ground and heard it on the radio.
I still have nightmares about missing that.
On the up side, I walked out of Tin Machine, Steve Harley and The Streets gigs with no regrets at all.
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Leaving early in a tight match where the result is in doubt is a sign of we are giving up. This encourages away teams and discourages home team. What players need is fans being there and driving them on to score.
There were people leaving in their thousands at 81/82 mins and therefor missed about 15 mins.
I left at 80 minutes on Saturday because my daughter, at her first game, was absolutely shattered.
Does that make me a bad fan??
No of course it does not and you had a very good reason. As I explained with later comment a lot of people started leaving at that stage simply to say "we are not going to win this one because the manager/team/individuals are not doing their job"
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I left my seat on 90 minutes on Saturday as I had my 81 year old Dad with me, my 9 year old son and my 17 year old son with special needs. We watched the last few minutes on the TV screens in the Trinity Road concourse. Good job as well as where we were sat, right in the bottom corner we wouldn't have seen the goal and would have been waiting for the replay on the big screen anyway!
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I was watching live on the box down here. Honest, I nodded off at 85 minutes!! Well, few late nights.
Got the happy shock of my live when I played the last ten minutes back.
Does that make me a bad fan?
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I went for a piss and missed the goal, because I honestly ddn't think I'd miss anything
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I was watching live on the box down here. Honest, I nodded off at 85 minutes!! Well, few late nights.
Got the happy shock of my live when I played the last ten minutes back.
Does that make me a bad fan?
Yes it does, Simba.
I cycle from Shanghai to Birmingham for all our home games and some of the London away matches if Chico can get me a ticket. I can't believe you live such a short distance from the ground and don't bother attending yourself. Glory hunter.....
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you were lucky. I used to dream of.....
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We love a good moan us Villans.
To be a true cockney you have to be born within the sound of Bow bells.
To be a true Brummie you have to born within the sound of someone moaning about something ;)
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I was watching live on the box down here. Honest, I nodded off at 85 minutes!! Well, few late nights.
Got the happy shock of my live when I played the last ten minutes back.
Does that make me a bad fan?
Yes it does, Simba.
I cycle from Shanghai to Birmingham for all our home games and some of the London away matches if Chico can get me a ticket. I can't believe you live such a short distance from the ground and don't bother attending yourself. Glory hunter.....
I will - honest- be at the Chelsea game. (Kayak) so I will wait in front of the Holte for your bike to arrive. Will I recognise you by your pith helmet?
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It's all getting a bit precious isn't it? Whatever happened to football?
Watching the game on the concourse TVs, booking a taxi to get away from the ground - and worst of all, leaving your seat to have a piss.
What's wrong with using a rolled up programme? If you don't happen to have bought one, just ask the bloke in front if you can borrow his.
I hate what SKY have done to our game.
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What's wrong with using a rolled up programme? If you don't happen to have bought one, just ask the bloke in front if you can borrow his.
I've tried that, but it came to pass that I actually needed a shit. That glossy paper is no use under those conditions.
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I was watching live on the box down here. Honest, I nodded off at 85 minutes!! Well, few late nights.
Got the happy shock of my live when I played the last ten minutes back.
Does that make me a bad fan?
Yes it does, Simba.
I cycle from Shanghai to Birmingham for all our home games and some of the London away matches if Chico can get me a ticket. I can't believe you live such a short distance from the ground and don't bother attending yourself. Glory hunter.....
haha it's not so easy for Simba. I have just had a look at the map and the way I see it is that from Shanghai it's a straight forward flat run to Birmingham where as Simba has to climb up all the way from down there. It might be shorter but looks a lot more difficult coming up north from down south!
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Don't forget Kilimanjaro and the Sahara.
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Don't forget Kilimanjaro and the Sahara.
Great band.
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I was watching live on the box down here. Honest, I nodded off at 85 minutes!! Well, few late nights.
Got the happy shock of my live when I played the last ten minutes back.
Does that make me a bad fan?
Yes it does, Simba.
I cycle from Shanghai to Birmingham for all our home games and some of the London away matches if Chico can get me a ticket. I can't believe you live such a short distance from the ground and don't bother attending yourself. Glory hunter.....
haha it's not so easy for Simba. I have just had a look at the map and the way I see it is that from Shanghai it's a straight forward flat run to Birmingham where as Simba has to climb up all the way from down there. It might be shorter but looks a lot more difficult coming up north from down south!
The cheek of it - have you heard of the Himalayas?!! It'a a good jobI'm mates with Lance Armstrong's pharmacist is all I can say.
I usually have to stop off in Iran to deliver some er, sensitive materials from China too. It's not all pedalling for 1 hour and then freewheeling downhill you know, despite what your atlas may have you believe. And when you get to B6 you can't trust those little urchins outside the ground either - "Fiver to mind yer bike mister?". A fiver?!!! WTF - that's two week's wages...
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I was watching live on the box down here. Honest, I nodded off at 85 minutes!! Well, few late nights.
Got the happy shock of my live when I played the last ten minutes back.
Does that make me a bad fan?
Yes it does, Simba.
I cycle from Shanghai to Birmingham for all our home games and some of the London away matches if Chico can get me a ticket. I can't believe you live such a short distance from the ground and don't bother attending yourself. Glory hunter.....
I will - honest- be at the Chelsea game. (Kayak) so I will wait in front of the Holte for your bike to arrive. Will I recognise you by your pith helmet?
I will be wearing my standard issue party uniform - with non regulation claret and blue lapels - and will be sporting party haircut number 2. I shall also be holding Nicholas Anelka hostage in my saddlebags.
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I stay til the end because pre-booked train tickets usually mean I can't leave Birmingham New Street til half 6, but if I didn't have that problem I'd be on my toes if we were a couple of goals down and playing shite.
I've never understood why people leave early when the game's hanging in the balance, but each to their own!
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Well you would leave a bit early if you had to cycle the Himalayas. The number 11 don't go there y'know.
What a silly thread. "better fan than you" FGS. Glad we could take the piss.
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The cheek of it - have you heard of the Himalayas?!! It'a a good jobI'm mates with Lance Armstrong's pharmacist is all I can say.
No I am not having that. On my map I just see a flat track from East to West as the world is flat. However I do know that North is up as in up north and South is down as in down south so it must be harder for Simba. SO THERE!
By the way Simba I have PM'd you about the Chelsea game.
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Sorry chaps: Got it. Just sold house. Coming back to UK permanently. Going out to get ratted. Will pm tomorrow.
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What's wrong with using a rolled up programme? If you don't happen to have bought one, just ask the bloke in front if you can borrow his.
I've tried that, but it came to pass that I actually needed a shit. That glossy paper is no use under those conditions.
That's where the bobble hat or its modern equivalent, the beanie, comes into play. I think Glenn Peen once wrote a sonnet about this activity.
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I don't think I'm a better fan for always staying to the end, but moments like the last minute winner on Saturday are really what it's all about, and I just feel sad that people miss that. Those kind of moments feel the same whether they win you The Champion's league, save you from relegation to the Blue Square premiership, or just fall in the middle of mid-table mediocrity. The way the remainder of the ground went up on Saturday defied explanation really, there were people going over 3 rows of seats in celebration! If you weren't in it you'd probably call it "small time" to be so delighted to scrape a win against Fulham with a 92nd minute goal - but we let ourselves to just love it without any thought of any 'entitlement' to expect better. A last minute winner when things aren't running for you, is a feeling you cannot explain to a non-football fan, it is something only we know.
When that goal went in, it was a feeling that made me remember why I put up with all the crap in between. It reminded me that sometimes the crap bits are worth it, because the contrast when something good happens is what throws it into such sharp brilliance. All those people who left early (no judgement implied) didn't get that reminder, so for them it was a last minute winner (good - that's a relief), without that same sense that those of us remained got. This means that next time, they won't have been as revived by it, or lifted, or as ready to face the next game with a new spirit, and I think a shame for all of us. No-one owes it to anyone else to stay to the end of course, I just wish you would.
It's just a suggestion, but anyone who leaves early because for example "otherwise it takes an hour to get off the leisure centre car park" etc - have you thought of experimenting a bit and seeing if you can find a quicker getaway? If I go in the car, I am driving freely out along Walsall Road within 10 minutes of leaving Villa Park without ever leaving early. Surely football these days is too expensive to potentially miss the best bits?
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Great post amfy. And from a girly as well.
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God, read the original post
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Erm... I read it along with all the subsequent posts. What's your point?
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Perhaps he's on about a higher power?
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He wants Paul Weller to read it? He's a Chelsea fan, he don't give a toss.
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I was hoping it was Paul McGrath.
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great post amfy.
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Yeah great Post Amfy.
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Amfy you have superbly expressed our feelings. In a game where a goal makes a difference by means of an equaliser or winner there is no better feeling than to see it go in in the last minute. We fans live in hope all the time and when that hope is delivered there is no comparison with any thing else in the world. Zat Knight equaliser against Arsenal was the last time for me as I missed the home game v Blackpool.
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Yes, plus Ashley's winner against Everton.
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Erm... I read it along with all the subsequent posts. What's your point?
orlright, its orl abat leavin urly, nowt to do wiv anythin else
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Why is there always less unhappiness about people who rock up ten minutes into the game, as they've been reluctant to leave the pub?
We have people down our row who do this every single game.
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Hawkeye, what on earth are you on about? And why is your spelling even worse than usual?
I haven't had a go at anybody re: leaving early or anything else, just enjoyed amfy's post. It remimded me of the occasional joys that keep us going through the not-so-good times. Me saying I enjoyed her post was not in any way a criticism of anybody.
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Regarding people leaving early.
These people are SCUM, parasites who are not worthy of our great club and certainly not as good as a supporter as me, I'm a great Villa supporter me.
I've been supporting the club for 52 years and i'm only 45.
And whilst we're at it, leave Alex alone, he'll be the new Ron Saunders, mark my words.
I'm a brilliant fan I am.
You're not.
I am.
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(http://bestdividendselection.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/02.jpg)
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I'm just glad that our players didn't "leave early" for once.
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Regarding people leaving early.
These people are SCUM, parasites who are not worthy of our great club and certainly not as good as a supporter as me, I'm a great Villa supporter me.
I've been supporting the club for 52 years and i'm only 45.
And whilst we're at it, leave Alex alone, he'll be the new Ron Saunders, mark my words.
I'm a brilliant fan I am.
You're not.
I am.
Fck off., I'm better, I haven't been up for 4 years to prove it. Jog on, better fan my arse.
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Yes, plus Ashley's winner against Everton.
The wooden seats took a chunk out of my shin. Fantastic stuff!
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Brought out of retirement:
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Pure joy.
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My record for leaving Villa Park early is half time. Can't remember if it was against Bradford or Boro or someone like that. During Gregory's reign, nil nil at half time, no prospect of any improvement in the second half. We were so boring that we decided it would be better to go to the pub and watch the match on the video printer on Sky. I also left Stamford Bridge when we were 5-1 down a couple of years ago. We heard the 6th and 7th goals go in whie we were walking towards Fulham Broadway.
My record for arriving late is away at West Ham when we got in just after the second half kicked off - just in time to see Savo grab a brace.
I'm a shit fan, me
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None of us is a better Villa fan than Sir Herbert Douglas Ellis (he invented Aston Villa y'know).
After all he hasn't missed a game home or away since 1873, in his spare time he sculpted the MacGregor statue in his garden shed, whilst at the same time single handedly building the new Trinity Rd. stand using only a wheelbarrow and a shovel.
And just to show the clubs appreciation for his unswerving loyalty to the club one chairman even named the Witton Lane stand after him as a surprise
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I leave early if the football is turgid, I criticise the manager and the team if the football is uncompetitive and turgid like this season.
I pay my season ticket money and will have my opinion.
It's sterile enough at VP nowadays with over zealous stewarding, fans complaining and grassing others for standing or God forbid, using a naughty word, then why would you wish for disgruntled fans to have to remain in the stadium against their wishes?
There are far to many pompous people who attend these boards dictating what others should do but are never as vocal in real life.
I have never been challenged for leaving early and I once left after 20 minutes.
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I have never been challenged for leaving early and I once left after 20 minutes.
Fucking hell, I sometimes want to do that.
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I leave early if the football is turgid, I criticise the manager and the team if the football is uncompetitive and turgid like this season.
I pay my season ticket money and will have my opinion.
It's sterile enough at VP nowadays with over zealous stewarding, fans complaining and grassing others for standing or God forbid, using a naughty word, then why would you wish for disgruntled fans to have to remain in the stadium against their wishes?
There are far to many pompous people who attend these boards dictating what others should do but are never as vocal in real life.
I have never been challenged for leaving early and I once left after 20 minutes.
Fancy wanting to watch the match without someone constantly stood up in front of you, pompous bastards
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I have never been challenged for leaving early and I once left after 20 minutes.
Fucking hell, I sometimes want to do that.
I've never had the urge to leave on 20 minutes, that's very early.
I have, however, on numerous occasions, thought "fucking hell, I wish I'd stayed at home".
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I've occasionally wished I'd decided on retail therapy instead.
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I also left Stamford Bridge when we were 5-1 down a couple of years ago. We heard the 6th and 7th goals go in whie we were walking towards Fulham Broadway.
I've only ever left early twice and both were against Chelsea. Once was the game mentioned above. I also left at 5-1.
The other was at VP when Chelsea were 2-0 up (Boxing Day 1996 ?). We'd taken my mate's lad with us and he was feeling unwell, so we abandoned.
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Next season I've decided I'm taking a year away from Villa. I'm so genuinely upset at how things are at the club that sometimes it nearly reduces me to tears! I need to try and rekindle the love with the Club
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Next season I've decided I'm taking a year away from Villa. I'm so genuinely upset at how things are at the club that sometimes it nearly reduces me to tears! I need to try and rekindle the love with the Club
me too.
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Thinking about it, the only time i left early was the the Liverpool cup game a few years ago where they buggered up the tickets.
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The last time I left early was nine years ago this month for self preservation.
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The last time I left early was nine years ago this month for self preservation.
03-03-03
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There was really no need.
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The last time I left early was nine years ago this month for self preservation.
03-03-03
Was that really 9 years ago? Well obviously from the date but it seems like yesterday
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The last time I left early was nine years ago this month for self preservation.
03-03-03
Was that really 9 years ago? Well obviously from the date but it seems like yesterday
I was living in Aston then, I got home and kicked fuck out of the communal bins.
Immature, but it calmed me down (slightly).
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I got on a bus to town, and where everyone got off, there was an old woman asking the score. About seventy people walked past her and none said a word.
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9 years ago. Fuck me, that's scary. I was in the Lower Holte and would have loved to get hold of the scumbag who was chucking stuff from those shit box things between the Holte and Trinity.
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03/03/03 AKA "****** Night"!
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I've left a few minutes before the end many times. I can do what I like.
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There was really no need.
In hindsight probably not but I felt different at the time, especially as I went by myself that night.
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Only game I left early was Doncaster cup in 05/06. I left straight after the 3rd went in.
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If you've never left early , you're not a proper fan .
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I am with you Stu. If anybody by me had the balls to get sarcastic with this old git for choosing what time he wanted to leave I would tell him to mind his own fucking business.
I never leave early but I fully understand that a lot of people have valid reasons for doing so. Saturday night is the highlight of a lot of people's social life getting away from the worst of the traffic may well be the difference between a pleasant evening or a horrible one.
My son left at 90 minutes yesterday because his wife had tickets for the theatre in London. He was in his seat for the start of the play at 7.30.
I left two minutes after the whistle at 4.55 and due to traffic problems arrived home in Cambridge at 10.20. Wife in bed dinner in dog.
It is the nature of football these days when fans travel great distances and spend many hours going to and from games both home and away.
fucking hell Brian ! 10.20 !! me and my mate wait until the extra added time board comes out and then we make our way down to the front to watch the final knockings as soon as the ref blows we are gone and usually in the car 20 mins later, also which way did you go home ? we know that the A14 is shut at Godmanchester at weekends for "repairs" so we go to St Neots/Bedford on to the M1 and then M6 to B6 and the same home as well, I was in the Rose and Crown Histon at 7.15pm.
UTV
The Doc
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I did it at Wembley at the Chelsea semi-final when they scored their second. It was the difference between a 5 minute queue for the Tube and an hour long queue... and missed Chelsea's 3rd.