Modern football fans.

[wils]

Two stories. Both in the Telegraph. Modern football is a bit shit isn't it?

This is the thing about our stadium. Its not great as we all know. But these two stadiums, one regarded as the best modern football stadium in the world and the other  an old skool stadium, yet they are both having the same problems we are having.

It's modern fans. Not the stadiums.

[BRANDED]

Outside the ground its fine. Theres a mixture of most stuff. Inside it depends where you are. Im in a good place. Atmosphere is good when we play well or mostly when we’re winning. Rare recently. 
Boleyn was shit at times in the past when we were shit. 
I prefer not being in a mile long wueue for the tube after a game. 

[Russ of the BML]

The experience of going to the Boleyn Ground at Upton Park with all it's familiarities of it all definitely is compared to now. The place on a matchday had a real buzz and excitement about it all. These says it feels more like a chore.

That's probably more to do with you though, 

I have been taking my daughter more this season. If he go Hackney Wick its a lovely atmosphere. If we go bars near ground still buzzing. If we go in the concourse area, she wants to go where the DJ is, and the Dorito's stand to get food - She loves it. People are singing and its a good atmosphere. 

I mean, its not what we grew up with, and, yes, some days I feel that chore about it but I have been going since 86-87, so I have to breath a new air and see it from a new angle. It is what it is. 

[kylay]

I'd also argue it's modern football grounds. if it's anything like the trend here in the states, they are moving the boxes closer and closer to the field and putting in more of them. While it's always been the case that closer seats cost more, you also have "club seating" that costs quite a bit more relatively speaking for those good seats. This has the tendency of pushing the more working class (read passionate fans) towards the outer edges if not out of the ground altogether. The farther apart those fans are, the harder it is to create an atmosphere. 

[Massive Attack]

The experience of going to the Boleyn Ground at Upton Park with all it's familiarities of it all definitely is compared to now. The place on a matchday had a real buzz and excitement about it all. These says it feels more like a chore.

[Swiss.]

yeah the atmosphere at UP was so amazing in the last years...yeah right 

[BRANDED]

Clubs that keep a small stadium and have a full season ticket allowance will always have thousands or tens of thousands on waiting lists and touts etc. 

I understand the need for a great stadium like Spurs but if you still fill it full of cunts it's a great stadium full of cunts. 

[Massive Attack]

Another team sold their soul?



Screenshot 2026-01-27 at 10.24.59.jpg

It can be levelled at pretty much all Clubs that do it for the bunce. 

[Russ of the BML]

I think there's also a change in habits around drinking and eating for young people. I know a few 18 year olds that like a booze, but I also know alot who don't drink regularly, eat healthy food and are very health and body aware. Probably alot to do with social media. Football doesn't fit into that area of living. 

[wils]

Another team sold their soul?

[Mike Oxsaw]

I’ve got to the point where i actually get pleasure out of seeing empty seats (not just at West Ham). Maybe it’s because it’s a sign that the modernisation is failing. The the lack of tribalism is a big part of it for the reasons already said and that’s not coming back, chances are it will get worse. We all know the old school fans they wanted rid of are the ones that made english football the spectical it once was and now we’re left with souless atmospheres all over the country, even away days don't feel the same any more. Be hilarious if the whole thing collapsed. 

VAR has been the very obvious nail in the coffin when it comes to partisan atmosphere in the grounds. 

The F.A Cup doesn't have VAR up until the 5th round and the vibe has been noticeably better. 

As per usual in their own unique, fucking gutless invertebrate way instead of declaring the whole FA Cup competition VAR free they take the cowards way out and hedge their bets because they want the biggest clubs in the later rounds not to suffer any undue embarrassment.

Over the years we've suffered plenty of those but I wouldn't change a thing - the F.A have the evidence staring them in the face but don't want to act on it because it's another fat contact for somebody at the expense of everyone else's enjoyment.

That's about it today with professional football - administrators & parasites line their nests, fans can go fuck themselves.

[eusebiovic]

I’ve got to the point where i actually get pleasure out of seeing empty seats (not just at West Ham). Maybe it’s because it’s a sign that the modernisation is failing. The the lack of tribalism is a big part of it for the reasons already said and that’s not coming back, chances are it will get worse. We all know the old school fans they wanted rid of are the ones that made english football the spectical it once was and now we’re left with souless atmospheres all over the country, even away days don't feel the same any more. Be hilarious if the whole thing collapsed. 

VAR has been the very obvious nail in the coffin when it comes to partisan atmosphere in the grounds. 

The F.A Cup doesn't have VAR up until the 5th round and the vibe has been noticeably better. 

As per usual in their own unique, fucking gutless invertebrate way instead of declaring the whole FA Cup competition VAR free they take the cowards way out and hedge their bets because they want the biggest clubs in the later rounds not to suffer any undue embarrassment.

Over the years we've suffered plenty of those but I wouldn't change a thing - the F.A have the evidence staring them in the face but don't want to act on it because it's another fat contact for somebody at the expense of everyone else's enjoyment.

[Mr Anon]

And while we're all sitting quietly in souless bowls eating popcorn, FIFA's president making out this week like we're all still mindlessly rioting 

[smartypants]

You’ve only got to look at the kind of advertising there is around the pitch now to see how much the demographic has changed. It’s done from Skol larger and caravan parks to currency exchanges and emirates 

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

I also believe thats it is apathy, take watching England, in the 80's and early 90's we could all list Englands starting 11 (bar injuries) now, you couldn't name it from one game to the next

Mainly cos we can't pronounce half their fucking names.

It's true .
This fucked up country of ours now  have players in an England shirt who have no affinity to ENGLAND  or  what it  means to  be ENGLISH...
Most countries have sold their souls too...all western  Europeans
Take on anyone from anywhere ...
Makes a mockery of representating YOUR OWN COUNTRY

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

Ppl who think football is social media clips. 


CUNTS

Come on Admit it ...it's because it's the Telegraph and you don't like it .
 the likes of yous are  the supposed  INTELLECTUALS..?
Fark Orrrff squire

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

Two stories. Both in the Telegraph. Modern football is a bit shit isn't it?

This is the thing about our stadium. Its not great as we all know. But these two stadiums, one regarded as the best modern football stadium in the world and the other  an old skool stadium, yet they are both having the same problems we are having.

It's modern fans. Not the stadiums.



Screenshot 2026-01-21 at 22.22.23.pngScreenshot 2026-01-21 at 22.23.01.png

Geordies used to pile in from the pit for next to nought...
Now it costs and arm and a leg .working class priced out in the main ...(by design)...
Eating themselves alive .

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

Two stories. Both in the Telegraph. Modern football is a bit shit isn't it?

This is the thing about our stadium. Its not great as we all know. But these two stadiums, one regarded as the best modern football stadium in the world and the other  an old skool stadium, yet they are both having the same problems we are having.

It's modern fans. Not the stadiums.



Screenshot 2026-01-21 at 22.22.23.pngScreenshot 2026-01-21 at 22.23.01.png

Big fuck off flags to create an atmosphere...nah...fuck that.
Not how it used to be...and I'm just glad I was of that era.
Going football now is 
a CHORE and  a massive fucking RIP OFF.

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

Taken over by the liberal fannies bored with the rugger is what's happened.

 off the pitch for sure...
 

[BRANDED]

Ppl who think football is social media clips. 


CUNTS

[Metroplex]

Even away games - once the final bastian for an old school flavour -  is a toe-curling experience these days. Thank fuck I still have my memories.

[zico]

Just as bad in restaurants. It's generally younger people who just sit there looking at their phones and not even speaking,  Must make for a hell of a first date!   

[BRANDED]

You get the same in places like night clubs or live events. The instant gratification of the mobile phone. Its also a much more individualistic environment but mostly its people becoming middle class cunts.

[Gary Strodders shank]

As well as all the reasons stated,another factor is saturation coverage og football and sport in general. Most of us on here grew up in an age that only showed a couple of live games a season whereas now,you can 'support' a team without leaving your house. Also, a big factor now is geography in the sense that more fans live further from their clubs than 'live around the corner' as it used to be. I had the ridiculous situation a few seasons ago when I was watching us play Liverpool in my local (Berkshire) pub which is 27 miles outside Central London. When our 3rd goal went in I flew off my stool cheering and got told to keep it down as I was in a 'Liverpool pub'. Granted,there were a load of Liverpool shirt wearers around but not one Scouse accent. Told the bloke to fuck off as at least I sound like a West Ham fan.
Anyway, my main point is that in today's world,you can watch three games a day, seven days a week from anywhere in the world without getting your arse off the sofa.

It's true about the number of games available to watch and the saturation.

You can also find all the analysis stats and opinions you want on the internet 24/7 should you wish to pore over them.

I do get nostalgic for the pre sky / pre digital age when you would only get about three hours tv football coverage a week which was highlights and the odd live game.

In order to watch your team properly you would have to go to the game and see them perform in the flesh which was, in those days at the same time every Saturday except for the night games which had there own unique atmosphere.

Information on injuries and squad updates were limited so if you really wanted to get a lowdown during the week then the  premium rate Clubcall might of got a call.

Fanzines were also an excellent source of information and opinions and quickly became an essential part of the match day experience.

Another good thing about those days was you could more or less turn up at any away game and pay at the gate with one or two all ticket exceptions.

Some cup games could be tricky admittedly if we reached the later stages and I remember me and my mates queuing down Green street for what must of been a good four hours one Sunday morning to get tickets for the Everton quarter final in 1991.

Those days weren't perfect but just seemed simpler more fun and less toxic in some ways.

You were always with similar minded people who were there to support the team they loved and no tourists or half and half scarves or popcorn.

I still look forward to going but most of my old school mates gave up after the move to the bowl and I feel we are gradually losing the soul and heart of the club.

The current league status and owners obviously don't help matters either.

[Far Cough UKunt]

Russ, you could say the same thing about the West Indies, the kids are not coming through like they used to, I think Basketball is a big thing now. Where's the next Brian Lara or the next Malcolm Marshall?

[smartypants]

I’ve got to the point where i actually get pleasure out of seeing empty seats (not just at West Ham). Maybe it’s because it’s a sign that the modernisation is failing. The the lack of tribalism is a big part of it for the reasons already said and that’s not coming back, chances are it will get worse. We all know the old school fans they wanted rid of are the ones that made english football the spectical it once was and now we’re left with souless atmospheres all over the country, even away days don't feel the same any more. Be hilarious if the whole thing collapsed.