But there's also an element of snobbery, I think we'll all admit it, and I'll even admit that I quite often fall into that trap myself. This isn't just a Whitecaps problem. If the subject comes up with almost any group of North American soccer supporters, you'll see the same attitudes. Stupid regular fans, sitting on their hands, cheering when the team tells them to.
Benjamin Massey at 86 Forever continues his thoroughly enjoyable "Self-Indulgence Sunday" series. This week he tackles supporters' culture.
about 1 year ago
Jeremiah Oshan
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I don't get the snobbery
In fact, I’m not sure I get the point of the “Supporters Culture” in the first place.
It’s certainly not a typical North American sporting fan experience. Making noise the entire game seems pointless. It makes the fan input something more akin to inclement weather (meaning something both teams have to endure) rather than something tailored to make life miserable for the opponents. If the fans are making so much noise that the opponent’s goal keeper can’t communicate with his back line, then Keller is probably having the same issues.
Qwest field is known for having noisy fans. But it’s the ones who show up on Sundays that are known for being intelligent, noisy fans. For the NFL fan, knowing when to make noise is just as important as knowing when to shut the hell up. If Hawk’s fans just made noise the entire game, both teams would be committing false start penalties.
So I don’t get the point of making constant noise.
But beyond that, if I’m singing a song, how do I let the team know they did something particularly well. Or particularly poorly? How do I give the ref grief? How do I tell the opponents to stop wasting time? All those things that make me feel like I might be actually making a difference (I realize I’m not) I can’t do if I’m merely a member of the chorus.
It’s my understanding that there are supporters group leaders who don’t even watch the games. How can you call yourself a fan if you aren’t even watching the game? You know what they call the guy at a Seahawks game who doesn’t watch? An usher.
To me, the supporters culture just seems like something people do because they’ve seen other fans do it in other (read: more authentic) countries.
And it’s not like I begrudge those who do it. By all means. But that anyone should think I’m doing it wrong, because I watch the game, comment on what I see with my companions, vocalize contempt, approval, etc and cheer, I just don’t get.
I’m not doing it wrong.
by Jack Brando on Mar 13, 2011 4:16 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
You can't compare 'being quiet to when the Hawks have the ball' with anything that goes on at a Sounders match.
That’s just an inherent difference between the two sports. It’s painstakingly obvious when you are supposed to be noisy/quiet in an American football game, because possession of the ball is very clearly defined, short of a fumble or interception. This is far from the case in soccer.
‘Supporters’ (i.e. soccer fans) make an effort to spur their team on throughout the match. Yes, Keller will have the same hearing issues as the opposing keeper, but the difference is psychological: Keller (and the outfield players) know full well who the crowd is supporting and can derive confidence from that.
I always did wonder how the section bosses could stand to not watch the game though – agree with you there. Not in saying that they aren’t true fans, but I just couldn’t stand not watching. They peek at the replay screen I suppose.
La Vecchia Signora Forever!
Fans are there to watch the game, whereas supporters are there to be a part of the game
At least that’s what makes sense in my head. Supporters don’t care that their view is blocked by giant flags because they can always watch the game later with DVR technology. They’re at the game to make a difference right then and there.
Do supporters make a difference on the field? I actually don’t care, but what matters is that they make games fun for me to attend as a fan. They make games where we’re down by 4 bearable.
As for snobbery, that’s just a trait that anybody has when they’re obsessed about something. I make fun of my friends when they drink Coors Light. My friend makes fun of me when I apply cheezy photo effects from my iPhone.
This reads like a comment made by someone that has never watched the game from the Brougham End.
Not wanting to watch a game from the Brougham End is fine; making assumptions about/passing judgment on those of us that do is not.
by Aaron Campeau on Mar 13, 2011 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Ironic
that a response to an article regarding the assumptions supporters groups make toward the regular fan is seen as making assumptions about supporters groups.
I’m not passing judgment. I don’t get it. I don’t see the appeal nor the utility.
by Jack Brando on Mar 14, 2011 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Dude, you're totally passing judgement. Come on.
It’s my understanding that there are supporters group leaders who don’t even watch the games. How can you call yourself a fan if you aren’t even watching the game? You know what they call the guy at a Seahawks game who doesn’t watch? An usher.
To me, the supporters culture just seems like something people do because they’ve seen other fans do it in other (read: more authentic) countries.
Those are both judgmental and quite frankly insulting statements.
by Aaron Campeau on Mar 14, 2011 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions
I like it there
but have little desire most of the time to be a part of it. I can not focus on two things at once and the game is too important to miss.
Scoreboards, not billboards.
Regular season, not pre-season.
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