Sports without fans

[The Pipe]

Have to admit that the longer we go on without fans the more I am becoming disinterested, even with Brentford I am becoming ambivalent win lose or draw.

To date the only sport that has actually improved without fans is golf. No more mindless chants of “ in the hole” and the lack of Fans means the grass is not trampled down so the pros face the same issues as us hackers!!! Interesting the amount of balls now being lost!!!

I genuinely fear that all sports will gradually lose fans as alternative options are found

Mods if this needs to go elsewhere please move it

 

[beesbees_bfc]

Have to admit that the longer we go on without fans the more I am becoming disinterested, even with Brentford I am becoming ambivalent win lose or draw.

To date the only sport that has actually improved without fans is golf. No more mindless chants of “ in the hole” and the lack of Fans means the grass is not trampled down so the pros face the same issues as us hackers!!! Interesting the amount of balls now being lost!!!

I genuinely fear that all sports will gradually lose fans as alternative options are found

Mods if this needs to go elsewhere please move it

Not sure there’s that many alternatives open and running normally for people to go and find is there

 

[Artixbee]

Ifollow sponging every penny and taking away free audio commentary does not help

 

[LostBee]

If anyone thinks we would be winning this game if we played our usual formation, they are deluded.

 

[SC]

Ifollow sponging every penny and taking away free audio commentary does not help

Since when has Audio Commentary been free ? I pay a monthly sub and have it on now.

 

[Artixbee]

Since when has Audio Commentary been free ? I pay a monthly sub and have it on now.
Yes so do I. Audio should be included with £10 for the match. No audio option this time unlike every other season

 

[seanrs]

Have to admit that the longer we go on without fans the more I am becoming disinterested, even with Brentford I am becoming ambivalent win lose or draw.

To date the only sport that has actually improved without fans is golf. No more mindless chants of “ in the hole” and the lack of Fans means the grass is not trampled down so the pros face the same issues as us hackers!!! Interesting the amount of balls now being lost!!!

I genuinely fear that all sports will gradually lose fans as alternative options are found

Mods if this needs to go elsewhere please move it

Good post. In all honesty it softened the blow of not getting promoted for me

 

[wibs]

Have to admit that the longer we go on without fans the more I am becoming disinterested, even with Brentford I am becoming ambivalent win lose or draw.

To date the only sport that has actually improved without fans is golf. No more mindless chants of “ in the hole” and the lack of Fans means the grass is not trampled down so the pros face the same issues as us hackers!!! Interesting the amount of balls now being lost!!!

I genuinely fear that all sports will gradually lose fans as alternative options are found

Mods if this needs to go elsewhere please move it

I agree. Also the Premier League which I enjoy is so spaced out with the matches that it loses some of the intensity.

Haven't bothered with MOTD this season, just all seems so bitty.

It almost feels like whatever happens with football this season and whoever wins whatever that "it doesn't really count" as it isn't football as we know it.

 

[upnorthbee]

I agree. Also the Premier League which I enjoy is so spaced out with the matches that it loses some of the intensity.

Haven't bothered with MOTD this season, just all seems so bitty.

It almost feels like whatever happens with football this season and whoever wins whatever that "it doesn't really count" as it isn't football as we know it.

Such a good point about the premier league made there Wibs. I couldn’t put my finger on why the premier league just doesn’t feel intense, or “full” on a Saturday afternoon. There was literally one 3pm Saturday kick off yesterday... how completely and utterly boring.

 

[Infatuated Bees Alter Ego]

Have to admit that the longer we go on without fans the more I am becoming disinterested, even with Brentford I am becoming ambivalent win lose or draw.

To date the only sport that has actually improved without fans is golf. No more mindless chants of “ in the hole” and the lack of Fans means the grass is not trampled down so the pros face the same issues as us hackers!!! Interesting the amount of balls now being lost!!!

I genuinely fear that all sports will gradually lose fans as alternative options are found

Mods if this needs to go elsewhere please move it

Agree. Ambivalent.

 

[Guildford Bee]

It’s difficult to maintain enthusiasm but I definitely wouldn’t want to go back to the lockdown period of no sport at all

 

[Leedsbee]

It is losing its shine for me too.Really don't like the fake crowd noise so Bees games on ifollow have been fine but games coming too often now ,would really like a midweek off. Don't think they'll be any problem filling the grounds,especially ours, when this is all over. People will really appreciate what we had but can't presently hold.Problem will be economics rather than desire and keeping everything going until we can resume our previous lives.

 

[Bill Benn]

With the chances of the season be cancelled with talks of lockdown getting more likely doesn’t fill you with much enthusiasm unless your sitting bottom of the league.Watching our games on ifollow or Sky replaces about 20% of the match day experience for me and would have been going to watch gloucester city if they hadn’t been stopped from the original 1000 capacity for National league clubs.I think when we are all allowed back the anticipated surge of returning fans might not be as large as we may think due to the state of our economy and fans habits changing.

 

[beesbees_bfc]

With the chances of the season be cancelled with talks of lockdown getting more likely doesn’t fill you with much enthusiasm unless your sitting bottom of the league.Watching our games on ifollow or Sky replaces about 20% of the match day experience for me and would have been going to watch gloucester city if they hadn’t been stopped from the original 1000 capacity for National league clubs.I think when we are all allowed back the anticipated surge of returning fans might not be as large as we may think due to the state of our economy and fans habits changing.

Whilst you might be right across the board, I don’t think we’ll have that problem.

- I’m sure the official site said that well over 90% of st holders he chosen option 1 so we will have c.11,000 st holders who we can assume would attend.

- With the size of most clubs in this league, there will definitely be enough people desperate to get back to mean the away end will be full so c.2000

- I’d be astounded, based on the new stadium, amount of recent national publicity, performance on the pitch etc, if there isn’t 3,250 non st holders that would want to attend

 

[Guildford Bee]

With the chances of the season be cancelled with talks of lockdown getting more likely doesn’t fill you with much enthusiasm unless your sitting bottom of the league.Watching our games on ifollow or Sky replaces about 20% of the match day experience for me and would have been going to watch gloucester city if they hadn’t been stopped from the original 1000 capacity for National league clubs.I think when we are all allowed back the anticipated surge of returning fans might not be as large as we may think due to the state of our economy and fans habits changing.

Even if we do go back into lockdown, ‘elite’ sports will continue BCD.
It’s a TV sport now and for the foreseeable future.

 

[JCMcBee]

Have to admit that the longer we go on without fans the more I am becoming disinterested, even with Brentford I am becoming ambivalent win lose or draw.

To date the only sport that has actually improved without fans is golf. No more mindless chants of “ in the hole” and the lack of Fans means the grass is not trampled down so the pros face the same issues as us hackers!!! Interesting the amount of balls now being lost!!!

I genuinely fear that all sports will gradually lose fans as alternative options are found

Mods if this needs to go elsewhere please move it

.....have a feeling you are echoing the sentiments of many.....i cant get excited about football this season....it all seems so distant watching through a screen.....it has however provided a glimpse of what the life of an armchair supporter is like....and no thanks to that....however...as you say....the golf has been fantastic without fans....its a terrible sport to follow as a spectator anyhow as those who have traipsed around a course will know..really looking forward to watching final round of Zozzo tonight and Masters in a couple of weeks.

 

[spirebee]

The Pipe is right. It hit home for me when we beat Fulham and I was mildly enthusiastic! I'd been more upbeat at beating just about anyone else, but in the flesh. Went to see Salisbury win yesterday and I was definitely more animated! Shame it's got to this.

 

[Voice from the Braemar]

The Pipe is right. It hit home for me when we beat Fulham and I was mildly enthusiastic! I'd been more upbeat at beating just about anyone else, but in the flesh. Went to see Salisbury win yesterday and I was definitely more animated! Shame it's got to this.

still trying to keep the fire burning by putting bees flags out on a saturday or midweek game but god knows how long i can carry on doing it as the neighbours think im fkin mad as it is LOL.......we need to be going to LR before everyone has lost interest and football is just a permanent tv thing.......i go to chertsey games which is fun but its not brentford and never will be......its the meeting of mates, the pub, the train, the beers, the laughs etc etc etc which is what is missing and this govt better fkin hurry up and let people back before football is finished in some communities......the clock it ticking

 

[Vid]

Even if we do go back into lockdown, ‘elite’ sports will continue BCD.
It’s a TV sport now and for the foreseeable future.

I know four avid football supporters who have cancelled Sky. Rather than sit in front of a television they have found other things to do to fill their time.

 

[spirebee]

still trying to keep the fire burning by putting bees flags out on a saturday or midweek game but god knows how long i can carry on doing it as the neighbours think im fkin mad as it is LOL.......we need to be going to LR before everyone has lost interest and football is just a permanent tv thing.......i go to chertsey games which is fun but its not brentford and never will be......its the meeting of mates, the pub, the train, the beers, the laughs etc etc etc which is what is missing and this govt better fkin hurry up and let people back before football is finished in some communities......the clock it ticking

It's simple: you get the train to Salisbury and meet me for beers and footy!

 

[Voice from the Braemar]

It's simple: you get the train to Salisbury and meet me for beers and footy!

only if you come over to chertsey for beers and a bit of football first !! LOL

 

[spirebee]

only if you come over to chertsey for beers and a bit of football first !! LOL

Sorry old boy I asked first! I understand if you're a little intimidated?!

 

[Voice from the Braemar]

Sorry old boy I asked first! I understand if you're a little intimidated?!

its too white and privilidged down there,,,,,,,,,im far too urbane, diverse and cosmopolitan for salisbury my good man lol

 

[spirebee]

its too white and privilidged down there,,,,,,,,,im far too urbane, diverse and cosmopolitan for salisbury my good man lol

Another good point well made!

 

[beesbees_bfc]

its too white and privilidged down there,,,,,,,,,im far too urbane, diverse and cosmopolitan for salisbury my good man lol

There’s a few Russians

 

[nick logan]

I know four avid football supporters who have cancelled Sky. Rather than sit in front of a television they have found other things to do to fill their time.

like what ?
i miss the Bees and my mates every minute of every day and i am still gutted about the Stoke game

 

[jlove]

like what ?
i miss the Bees and my mates every minute of every day and i am still gutted about the Stoke game

Probably the wrong thread but I'm watching much less TV overall than before. Admittedly, I didn't ever watch a lot and don't have any subscription channels – but I've watched all the Bees games, many with my son, Saturdays we make a sort-of similar ritual with a full English and some beers.

My DIY work has increased significantly, though, and I'm honing my carpentry skills and increasing my radio listening.

 

[Adam]

Losing to Fulham is the best thing that could have happened that day (from a fan perspective, rather than financial). Football is only the spectacle it is because of the fans, I would have felt cheated if our greatest feat and first Premier league season was under these circumstances. More than happy to wait a few years (worst case) until when things are back to normal to enjoy these moments.

As The Pipe says, I’m less bothered about our results nowadays. Usually a defeat like Stoke would ruin my week. Haven’t given it a second thought since about 7pm on Saturday.

 

[beesbees_bfc]

Losing to Fulham is the best thing that could have happened that day (from a fan perspective, rather than financial). Football is only the spectacle it is because of the fans, I would have felt cheated if our greatest feat and first Premier league season was under these circumstances. More than happy to wait a few years (worst case) until when things are back to normal to enjoy these moments.

As The Pipe says, I’m less bothered about our results nowadays. Usually a defeat like Stoke would ruin my week. Haven’t given it a second thought since about 7pm on Saturday.

Completely agree with this, as horrible as it felt at the time, looking back it would of been the worst possible time for a first ever promotion.

Remember the elation and the jubilant scenes after the game against Preston when we finally got out of league one (not the first time but first time in a long long time) and then the buzz of the fixtures coming out that summer and planning all of the away trips to massive stadiums, big cities and historic clubs...the anticipation was amazing and that first season was absolute quality (on and off the pitch)

Promotion to the premier league, the elite of football will surely feel even better, with very few of the fans still with us having experienced top flight football with the bees before, last season would of felt hollow...no big celebration with friends and bees family and no big away trips.

Different for Fulham who’ve been up and down plenty of times in their recent history but for our first promotion to the big time, I want to be on the terraces to enjoy it properly.

Of course there’s the risk it’ll never happen and that was our one shot but I don’t believe that, this club is too well run and I think one day it’ll definitely happen.

I think the detachment through watching on tv, the lack of fans and passions in the stadium and the concern that next season will start the same way all leads to the disconnect and reduced emotional response to wins and losses this season.

Having said all that, if we’re still in the hunt in March/April and things are looking brighter on the COVID front (vaccines starting to rollout or whatever else may lead us to believe restrictions will start to lift) and 2021/22 may be something close to a normal season and fan experience, I’m sure our passion and excitement will begin to build again.

 

[beesbees_bfc]

I know four avid football supporters who have cancelled Sky. Rather than sit in front of a television they have found other things to do to fill their time.

Like Nick I’d love to know what they’ve moved on to, I’ve not found anything that comes anywhere close to the excitement, emotion, camaraderie, passion, fun etc of following the bees with a group of mates I’ve known and spent every weekend with (for nine months a year) for more than 20 years!

Additionally, Brentford was a permanent fixture in my life pre marriage and family so always got special dispensation to miss certain functions and events or sneak away for a few hours to myself to relax and forget everything else going on.

Randomly choosing something else will, id imagine, not be accepted with the same impunity and lead to far more concessions to attend.

Selfish but true.

 

[Guildford Bee]

still trying to keep the fire burning by putting bees flags out on a saturday or midweek game but god knows how long i can carry on doing it as the neighbours think im fkin mad as it is LOL.......we need to be going to LR before everyone has lost interest and football is just a permanent tv thing.......i go to chertsey games which is fun but its not brentford and never will be......its the meeting of mates, the pub, the train, the beers, the laughs etc etc etc which is what is missing and this govt better fkin hurry up and let people back before football is finished in some communities......the clock it ticking

Trying to keep the fire burning is a good way of putting it. When we played Fulham at the restart, the flags went up, we had a BBQ and made a day of it. It was obviously nothing like being there but it still a memorable day after two months of nothing. As we carried on winning and each game became more important than the last it was easy to maintain enthusiasm. The Leeds and WBA games took on extra significance as well.

This season has been grind and I'm sure the players feel that way as well. We moved over the summer and I'm fortunate enough to have a basement bar which I've decked out with various Bees photos and memorabilia. At first it was a sanctuary. I'd go in there 30 minutes before KO and try and tell myself I was 'going to the game'. As the time passes though it's less enjoyable and each goal is greeted with a little less muster.

I'm in two minds about whether to watch the Bees game tonight or wander down the road to watch Whyteleafe as I have half a dozen or so times this season. Neither feel particularly appealing, TBH.

 

[westendbee]

Completely agree with this, as horrible as it felt at the time, looking back it would of been the worst possible time for a first ever promotion...

Different for Fulham who’ve been up and down plenty of times in their recent history but for our first promotion to the big time, I want to be on the terraces to enjoy it properly...

Although I entirely agree with your sentiments, football didn’t begin in 1992!!!

 

[beesbees_bfc]

Although I entirely agree with your sentiments, football didn’t begin in 1992!!!

I did state earlier in this post first time in the lifetimes of the vast vast majority of our fans. Apologies I didn’t repeat the same caveat In the closing paragraph.

 

[seanrs]

It’s all like watching park football on TV at the moment but with significantly better players. Still as others have said, it’s better than nothing. Too many back to back games but that’s another debate

 

[hanworthbee]

Completely given up on watching any football atm with no fans it's tedious

 

[spirebee]

Completely given up on watching any football atm with no fans it's tedious

I watched a (small) bit of 6 nations over the weekend. I realised that the highlight was usually the passionate signing of the anthems, but with no crowd and about 40 blokes mumbling the songs out of tune it was absolutely crap. Obviously the games weren't much better...

 

[Infatuated Bees Alter Ego]

Completely given up on watching any football atm with no fans it's tedious

Listened to that quiz show bloke, who professes to support Fulham, on Saturday and the Radio. They were all arguing the case of the £14.95 charge to watch games on TV and he was adamant it’s fine and good.
I seriously don’t get fans who can get any kind of pleasure from watching there team on TV.
I really miss going to see Brentford. My mental strength is sapping as a consequence.

 

[TorbayBee]

I was wondering what the impact of returned crowds would have on the players ? By now they are used to no crowds , when they return I envisage a strange adjustment period.

 

[Alex]

Listened to that quiz show bloke, who professes to support Fulham, on Saturday and the Radio. They were all arguing the case of the £14.95 charge to watch games on TV and he was adamant it’s fine and good.
I seriously don’t get fans who can get any kind of pleasure from watching there team on TV.
I really miss going to see Brentford. My mental strength is sapping as a consequence.

As is the same for most of us I would rather be there, but if it's watch on TV or nothing then it's watch on TV.

 

[Infatuated Bees Alter Ego]

As is the same for most of us I would rather be there, but if it's watch on TV or nothing then it's watch on TV.

Didn’t explain fully what the bloke said ... he seemed to be over the moon at the notion of paying to watch on TV for ever and a day. Radio 5 Live from 11am Saturday it was on
For me, Football is a social thing. Not having that outlet and working from home. I can go days on end without seeing or talking with anyone. It’s tough.

 

[hobbsy]

Didn’t explain fully what the bloke said ... he seemed to be over the moon at the notion of paying to watch on TV for ever and a day. Radio 5 Live from 11am Saturday it was on
For me, Football is a social thing. Not having that outlet and working from home. I can go days on end without seeing or talking with anyone. It’s tough.

I've always wondered if it was our years of sh*tness that led to the amazing social atmosphere at Brentford, both in and around the ground.

Seeing this stuff on the TV makes me realise what it would've been like to a top four club all these years.

 

[liverbee]

It was the magic of the crowd watching in unison (well almost) that first attracted me. I sometimes get just as exited looking at the scores change on the airwaves.

 

[ruislip bee]

It would have been the mid to late 60's. A home game. We were pressing for an equaliser. Royal Oak had been chanting. Suddenly the seated in Braemar starded chanting Brentford ra ra ra Brentford clap clap clap. Sorry dont know if it was ra or clap but the act of those seated joining in really left a mark on me. Was on Ealing Road at the time.

 

[Brain-dead Bee]

Listened to that quiz show bloke, who professes to support Fulham, on Saturday and the Radio. They were all arguing the case of the £14.95 charge to watch games on TV and he was adamant it’s fine and good.
I seriously don’t get fans who can get any kind of pleasure from watching there team on TV.
I really miss going to see Brentford. My mental strength is sapping as a consequence.

Not wanting to support a Fulham fan, but wasn't he in Fighting Talk's "defend the indefensible" section?

 

[mhead bee]

Have to admit that the longer we go on without fans the more I am becoming disinterested, even with Brentford I am becoming ambivalent win lose or draw.

To date the only sport that has actually improved without fans is golf. No more mindless chants of “ in the hole” and the lack of Fans means the grass is not trampled down so the pros face the same issues as us hackers!!! Interesting the amount of balls now being lost!!!

I genuinely fear that all sports will gradually lose fans as alternative options are found

Mods if this needs to go elsewhere please move it

You are right, I often put the football on TV but I don't really care. I do still watch the Brentford games and get emotional but it is all rubbish without fans. The 6 nations was crap without fans.

We need to get those big plastic face masks with filters I saw on the TV the other week. Obviously with a built in straw.

 

[snorbee]

Didn’t explain fully what the bloke said ... he seemed to be over the moon at the notion of paying to watch on TV for ever and a day. Radio 5 Live from 11am Saturday it was on
For me, Football is a social thing. Not having that outlet and working from home. I can go days on end without seeing or talking with anyone. It’s tough.

Cheer up mate.......new neighbors soon

 

[Infatuated Bees Alter Ego]

Not wanting to support a Fulham fan, but wasn't he in Fighting Talk's "defend the indefensible" section?

LOL .. I never heard that bit