Could you walk away from football?

Met an old friend yesterday, an avid Man City supporter, and, after not seeing him for about eight years, I was keen to get his views on the City revolution.
To my astonishment, he told me he hadn't watched a game of football for six years. This from a man who lived and breathed football when I knew him.
For many reasons, the money, the entitled attitudes of players, agents, Sky and BT, being a few, he'd simply fallen out of love with the game, and was a happier man without it.
I later gave it some thought, but came to the conclusion that, for all its problems and annoyances, football will remain a major part of my life until the grim reaper comes calling.
Would my weekend moods be improved without the Wanderers? Possibly. But I've got a football monkey on my back, and a seemingly endless supply of bananas.
Could you walk away?

I already have in most ways, it's just an ingrained habit about caring for Bolton that keeps me here really.

The greed of players and agents, and the loss of reality by the masses that some kids kicking a ball about were worth paying millions and valued more highly by society than say doctors and nurses, became increasing wrong to me and when the billions from Sky poured in and clubs become playthings for the likes of Russian (Chelsea) and Arab (City) mega billionaires, then what was the point any more, we all know who is going to win in the end. Money talks even in the lower divisions.

I also have never seen football as my religion, as some clearly do, it is an entertainment not a part of my being - it's just a game remember!

I still have a passing interest in football in general but that's all.

If it wasn't for me still following Bolton for around sixty years or so now, I doubt I'd even have that!

Sluffy wrote:I already have in most ways, it's just an ingrained habit about caring for Bolton that keeps me here really.

The greed of players and agents, and the loss of reality by the masses that some kids kicking a ball about were worth paying millions and valued more highly by society than say doctors and nurses, became increasing wrong to me and when the billions from Sky poured in and clubs become playthings for the likes of Russian (Chelsea) and Arab (City) mega billionaires, then what was the point any more, we all know who is going to win in the end.  Money talks even in the lower divisions.

I also have never seen football as my religion, as some clearly do, it is an entertainment not a part of my being - it's just a game remember!

I still have a passing interest in football in general but that's all.

If it wasn't for me still following Bolton for around sixty years or so now, I doubt I'd even have that!

You speak for many I've spoken to recently, Sluffy. A general air of disillusionment was the vibe.
I'm in that boat with regard to cricket. A one time cricket nut, it now bores me.

boltonbonce wrote:You speak for many I've spoken to recently, Sluffy. A general air of disillusionment was the vibe.
I'm in that boat with regard to cricket. A one time cricket nut, it now bores me.

Things have a habit of moving on in order to keep things fresh and pull in younger audiences, so the game (and society) is geared to them now and folk like me (and you with cricket) get left behind and wander off.

It is what it is, some folk are in too deep to change, or may even be oblivious (or in denial) that things have but football has values that I don't share - how can players paid hundred of thousands per week for kicking a ball be valued more than those who save our lives or keep law and order on the streets?

Is it right that a country that treats its own women as second class citizens and much worse other things is allowed to buy Newcastle?

The owner of Chelsea is not even welcome in this country anymore!

The 'big six' English clubs wanted to walk away from England this summer and form a super league - not for football reasons but simply because they could earn more money that way!

Yet most fans simply don't care.

How can all that still be right and allowable just because people are so blindly loyal to their team that nothing else seems to matter?

Not for me thank you.

I'll still want Bolton to do well but other things bigger than football matter to me more.

I know a chap who used to be a massive City fan and now no longer goes due to the money side of things. He goes to watch Maine Road FC now and he loves it. They play in the NW counties leagues so well done the league pyramid.

I can't see myself ever walking away from watching Bolton, i may not have been to the last few games for one reason or another but will still go long term, I have found myself missing some midweek games as i can watch on ifollow as i just cant face the travelling back and not getting home till midnight these days so i suppose i'm not as hardcore as i used to be.

The money at the top of the game is getting out of hand and to be honest i wouldn't be that bothered if Bolton never got back to the Premiership. Most of my greatest memories of watching Bolton are related to us being in the lower leagues.

Norpig wrote:I know a chap who used to be a massive City fan and now no longer goes due to the money side of things. He goes to watch Maine Road FC now and he loves it. They play in the NW counties leagues so well done the league pyramid.

I can't see myself ever walking away from watching Bolton, i may not have been to the last few games for one reason or another but will still go long term, I have found myself missing some midweek games as i can watch on ifollow as i just cant face the travelling back and not getting home till midnight these days so i suppose i'm not as hardcore as i used to be.

The money at the top of the game is getting out of hand and to be honest i wouldn't be that bothered if Bolton never got back to the Premiership. Most of my greatest memories of watching Bolton are related to us being in the lower leagues.

A season ticket holder I know has decided to give up his season ticket and watch on iFollow permanently.
Since being forced to use iFollow during lockdown, he's crunched the numbers, and says, for about the price of his season ticket, he can watch every game, home and away on iFollow. He also saves on petrol travelling from Lymm, and parking.
Not ideal for me, but I see his point.

boltonbonce wrote:
A season ticket holder I know has decided to give up his season ticket and watch on iFollow permanently.
Since being forced to use iFollow during lockdown, he's crunched the numbers, and says, for about the price of his season ticket, he can watch every game, home and away on iFollow. He also saves on petrol travelling from Lymm, and parking.
Not ideal for me, but I see his point.

hmm that sounds like a good idea to me as well. Mrs Pig would be happy with that too 

If we're talking about attending matches as opposed to watching it on the box, I gave up a while back and only attend a couple of games as a season these days usually when Wanderers are playing within a reasonable distance or I get given tickets for Narch. But I watch everything I can on the box and over the years have developed a fondness for some often obscure foreign teams for a variety of reasons.
As for playing, I'll keep going as long as I can but I'm fearing the worst at the moment having broken a toe that just won't heal. Fortunately it's the second toe so it doesn't affect balance but does twinge a bit when I smack the ball or somebody stands on it. Hospital said they don't even bother x-raying broken toes these days unless the bone is sticking out of the skin. One day I'll have to limp rather than walk away.
Football in one form or another will always be dear to my heart and I'll always support the Wanderers even though my expectations have been well and truly managed. I love it.

Watching Wanderers, de Bruyne or Mahrez, Raducanu, Jimmy Anderson, Justin Rose or Lee Westwood, The Ryder or Solheim Cup, a great Rugby match etc are pleasures I could never forego despite all the tawdry money-first attitudes that prevail today.

okocha wrote:Watching Wanderers, de Bruyne or Mahrez, Raducanu, Jimmy Anderson, Justin Rose or Lee Westwood, The Ryder or Solheim Cup, a great Rugby match etc are pleasures I could never forego despite all the tawdry money-first attitudes that prevail today.

This pretty much sums up my attitude as well. I've been totally addicted to top level sport (especially football, cricket, boxing, rugby (union and league) my entire life and though I am disillusioned with the way football continues to sell it's soul to the devil I can't let go and give it up. I justify this to myself by thinking that the game is just on it's way to eventually ending up as a big city based franchise league like the NFL, which many on here (including myself obviously) absolutely love and don't question.
It's a drug and I can't and don't want to kick it.