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I think there is a big difference between, as you suggest "accepting mediocrity" in some naive feel good world and being a supporter who sticks regardless.Originally Posted by WFDom
Yes, there are those people around and they too can no doubt justify their position.
I have come to hate the Sea of Blue on Fbk as there tends to be the two extremes, both of whom I would call fans rather than Supporters.
There is the more delusional fan where everything is rosy with the world and will make excuses for everything.
Then there is the "fair weather fan" who is there when a team is winning, but is the first to turn on the team and eventually falls into the "not watching this shit anymore" statement maker. I think Supporters sit somewhere between those two extremes.
Each to their own, but indicators for me-
I have never and can't envisage ever leaving a match before the team leaves the field (not counting extended fan interaction etc, the traditional post match exchange between players I mean). I believe an individual who walks out on their team states more about themselves than they do their self-perceived statement on the team.
I would never "boo" my own team or Coach (might let out the odd stifled "fuck" at times, but usually towards the ground...) and might only consider it for blatant dirty play for an opposition player. As has been seen last weekend, spectator behaviour reflects on the whole establishment you represent. I just straight up hate the actual act of "booing", at least be creative...
While I may (do) have a go at players ability on TWF (yes, Wells comes to mind) it is never aimed at their character or personal lives, family etc and come match day they are my player through thick and thin for the 80 minutes.
I believe it is very rare individual who ever deliberately sets out to play poorly. They may have inherent weaknesses in their skillset that gets shown up against more skilled opposition, but they aren't doing it deliberately.
This has taken longer to evolve, but a more mature Burgs would never "boo" an Official. They do a bloody hard job. One that I could never do.
As a good mate of a retired International level Ref, my eyes have been opened in my more recent years and recommend every person involved in sport, either side of the fence, should track down Whistleblowers for a look.
I don't believe a Supporter is there to set the same standards as the Coach, it is a different role.
A Supporter is perhaps more akin to a Mentor role of providing.... well, support!
I don't really idolise players off the field and have never asked for an autograph (though I get why others do, that one isn't judgment, just statement for background). Having personally known quite a few elite sports people before and after their time in the bright lights I know they are just ordinary people with a particular extraordinary skillset for a given period of time. They are one injury away from going back to being Joe Blow in the street and they put that on the line every time they suit up, particularly but not uniquely in the contact sports. If an individual gives the impression they believe they are meant to be idolised off the field then I would (and have) walk away.
Rugby is such a special sport to me that has given me far more than two fucked knees.
Literally as recently as this morning I caught up with a 1st XV fellow player/mate watching his son in a trial, along with our Coach of 34 years ago!
Sadly I have never been in a position (geographically) to do the whole Club scene, my "career" ending when I left school for the bush, but I have watched on from afar with great envy when mates who have played on catch up with players from opposition teams from the different generations.
But then, maybe if I had I might be more jaded and critical of the Force...
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