The "fair weather " fans

[Waggy]

We've been playing quite reasonable at home; and we've got a 9-game MLS unbeaten streak going. I can't see how poor performance would be scaring away fans at BMO Field ... it's been 10-months since they saw us loose a league game!

There were people steadily arriving until the 40th minute or so; never seen anything like it. The Yonge subway was down for half-an-hour from 1 to 1:30 from Bloor to Union, the DVP was closed, the Sikh parade was creating havoc with streetcar service through downtown ...

The GO train was running smoothly though!! Left the house at five-past-one, had almost a 15-minute wait for the train, and still had time to grab a beer, and get to my seat before the anthem!!

And it was the wettest, coldest day in Toronto for a couple of weeks.

Yes, it's a shame the fair-weather fans weren't there. But not a surprise ...

Right, but the games haven't been interesting and the team has been terrible. In a league when more than 50% of the teams make the playoffs, missing for 3 years is bad. They sold hope for years, at a certain point it stops working. Results need to come. The game today was great, they need to keep it up. It was still a good crowd, it was a good game and a good result. I just don't like this thread blaming fans for not dealing with an hour or more of traffic and some crappy weather to watch a product that has shown itself to be inferior. The responsibility is on the club to provide a product that people want to buy. This message boards thread titles over the past 5 months provide ample reasons for people to not be excited about TFC, and most are valid. Sports is a results oriented business and TFC hasn't given any results at all really. If the product is bad and people don't buy it, blaming the customer is counter productive and stupid.

Either way though, this thread is unnecessary. It was a great win today, lets enjoy it.

[jazzy]

I hate Sunday games. Glad we are done with them for the year.

C'mon....You were having fun, didn't slow you down a bit
Even warm sunny, lazy afternoon games? ....I hate the late mid week games....like Wed for instance....in April?

[Whoop]

I like night games.

[jazzy]

The thing that kind of disappoints me isn't the empty seats at kickoff - because as has been mentioned, it usually fills out after a while. What's disappointing, is seeing the empty seats as the game is winding down. When we are behind by a goal with eight minutes to play, you should be yelling your ass off to carry your team to victory, not looking to beat everyone else to the parking lot. If we are ahead by a goal or two, you should stay to applaud your team for the performance.

- Scott

You're right saw quite a few (leaf fans), oops sorry, leaving within 10 mins before ending, weird so entertaining, unless they were were freezing...not me GREAT feeling






)

[jazzy]

i'll only come if it's the playoffs

you're joking right?

[James Oliphant]

You're right saw quite a few (leaf fans), oops sorry, leaving within 10 mins before ending, weird so entertaining, unless they were were freezing...not me GREAT feeling






)

You're SO much better than them. SO much.

[redcard]

[quote=poppamidnight;996370]Lakeshore.... WTF

plus these parade clowns?

quote]

Who are you calling "parade clowns"? I take offence to this comment.

This event has been going on in Toronto since the early 1970s. Show some respect.

[jazzy]

I thought 111-112-113 was pretty good especially in the 2nd half.

ya had fun in 111, the same groups were over and above in their dedication, but us in the upper half still don't have even small groups, all together, wish we had a simple song ......

[TFC Cityboy]

Do you feel better now? If only people could be as good and dedicated as you.
People like you need to get over yourself.

Charming.

Fact is that the missus and the kids and I base our leisure time around TFC matches and don't commit any weekend events between April and October until the schedule comes out.

If some decide not to use the tickets they paid good money for just because of rain, that's up to them completely, sure...but we and most others on this board would be there in a torrential downpour/ snowstorm/plague of locusts.

I was unaware of the TTC issues, and it seems like there were many issues (closing Lakeshore before a match is just bone-headed lack of communication between 2 groups/ the city) and I am not having a go at those affected by that. Anyone who went off on that tangent (or any other non-rain related ones) missed my point.

I wasn't looking for a pissing contest on here- anyone who knows me, knows that. Was making an observation based on what I saw.

G' night all.It was a great result today and I am hoarse with joy!
Definately something to build on.

[Hitcho]

I don't get it...
At no point today did we consider not going cos of the forecast.

Yes, there were traffic issues today and the ground was maybe quarter full at KO, but well past HT I'd say actual attendance today was no higher than 14,000 (announced at 18,000plus).
To those that stayed home.....You missed the best damned team performance I have seen at BMO..hope you had a nice warm afternoon in front of the telly.

You'll find a lot of people on here who sympathise and fully agree with your point (me included), but you've got to be realistic. BMO Field isn't full of 20,000 dedicated SG members who live and breathe footie. An awful lot of people with SSH packages are take it or leave it kind of fans, go to some games but don't care about mssing others for no particular reason. And then there's the scalper infestation - I bet the weather makes it much harder for them to sell their tickets on.

It would be great to have a full stadium rain or shine, but then again it would be great to have 20,000 people singing and chanting every game too. In about 100 years, we might get lucky and achieve it!

[koryo]

hope you get better soon, Scott.

My dig is PURELY at those who can't face getting a bit wet and cold to follow their team.
No offense intended to those who couldn't attend for any reason other than weather-related.

It's what happens in a culture that merely consumes things and treats everything as a commodity. Passion isn't part of the equation, so standing in the rain is never on the table.

The people who didn't come today are the same ones who normally spend most of the time at the game stuffing their faces and the faces of their dim-witted offspring. They consume, that's all they're good for.

They're soulless...dead inside.

[DichioTFC]

It's what happens in a culture that merely consumes things and treats everything as a commodity. Passion isn't part of the equation, so standing in the rain is never on the table.

The people who didn't come today are the same ones who normally spend most of the time at the game stuffing their faces and the faces of their dim-witted offspring. They consume, that's all they're good for.

They're soulless...dead inside.

Although I wouldnt go so far as saying that fairweather fans are dead inside, its only the norm in Toronto to leave early no matter what the score. If people do that in Toronto with indoor stadiums, what are people going to do on a cold, windy rainy day?

I dont blame them, its just a natural thing for them to leave when they feel appropriate.

I dont get upset too much by fans leaving early, I get uspet with fans talking about EVERYTHING ELSE unrelated to the game for 90 minutes, only stopping to show their "expertise" to whoever they're with and saying "yeah, they're chanting because of some guy, I think he used to be Canadian or something..."

[koryo]

Although I wouldnt go so far as saying that fairweather fans are dead inside, its only the norm in Toronto to leave early no matter what the score. If people do that in Toronto with indoor stadiums, what are people going to do on a cold, windy rainy day?

I dont blame them, its just a natural thing for them to leave when they feel appropriate.

I dont get upset too much by fans leaving early, I get uspet with fans talking about EVERYTHING ELSE unrelated to the game for 90 minutes, only stopping to show their "expertise" to whoever they're with and saying "yeah, they're chanting because of some guy, I think he used to be Canadian or something..."

Agreed. In fact my post above was referring to what you just posted... yours is more succinct and less open to interpretation

[nascarguy]

you hate a lot of things. I've got no problem with sunday games, or 2:00 kickoffs, or rain.

sometimes life happens and people have to miss games. no biggie. but if they missed this one, it was their loss.

yeah it was no big deal

[Pachuco]

Although I wouldnt go so far as saying that fairweather fans are dead inside, its only the norm in Toronto to leave early no matter what the score. If people do that in Toronto with indoor stadiums, what are people going to do on a cold, windy rainy day?

I dont blame them, its just a natural thing for them to leave when they feel appropriate.

I dont get upset too much by fans leaving early, I get uspet with fans talking about EVERYTHING ELSE unrelated to the game for 90 minutes, only stopping to show their "expertise" to whoever they're with and saying "yeah, they're chanting because of some guy, I think he used to be Canadian or something..."

I have a theory and I'm sure everyone else agrees. Ever try to get out of ACC or BMO field after a game? I park seriously far so I can get out after the game and I still run into crazy traffic. On top of that the scheduling with the Go Train couldn't get worse. People have things to do and staying an extra hour to see an extra 5 minutes sometimes isn't worth it. The traffic and trasnportation in this city couldn't get worse and I have no doubt it has alot to do with people leaving early.

[Roogsy]

I dunno how I feel about the sparse crowd.

I guess it's disappointing if the stadium is not full...but so long as the ones there are putting in a full effort, I am ok with whatever number shows up.

In truth...smaller crowds going forward might get MLSE's attention and make them realize they're not bullet proof and need to put a good product on the pitch. Only time will tell how "dedicated" TFC faithful are.

[dupont]

Nice match today.

[AL-MO]

I don't really care too much about attendance figures.

[Mojo]

18,000 on a shitty day, with nothing but negative press surrounding the team is an excellent crowd...

What's your thought on the Blue Jays drawing 10,000 in a Dome where weather doesn't matter...???

You'll always, ALWAYS get no shows... Not everyone skipped due to weather... On any given day, people don't show - on bad weather days, sure there's more...

We won 2-nil and played great - be happy...

Carts...

The Jays play 81 home games a year. We play less than 20 depending on how well we play.

[KezmanCCCC]

i wouldnt have skipped out of this game if i had tickets.... id be there rain or shine...

[Sonny Cheeba]

The Jays play 81 home games a year. We play less than 20 depending on how well we play.

exactly... school isn't even out yet either. don't worry about the Jays people, stop comparing BMO to the dome like it's a big deal. the jays have already played 10 home games.

if TFC played 10 games straight this month with the games occurring in series', i doubt we'd see the same turnout.

as for the fairweather fans thing. some dude in my section today felt the need to yell in people's ears as they left in the 85th minute, and also point at his watch in their faces. very rude man. mind your business and watch the game.

[nascarguy]

The Jays play 81 home games a year. We play less than 20 depending on how well we play.

we play 15 mls games, 2 Nutrilite Canadian Championship games, 1or 2 friendly

[Kevvv]

we play 15 mls games, 2 Nutrilite Canadian Championship games, 1or 2 friendly

so...less than 20

[Toronto_Bhoy]

People prefer different KO times…days of the week…day vs night games…

Just because they chose not to attend a game FOR ANY REASON makes them no more or less of a supporter than the next guy…

I left today with 5 minutes left so I could go the Club for a pint before close…did I miss anything?

[menefreghista]

Fairweather fans and other excuses aside, the turnout for this game is further proof that the honeymoon is over for this club.

I am pretty sure that this is the first time a weekend TFC game was not played to to a capacity crowd.

but well past HT I'd say actual attendance today was no higher than 14,000 (announced at 18,000plus).

I think your estimate of the actually crowd is fairly accurate. The FO must be concerned about the drop in concession money for the match today. I can not remember having that much room in the concourse nor do I ever remember the concession lines being as short as they were today.

The win will help, but it appears that 3 years of mediocrity has turned the TFC fanbase quite cynical. It would not shock me if we continue to see similar attendance numbers until people get a real sense that this team has been turned around in the right direction.

[TheRenter]

I don't get it...
At no point today did we consider not going cos of the forecast.

Yes, there were traffic issues today and the ground was maybe quarter full at KO, but well past HT I'd say actual attendance today was no higher than 14,000 (announced at 18,000plus).
To those that stayed home.....You missed the best damned team performance I have seen at BMO..hope you had a nice warm afternoon in front of the telly.

i have to agree,....felt great to be a fan of this club 'live' today.

T F C!

[james]

this isnt the first rainy day we have had where the stadium maybe has 15,000 fans in the seats. I do remember a few games in the passed being rainy and having only 15-17,000 fans show up.

[OneLoveOneEric]

What an absolutely bullshit thread. I didn't go to the game. Wasn't because of weather. It's because I've been selling all my tickets because I'm completely disillusioned by this team, and I can't find the will to show up right now.
Every club/group/whatever will always have it's people that feel the need to make themselves feel more "inner circle" by defining an outer circle.
Just go to the game and worry less about other people.
This thread reminds me of that scene from Almost Famous....
...don't worry -- you guys aren't groupies. You're Band Aids.

[tfcleeds]

Considering our record in "rain" games, I'm surprised more people didn't turn out. We seem to actually have a chance at winning when it rains, hence why I don't mind it at all.

Yes, the attendance at KO was pathetic, but I did notice the stadium fill up as the first half progressed.

[mastermixer]

I have a theory and I'm sure everyone else agrees. Ever try to get out of ACC or BMO field after a game? I park seriously far so I can get out after the game and I still run into crazy traffic. On top of that the scheduling with the Go Train couldn't get worse. People have things to do and staying an extra hour to see an extra 5 minutes sometimes isn't worth it. The traffic and trasnportation in this city couldn't get worse and I have no doubt it has alot to do with people leaving early.

I think this is the main reason people leave early. And its the reason I don't take the GO Train to games. Don't want to wait for an hour after the game.