A Plea From the Heart

[Yelverton Yella 0]

Well, here we are staring at League one

football next season. That’s bad enough – I still remember the struggle to drag

ourselves out of the old Third Division and the joy when we made it to the top

flight for the first time …..

 

Now we have to do it again.

 

Over the past 50 years (yes, I started

going in 1959) I have seen the highs and the lows, the heroes and villains, the

stinking ‘toilets’ behind the old Barclay and the plush new executive

facilities we have now but, throughout that time and despite the constant and

largely good humoured moaning, there has always been a sense of togetherness

and purpose amongst the fans.

 

Until now.

 

I do not know whether it’s a result of

modern, instant, communications allowing keyboard warriors to inflate their own

egos whilst tossing out gratuitous and ill considered personal insults or a

selfish society where everybody has an unshakeable belief that they are right

and anybody who disagrees is an idiot but what is clear is that we have ceased

to be a community with a common purpose.

 

We are talking about

football here- a game, pastime, sport, amusement or whatever. Yes, it is an

important part of my life and, I am sure, yours too. I feel depressed and

miserable when we lose and happy and optimistic when we win but, when all is

said and done, and despite Bill Shankly''s famous line, it is not the most important part of our lives.

 

I had to have a heart operation last year

and, in my mid fifties, I had to confront my own mortality. That tends to put

the football into context…

 

Yes, I have my own views as to what has

gone wrong with our club. Inept decisions have been made, poor recruitment of

Managers and players taken place and investment has been funnelled in the wrong

direction. Has anybody done this on purpose to bring down the club? Well,

attractive as it might be to introduce a conspiracy theory to be laid at the

door of those residing at the end of the A140, I think not!

 

Is it right that those who have failed lose

their jobs? Yes, it probably is.

 

 Do

we need new investors? Certainly we do. Do I want to see Delia and the

remaining directors hounded out of the club? No I don’t- I’d love (in my

dreams!) to see them hand over gracefully to an incoming billionaire who would

grow to love the City and the club even as (s)he wrote the cheque to clear the

debt!!

 

Should Gunny and co. be in charge of the

football? I honestly don’t know. I actually can’t make up my mind who

(realistically) I would rather have- there are very few affordable candidates

who have not got some sort of flaw- so, on balance, I favour giving Team Gunn a

chance. However dismissive some people will be, I would rather support somebody

who has a genuine feeling for the club and I have a sneaking suspicion that

Gunn will come good.

 

Will I continue to support Norwich City? I really

don’t have any option, do I? Your allegiance is in your genes and doesn’t

change no matter what temporary troubles the club goes through so, no, I won’t

be boycotting or demonstrating or marching, because I am not sure what that

would achieve except divisiveness. I will, as always, be supporting the players on the pitch.

 

There, I’ve given my view. It’s as valid as

yours and I haven’t felt the need to revile you, the Manager or the Directors

or turn apoplectic.

 

Does this make me a Percy, a Delia lover, a

happy clappy or whatever? No doubt you will tell me- that is your right in a

free country- but, please, please, can we try not to tear our

community apart in the process of the debate!

[Camuldonum 0]

I suspect you probably started supporting Norwich before they got into the Premier League.

Just a guess.

[Yelverton Yella 0]

Very perspicacious Cam!!

[Herb 0]

[quote user="Yelverton Yella"]stuff[/quote]Pretty much sums up the way I feel.

[Branston Pickle 3,638]

Good post, Yelverton, I agree with a fair amount of what you say, it sounds more rational than emotional which is perhaps what is needed. At the end of the day, we all have our views and none is any more (or less) valid than anyone else''s.  Perhaps some of the serial correspondents should think about that.

For my part, I''m not overly pleased at Gunn being kept on as it seemed he was tactically/motivationally wanting, but nor am I so anti that I would dismiss it out of hand and slag all and sundry off for thinking it is a good idea.  Whatever, he is the manager so I guess we have to back him and see what transpires.

[ctid 0]

a sensible contribution, steeped in experience and passion for the club

[Cantiaci Canary 556]

[quote user="Yelverton Yella"]

... there has always been a sense of togetherness and purpose amongst the fans.

 

Until now.

 

I do not know whether it’s a result of ... a selfish society where everybody has an unshakeable belief that they are right and anybody who disagrees is an idiot [/quote]

 

Yes! This is why. The development of popular culture fuelled by recent affluent times has created a cynical, sneering and egotistical attitude and outlook. Perhaps one positive of the economic slump will be a slight climb down to a more humble and less selfish/arrogant/uncompromising culture?

 

Saying that, don''t despair at the emotional rantings of some fans. After the raw heat of the double blows of relegation and Gunn''s second appointment cools down and new players start arriving most posters will resume their rational and sensible contributions.

[Rock the Boat 0]

While the shape of the pitch has hardly changed since 1959, just about everything else in the game has changed. Football now answers to the TV masters and their hangers-on, not to the man on the terrace.

Society has changed since 1959. Back then people were deferential to authority. Today celebrity has replaced authority. We worship b-list has beens. Our idols last for five minutes and are sacrificed on the altar of so called public interest, trashed like yesterday''s newspapers.

What is more ridiculous than chanting the names of over-paid, emotionally-undeveloped, educationally-challenged adolescent footballers?

[canary cherub 1]

[quote user="Rock the Boat"]

Today celebrity has replaced authority. We worship b-list has beens. Our idols last for five minutes and are sacrificed on the altar of so called public interest, trashed like yesterday''s newspapers. What is more ridiculous than chanting the names of over-paid, emotionally-undeveloped, educationally-challenged adolescent footballers?[/quote]

Chanting the name of a b-list has been celebrity cook, I suggest . . .

 

[dougal 0]

Well done Yelverton Yella!Totally agree with 100% of what you say unfortunately I think you may be about to be shot down in flames as those who "have the best interests of our club" fail to see the logic in your opinion.However I feel that you speak for the majority of fans just not the loud minority.Well done! Sense at last! 

[Rock the Boat 0]

[quote user="canary cherub "]

[quote user="Rock the Boat"]

Today celebrity has replaced authority. We worship b-list has beens. Our idols last for five minutes and are sacrificed on the altar of so called public interest, trashed like yesterday''s newspapers. What is more ridiculous than chanting the names of over-paid, emotionally-undeveloped, educationally-challenged adolescent footballers?[/quote]

Chanting the name of a b-list has been celebrity cook, I suggest . . .

 

[/quote]

Well done that lady.