Correct.

I know it's none of my business - but I just wanted to tell you that this post really resonated with me.

It's easy to support a winning team and if you just want to jump on a bandwagon then fair enough, the game needs its' share of fair weather fans and armchair fans come to that.

But for many of us it's the game that is important and turning up week in and week out because we enjoy it. I've been over to Leeds to watch WCCs in the past because you can't beat live rugby league.

You've got me wrong. The capitalisation of the word FANS is in response to this below. At no point am I referring to a season ticket holder being more of a fan than someone without. I fully understand, work commitments, financial hardships etc prevent a lot of people buying one.



There is a difference between picking and choosing which games to go to because you are not happy with the product as a whole rather than being able to go to certain games again because of work commitments, financial issues etc and my gripe here is that the people who spend all year criticising, but choose not to go are usually the ones who are straight on the bandwagon the minute we have won something.

I fully understand how hard it is for some people to commit financially. I have a missus and 2 young children. I buy a 2 season tickets every year(kids both under 5), 2 adult shirts and now 2 junior shirts. But as someone mentions a few posts up, its a way of life for some and im one of them, and ill defend myself strongly against anyone who criticises me for this or believes Im a mug.

Depends what constitutes your 'life' at any given point though, doesn't it? I obviously don't know your personal circumstances but assuming you work - if all of a sudden you lost your job and season ticket renewal time came around - you might find that the ST is something you 'drift away from' and does stop becoming a 'way of life'. Similarly if your work tells you they are shifting you to Liverpool or something.

If you go with mates and they all move during the off season, you might 'drift away' from it because your 'way of life' has changed.

For me at the moment it is a big part of my life. But then I live alone, all my friends have moved away from Leeds the last few years, have got married and are now all having babies. If I didn't have a ST those nights would be spent going for a run and watching Have I Got News for You instead. I don't drink at the game so barring match tickets (and buying any clothing) the club doesn't get any more money from me other than what they get at the start of the season.

It is currently part of my 'way of life' but people's lives change. If / when that happens and I change jobs and maybe move elsewhere in the country or find myself in a relationship and / or expecting kids my way of life might change again meaning the ST no longer fits in with stuff.

If in 3 years I am living in Manc with a partner, have got myself on the property ladder (finally!) and am about to become a dad (for instance) my 'way of life' will have changed and therefore the way I spend my time and money will also change. But it wouldn't mean I no longer support the Rhinos - my reality would just be that rather than going fortnightly on my bicycle to the games at Headers, I will maybe only be able to go to a couple a season and at places like Salford instead.

Who knows what the future holds?

I'd like to say in no way does that mean I am criticising those who continue to go when they are having families and all that stuff - it is just the reality for me at the moment is any extra responsabilities like that would cripple me financially so things like a ST would have to go straight out the window.

For those able to balance the necessities and wants with money and able to both pay their bills and be able to have a ST / STs for their family then that is great!

Generally between the months of Feb and October Leeds Rhinos are at the forefront of any day do day decisions I make be it social or work related

Obviously if I have bought a season ticket I have bought it to attend all the home games and make a saving on the match day prices so it makes sense to try and attend all games at home otherwise I risk losing the saving. However, im not averse to missing a game if its really unavoidable. in which case ill just pass my ticket on to a family member or friend.

I always got a Season ticket for convenience and going to the games good games or not so good it was what I did .going to the games was my routine

To go to the game or not to go to the game, that is the question.

End of the day, it's down to choice, and it doesn't make you less of a Supporter if you choose not to go or can't go due to other commitments.

You can still support from the comfort of your Living Room or support by going to the pub and watching it there.

Others support the club financially through buying items from the Club Shop.

It's down to the individuals choice and they shouldn't be made to feel bad because of it.

I can see both sides of the debate. Personally I no longer bother with a season ticket, in large due to now having shift work. Other reasons being preferring Sunday afternoon games, winter rugby & a league where coming top makes you champions.

That said I'm still as much of a fan as anyone else. I was supporting Leeds way before GH or any of this current set up were involved and I'll support the club well after they've all moved on.

I can see both sides of the argument on this.Andy Gilder makes a good point, and his probably resonates with me most these days as i have been in the same position down the years of going to home and away game religiously even when we were pants because it was all about the event and the coming together of like minded people.I loved those days and buying a ST would have happened no matter what even if we were we likely to finish bottom.Having been through all the garbage years through thick and thin though, it is ironic that in recent times, when we have had our success i have not been able to commit to a ST due to Work and starting a young family of my own but have still been able to make it to finals and big games here and there which has been enough for me with everything else going on in my life.Fair weather fan? maybe, but i would i like to see it as having paid my dues!

If Southstander had been going in the early 90's i would be on here with a totally different view though.I would be taking the stance of the likes of Leedsdave and Rhinoshound.ATEOD the rugby part of game day is only a slice of the reason a lot of people commit to buying a ST.

I too did the home and away thing through some of our most atrocious years. But, to put it bluntly, there are some things I find more enjoyable than watching RL these days. This isn't the fault of the RFL, our signings, our players, Brian McDermott, alleged meaningless regular season games, bloated play off formats or anything else. There are just certain times when I've better things to do. I pretty much enjoy the games I do make it to, whether it be a grand final or a trip to widnes. But if you'd asked me late 70s/early 80s, I'd have sworn I'd be attending pretty much every game I could until I became too old. But perspectives change.

getting on in life, my wife is getting me a shackleton's high seat chair to watch the games next season - She has just sent off for the brochure !

YOO knoo

I don't think buying a season ticket or any number of shirts makes anyone a mug.

You make a choice about your disposable income. If you're happy with your choice, it's the right choice.

People who claim they "had" to buy one or the other even though they didn't like what they got in the transaction would be mugs. But I am not convinced these people really exist. I think most people are capable of making these choices, and I imagine the people who feel like the club are trying to treat them as mugs won't buy the product. If you are sold a product by someone who you think is treating you like a mug, you're a mug. If you buy the product with full awareness of what you are (and are not) getting, then I don't see why anyone would feel entitled to call you a mug.

Interesting. You're making me draw comparisons with sex after 15 years of marriage. I don't find it as exciting or entertaining and I'm less enthusiastic about doing it. Nor do I find, when doing it with the wife, that it represents value for money.

But I haven't stopped doing it even though neither of us get much out of it.

Anyway, back on topic, I often wonder why so many who choose not to renew their season tickets feel the need to broadcast their decisions on here. I've yet to see a thread from someone saying "just bought my new season ticket" with an explanation of why. I'm not sure what it says about those who do this. Maybe miserable old farts like everyone to know they're miserable old farts.

FWIW, I think we have to recognize the tribal element of sport that differentiates it from other pass times and interests. There is a "loyalty" element, to a point, and this is exploited by clubs and rightfully so.

Still. if one person chooses to invest their disposable income and free time on a season ticket, replica shirt, whatever then it makes them no superior or inferior to someone who doesn't. After all, what is that discerning consumer doing with his leisure time instead, watching and tweeting about X factor or celeb big brother?