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?

I will renew my season ticket but not because of the quality on the field. The slide to mediocrity that has been evident since McDermott took over will continue. The squad is the weakest it has been since Murray. The coaching structure and expertise is also very poor for a club of this stature and financial strength.

I am in a fortunate position where I can afford the £600 it will cost and not impact any other activities I want to do but its a social event and you will some good rugby - unfortunately most will be played by our opponents. If, as it appears, Hetherington has forced McDermott's hand in having to play the youngsters then there will be the added interest of seeing how the youngsters cope and develop. The fact that Keinhorst has made it into the top 20 suggests the club has some real strength in depth issues.

However for the club the wage bill will be probably the lowest its has been since Powell was in charge. Every cloud has a silver lining eh Gary?

I agree with G1 about the sex - the days of outdoor fun!! are a distant memory

Out of the darkness comes the dawn. One can only hope

Except in this case, the darkness has been caused by the club drawing the curtains on a sunny day.

Ditto the attendances.

This thread makes me feel like ending it all

I must have nodded off for the last 35 years when every game was a classic, with at least 8 evenly matched teams full of world class stars. Next season will be such an anti-climax.

You think it's bad now, apparently on a YEP story about Aiton, GH reveals that McDermott won't be hiring an assistant.

Got to admit even I'm disappointed with that.....although not quite as much as the wrist slitting misery brigade will be.

There are a handful of world class players in SL and even that is stretching the imagination - who would you say is world class at Castleford?

Do you honestly think you are evenly matched with Wigan, Saints, Warrington?

I'm not sure what your point is in relation to my post. I was suggesting that over the 35 years I have been watching, & for the last 15 that has been Leeds more than any other club, there has never been a golden period of RL. There have obviously been dominant teams with a host of WC players - Wigan, Bradford, Saints, Leeds - during that time, but usually at the expense of other clubs chances of making a fist of it. If that's your bag, fine. But we have a more level playing field now than any other time in that period. And I don't buy the claim that a number of clubs are cruising or not trying until the end of the season. The standard of RL in late 70s, early 80s, was absolute garbage in comparison. But I still loved the game as much as I do now.

Your post said "Eight evenly matched sides full of world class players" - I simply asked who the world class players were you had at Castleford?

I wouldn't consider Leeds evenly matched with Wigan, Saints, Warrington so I am struggling to see how you would consider Castleford to be on a level with those sides?

1) If new signings is all you care about, jog on to football. There is plenty of new signings, twice a year in fact that should capture your attention span.

2) If you drank less at games, maybe you could concentrate more on the on field action.

3) The shirt a team plays in influences your season ticket decision? Then why don't you just support a different team each year based on who's shirt you think is the besterest!!! Then you will never be disappointed.

4) This has nothing to do with the regular season. This point is redundant.

5) Stop drinking at the ground then, you might be able to concentrate on the rugby that's going on in front of your face.

Southstander.com is becoming a place of moaning old farts so you fit in perfectly. Why bother picking and choosing your games at all? Just don't go and watch from your armchair while drinking cheap beer and shouting at the telly "t'wer better in my day!" "call that a shirt" "why's he still playing he's crap?" Sound's like you'll have much more fun.