Which fanbase has suffered the most - let us hear your sob stories

Bobbin' · Jul 22, 2017

UTS said:
I don't think many fans of clubs in league One or Two will have ever claimed to have it 'easy'. It's why we aren't branded as gloryhunters as we've stuck with our clubs through thick and thin.

Even clubs now you'd think have it easy such as Brighton or Bournemouth have had termoil in the recent past. I'd say Fleetwood fans have had it very easy although living with the knowledge that you support a bankrolled non league club can't be easy.

Since I've started watching Bury in 2003, we've had two promotions and 2 relegations, a couple of decent cup results (Sunderland 2006, Leeds 2007 and Norwich 2008 spring to mind). Standard fare I'd say for a lower league club. We've had some well publicised financial troubles through the years, the main being 2002 which nearly finished us, and gave birth to the 'bucket shakers' remark.

Bury always have to contend with being the butt of the joke, but you get used to that, I'm sure Walsall fans get the same off Villa/Wolves fans etc.

I'm reluctant really to name any of the big clubs as having a 'hard time' as the likes of Charlton and Blackburn have seen some genuinley great times that many clubs fans in this league will never see. Even their so called 'hard time' is sharing a league with fellow league One clubs.

Oldham stick out as fairly depressing, having spent 20 consecutive years in this league. However for a club like Oldham it's not a bad standard of football, so it's not like they've underachieved as such, they just haven't done anything. A fair number clubs in this league have spent the majority of the last 20 years or so within this division or below, it's just Oldham haven't been relegated, so is that a good thing or a bad thing?!

Shrewsbury also seem like a club that have never done much, maybe a Shrewsbury fan could enlighten me on any good/bad times?

Why are Brighton and Bournemouth any different from us?

Turmoil before the great times that most in this league will never see. Sounds exactly the same to me.

I don't think we've had the worst of it by any means. Wimbledon, Stockport etc have had it worse overall but those late 80s to early 90s are as grim as it gets for a football club and just because we've had good times since doesn't make that period any less painful.

Don Tonberry · Jul 22, 2017

Threads like this are always interesting. Have to disagree with the Scunthorpe fan who says we haven't suffered and the Blackpool fan who claimed they've suffered the most by "a long way".

It's all about context, really. Our fall from grace has certainly been tough to take and been an eye-opener to all football fans.

F.A. Cup winners in 2008 followed by three relegations in which during that time the club's very existence has been threatened by owners that were either broke, didn't exist, wanted to asset strip the club, had ties to Eastern European mafia or were just out and out criminals.

That period also saw two administrations, a record-breaking 26 game run without a win, some absolutely embarrassing results (such as getting knocked out of the F.A. Cup by Aldershot) and the two lowest league finishes in our history, as well as being in very real danger of being relegated to non-league.

Last season was our first good season in almost a decade full of shit. As I said before, it's all relative but before the shit hit the fan we were at worst, perennial second-tier relegation battlers and at best, a profit-making Premier League club who could hold their own against the big boys.

So yeah, we've had it worse than most if you want to apply context to the question.

Boletus Edulis · Jul 22, 2017

Bobbin' said:
Our last game at The Valley was a 2-0 victory over Stoke in '85.

Fortunately for me, I was born during the wilderness years so missed the worst of it but have seen the pictures, read the books and heard the stories and it's grim.

This is why our fans can't stomach the thought of our new owners, selling The Valley or building flats on/around it. It's our home and the fans fought so hard to keep it that way. It's amazing when you see how it's changed over the last 30 years.

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What I remember was going to was a friendly, I just can't remember exactly when it was, but I am sure it was close to the end. I did an evening course for a year at the college opposite, and I well remember the sort of image you show here of the ground in a derelict state.

I remember that in the late 70s/early eighties a couple of referees from our association claimed they occasionally packed up their kit bags, went down to the Valley, claimed to be officials and got in for free! Seemed rather mean to me, and too much effort if it was true.

Indian Dan · Jul 22, 2017

Just goes to show that for some clubs, for example Bristol Rovers and Oxford, hitting rock bottom was actually the catalyst for the good times they are now enjoying. It's the middle for diddle never do anything clubs I feel sorry for.

All down to owners in my mind.

Camborne Gills · Jul 22, 2017

I think we are one of those 'middle diddle' clubs, especially since Mr Scally took over. The odd high and the odd low. The only thing that we really get remembered for (apart from our shit away end) is losing that match in '99

T.A · Jul 22, 2017

The final v Wigan I remember more. Great game for the Neutral.

Hurrikeen · Jul 22, 2017

TWENTY YEARS IN LEAGUE ONE.
ALMOST TWENTY YEARS OF PLAYING WALSALL.

King Kev · Jul 22, 2017

UTS said:
I don't think many fans of clubs in league One or Two will have ever claimed to have it 'easy'. It's why we aren't branded as gloryhunters as we've stuck with our clubs through thick and thin.

Even clubs now you'd think have it easy such as Brighton or Bournemouth have had termoil in the recent past. I'd say Fleetwood fans have had it very easy although living with the knowledge that you support a bankrolled non league club can't be easy.

Since I've started watching Bury in 2003, we've had two promotions and 2 relegations, a couple of decent cup results (Sunderland 2006, Leeds 2007 and Norwich 2008 spring to mind). Standard fare I'd say for a lower league club. We've had some well publicised financial troubles through the years, the main being 2002 which nearly finished us, and gave birth to the 'bucket shakers' remark.

Bury always have to contend with being the butt of the joke, but you get used to that, I'm sure Walsall fans get the same off Villa/Wolves fans etc.

I'm reluctant really to name any of the big clubs as having a 'hard time' as the likes of Charlton and Blackburn have seen some genuinley great times that many clubs fans in this league will never see. Even their so called 'hard time' is sharing a league with fellow league One clubs.

Oldham stick out as fairly depressing, having spent 20 consecutive years in this league. However for a club like Oldham it's not a bad standard of football, so it's not like they've underachieved as such, they just haven't done anything. A fair number clubs in this league have spent the majority of the last 20 years or so within this division or below, it's just Oldham haven't been relegated, so is that a good thing or a bad thing?!

Shrewsbury also seem like a club that have never done much, maybe a Shrewsbury fan could enlighten me on any good/bad times?

You do post some fucking stupid things sometimes....
Any Shrews fans care to fill in the gaps? Relegated to the conference etc

King Kev · Jul 22, 2017

Hurrikeen said:
TWENTY YEARS IN LEAGUE ONE.
ALMOST TWENTY YEARS OF PLAYING WALSALL.

Closer to 15, Walsall have spent 5 years in the championship and one in league two in that time.

roversfan2001 · Jul 22, 2017

We've had it fairly shit over the past 7 years, but nothing compared to Portsmouth and Blackpool.

Sent from my HTC Desire 530 using Tapatalk

PuB · Jul 22, 2017

I once had a cheeseburger that was not prepared to my total satisfaction.

I gave people some stern eyes that day, I can tell you.

SMH · Jul 23, 2017

Portsmouth have had it just fine. Premier League Football, two FA Cup finals (one win), European Football all within the past 10 years. Memories to last a lifetime! We've had three relegations in our last five seasons but you don't find me complaining. On the pitch the likes of Oldham have had it the worst, off the pitch Charlton or Blackpool maybe.

Franchisor · Jul 23, 2017

Surely its Wimbledon/AFC Wimbledon supporters. Poor bastards.

Also, us. We have this Premier League level stadium and by rights are a Premier League team in waiting, yet have had to put up with League 1 football for too long. I mean, we bought this league place, yet in 13 years haven't improved on it. Should have won the Champions League by now really.

Don Tonberry · Jul 23, 2017

SMH said:
Portsmouth have had it just fine. Premier League Football, two FA Cup finals (one win), European Football all within the past 10 years. Memories to last a lifetime! We've had three relegations in our last five seasons but you don't find me complaining. On the pitch the likes of Oldham have had it the worst, off the pitch Charlton or Blackpool maybe.

Yeah coz almost going bust twice since then is "just fine" eh? Off the pitch we've had it worse than Charlton, Blackpool and Blackburn. Venky's, Oystons and that Belgian lot have got nothing on Portpin and CSI.

The Wiganer raises a good question, though. Would Pompey fans trade that F.A. Cup win and the match against AC Milan knowing what followed for a stable Premier League club who, at worst, would be in the Championship without Gaydamak and everything that followed.

ThisTinpotLeague · Jul 23, 2017

Don Tonberry said:
Would Pompey fans trade that F.A. Cup win and the match against AC Milan knowing what followed for a stable Premier League club who, at worst, would be in the Championship without Gaydamak and everything that followed.

I don't know. Would you?

Don Tonberry · Jul 23, 2017

I honestly don't know. Who knows where we would be now if Mandaric hadn't sold to Gaydamak back in 2006? Would rather take the cup win over hum-drum Premier League existence a la Southampton.

StevieEvansRedNWhiteArmy · Jul 23, 2017

Fuck me, another thread we win.

StevieEvansRedNWhiteArmy · Jul 23, 2017

Blackpool fans really rile me on this subject.

Were you complaining when Oyston bankrolled you to the Premiership?

Camborne Gills · Jul 23, 2017

StevieEvansRedNWhiteArmy said:
Fuck me, another thread we win.

You mean, you are winning this for Rotherham on your own, by posting so much crap on here that all the other decent fans suffer by association?

Camborne Gills · Jul 23, 2017

I have some sympathy, by the way, for clubs such as Blackburn, Blackpool, Charlton, who were promised riches by their owners, but badly let down.

Although our chairman isn't universally popular, without him, we certainly wouldn't be in L1 now, let alone reached the Championship.

SMH · Jul 23, 2017

Don Tonberry said:
Yeah coz almost going bust twice since then is "just fine" eh? Off the pitch we've had it worse than Charlton, Blackpool and Blackburn. Venky's, Oystons and that Belgian lot have got nothing on Portpin and CSI.

The Wiganer raises a good question, though. Would Pompey fans trade that F.A. Cup win and the match against AC Milan knowing what followed for a stable Premier League club who, at worst, would be in the Championship without Gaydamak and everything that followed.

So what? The thread was about what set of fans have suffered the most and it certainly isn't you. Most sets of supporters in this league would kill to have experienced what you have as a Pompey fan over the last 10-15 years. I bet you and your fellow fans weren't complaining at the time when Harry was splashing the cash around that you didn't have. Regarding your second point, I'm going to assume that no Pompey fan would trade their Cup win and Europe for anything. I know myself and 95% of other Wigan fans wouldn't trade in our FA Cup win and Europe for a stable Premier League team today and right now the chances of us ever getting back there in the near future are as distant as Owen Coyle's job prospects.

ThisTinpotLeague · Jul 23, 2017

Don Tonberry said:
I honestly don't know. Who knows where we would be now if Mandaric hadn't sold to Gaydamak back in 2006? Would rather take the cup win over hum-drum Premier League existence a la Southampton.

Can't have been that bad then

ThisTinpotLeague · Jul 23, 2017

Just trying to think whether I'd trade our two losses in the JPT final and our 8th place finish in L1 for the five years in the Conference, conceding 100 goals as we finished bottom of League 1, losing to Tonbridge Angels, shipping five to a village (Histon) and nearly going bust several times ourselves.

Oh wait

Fedora Dale · Jul 23, 2017

Having been shit fairly continuously from 1907 to December 2006, its nice to have had good times (apart from 2011/12) since then...

Don Tonberry · Jul 23, 2017

SMH said:
So what? The thread was about what set of fans have suffered the most and it certainly isn't you. Most sets of supporters in this league would kill to have experienced what you have as a Pompey fan over the last 10-15 years. I bet you and your fellow fans weren't complaining at the time when Harry was splashing the cash around that you didn't have. Regarding your second point, I'm going to assume that no Pompey fan would trade their Cup win and Europe for anything. I know myself and 95% of other Wigan fans wouldn't trade in our FA Cup win and Europe for a stable Premier League team today and right now the chances of us ever getting back there in the near future are as distant as Owen Coyle's job prospects.

So what? Our club almost went bust twice and sank to the bottom division and almost further. Again, you have to apply some context as to what "suffer" means. You cannot compare Pompey's and Wigan's situations, they are chalk and cheese.

You could be right, most fans might kill to experience what we had, but then all the shit after that? Baring in mind Pompey hadn't fallen below the Championship in my lifetime. Again, apply some context. For example, would Oldham fans accept winning League One outright and staying in the Championship for a few years, spending far beyond their means and ending up almost going bust twice whilst sinking as far as the Conference North?

Unless you've been through it, you can't really comment.

Bucket_ · Jul 23, 2017

SMH, is your first name Paul, and does your surname begin with a C?

Meadow · Jul 23, 2017

I don't think it's us, not in recent years anyway. 1991 to 2002 was a period of extreme highs and lows. Exile to Shithurts and the MK debacle countered by being in the premiershite and getting to two cup semi finals in one season.

Since 2002, it has been an absolute blast with only a few minor blips. Three automatic promotions and three via the playoffs. The chance to experience the relaxed rules of non-league football. Overtaking the likes of Sutton and Woking who were a few leagues above us when we started again. The right to play the team that was taken from us at the same level.

I still hate Franchise though, but the only thing I envy them is their ground.

SMH · Jul 24, 2017

Bucket_ said:
SMH, is your first name Paul, and does your surname begin with a C?

Aye I've gotta give credit to Don Tonberry and his post but ya know I'll pick meself up and go again won't I!

Don Tonberry said:
So what? Our club almost went bust twice and sank to the bottom division and almost further. Again, you have to apply some context as to what "suffer" means. You cannot compare Pompey's and Wigan's situations, they are chalk and cheese.

You could be right, most fans might kill to experience what we had, but then all the shit after that? Baring in mind Pompey hadn't fallen below the Championship in my lifetime. Again, apply some context. For example, would Oldham fans accept winning League One outright and staying in the Championship for a few years, spending far beyond their means and ending up almost going bust twice whilst sinking as far as the Conference North?

Unless you've been through it, you can't really comment.

All I know is, if I had the option 20 years ago of supporting Oldham or Pompey knowing what awaited for both teams, I'd have picked Pompey every day of the week. Financial problems and all.

K-Win · Jul 24, 2017

I'd like to nominate Coventry: "Coventry City have not finished in the top six of any division since 1969/70 and have never accumulated more than 66 points in a league season." Add onto that the pathetic recent hedge fund company 'stewardship' and the new ground clusterf*ck.

Yes, there was a cup win in the 80s and plenty of top division action, but my God, that's an incredible number of seasons without even threatening the top of the table. The good news is that a 7th-placed finish this season would earn them a play-off shot so there is that.

MillerWhale · Jul 25, 2017

Think you're harsh on Fleetwood fans. It would be very easy to not support your town when it's about eight leagues below the top division and bandwagon hop onto a big club or at least a local league club.

So the couple of hundred fans they had before their rise certainly deserve this success for their loyalty.

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Which fanbase has suffered the most - let us hear your sob stories

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