Alan Hunter on Liveline now

[The Swordsman]

no problem backing up my statement at all mate.

because you are a block booker does not make you anymore of a fan than anyone else.
Simple reasons - The block booking scheme has been going on for years, many a fan has missed the boat and has to get tickets elsewhere.
I have my own seats in lansdowne and so do some of the ejits who haven't a clue whats going on on the pitch (block bookers, true fans!!!)
the block booking scheme is a closed door with many people already guaranteed them tickets.
I am 28 and the only reason i have my own set seats is through someone i know. Without him, i AM, As you say, not a real fan.
What about the younger people who have missed that boat and dont have the luxury of a set seat. does that make them less of a fan than you?

Please dont be so condecending to the people who have to search high and low for a ticket for lansdowne raod.

Apologies if I came across as condescending - wasn't my intention. Looking back at the post, I could have perhaps phrased it better but I didn’t mean to imply that block bookers were the only real fans.

The block booking system is the system used by the FAI to distribute the vast majority of tickets for games at LR. Most of the fans who go to Lansdowne Road sit on seats that have been acquired through this system. I assume that the seat you get is block booked, which makes you a block booker. The system is a good indicator of who has been a loyal customer (note the word customer) and could be used to show a bit of good will. The FAI could also extend some good will to those on waiting lists.

The point I was making was in relation to those fans who will only go to the glamour ties or when it's fashionable. They would never consider going to a game against San Marino in November when the team are struggling. The move to Croker will make Ireland matches fashionable for a time as will a move back to a redeveloped LR.

Mento, I am going to pull you up on one of your statements:

I have my own seats in lansdowne and so do some of the ejits who haven't a clue whats going on on the pitch (block bookers, true fans!!!)

Pot kettle black here? Just because someone doesn't know as much as you or has differing views to you doesn't make them less of a fan.

[Mento]

Good points

on the eejits comment, i should of said that 4 people sitting behind me at one game never returned for the second half. These would of been block bookers but hardly proper supporters. Fair enough the vast majority of bb are genuine but some of those tickets fall into the wrong hands, ie business men who have them for business reasons.

PS - i agree that bb should be given some sort of deal

[Wolfie]

Good points

on the eejits comment, i should of said that 4 people sitting behind me at one game never returned for the second half. These would of been block bookers but hardly proper supporters. Fair enough the vast majority of bb are genuine but some of those tickets fall into the wrong hands, ie business men who have them for business reasons.

PS - i agree that bb should be given some sort of deal

I've often thought the combination of compulsory seating at Lansdowne (which was, of course, a necessity following Hillsborough) and the alteration in how Ireland tickets were purchased in the early 90's - changed the atmosphere and who attended the matches.

Certainly, some who had regularly attended matches during the darker days had trouble getting tickets when the Boys in Green bandwagon really began to roll.

The South Terrace and at times the the North, were far more partisan and vocal places during the Italia 90 qualifying campaign (crowd were as influential as a crowd can be against Spain at home in '89) to what they are today.

I'd often see the same faces at Lansdowne to what were at Hill 16.

Some of these lads were disenfranchised at the time - and now attend more away games than home games.

Talk of tickets falling into the wrong hands - I usually sit / stand in the North Terrace but for the Italy game last year I was given a ticket for the East Stand.

During the match some oul wan asked "Whose that new lad at full back?" - it was Ian Harte.

[Student Mullet]

During the match some oul wan asked "Whose that new lad at full back?" - it was Ian Harte.

Can I ask for some understanding here. I don't follow foreign football so the ony time I see the players is four times a year at internationals. It can sometimes take me a little while to recognise everyone, particularly the new players (I'm pretty sure I'd know Ian Harte straight off). Maybe this lady was in the same position as me.

[Wolfie]

Can I ask for some understanding here. I don't follow foreign football so the ony time I see the players is four times a year at internationals. It can sometimes take me a little while to recognise everyone, particularly the new players (I'm pretty sure I'd know Ian Harte straight off). Maybe this lady was in the same position as me.

That said - just to clarify - there's plenty of committed and informed support sitting in the East Stand amongst the Ignorami.

That new youth Carsley is a great prospect.

[NY Hoop]

To clarify just by going to Lansdowne a few times a year doesnt mean that you are a real Irish football fan.


KOH

[Wolfie]

To clarify just by going to Lansdowne a few times a year doesnt mean that you are a real Irish football fan.


KOH

I agree. Never suggested it did.

[Billsthoughts]

Of course it does. you can only go to the games that are on?

[The Swordsman]

During the match some oul wan asked "Whose that new lad at full back?" - it was Ian Harte.

At least she knew what a full back was

I get the touchline tickets at the east stand. For friendlies, the terrace behind us is not seated. During that Italian match, there was a couple of Dublin howyas standing right behind me with Italian jersies on, who never shut up about how 'gorjuss' Del Piero and the other Italians were.

Luckily, these people don't want to go to all the matches (I hope).

[Wolfie]

Seem to be straying into some sort of existential debate. What's real and what's unreal. You can the there but are you really there........

If a tree falls in the woods.......

Lets keep it simple - you support a team with commitment, passion and genuinely care about all facets of how the team progress, etc etc = real fan.

[Wolfie]

At least she knew what a full back was

I get the touchline tickets at the east stand. During that Italian match, there was a couple of Dublin howyas standing right behind me with Italian jersies on, who never shut up about how 'gorjuss' Del Piero and the other Italians were.

Luckily, these people don't want to go to all the matches (I hope).

Groupies. I think Peter Beardsley complained about the same thing when England played at Lansdowne in 91.

[The Swordsman]

Groupies. I think Peter Beardsley complained about the same thing when England played at Lansdowne in 91.

Funny that! Ian Dowie complained about them too ('93 I think) !!

[OwlsFan]

By and large the atmosphere at Lansdowne has been spot on for the really big games and can seldom be bettered. I really don't worry about the atmosphere at friendlies - it's hard to get worked up when no points are at stake. Nearly all competitive matches have been good except the ones against minnows and that's understandable.

The best chant is "stand up for the boys in green" because the sit on their hands supporters have to get off their ar*e if they want to see the game

Supporters come in all shapes and sizes. However, the ones that bug me are the ones who spend the whole game abusing certain players in the team. I had one to my right at the San Marino game who spent most of the early part of the game hurling dogs' abuse at a few players at the top of his voice and he actually looked disappointed when we scored A supporter should support and leave the criticism to the pub afterwards.

[onenilgameover]

By and large the atmosphere at Lansdowne has been spot on for the really big games and can seldom be bettered. I really don't worry about the atmosphere at friendlies - it's hard to get worked up when no points are at stake. Nearly all competitive matches have been good except the ones against minnows and that's understandable.

The best chant is "stand up for the boys in green" because the sit on their hands supporters have to get off their ar*e if they want to see the game

Supporters come in all shapes and sizes. However, the ones that bug me are the ones who spend the whole game abusing certain players in the team. I had one to my right at the San Marino game who spent most of the early part of the game hurling dogs' abuse at a few players at the top of his voice and he actually looked disappointed when we scored A supporter should support and leave the criticism to the pub afterwards.

I tend to agree with you on the abuse stuff...but while watching a match it can be very hard avoid criticism while in the heat of battle.....

[pete]

By and large the atmosphere at Lansdowne has been spot on for the really big games and can seldom be bettered.

Disagree. Its been years since good atmosphere at Lansdowne. Even France & Switzerland last year were poor. I don't count a few 'stand for the boys in green' as great atmosphere. 80% of people at those games look like its a chore to get off their seat.

I really don't worry about the atmosphere at friendlies - it's hard to get worked up when no points are at stake.

I agree.

[eirebhoy]

Disagree. Its been years since good atmosphere at Lansdowne.

There was an excellent atmosphere at the Czech match given the circumstances. As good as you could really expect at an international.

[NY Hoop]

Hunter was in the Sun saturday saying he had "been fielding calls night and day from other concerned Ireland fans about the ticket prices".

Are journos stupid enough to believe his mythical Ireland supporters club exists? Why dont they contact the ROISSC??

BTW a real Irish football fan doesnt necessarily go to Lansdowne.


KOH