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I'm not one for resolutions, coz I've never manage to keep them. Better to see life as a journey where you don't know the destination and reflect on embracing what you find round the corner. Football has changed for my generation of fans. 1/
2/ first the corporates arrived; the prawn sandwich brigade. The working man had to step aside; often as he was frankly priced out. Next we've got the young ones. They want to take it into content and entertainment, trading tradition for immediacy and quick hits.
3) now the working man's game is told to gentrify, to become civil and fair; inclusive. Take the knee. Alcohol went a while ago, betting now won't be allowed. Swearing and abuse is ostracized. And yet, all the newer "fans" and "brands" go weak at the atmosphere, the passion!
4/ So has the game been stolen under our eyes? What is left for the working man? The beauty of football is in irrational tribalism, and yet it seems every effort is made to make its etiquette fit for a Swiss finishing school. I feel a podcast coming on. @ttmygh @gilesmorgan71
5/ the working man gets a bad rap. Amongst all the cursing, snotters and badtaste jokes is hidden the best of us. Loyal and brave with old values. The "who'd you want in the trenches with you". The wisdom of the welder who reads James Joyce in the lunch break and teaches you life
6/ Football, like it's namesake in the new world, is the working man's escapism, coz he ain't moving on to Lords, Wimbledon and Henley as the summer processes. His job and life isn't easy. Who speaks for them when theyre told how to behave by the chattering classes?
7/ so be careful trying to gentrify it all. The match commanders always told me about the savagery around Glasgow football " Rog, it's better they let it all out in here. Where we can control it. Coz they need to let it out.". Reflect better when you criticise. Football is all!
End.
