Where to from here for the bandwagon?

[DB10]

Yeah i fell of the bandwagon this morning. Cant see myself climbing back onto it ever again either. Theres more acting skills in one game of soccer, than all of Hollywood.

Compare the acting to AFL just for one second. How many solid bumps etc are there in AFL, and the guy stays on his feet, and keeps going after the ball and the man. In fact, you look stupid if you lose your feet, and let the opposition player grab the ball.

In soccer, the player has just got to be near another player, or make an attempt at the ball, or even look at the player, and he will fall over. Be it David Beckham or whoever, it cant be that hard to keep your feet, considering most of the time there is no contact.

I also find it strange that people are in such agony after theyve had a fall, grabbing there leg like theyve snapped a few bones, and yet when the whistle blows, they jump up faster than a runaway train, and are 100% fine afterwards.

I reckon Russel Crow should take up soccer, judging by his films he would be bloody good at it.

Good riddance then.

 

[Ari]

How about you tell us, Ari?

Have always had an interest in the sport. Played it in high school as goalkeep. Have always followed the Socceroos and watched their international games.... their qualifiers since about 1998... maybe earlier.

From here.... ive decided to take out a Victory membership and head to the games. I was going to do it last year, but didnt get around to it. Ive a couple friends who support the Victory so ive a crew to go with. Looking forward to it all!

Ill admit theres a high element of me 'on the wagon' but in the same sense, ive always been there abouts. That said, 99% of peoples interest in the sport has gained since the World Cup.... so Im not the only one!

 

[DB10]

99% is a bit of an exaggeration.

There has always been a substantial number of people who followed soccer in this country. They were just never properly united.

 

[DoubleA]

Tomorrow will be somewhat of an indication, there is an Open Training session at Olympic Park for the Victory (nice timing) where anyone can go down and watch. Will there be hundreds....or thousands?

 

[johnnyhoward]

Like Ari, I've just been "thereabouts". I followed the game heavily from '97-'99 when I was a kid, and knew most players in the EPL as well as the World Cup in 98.

Since then, I've never followed the game as much and always just followed results of Serie A and EPL games, Champions League, Euro, as well as friendlies, Confed Cup and WCQs. But never really watched too many full games. That won't change

 

[Sylvia Saint]

Most bandwagoners will have completely forgotten about the Socceroos by the time the next Ashes series comes around.

(Myself included)

 

[Maguire#31]

Have always had an interest in the sport. Played it in high school as goalkeep. Have always followed the Socceroos and watched their international games.... their qualifiers since about 1998... maybe earlier.

From here.... ive decided to take out a Victory membership and head to the games. I was going to do it last year, but didnt get around to it. Ive a couple friends who support the Victory so ive a crew to go with. Looking forward to it all!

Ill admit theres a high element of me 'on the wagon' but in the same sense, ive always been there abouts. That said, 99% of peoples interest in the sport has gained since the World Cup.... so Im not the only one!

Mundo respect... And to think you barrack for Essendon Seriously buying a Victory membership and getting behind the ALeague is one of the best things you can do for Football in this nation.

 

[finbarr]

I dont care if they support an EPL club, i just hope they support the A League.

I think season tickets/memberships for Adelaide Utd went on sale yesterday, get on it!

Here's another idea. Get out and watch/support your local Federation club on a saturday afternoon. You may be pleasantly surprised just how good the standard is.

 

[Marklar_33]

Well I am staying on the 'wagon', although I am not going out to buy an A League membership, as there isnt a club bsed at Aurora Stadium.

Will attend Victory games played down here though, work permitting.

I have always liked games played between countries but not so much club football, where you buy the chamionships... so Im hanging out for the Asia Cup

 

[Crosby87]

I'll never be a Soccer fan, because most Soccer fans (especially on these boards) have the "follow our sport or no sport" approach. To you guys, it's your game, or nothing.

And that's really sad.

 

[Mr Sensitive]

I'll never be a Soccer fan, because most Soccer fans (especially on these boards) have the "follow our sport or no sport" approach. To you guys, it's your game, or nothing.

And that's really sad.

I don't really think that's the case... it's true that some football/soccer fans in Australia can be a bit defensive, but that stems from football's history in this country as pauper's sport. It's been denigrated for so long that the true believers can be a bit inclusive.. FWIW I'm both an AFL man and a Football follower equally, I just get uppity when people who don't like or understand football insult the integrity of the game. There's no reason why both codes can't coexist.

 

[tribey]

I'll never be a Soccer fan, because most Soccer fans (especially on these boards) have the "follow our sport or no sport" approach. To you guys, it's your game, or nothing.

And that's really sad.

How on earth did you come to this conclusion?

The vast majority of regulars on this football board aren't just AFL fans, but members and regular attendees at AFL games.

Name me one militant "soccer or it's nothing" poster here. Bet you can't.

 

[Borgsta]

I'll never be a Soccer fan, because most Soccer fans (especially on these boards) have the "follow our sport or no sport" approach. To you guys, it's your game, or nothing.

And that's really sad.

What on Earth are you on about? That is the Aussie Rules ppl. No one on here pays out Aussie Rules and Id love to see you find a post that does.

 

[skipper kelly]

What on Earth are you on about? That is the Aussie Rules ppl. No one on here pays out Aussie Rules and Id love to see you find a post that does.

Does diego count?

 

[smasha]

Mundo respect... And to think you barrack for Essendon Seriously buying a Victory membership and getting behind the ALeague is one of the best things you can do for Football in this nation.

I went to two Victory games last year-sydney sellout and the Adelaide game and the atmosphere was awesome-and the refs are fair.

 

[Heisenberg_]

Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo......

The big question.

Those of you/us who have taken a more curious interest and a more passionate view toward Association Football throughout the course of this World Cup, whats the next step?

Going to give it all away and secure your position again on the wagon in 2010?Going to go out and grab a membership of your local A League team?
Going to gather some interest in this Asian Cup affair?
Going to head down to Kmart and buy a World Cup football on discount?
Going to just get peeved at a shocker of a penalty and tell the whole thing to stick it?

So where to from here? Whats your stance on moving forward? Or was it more to do with the Green n' Gold than the game itself?

these two, i only really jumped on the bandwagon because i enjoy watching Australia play, where as the EPL, A League doesnt really do much for me, but i have always followed the socceroos and Australians playing overseas

 

[MagpieScouser]

i only follow the san marino national team

 

[lioness]

I've always been curious about soccer to be honest, I really came on the bandwagon to try and fully understand why people are so passionate about a game where massive scores just don't happen (I'm Aussie Rules raised, don't forget!), and I've grown an appreciation for the sport. I'm not off the bandwagon at the moment, I've been watching tonight and surprised myself in the last few weeks by actually being interested!!

It probably won't come to more than a keen interest though. But I'm glad I've been somewhat enlightened.

Work has also provided me with many opportunities to chat with soccer fans over the last few weeks, particularly on Monday evening, which has also helped to spark my interest.

Not having an AFL club of my own now opens up a lot of spare time to appreciate other sports too.

 

[Jabso]

I will try and catch more EPL. Although I always say that and end up not really following it. I'll have to finally pick which team I actually support, Tottenham or Newcastle.

I will follow Australia wherever they play, but I hope we have our A team in against the bigger Asian teams.

As for the A-League I will follow casually and maybe go to few Victory games. I can't really say if I'll follow it that closely as I like the top class players and I'm not sure if a lower skilled league would thrill me.

 

[medusala]

I will try and catch more EPL. Although I always say that and end up not really following it. I'll have to finally pick which team I actually support, Tottenham or Newcastle.

As for the A-League I will follow casually and maybe go to few Victory games. I can't really say if I'll follow it that closely as I like the top class players and I'm not sure if a lower skilled league would thrill me.

I reckon that will be the typical response. I know heaps of AFL supporters who regularly watch EPL and support a team but have never even considered going to a soccer game in Melbourne and I doubt they will in future.

 

[Derek Zoolander]

I went to two Victory games last year-sydney sellout and the Adelaide game and the atmosphere was awesome-and the refs are fair.

Unaware of Mark Shield?

No that's a fair call, Shield is rubbish where everyone's concerned.

 

[Portmanteau]

It's a pity that the stigma is attached to the standard of A-League play etc. I've been to probably about 20 Adelaide Utd games over their 2 seasons in existence, and it's always enjoyable. I don't consider myself a football diehard by any stretch.

If anything, the World Cup has inspired me to get back into watching a bit more of the EPL, where I barely watched a match from the previous season.

 

[johnnyhoward]

I will try and catch more EPL. Although I always say that and end up not really following it. I'll have to finally pick which team I actually support, Tottenham or Newcastle.

Why would you follow a team that you know has no chance of winning a title? You could say the same for me following St Kilda though

We may complain about draft picks and how easy it is for teams to tank and get back up to the top, but I tell you it's much better that way with cyclical performance than to see one of 3 teams with any sort of chance of winning the Premiership. I still follow the EPL occassionally but can't get passionate about any one team - I always go for any team playing Chelsea or Arsenal.

 

[Embers]

Why would you follow a team that you know has no chance of winning a title? You could say the same for me following St Kilda though

We may complain about draft picks and how easy it is for teams to tank and get back up to the top, but I tell you it's much better that way with cyclical performance than to see one of 3 teams with any sort of chance of winning the Premiership. I still follow the EPL occassionally but can't get passionate about any one team - I always go for any team playing Chelsea or Arsenal.

Theres alot more to play for then just winning the title, AFL doesnt have that, if ya dont win the premiership you have failed. EPL isnt like that

You can play for European qualification whether that be UEFA Cup or Champs League, if you fail you can be relegated and surviving and not being relegated back down to a inferior competition is actually a good feeling. Then theres the FA Cup, Carling Cup etc.

Theres alot more to EPL then coming first, the AFL doesnt offer that. AFL is the only comp in the world were getting last is infinite times better then coming 2nd

 

[Alex99]

After watching the first season of the A league and now the newly found enthusiasm for football (soccer) I am trying to make my mind up about what code to buy a membership to.

Normally over the summer months it the NBL and the Adelaide 36ers but I am seriously going to consider getting an Adelaide United membership this season just to give it a go.