fan issues – Page 2 – popular STAND fanzine

Game of Chants

July 31, 2014May 8, 2020by glen wilson1 Comment

I’ve had Carly Simon in my head all day. I’ve had worse days. Yesterday Doncaster Rovers signed Curtis Main, prompting a messageboard thread on what fans should sing for him. Alas a Purple Rain adaptation would be hard to build in to, whilst the insanity of Cypress Hill just won’t scan. Thankfully Snod’s Shinpad, in a moment of inspiration akin to that when he chose his username, suggested a revision of the Carly Simon hit. And so Curtis Main, you’ll probably think this song is about you. Continue reading “Game of Chants” →

fan issues, football writing

Armchair Supporters R Us

July 14, 2014May 8, 2020by Alan PatchingLeave a Comment

Alas, the World Cup is over. Sadly. Wearily. We awake from the bright lights and beauty of a glorious holiday, and stare out of the plane window at the grey runway tarmac of reality that is supporting our local club. All James and no ‘Hamez’. Mundane. Dull. You need a pick-up. To help ease you into your everyday lives we have decided to pick out five of the best received pieces from last season’s fanzine, and share then with you here, to fill the void of the lost 9pm kick-offs. You’re welcome.

We start with this piece from issue 65 of popular STAND, as Jack the Miner envisages the not too inconceivable notion of a man shopping for a football team to support. Continue reading “Armchair Supporters R Us” →

fan issues, football writing

Not Going Away; On The Cost of Watching Football

October 29, 2013May 8, 2020by glen wilson1 Comment

At the start of Doncaster Rovers’ fixture at Hillsborough earlier this month the Radio Sheffield commentary team voiced their surprise that the entirety of the upper tier of the Leppings Lane End was not completely awash with red and white hoops. Mickey Walker couldn’t believe that the away end was not packed out for a derby game. However, Walker’s opinion, and that of the match commentator, had been voiced with no knowledge of the prices Rovers supporters had been asked to pay. £29 or £30 for adults and £18 for juniors is quite frankly a ludicrous price to be asked to pay for a lower second tier fixture between two teams from the second poorest county in the UK. And, it was a price which rightly many Rovers fans refused to pay. Continue reading “Not Going Away; On The Cost of Watching Football” →

Doncaster Rovers Belles, fan issues

Bells, Banners & Belligerence; On Trying to Speak Out

May 27, 2013May 8, 2020by glen wilson12 Comments

That banner in the picture there. I made that. I bought the paints and brushes on Tuesday lunchtime. I painted it (and much of our living room table too) late on Wednesday night. On Thursday I took it to the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final. On Friday I posted it to a group of Belles fans who were planning to attend the FA Women’s Cup Final at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium. On Saturday it reached them up in Doncaster. And on Sunday it was carted off by officials acting on behalf of the Football Association. Continue reading “Bells, Banners & Belligerence; On Trying to Speak Out” →

fan issues, football writing

Out of Love – On Finding it Hard to Follow Your Club

July 12, 2012May 8, 2020by glen wilson14 Comments

Valentines Day. I suppose that’s as good a day as any to realise you no longer feel the attraction you once did. On Valentines Day Matt and I sat at the back of the West Stand and held something of a mid-match confessional. Whilst below us Gary Taylor-Fletcher, who looks more like the proprietor of a fish and chip shop at an out of season seaside resort than a footballer, meandered through the Rovers defence as if picking his way through pensioners in a shopping centre, we sat and confided to one another that we weren’t really enjoying this any more. Continue reading “Out of Love – On Finding it Hard to Follow Your Club” →