All this transfer drama makes me appreciate TM even more. An actual club legend. Literally zero drama over 7 years playing for the senior team and genuinely one of the most reliable fullbacks in the world when you take into account consistency and availability.
These points are frighteningly accurate. Clubs are deliberately looking at long standing supporters, taking away long fought for rights and making basic things like season tickets a weapon to remove rather than a part of "ownership" and support of the club.
A study was done over a decade ago and they are right, stadiums are full of people my age, with previous few avenues for youngsters, the vibrant future of any club, to congregate together as a large, noisy, feisty and sometimes intimidating group.
I'm surprised Palace owners have let it get this far because with greatest respect to a club I started at, 90's Palace was old, Surrey based and "nice". HF undoubtedly have made Selhurst a prickly place to play so their attendance is proof that embracing positive supporter change works. And works well.
Going to be honest, not a fan of the mimickery by English supporters of European Ultras groups per se, we have a 150 year old raw, passionate culture and we do things differently, so that's my tuppence on the "look" of groups like HF rather than the extremely valid points they make, which I support 100%.
We've just come off the $1000 a ticket World Cup, we know tourists from afar's spend is more valuable to clubs that a season ticket holder who doesn't need to spend £600 in the shop, and we know that through a cost of living crisis, youngsters are finding cheaper teams to support ( a very welcome unintended consequence of Prem pricing) or move away from football entirely.
If I were shouting still on radio this is exactly the debate we'd be having tonight, rattling cages of those in power, inviting guests into squirm a little as they try to defend pricing, strategy and bringing more youngsters into stadia. Alas, the Premier League, like FIFA and UEFA want only happy clappy official broadcasters to " tell them how great we are ", so you won't find HF statement being answered by anyone relevant in football, they just ignore and ride it out. It's why we are where we are now.
I hope HF reconsider, and I hope good people like @CEO4TAG can find a solution, we need more, not less HF.
Football without hardcore fans, is nothing.
Football without tourists, is fine.
Look after those who've looked after uou for 150 years. Today, tomorrow and in the future. It's why English football IS so special.
On Wednesday, NAC Breda shared the tragic news that Mats Seuntjens and his partner had lost their newborn daughter. After the match last night, the club paid tribute, with fans of both teams lighting 18,000 sparklers.
What a beautiful idea to show support.
We've seen Anan Khalaili dominating the wing. 🥹
Now he's off to Crystal Palace and the Premier League.
A Belgian title. A Belgian Cup. Two Supercups.
Pace, talent and unforgettable moments on the pitch. A humble and genuine guy off it.
Thank you for everything, Anan. Nothing but the best for your next chapter. 💛💙
We'll play whoever we play.
But we're here.
And when we're not, we'll go back to supporting clubs in a pyramid the envy of the world.
Then we'll qualify for the Euros.
Then we'll qualify for Spain 2030.
What about you?
One man dragged England back from the brink. One man rescued Thomas Tuchel’s job. One man stopped England fans from going home, empty of heart and pocket. That man was Harry Kane. England are still in this World Cup because of one man. Astonishing footballer. #ENG