Do the players care about fans?

[ElTanko]

So, met a city player the other day, first I have seen in a long time. Had a quick chat, very pleasant. Afterwards I felt a bit....nobbish! He's not from Bristol, so me saying I'm a city fan, do the players care? Or was it more an annoyance? A few who are Bristolian and support the club, probably do. But what do the rest actually think? They have no love for Bristol city per se, of course try want to win, as that's the point, but that's for personal gain surely? Not for the actual love of the club, but for the personal success. 

Like I said, very pleasant to meet said player, but what do they really think of us?

 

ElT

[Phileas Fogg]

I liked the use of the word ‘nobbish’ - who was the player?

[Bar BS3]

13 minutes ago, ElTanko said:

So, met a city player the other day, first I have seen in a long time. Had a quick chat, very pleasant. Afterwards I felt a bit....nobbish! He's not from Bristol, so me saying I'm a city fan, do the players care? Or was it more an annoyance? A few who are Bristolian and support the club, probably do. But what do the rest actually think? They have no love for Bristol city per se, of course try want to win, as that's the point, but that's for personal gain surely? Not for the actual love of the club, but for the personal success. 

Like I said, very pleasant to meet said player, but what do they really think of us?

 

ElT

He probably thinks that you over think things..!

[Silvio Dante]

Short answer - not that much, no. 

Long answer - most of us don't do that interesting jobs. However, if you get talking to someone who shows an interest in what you do, it's quite "flattering" and most people (including footballers) will be more than happy to have a conversation.

However, same as if you were a welder and someone who at best was an amateur welder started talking and veered into telling you how your welding was going wrong, you'd be pretty p'd off and want them to do one.

Subtotal - no, they probably don't care that much but as for any human, enjoy engaging with the fans unless said fans are ****s!

[spudski]

4 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said:

Short answer - not that much, no. 

Long answer - most of us don't do that interesting jobs. However, if you get talking to someone who shows an interest in what you do, it's quite "flattering" and most people (including footballers) will be more than happy to have a conversation.

However, same as if you were a welder and someone who at best was an amateur welder started talking and veered into telling you how your welding was going wrong, you'd be pretty p'd off and want them to do one.

Subtotal - no, they probably don't care that much but as for any human, enjoy engaging with the fans unless said fans are ****s!

Spot on I'd say...

All footballers have been fans themselves at one point in their lives. So they get it.

They will generally put themselves out for the kids, as they remember what it felt like as a kid to meet their footy idols.

Good story this week about how Rory Mcilroy isn't a big fan of Roy Keane for snubbing him as a youngster. Pep also had Gary Lineaker do the same at Barcelona....he remembered, it stuck with him all that time. Do it for the kids, it means something.

However...if you've got an adult behaving like a big kid, that should know better, then they generally give them less time.

All depends where they are, the situation and what's spoken about.

I cringe sometimes when you see some adult fans approach players and start spouting off.

[Meh]

Scott Murray, Brian Tinnion. A lot of players become club men and are more than happy to engage, others move on. I can’t think of many at the moment that don’t seem delighted to be here and sure would like to talk to fans at the right time I.e. on their own walking along and not out with family etc.

I know most won’t but I take pride in Bailey Wright always wishing Bristol Rugby well every game. Shows to me a good Bristol Sport unity which I maintain is a good thing and shows that our club captain sees the rugby guys who no doubt bump into each other often as part of an extended group.

[A Darkwood Red]

Probably not and I particularly care if they do. I want them to enjoy their time here and apply themselves the best they can whilst here. That way everyone wins. 

If in their time here they develop relationships with certain fans or fan groups great. If not so be it. 

[Negan]

I think most footballers who are a success at the club they are playing at become fans of that club. Like I have no doubt Tammy looks out for our results and wishes us to do well. He’s not a fan like us where we travel up and down the country spending thousands but he’s still a fan of Bristol City FC. In 20 years time when his career has finished, hopefully a very successful one, if you approached him with your City shirt on he could probably tell you where we are in what league and how we got on at the weekend. 

 

Not all players will be like that of course but like I said, the ones who are a success usually are. So to answer your question, yes I do think players care about the fans. 

[Elruliri]

I think most players are ok with a quick chat in the right circumstances.I've spoken to quite a few in the past and they have always been friendly. The only one I would say I would walk past without saying anything would be Stevie neville, I spoke to him after he retired and found him really arrogant and up his own arse. Shame really because I loved him as a player when I was a kid. The nicest players I have met are Walshy, Cheesley, Whitehead and I was up until the early hours with Bobby Hutch, Riley and Moyesy 10 years after the freight rover win when they were in the same hotel in a different suite whilst I was supposed to be attending a wedding. What a night that was those boys could sup a few.

[EmersonsRed]

Most no - but there are ones who do, tend to be older (or from the area i.e Joe Bryan etc). Jon Stead, Aaron Wilbraham our most recent who I know care very much about our fans and club. Steady because we played a huge part in the early years of his daughters life, Wilbs was loved here and genuinely loved the club back.

But I'd say the average player couldn't care less, I guess players that play well tend to build a better relationship with fans.

Ivan Sproule one who'd stop for any City fan, the obvious Scott Murray etc

 

Then there are players like Brett Pitman. Let's not talk about players like Brett Pitman.

[cidercity1987]

I saw them in a club in Las Vegas, went over just to ask for a quick pic (wouldnt ask them here but you know, it was a great coincidence to see them abroad). Their host basically told me to do one, 'they are on holiday and dont want pics'. Oh but the girl I was with could join them if she wanted...

If it was Messi I could understand but I doubt BC players are inundated with photo requests abroad.

So in answer to the question, no they definitely dont care about the fans. Ce la vie.

[kevthered]

I used to live at Nailsea and quite often see City players out with their other halfs and would often stop for a natter, Brian Tinnion used to chat for ages even when he was manager

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, EmersonsRed said:

Most no - but there are ones who do, tend to be older (or from the area i.e Joe Bryan etc). Jon Stead, Aaron Wilbraham our most recent who I know care very much about our fans and club. Steady because we played a huge part in the early years of his daughters life, Wilbs was loved here and genuinely loved the club back.

But I'd say the average player couldn't care less, I guess players that play well tend to build a better relationship with fans.

Ivan Sproule one who'd stop for any City fan, the obvious Scott Murray etc

 

Then there are players like Brett Pitman. Let's not talk about players like Brett Pitman.

Totally agree about Wilbs, would chat to you about football without being snobbish that he was a pro and you weren’t.

In fact, it’s quite difficult to spark a conversation with a footballer.  Once you get past "great game yesterday" or "how was training this morning" there’s not a lot more to ask without it feeling a bit unnatural.  If you can get onto something other than football it is a bit easier and natural.

[EmersonsRed]

3 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Totally agree about Wilbs, would chat to you about football without being snobbish that he was a pro and you weren’t.

In fact, it’s quite difficult to spark a conversation with a footballer.  Once you get past "great game yesterday" or "how was training this morning" there’s not a lot more to ask without it feeling a bit unnatural.  If you can get onto something other than football it is a bit easier and natural.

Wilbs was great. Was on a train back from up north one day doing some work, looked up across table and it was him - spoke willingly for the whole journey and I reckon football was mentioned for about 5 minutes. Lovely bloke.

He told me a funny story about how he arranged a prank shit shirt night out in London after QPR away, Joe Bryan had been winding him up about being old, so everyone got involved to tell Joe it was a shit shirt night, when it wasn't. Met in the hotel lobby they all stayed at and Joe was the only one not suitably dressed for a night out. Ha

[Tears in rain]

1 hour ago, cidercity1987 said:

I saw them in a club in Las Vegas, went over just to ask for a quick pic (wouldnt ask them here but you know, it was a great coincidence to see them abroad). Their host basically told me to do one, 'they are on holiday and dont want pics'. Oh but the girl I was with could join them if she wanted...

If it was Messi I could understand but I doubt BC players are inundated with photo requests abroad.

So in answer to the question, no they definitely dont care about the fans. Ce la vie.

Safe to say that left a sour taste with you didn’t it?

And fair enough when you mention the part about the girl. 

P.S hope that wasn’t your girlfriend or something! 

[Major Isewater]

8 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Totally agree about Wilbs, would chat to you about football without being snobbish that he was a pro and you weren’t.

In fact, it’s quite difficult to spark a conversation with a footballer.  Once you get past "great game yesterday" or "how was training this morning" there’s not a lot more to ask without it feeling a bit unnatural.  If you can get onto something other than football it is a bit easier and natural.

So just talk about the Gas then .

[Robbored]

Bottom line - it's a job for the players and the vast majority move on at some point. The exceptions like Tinnion and Murray were always happy to chat but some like Tony Thorpe weren't particularly happy to engage with fans unless he was pissed like he often was whenever I met him.

Does that mean that Thorpe didn't care about the fans or was he just a shy around people he didn't know?

I imagine there are a lot of players like TT.

Personally I couldn't care one iota about whether the players like the fans or not. All I care about is them performing on the pitch.

[Phileas Fogg]

1 hour ago, cidercity1987 said:

I saw them in a club in Las Vegas, went over just to ask for a quick pic (wouldnt ask them here but you know, it was a great coincidence to see them abroad). Their host basically told me to do one, 'they are on holiday and dont want pics'. Oh but the girl I was with could join them if she wanted...

If it was Messi I could understand but I doubt BC players are inundated with photo requests abroad.

So in answer to the question, no they definitely dont care about the fans. Ce la vie.

That's a shame, hope that 'rule' came from the club and not the players themselves.

If I was a footballer being paid several thousand a week I think i'd feel obliged to have pictures or chat to any fans that wanted it. 

I've met Korey Smith before, think that's the only one from the current squad, very mild mannered and friendly. Exactly what I expected him to be like actually.

Met Jamie McAllister a couple of times - seems a great guy. Also met GJ once, very charming and warm.

[cidercity1987]

49 minutes ago, Tears in rain said:

Safe to say that left a sour taste with you didn’t it?

And fair enough when you mention the part about the girl. 

P.S hope that wasn’t your girlfriend or something! 

From cloud nine at seeing them to a very demeaning experience. Luckily it wasnt my wife but her friend, she said no!

I didnt renew my season ticket.

41 minutes ago, JonDolman said:

So that's down to the host, not the players. 

I believe at least two of them were aware of the situation. I wont name names and they have both left the club.

[Selred]

Met Luke Freeman in Amsterdam the other year, asked him for a picture. Happily obliged and even asked if I wanted to see the sex show with him, I politely declined. Surreal exchange. 

[TRL]

Kevin Nugent is the nicest player I've met. Really down to earth bloke. Willing to chat about anything. Bumped into him a year later, he actually approached me and started up a conversation and even remembered my name.

 

For me it's nothing to do with being a footballer, its about the type of human being you are.

 

Spoken to other players all generally friendly but you get the impression that they don't really want to talk past a couple of minutes... which is fair enough they have things to do people to see.

Luckily haven't met one who has been a complete nob.  

 

I remember Mike Stowell commenting on Steve Phillips not being very popular within the team.. after chatting about a shit day at work and one of my colleagues being an arse!

[Tears in rain]

52 minutes ago, cidercity1987 said:

From cloud nine at seeing them to a very demeaning experience. Luckily it wasnt my wife but her friend, she said no!

I didnt renew my season ticket.

I believe at least two of them were aware of the situation. I wont name names and they have both left the club.

Sorry to hear about that exchange and yeah lucky it wasn’t your wife not sure how you would react! 

[Ian M]

1 hour ago, Robbored said:

Bottom line - it's a job for the players and the vast majority move on at some point. The exceptions like Tinnion and Murray were always happy to chat but some like Tony Thorpe weren't particularly happy to engage with fans unless he was pissed like he often was whenever I met him.

Does that mean that Thorpe didn't care about the fans or was he just a shy around people he didn't know?

I imagine there are a lot of players like TT.

Personally I couldn't care one iota about whether the players like the fans or not. All I care about is them performing on the pitch.

Funny you mention Thorpe as I was about to say the same about him being up himself. Louis Carey invited me and a mate to go out with the players one night after I'd won a PFA competition and the vast majority were brilliant, I particularly remember Louis convincing two girls that me and my mate were the club's star strikers whilst he was the bus driver. Had a moment alone at a table in the casino with Thorpe towards the end of the night and he started banging on about how lucky we were to spend time in their company and not to expect it to happen again. We knew that already, did it need to be said?

[Robbored]

Thorpe was a troubled guy I reckon. About the only thing he had in life was being a pro footballer and he banged on about it endlessly. 

He was worse the more pissed he got and he squared up to one of the locals, a gashead after he took umbrage at what others would have seen as a friendly banter comment. He was a complete dick.

[Phileas Fogg]

16 minutes ago, Robbored said:

Thorpe was a troubled guy I reckon. About the only thing he had in life was being a pro footballer and he banged on about it endlessly. 

He was worse the more pissed he got and he squared up to one of the locals, a gashead after he took umbrage at what others would have seen as a friendly banter comment. He was a complete dick.

Haven't you also met Gary Johnson? What was he like?

[Simon79]

Some do, some don't I guess. It's human nature I suppose. One player in our current squad certainly does....  I left my sons season ticket in Cardiff this season, we were unable to go back & get it. I promised him that on the way back we would pop into the stadium shop. Just as we got to the gate, I had the call to say I left it in Cardiff! Had to ask them to post it & hope it arrived by Saturday, it was Thursday. While walking around the ground, we spoke to a few players, they were all great with Elliott. One in particular stopped & the story cropped up. He gave me his number & told me to contact him if the ticket issue didn't get sorted, he would get us in. I managed to get a reprinted ticket in the end. I will never forget that gesture. Class act imo.  COYR 

[cidercity1987]

11 minutes ago, JonDolman said:

Even if that is true, what's the problem with not wanting to have pictures taken? Bet it's annoying getting people asking for pictures everywhere they go. I guess they go on holiday to have a break from all of it, including pictures with fans. 

No problem. Answering the question of do the players care about the fans? In my experience, no and giving an example 

[cidered abroad]

In my youth, we often travelled to/from away games on trains and met players and managers who always were willing to talk. In the summers we sometimes met players at local cricket matches.

I bumped into Harold Jarman in Corfu town on hols and again several months later at AG when he was scouting fir Man C. He looked at me, smiled and said Corfu wasn't it.

I always found you got a good response if you don't get pushy or outstay your welcome. They are entitled to their privacy, same as we are.

[Major Isewater]

39 minutes ago, JonDolman said:

Even if that is true, what's the problem with not wanting to have pictures taken? Bet it's annoying getting people asking for pictures everywhere they go. I guess they go on holiday to have a break from all of it, including pictures with fans. 

It's very annoying.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

38 minutes ago, JonDolman said:

Even if that is true, what's the problem with not wanting to have pictures taken? Bet it's annoying getting people asking for pictures everywhere they go. I guess they go on holiday to have a break from all of it, including pictures with fans. 

You’re right - as I said earlier though if I were a player I’d feel obliged to do it. I’m not saying players have to listen to fans giving them shit or having a go, but I don’t think it’s too much to ask of players to say hi or have a picture - on holiday or not. 

I get the impression a few of those who have frequented the Vegas trips can be a little arrogant, typical footballers really.

I think the other issue is that lots of players are in their 20s and perhaps lack maturity still. I bet you’re much more likely to have a positive response from Wade Elliot or Wilbraham in that situation.