When I was a kid growing up, Saturday afternoons was waiting for the scores to come, hearing my dad cheer at certain ones as my granddad smoked a cigar notching off his bets.

The stadium was a community meeting point, blokes all over hanging out... having a beer, posh country blokes enjoying a beer with your typical working class blokes - les in crystals handing out raffle tickets, winning a signed ball if you was lucky... it was just.. it felt like it was in the fans hands... it was gritty... but it was ours.
Going back to school on a Monday and having the Chelsea and Man U fans laugh at me.. but I didn't care as I was there..

Now, it's all neon grits and adverts, waiting to cheer or being told to cheer by VAR, parish doing his best to get in the big wigs pockets... it's just lost its soul... the price of being in the prem.

some fantastic replies on here... I feel fans are what make it, without fans.. it's nothing... I hope... I hope it goes back to normal

I agree with pretty much most on here. I gave my season ticket up, when I realised that it was becoming tougher to make plans. Friday night, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday games. Variable kick off times and all to accommodate TV rather than the fan. It felt to me, that as a non-corporate basic fan, I was a burden and I still feel that.

I hate the dishonesty and that comments like “he was touched, he’s entitled to go down for the penalty” when some little flower takes a dive, have become acceptable and kids now see this as the norm. That it’s spouted by former players I once had respect for, galls me more. I hate VAR, the ridiculous handball nonsense and outrageous offsides (like Bamfords - of course that was a bloody goal).

As a kid our family would all sit around the TV when England games were on, now I have no interest. A succession of managers, like Southgate, have helped destroy my love of the National team. Southgate is not a manager - he’s a politician with no managerial pedigree. (His win rate at Middlesbrough was less than 30%). I don’t even know why he’s manager - he’s simply not good enough.

Same with European games. Our family all supported the teams going for the European Cup. Now? Couldn’t give a toss.

But, you know what, the saddest bit is that I’ve come to realise that Footballs no longer for the likes of me. I’m a dinosaur. I’ve been coaching local Sunday grass roots adults and kids teams for years but things like VAR and the above have destroyed my love of the game, to the extent that I’ve walked away this season and will not go back.

In short, I love Palace, but I can even see myself stepping away completely which would be a shame as there are 4 generations of Palace fans in my family. I am feeling the lure of spending my hard earned cash on stuff that will make a difference to my life. This version of football isn’t it as, quite frankly, it no longer makes me happy.

No word of a lie but this site is probably one of the last and best things about supporting Palace.

Edited by Helmet46 (16 Nov 2020 7.54am)

These days I am a fair weather supporter and it is this site largely keeps me interested in the club.

I gave up my season ticket when my brother and nephew moved away, at the same time I lost my job so a no brainer.

Now retired my first love before the pandemic was about
traveling the world so its not practical to have a season ticket.

As the poster above states not being able to pin down a set day in the week when your team plays is also a real killer. I wouldn't mind if we just played at the weekend but potentially it can be any day of the week.

Good luck to those who still have the patience and energy to go but I've done my time in the trenches so its a dodgy stream or MOTD for me.

I recall the days when the teams came out of the tunnel separately.Warm greeting when your team emerged and a less than welcome response when the opposition emerged!

In those halcyon days, none of this 'Respect' handshake with the players not even looking at each other as they advance down the line and carry out their perfunctory duties.

And of course none of this kneeling with SKY in particular being a 24 hour advertisement for BLM.Adverts,BLM badges on pundits etc etc.Probably more to follow next season.

I recall the days when the teams came out of the tunnel separately.Warm greeting when your team emerged and a less than welcome response when the opposition emerged!

In those halcyon days, none of this 'Respect' handshake with the players not even looking at each other as they advance down the line and carry out their perfunctory duties.

And of course none of this kneeling with SKY in particular being a 24 hour advertisement for BLM.Adverts,BLM badges on pundits etc etc.Probably more to follow next season.