Great day yesterday. Three winning picks and one push. Nice profit. This is what I and my readers want to see every day. And today is lazy Sunday... We have one pick for today and it will be enough.
Let's leave betting aside for today and talk about football and their supporters.
Most of my mates are very interested in football culture. This post is for you:)
Please, take a look at this video. It's all about passion, commitment, loyalty, love. Moments from 0:55 till 1:00 are priceless. Beautiful.
As you may know I live in Bristol - beautiful english city. It's a great place to live, to go out with your friends, where are a lot of things to do. But something is wrong with Bristol football and their supporters...
Yesterday I had a chance to go to Ashton Gate, to watch Bristol City - West Bromwich Albion friendly game.
Me and my 3 mates were around stadium 1.5 hours before kick-off, pretty quiet. We are heading to closest pub called BS3 - signs on the entrance warn you - ''Home supporters only, proof required''. My new Fred Perry polo is just the right color - all red. We qualify for entry:)
South West is well known for it's cider, let's have some.
Pub is quite busy, but not like on the real match day. We are going outside with our drinks, only few people pass by in black and white WBA shirts, rest of them are dressed in red and white.
After few pints we are ready to go. Stadium is just around the corner. Five minutes and we are inside. We ''enjoyed'' visiting the smallest football stadium toilet I've seen in my life. And I've seen probably 50 or more stadiums in my life in different countries. Architect must be proud of himself:)
Lets go back to stadium. Yes, I know it's only a friendly game, but...
They haven't seen their team for good two months, it's first home game since May. Crowd wasn't that bad - 7000. Even for their league games they gather 13000-15000, but atmosphere at the stadium was absolutely awful, total silence from the stands, not a single song or encouragement for their beloved team. People were just munching pies and drinking soft drinks, sometimes clapping hands after good tackle or shot. Jesus, it's football game, not theatre or some kind of exhibition!
Another matter which I would call disgrace - is total disrespect for their team, when people start leaving stands on 38th minute for another pie or on 85th to catch early bus home. Football game last 90minutes and not a minute less. Especially, when the only goal of the match was scored on 88th minute...
As I know beer is not allowed in English stadiums since 1985, because of well known violence. Just few days ago a lot of clubs signed petition against this law. Because all other sports are allowed to sell alcohol in stadiums, except football. Maybe this would help to bring some passion to Ashton Gate?
I saw one poster in the stadium - ''It has nothing to do with football'' and picture below with lads fighting outside pub. Another line below said - ''If you know someone involved in football fighting, please call 087... Reward may be given'' Haha, grass culture?:) Hardly can imagine such poster in Poland or Serbia:)
After final whistle announcer thanked all spectators (this is probably better word than supporters in that case) for: ''Wonderful support". What a joke.
I've been on the blue side of the city as well - sight is the same. I've watched Bristol Rovers and Exeter, there were few songs and something you would call a support, but still picture pretty grim. It's not the place you would go again. Especially having in mind pricing. It's not working class game anymore. Maybe that's why is so quiet and peacefull? Intelligent people can not let their emotions out?
Tickets for City friendly bought in advance cost just five quid and tenner on the gate on matchday, this is the price I would be ready to pay every week, to see West Ham, Cardiff City or Birmingham. But £27 is way too much for the cheapest ticket. Still, I have to look at the schedule and check when Hammers are coming to town. Would be interested to see if they are still alive.
Last season I attended game against Millwall. It was really good day out, £27 quid well spent. Millwall brought 2000 lads, loud support, singing all match.
We'll see if West Ham can show something better. So far Bristol are out of their league in support and real football atmosphere.
It is place for nice night out, but not for football:)
Have a nice day all of you and please visit me again for picks and maybe some football thoughts. Cheers.