What time would you make the players arrive?
I bought the new home and away shirt before the Fulham match, enthusiastically believing the £68 or so I spent would go some way in helping the clubs financial problems. It’s paltry compared to the estimated figures being bandied around about our debt though, but still, every little counts!
It was around 7:15pm when I came out of the Club Shop and I noticed Stefan Bailey walking into the Players Entrance as I headed towards the Box Office to change my seat for the Leyton Orient game.
I had to change my seat because I had forgotten to select the automatic cup season ticket option when I renewed my season ticket. I sit with my friend Sam, and he’d renewed his and had been sent his cup ticket already. So, by the time I sorted mine out, I got a ticket in a random seat no-where near his. Doh!
Anyway - I wondered whether it’s normal for the players to arrive as late as Bailey did, and that got me thinking whether this was acceptable or not? I remember when I was around 12-13 years old, I knew of Sunday League teams and managers who would insist the players got together at least 3 hours before kick-off. If you were late, you got fined 50p, which doesn’t sound like a lot but it was for kids in those days!
I suppose it helped build discipline, team spirit and togetherness as well as allowing you to prepare properly and focus on the match ahead. Still, for some reason, this pissed me off slightly. I would imagine though that this would be different for away games as well as the real competitive fixtures, at least I hope so!
Gareth Ainsworth was also outside and looked like he was chatting to fans. It was good to see him walking around without any crutches after breaking his leg last season, so at least he had an excuse!
