Stevie Synex Posted 11 March 2012 Posted 11 March 2012 I blame my Dad for being a Blue. Although he didn't take me to my first game he would talk to me about games he'd watched down at Filbert Street and players he recalled doing strange and wonderful things, it was he who sowed the seed and eventually my oldest brother who took me down and sat me on the wall in front of the main stand to watch my first City game a long long time ago. It was Saturday August 29th in 1970 at the ripe old age of seven, Carlisle United were the visitors and a guy called Chris Balderstone played for Carlisle who also played county cricket for Leicestershire. That was me hooked, followed them the length and bredth ever since and whilst I've had periods when I have not paid money to go and see them I have always had a radio in earshot or a television in view on matchdays to ensure I was updated with the latest City score. My Dad never seemed to show the same sort of passion for the game that I did although he would always follow the results and know where they were in the league and he would tell me I was wasting my time and money on them. It didn't stop me taking him to a few of the Wembley finals and testimonials down at Filbert Street and I remember he was very impressed with the Walkers Stadium as City played Watford in their first league fixture at the new ground. Dad ended up with a terrible disease called alzheimer's which strips a human being of its dignity let alone its memory and whilst he didn't recognise me he would still know what I was talking about when I mentioned the City, he passed away in 2010 God Bless Him. Inevitably I started taking my two lads down the Walkers as soon as I knew they would sit for 90 minutes without getting bored. They took all the stick at school for not supporting United or Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool and have always been proud to say they support their home town team and watch them as often as possible. For me I was going one better than my Dad did for me, which is what you're supposed to do as a parent so I am told, by taking them down and watching the team play and then venturing away from home which is always where we enjoy ourselves the most. The eldest is 17 now and I would suspect that he will be heading off to L1 next season whilst the youngest will stay with me for a few more years before making his mind up where and when he will watch his beloved Leicester City. So to the dilemma, you see it took me a while to work it out but I remember the look on my Dads face as me and my mates trooped off to watch City in an FA Cup Semi-Final at Villa Park against Tottenham Hotspur in 1982 and I remember he was shaking his head and I remember him telling me that I was wasting my money. Dad must of had his spirit broken somewhere along the way and he must of decided that no matter how much he wanted them to do well they were never quite going to cut it and that they would always let him down. I wrote in a previous article about the strange love affair we all have with our football club and everyone of us have at some point had that same feeling of being let down. My dilemma is do I tell my two lads that the love affair is hopelessly one sided or do I do as my Dad did and say nothing, leaving it to them to work it out for themselves that the empty feeling of hopelessness and disapointment is just something you have to come to terms with as a devoted follower of Leicester City. If I tell them then the dream is over a bit like realising Santa doesn't exist but if I leave them to make their own minds up it could be years of both financial and emotional pain before they reach the same inevitable conclusion. What to do for the best, a real Fathers Dilemma.
Lambert09 Posted 11 March 2012 Posted 11 March 2012 Its all about the ride, whatever the outcomes I have never regretted a moments time spent watching Leicester. The hard times make the good ones better.
Out Foxed Posted 11 March 2012 Posted 11 March 2012 Its all about the ride.The hard times make the good ones better. like life
Guest Col city fan Posted 11 March 2012 Posted 11 March 2012 I blame my Dad for being a Blue. Although he didn't take me to my first game he would talk to me about games he'd watched down at Filbert Street and players he recalled doing strange and wonderful things, it was he who sowed the seed and eventually my oldest brother who took me down and sat me on the wall in front of the main stand to watch my first City game a long long time ago. It was Saturday August 29th in 1970 at the ripe old age of seven, Carlisle United were the visitors and a guy called Chris Balderstone played for Carlisle who also played county cricket for Leicestershire. That was me hooked, followed them the length and bredth ever since and whilst I've had periods when I have not paid money to go and see them I have always had a radio in earshot or a television in view on matchdays to ensure I was updated with the latest City score. My Dad never seemed to show the same sort of passion for the game that I did although he would always follow the results and know where they were in the league and he would tell me I was wasting my time and money on them. It didn't stop me taking him to a few of the Wembley finals and testimonials down at Filbert Street and I remember he was very impressed with the Walkers Stadium as City played Watford in their first league fixture at the new ground. Dad ended up with a terrible disease called alzheimer's which strips a human being of its dignity let alone its memory and whilst he didn't recognise me he would still know what I was talking about when I mentioned the City, he passed away in 2010 God Bless Him. Inevitably I started taking my two lads down the Walkers as soon as I knew they would sit for 90 minutes without getting bored. They took all the stick at school for not supporting United or Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool and have always been proud to say they support their home town team and watch them as often as possible. For me I was going one better than my Dad did for me, which is what you're supposed to do as a parent so I am told, by taking them down and watching the team play and then venturing away from home which is always where we enjoy ourselves the most. The eldest is 17 now and I would suspect that he will be heading off to L1 next season whilst the youngest will stay with me for a few more years before making his mind up where and when he will watch his beloved Leicester City. So to the dilemma, you see it took me a while to work it out but I remember the look on my Dads face as me and my mates trooped off to watch City in an FA Cup Semi-Final at Villa Park against Tottenham Hotspur in 1982 and I remember he was shaking his head and I remember him telling me that I was wasting my money. Dad must of had his spirit broken somewhere along the way and he must of decided that no matter how much he wanted them to do well they were never quite going to cut it and that they would always let him down. I wrote in a previous article about the strange love affair we all have with our football club and everyone of us have at some point had that same feeling of being let down. My dilemma is do I tell my two lads that the love affair is hopelessly one sided or do I do as my Dad did and say nothing, leaving it to them to work it out for themselves that the empty feeling of hopelessness and disapointment is just something you have to come to terms with as a devoted follower of Leicester City. If I tell them then the dream is over a bit like realising Santa doesn't exist but if I leave them to make their own minds up it could be years of both financial and emotional pain before they reach the same inevitable conclusion. What to do for the best, a real Fathers Dilemma. Magic post mate. Like my lad ...... Now 17, your kids will learn soon enough that following City is like a roller coaster ride of emotion. I'm lucky I reckon.. My son actually enjoys the fact that he don't support Man Utd or one of the 'big boys' because the wins are all that more enjoyable when we get them. The day out we had at Norwich was very special... One of the best I can remember with him actually. Simply because we weren't 'meant' to win the game. We were both jumping about like mad things and it was a true father-son moment. I would suspect its actually quite dull, when you really think about it, to be a fan of Barcelona for example, going to games expecting to win them all, to play the opposition off the park etc etc... Nice when it starts but even success must become boring after a while? If, by some divine miracle, we actually beat Chelski next Sunday, all that's been posted on here these past few days will be forgotten. That's what being a City fan is all about mate... The ups and the downs... However, as a dad it's all coming to an end... The little bastad ain't taking his old man to Chelsea.. He's going with his pals... Sob.....
Stevie Synex Posted 11 March 2012 Author Posted 11 March 2012 Magic post mate. Like my lad ...... Now 17, your kids will learn soon enough that following City is like a roller coaster ride of emotion. I'm lucky I reckon.. My son actually enjoys the fact that he don't support Man Utd or one of the 'big boys' because the wins are all that more enjoyable when we get them. The day out we had at Norwich was very special... One of the best I can remember with him actually. Simply because we weren't 'meant' to win the game. We were both jumping about like mad things and it was a true father-son moment. I would suspect its actually quite dull, when you really think about it, to be a fan of Barcelona for example, going to games expecting to win them all, to play the opposition off the park etc etc... Nice when it starts but even success must become boring after a while? If, by some divine miracle, we actually beat Chelski next Sunday, all that's been posted on here these past few days will be forgotten. That's what being a City fan is all about mate... The ups and the downs... However, as a dad it's all coming to an end... The little bastad ain't taking his old man to Chelsea.. He's going with his pals... Sob..... Good to see you back CCF Agreed, the day at Norwich will probably be the highlight of the season and will be remembered by me for the very same reasons as yourself. I tell the boys to keep their levels of expectation relatively low and then anything else is a bonus and they seem to have taken that on board, in fact writing this response to you now makes me wonder whether it's just me, the old boy, who is just getting alittle bit miserable as life goes on. I don't see why I should dampen their enthusiasm and reckon my best bet is to take some of my own advice and hang on in there and enjoy the ride. Yesterday's result was almost a given for me, apart from Waggys header just before halftime a couple of seasons ago the trip to Reading has normally been a miserable one but the reverse on Tuesday night at Bristol really took the stuffing out of me. Wasn't helped by both the M5 and M6 being closed on the way home and the journey back taking half hour longer than I had expected. I've bitten the bullet over next Sundays game with it being Mothers Day and all that and told the boys that their first trip to Stamford Bridge will have to wait until season 2013/14 in the league
Al-aLondon-Foxile Posted 12 March 2012 Posted 12 March 2012 What a great post. My dads side all come from Leicestershire, but I joined the army and live in London, and have done now for almost 30 years. My boys are cockney sounding city die hard 21 & 18 year olds. I don't think they had any choice but to follow city. They'll find out for themselves, but as someone else said the bad times, of which there are many, make the good times taste so much better. We all hang on for the play off finals, the recent triumph at Norwich, the glorious defeat last time at Chelsea, turning spurs over at the walkers, but recent trips to Watford and Reading make those so much better. I wouldn't change it for the world, it's what makes us Leicester fans & footy fans.
Stig the Lawnmower Posted 12 March 2012 Posted 12 March 2012 good post. My old man was not really interested in any sport, so it was down to my eldest brother to take me to filbert street in the early sixties, aged about 10. we beat liverpool 3-0. hooked from there on. took my lad down when he was about10 and showing an interest in football, albeit man utd and liverpool. one game though and he was hooked (west ham 1-0 ally mauchlen) and has been ever since. But the joy of supporting city and similar teams (ie not the top 4) is the highs and lows, it makes the odd 'giant killing' (next sunday!) all the more enjoyable. it's what football should be about.
Saxondale Posted 12 March 2012 Posted 12 March 2012 Superb post. Let your lads find out for themselves. Supporting a football club is essentially a fruitless task anyway. Sorry to hear about the Alzheimers, dementia is very cruel.
Stevie Synex Posted 12 March 2012 Author Posted 12 March 2012 What a great post. My dads side all come from Leicestershire, but I joined the army and live in London, and have done now for almost 30 years. My boys are cockney sounding city die hard 21 & 18 year olds. I don't think they had any choice but to follow city. They'll find out for themselves, but as someone else said the bad times, of which there are many, make the good times taste so much better. We all hang on for the play off finals, the recent triumph at Norwich, the glorious defeat last time at Chelsea, turning spurs over at the walkers, but recent trips to Watford and Reading make those so much better. I wouldn't change it for the world, it's what makes us Leicester fans & footy fans. Thanks for the kind comments mate. How on earth did you manage to bring two kids up in the smoke and steer them down the route of LCFC?? A truely remarkable feat in itself!
Stevie Synex Posted 12 March 2012 Author Posted 12 March 2012 Superb post. Let your lads find out for themselves. Supporting a football club is essentially a fruitless task anyway. Sorry to hear about the Alzheimers, dementia is very cruel. Indeed it is and unfortunately it will affect more and more families the older we all live..... everytime I can't remember something no matter how trivial I think it's the first signs that I'm heading the same way but I am reassured by those around me that it is just middle age kicking in.
steveherbe Posted 12 March 2012 Posted 12 March 2012 Indeed it is and unfortunately it will affect more and more families the older we all live..... everytime I can't remember something no matter how trivial I think it's the first signs that I'm heading the same way but I am reassured by those around me that it is just middle age kicking in. What is??? (I'm old, I know what you mean )
1964FOX Posted 12 March 2012 Posted 12 March 2012 Great post, i am very similar age to the OP, I never had a father to guide me and remember clearly the times at school I was asked 'Leicester or Leeds' and waited for a smack from the glory boys when I said Leicester. My boy who is 14 is Leicester through and through and I'm so pleased although their was a dark six months when he was about 7 when the glory boys at school tried to defect him to Man U. One of his best friends is a Chelsea supporter and has slagged my lads choice of team off for years. If the impossible happens and we win on Suday just imagine the pleasure he will have ripping into him. I learnt long ago you don't support Leicester and expect sucess but when it comes along it so much sweeter. for me it's about the social side with true dedicated fans who support their team no matter what and I'm proud I'm one of them.
Spudulike Posted 12 March 2012 Posted 12 March 2012 Loving this thread. Have to say the stuffing was also knocked out of me last Tuesday night at Ashton Gate and I've been feeling down about it since. At least it shows that I still care. I've also, thankfully, brought up my son as a City fan and that's not always been easy living 135 miles away. He was going to Stamford Bridge (without me) but can't get a ticket. ESPN for us but we'll be there in spirit.
wellyfox Posted 12 March 2012 Posted 12 March 2012 Magic post mate. Like my lad ...... Now 17, your kids will learn soon enough that following City is like a roller coaster ride of emotion. I'm lucky I reckon.. My son actually enjoys the fact that he don't support Man Utd or one of the 'big boys' because the wins are all that more enjoyable when we get them. The day out we had at Norwich was very special... One of the best I can remember with him actually. Simply because we weren't 'meant' to win the game. We were both jumping about like mad things and it was a true father-son moment. I would suspect its actually quite dull, when you really think about it, to be a fan of Barcelona for example, going to games expecting to win them all, to play the opposition off the park etc etc... Nice when it starts but even success must become boring after a while? If, by some divine miracle, we actually beat Chelski next Sunday, all that's been posted on here these past few days will be forgotten. That's what being a City fan is all about mate... The ups and the downs... However, as a dad it's all coming to an end... The little bastad ain't taking his old man to Chelsea.. He's going with his pals... Sob..... Cos he don't wanna listen to you banging on about beckford all day long. lol lol
HEGGSY Posted 12 March 2012 Posted 12 March 2012 Being of a younger generation there was a very small chance I could of been brought up supporting someone else, I mean FFS I've got a picture of me in a Man Utd kit from when I was about 3-4 ( Thanks Mum ) but my family is Leicester through and through, I wouldn't have it any other way. I've got a lot of mates who support United/Chelsea/Liverpool/Arsenal and only a few who support City. I've always been a lot closer to my mates who support Leicester, because of the dedication we have to the club. I love being a City fan and the bad times (which we seem to have a lot of) make the good times that whole lot sweeter 'COS I SUPPORT THE LEICESTER, THE LEICESTER, THE LEICESTER AND THAT'S THE WAY I LIKE IT, I LIKE, I LIKE IT!!!!
Guest Col city fan Posted 12 March 2012 Posted 12 March 2012 Cos he don't wanna listen to you banging on about beckford all day long. lol lol Beckford? Who's Beckford? lol
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