I wouldn't assume all the 1500 of days gone old are "proper" fans, I've said it before and will no doubt say it again, I enjoyed the journey to the Premier League far more than the time spent there. Circumstances change and some us go less now than we did then and arguably talk with more knowledge about the likes of Campbell, Griffiths, Adkins, Skipper and Tankard than any of the current crop.

Glory hunters will of course jump on any bandwagon, but if clubs want to attract more fans were else do they turn? I often wonder for example how many fans we pull in from places like Leigh who have there own side, or people choose us over other rugby alternatives that may be closer to were the actually live, and frankly does it really matter in the grand scheme of things? From a selfish point of view, I'd rather see the sold out signs go up than get snotty about were people come from - that said I don't get the whole "changing teams" melarky in any sport, but each to there own!

I very much get the point put across by others than its odd to celebrate mediocrity, but then I guess its more the battle against adversity, its quiet an achievement on relatively modest budgets etc etc to be staying up for a 7th season.

That said, I do find it funny how the press build up survival as a £40 million game or the initial promotion from the Championship as a £90 million "boost" for the club when all that plus a bit more fly's out in wages.

For those that get annoyed by the likes of Cockney Latic, its easily avoided I've managed to for a good few years now!

Best calm down talking about women and booze, I can't imagine it's good for your blood pressure the way you get worked up.

Anyway got to go, I'm a die hard Man U fan this weekend - oh bugger shouldn't have said that around you - BANG!

Will someone call Owdpopularsider an ambulance please, thanks.

No no I'm having the last say
Watch out I'm gonna blow

With you all the way Owdpopularsider. I could take you in the East stand and point out 4 grown men with Everton tatts on their arms and shoulders. 2 with liverpool tatts who went following the scousers all over Europe in the eighties. They claimed when challenged and embarrassed about the sudden change of allegience that the tics are their 2nd team and like to watch prem football at a cheap rate. I went to a few games with a genuine Tics fan a few years ago, i smirked at the anti Rugby songs and the anti Rugby talk on the concourse at half time. FFS talk about obsessed. I was then approached by an ex workmate and his cronies who asked what the feck i was doing in THEIR stadium as i was an eggy. I told him that not long ago he was an eggy as well and had been to Wembley on several occassions, as well as many Wigan RL home games. he denied this in front of his mates stating he was only working on the doors at Central Park and went to Wembley for the craic and a weekend away. Spineless barsteward. Never been to a Latics game since, still good mates with the true Latics supporter who incidently agrees the Johnny come lately brigade are glory hunters but admits the football club needs all the support it can get.

I own a horse.

You have clearly been outed as a bulter who likes his own version of facts.

Latics had 8-9000 attending in the early 80s. As the novelty wore off in the 90s, it dwindled down to 1500-2000. So maybe the extra fans you claim supported "other clubs" were actually those who had turned their back on Latics (and football in general). And maybe they take their kids too now.

Same for the rugby. They used to get crap crowds and then people fell in love with the game again.