09-18-2019, 07:43 PM
(09-18-2019, 07:20 PM)Half Time Guest Wrote: I've sat and had a good long think about the "genuine" comment and I'm actually astounded to the point that I'm insulted by the insinuation.
How fucking dare she question my credentials as a Hearts fan. I am the quintessential jammy wearing moron who gives a fuck about the club. I've spent my entire life following the club, home, away and abroad. I've ploughed literal thousands into the club and I am not alone in that either. And unlike Ann Budge I don't have a bank account containing millions of pounds whereby I don't notice the money that leaves my account on a regular basis to follow, support and effectively keep this club alive through pledges. It's a massive dent in my wallet following Hearts.
I've had a season ticket in the main stand the last 19 years. I had many season tickets before that. I sat in the same seat for 17 years prior to the new stand getting built (and them somehow making the view I had worse when they stick a barrier right in front of the goals). I've bought and own every single home strip since 1994 and umpteen away and third jerseys too. I dread to think how much the total cost of all the kit and season tickets are that I've spent in my life. And of course there's all the money spent on cup games that aren't included in season tickets, away games and travel. I don't think I could put a definitive figure on it but comparative to my wage its a large amount. Hell I know one lad (who posts on here) that travels up from down south every home game and feels the exact same way as I do. Try telling him he's not genuine.
Last summer I got a new job that meant I went from Monday-Friday to set shifts. It meant I only got two in every five weekends off. Did I give up my season ticket? No, I renewed once again because I support the club. I love going to the game. I love heading along with my old boy and my mates. Following Hearts is a massive part of my life, no two ways about it. I knew I wasn't going to go to many games with my new work but I decided it was still worth the money to guarantee my seat whenever I could go and make sure if we ever make another final, or big games like easter road, I'd have the loyalty (know that word, Ann) points to ensure I was guaranteed a ticket.
My first ever part time job making barely the minimum wage at 16 years old and I chucked half my wages at the Save Our Hearts campaign. I went to the marches. I made donations whenever I could.
I bought shares in the club when it was on its arse.
I joined the Foundation of Hearts from the very beginning. I started pledging when it was still unclear whether we'd survive. In pledges alone since the start of FoH I reckon I've donated well over a grand n total. It may come across as a brag but the point I'm making is that I - and so many others - have put so much time, effort and money into this club, the club I support. It's my choice to do so. Some have contributed even more and feel the exact same way I do.
And like I've said before, my pledge is a donation. Everyone else's pledge is a donation. We do not see a return on our money. It is not an investment. We don't get it back at all, never mind with interest. We all give over our cash without question.
But because I criticise the regime, our methods and the way things are being run on and off the park she has the audacity to question whether I and eveyrone else who does the same are "genuine"?! Christ almighty give me strength.
I was doing my utmost to keep the club alive. I was donating and spending cash wherever I could. I was following and supporting the club I grew up with and love long before Budge came along. I've been a Hearts fan all my days, unlike her I didn't start about eight years ago. She's got way more out of the club than she put in - she'll get her money back with interest and her profile has sky rocketed. Absolutely nobody knew who she was until she came on board with us.
And what have we got out of our tireless support, effort and funding? A shite football team to watch with a shite manager and shitebag players and an owner who dismisses everything because she can't and refuses to see what's in front of her.
I won't be lectured about how "genuine" my support is for the club, and I certainly won't take kindly to snidey remarks about it either.
Sincerely,
Genuine fan - Season ticket holder, FoH pledger, shareholder, pissed off
Have you ever swore at a match, had a pint in a pub before a game, worked a job with a salary of less than 50k or lived in a post code which is considered a working class area?
Well you aren't her idea of a genuine Hearts fan.