What s it like doing every match?
Tue Aug 01, 2017 3:37 pm
I'm currently a season ticket holder in the grandstand and on average do about 3-4 away games a season plus cup matches and friendlies. This season on top of that I plan to do a lot more away matches than normal - maybe 10? If I can fix it around my work. I would love to do every single match home and away but I just wondered what it takes to do that and the fans who do this, what they think of it - pros and cons. is it affordable on an average wage? The main 2 things that keeps me from doing it is cost and getting the days off to go due to work. Oh and the other thing is if my mate/family members can't go, I'd have to go on my own. how much does it cost every year? If you dont mind me asking.
Re: What s it like doing every match?
Tue Aug 01, 2017 5:42 pm
I usually do about 20 aways each season so not quite every one and believe me it's bloody tough!
As you say, it's a real problem getting time off work and uses up quite a lot of holidays, especially for midweek games which quite often require a whole day off and that's just getting there, you then often don't get back until well after midnight which means that if you do go into work the next day you're usually pretty knackered.
If you have a limited amount of holiday time available, and a family life to fit in as well, it can be quite difficult to justify taking midweek holidays to travel away.
Also, it certainly can be expensive! Even if you went to every game on the Supporters coaches, I reckon travel and ticket alone is an average of about £50 per game. Let's say you buy a programme (average £3), a couple of pints (average £8) and take your own food (average £5), your looking at almost £70 per game, assuming you do not qualify for a concession on travel or tickets.
Multiply that by 23 away games (£1610) and you're looking at a sizeable financial commitment
without even taking into account your season ticket and costs relating to the home games!
For those reasons as well as others, it seems that quite a lot of away fans are from groups who benefit from concessions (over 60's, students, etc) but there are a lot of fans who pay full price.
I would think that there are actually very few fans who go to every game of the season, particularly those who are paying full price! Having said that, some of the best times can be had on away trips.
The downside is also that you tend to see the team win less often when they play away, but when they do win away it's a great feeling and even the longest trip home seems to pass more quickly.
As you say, it's a real problem getting time off work and uses up quite a lot of holidays, especially for midweek games which quite often require a whole day off and that's just getting there, you then often don't get back until well after midnight which means that if you do go into work the next day you're usually pretty knackered.
If you have a limited amount of holiday time available, and a family life to fit in as well, it can be quite difficult to justify taking midweek holidays to travel away.
Also, it certainly can be expensive! Even if you went to every game on the Supporters coaches, I reckon travel and ticket alone is an average of about £50 per game. Let's say you buy a programme (average £3), a couple of pints (average £8) and take your own food (average £5), your looking at almost £70 per game, assuming you do not qualify for a concession on travel or tickets.
Multiply that by 23 away games (£1610) and you're looking at a sizeable financial commitment
without even taking into account your season ticket and costs relating to the home games!For those reasons as well as others, it seems that quite a lot of away fans are from groups who benefit from concessions (over 60's, students, etc) but there are a lot of fans who pay full price.
I would think that there are actually very few fans who go to every game of the season, particularly those who are paying full price! Having said that, some of the best times can be had on away trips.
The downside is also that you tend to see the team win less often when they play away, but when they do win away it's a great feeling and even the longest trip home seems to pass more quickly.
Re: What s it like doing every match?
Tue Aug 01, 2017 5:49 pm
When we were in Division 4, I went to every home and away game for 9 years, yes its tough going and especially when City were taking as low as 11,50 and 100 fans away and tiring,but looking back, I loved every moment and don't regret it one bit, Great memories 
Re: What s it like doing every match?
Tue Aug 01, 2017 6:26 pm
Thanks for your replies 
Perhaps I'll do about 10 this season and see how it goes and if I can tolerate it perhaps up the number the following season etc. Unfortunately I'm a full priced paying adult so it will hit me hard but I'd rather sacrifice other things such as a brand new car or phone/iPod etc to follow the city but at the same time will be sensible and not spend my rent/food money on it! Lol! I get up at 5am for work so it would be no good me getting back at 1.30am the up at 5 lol but I don't work every weekday/weekend so can work around that. I guess from Cardiff it's quite a trip to get to anywhere unless it's Jacks or Bristol.
Perhaps I'll do about 10 this season and see how it goes and if I can tolerate it perhaps up the number the following season etc. Unfortunately I'm a full priced paying adult so it will hit me hard but I'd rather sacrifice other things such as a brand new car or phone/iPod etc to follow the city but at the same time will be sensible and not spend my rent/food money on it! Lol! I get up at 5am for work so it would be no good me getting back at 1.30am the up at 5 lol but I don't work every weekday/weekend so can work around that. I guess from Cardiff it's quite a trip to get to anywhere unless it's Jacks or Bristol.
Re: What s it like doing every match?
Tue Aug 01, 2017 6:35 pm
I did every home and away game not long ago.
It is expensive but more so tiring. I traveled from Derby which did not help.
Would I do it again......no.
It is expensive but more so tiring. I traveled from Derby which did not help.
Would I do it again......no.
Re: What s it like doing every match?
Tue Aug 01, 2017 8:19 pm
I am currently on 88 consecutive league games and yeah trust me its tough. Espically when you have the long trips up north every other weekend to see a ground you have done a few years in a row. You get good and bad times doing every game sometimes it can feel like a chore but the passion and being with other crazy people like yourself is why i continue to do. I may hit the 100 and then decide to pick and choose but i would probably miss it! It was nice to have a break this summer but im itching for the season to go again now!