Leaving the match before the final whistle

Blue Cheese · October 31, 2016

Never done it and I travel, no excuses.

Coffee and TV · October 31, 2016

I don't leave early but I'm not arsed if someone else wants to

Groucho · October 31, 2016

MoutsGoat said:
It disgusts me.

Amazingly so.

I have never done it.

Barring an emergency I never will.

degsy · October 31, 2016

Sometimes back in the day due to actually wanting to get home before 7.00pm on Sat or midnight for evenings it had to be done.

My usual was to, when they opened the big exit gates in the cul de sac and the one between the Gwladys and the Goodison rd paddock was to make my way round to the very back terrace step, wait for the whistle then run like 'k for the 500 at Walton Church. Never remember cursing myself for missing something.
Later on with Kids and the Mammy, no chance of running so didn't bother, walk to the pub to 'let the traffic die down' aka have a few beers.
Now I wouldn't attempt to run with out a St Johns guy carrying the paddles.

Efcjake · October 31, 2016

GrandOldTeam said:
When, if ever, is it acceptable?

On a spectrum of "Bad fan you" to "Who cares?" - how acceptable is it?

Do you judge fans who leave early? Or are you one of them thinking "If I leave now, I'll just make the train..."

Wasting their own money. Can't approve of it myself.

jinkyali · October 31, 2016

What annoys me is the people who every game at 35 minutes go for a pint.

What's the point?

Papa Shango · October 31, 2016

I have never left early.

Then again I could walk home from Goodison if I really had to so its not really an issue for me.

Papa Shango · October 31, 2016

jinkyali said:
What annoys me is the people who every game at 35 minutes go for a pint.

What's the point?

I don't get people who drink at the match full stop.

I know I am in the minority there.

Connor · October 31, 2016

Only ever done it once or twice and it was a few years ago in order to get the last train home.

I even stayed for Wigan in the cup ffs.

Wouldn't dare leaving early now like.

Togger Blue · October 31, 2016

Although there is no excuse I reluctantly left the 'Carsley' Derby at Goodison in added time - flight to Spain less than 2 hours later!!! Legged it to County Road & hailed a taxi, as it did a U-turn another bloke was also waving to it - I got there first and got in, but asked the other bloke where he was going - "Lime Street", so I told him to get in. Off we went, & then it was revealed the other bloke was a rs!!! The driver was a Blue though and we had fun at the expense of the sad bazzer, with the driver bunging on Z Cars!! haha. Almost to be expected when the cab stopped on Lime Street the rs got out & never made any offer to bung a few quid in for the fare, typical gob--ite!! Smiling though all the way to Malaga!!

paulbefc · October 31, 2016

Left after Fabregas' goal for 5-0 in 2009 because with the game over I didn't see a point sitting through the crying in the street end.

Left before Jo's penalty in the 3-0 against Bolton in 2009(?) because my head was banging. Heard the cheer for the pen as I was walking down Gwladys street, then chants of "Tony, Tony Hibbert" and sprinted back in through a random exit ready to hang myself from the upper tier if I'd missed his first goal, but thankfully just caught the pen and continued home.

Nearly, nearly left right before Cahill's goal in the 3-3 with United. I tried to get away from my seat but got blocked by someone else leaving so thought I'd stay for one more attack.

I personally think it's fine to leave whenever, but getting up to go downstairs more than once a half should warrant ejection if you're under the age of 60.

hibbo'sclass · October 31, 2016

Totally reliant on public transport normally, so if I can't get home, won't go to the match.
Used to stop overnight for such important matches as Cheltenham in the cup, but don't bother now.
Leaving early is inconsiderate in the extreme as it blocks peoples views, self-centred gits.

bring back the catt · October 31, 2016

GrandOldTeam said:
When, if ever, is it acceptable?

On a spectrum of "Bad fan you" to "Who cares?" - how acceptable is it?

Do you judge fans who leave early? Or are you one of them thinking "If I leave now, I'll just make the train..."

I'm not really in favour of it to be perfectly honest.
At the Manure match a few years ago, I was the ageing balding bigot in the LGS who was screaming to not give up. Tim made it 2-3 deep into injury time. Mikel made it 3-3 even deeper into injury time. And who knows, if it hadn't of been for the permacrap Lee Mason when we had a four on two into even deeper injury time blowing his whistle, we might have even got all three points.
Play till the end. That is when your team needs you the most. I am the eternal optimist and believes the game isn't over until it is over. When it is, accept the outcome (or not), and then do one and leave then.
But, it is up to the individual in the end.

Now for this squeaky clean individual to confess.
Since 1954, I have left the ground early on four occasions. Each one for a STUPID substitution.
Once when Woeful Wally sent on Big Dunc for the diminutive Tomaz Radzinski, and took off the winger.
Once when Moyes took off the striker and brought on a DM.
Once when El loco did exactly as above.
The other was when El Loco took off the RB, and brought on a RB.
On each occasion it was late in the game, and we were LOSING. And went on to LOSE.

Childish, I know, but it was the only protest I thought I could do.
So, in conclusion, I am no-one to condemn others for doing precisely what I did. All have their reasons, I'm sure.