Why do people leave the ground early?

This as always annoyed me! I have paid for a ticket I wanna watch the whole game even if we are losing. I just dont get it at all. It doesn't just happen at town it happend at the England game last week. Does it really matter if it takes a little bit longer to get home. I will prob get shot down in flames but it just gets on my mammaries so thought I would mention it. I like to stay at my seat till the end and show the boys my support and applaud the team off the field. If you leave early why? Just a question thats all. UTM

Never ever left a game early. And probably never will

I always wonder if these people walk out before a films finished at the cinema too??

Same thing happens at half time too. People live life in such a hurry. Why rush for the toilet queue/bar/kiosk? If anything, show respect to those around you who are still watching the game. I agree with the OP, always has bugged me and always will.

Done it plenty of times at half time. Though mostly when newell was in charge!

I've pondered this and many other questions over the years. After much deliberation I came to the conclusion that some people are just twits.

Never left a town match early but. . .

Have you tried getting on to trains-underground when its been a 90,000 capacity?

Quoted from shotandcursed

Never left a town match early but. . .

Have you tried getting on to trains-underground when its been a 90,000 capacity?

Lol....thought it was just town games! Pmsl

Have no qualms about leaving when the game has been lost and have left before half time during the darker days of Woods, Newell and Buckley MK3.
However, it takes a certain type of pillock to leave a game at 88 minutes when you're 1-0 up and defending a corner... as was the case on Saturday.

I've only ever left a game early when town are down and out of the game and put in a poor performance (Oldham away lost 6-0) Burton away but i'd already left the ground BEFORE kick off and been stoof on the hill watching the game outside :/

Quoted from shotandcursed

Never left a town match early but. . .

Have you tried getting on to trains-underground when its been a 90,000 capacity?

Yes last week at the england game. It took bloody ages. The pint when we finally got to the pub tasted nice thou Knowing how long it took will still not stop me from staying till the end when I go again thou.

Usually leave my seat when the officials board goes up and take a seat on row C or something until the final whistle, would be too scared to miss anything happen, had some very happy and very sad moments in row c at the front of the findus stand during injury time!

Besides part time fans, I can accept that there are good reasons for leaving early.  Eg, my brother has left a home game 10 mins before the end as he is on shift Sat night.  The alternative is to simply not go to the match.

What is harder to understand is people who block your view in going to get refreshments 10 mins before HT.   Why pay to watch the match in the first place?

For some it is to get away early to avoid traffic and others for a variety of reasons.

At least people are supporting the club now even if they do try and get away early.

When thousands of people attend an event there are any number of reasons why some have to leave early - here are a few of mine. Sometimes the kids need picking up on the way home - sometimes my wife picks me up and doesn't want to get snarled up in the traffic - many Town fans, like me, live miles out of town and for domestic reasons need to be home in time (for going out/dinner/any number of reasons). Fans on this board go on about why the gates should be bigger - well, clearly, if more people attend a game then there will be more who have to leave early for their own private reasons. Above all, it is a free country and people are entitled to do as they please - and in this era of universal personal communications (ie mobile phones) more people can be contacted during a game with reasons to leave earlier than they might have anticipated than at any time in the past.
What is more irritating is people arriving late, and then - instead of quickly taking their seat - stand around in front of you blocking the view. But, worse of all, is the twit with a mobile phone - gyrating their arms at some distant part of the ground insisting that they are the one with the hat on and why can't you see them!!.

I've only left a game early once when we were 4-0 down at Barnsley and it had been pissing down all game.

To be honest, if people pay the money to get in they shouldn't feel bad about leaving early.
I've only ever left once early, that was Chesterfield away, we was 3-0 down an awful. We ended up pulling 2 back, I'd never leave early again as although it didn't happen I could've missed out. Just to add, that wasn't my choice to leave early, was the lad who was driving.
On Saturday I wandered down towards near the gate at the lower smiths and could see the game then was pretty much 1st out soon as the whistle went but thats because i was on a night shift and to get to work.

I wish people would stop posting their own opinions and started to agree to just one persons view. This would be a happy board then.

Only ever left one game early and that was the 3-0 loss to Torquay the year we went down. One of the most gutting performances I've ever seen.

  I've always wondered about this too. If I didn't have the full two hours it takes to watch the game, I wouldn't be there in the first place. I always assumed some people are more bothered about not getting stuck in traffic than about watching the whole game they paid to watch. It doesn't irritate me, but I do think it's funny when a game takes a dramatic turn towards the end and all the early leavers miss it. Especially if their team scores a winning goal or turns it around or something and a bunch of them come scurrying back. I wonder if they are so anxious to leave early next time when that happens.

Quoted from aldi_01

I always wonder if these people walk out before a films finished at the cinema too??

but do you stay and watch the credits...players walking off is comparable to that......do you stay at the cinema until the entire reel of film has completely finished......or at the game until every player has walked down the tunnel?
I personally make my way down the stand a minute into injury time normally and mooch at an open corner until final whistle and then offski.

Quoted from moosey_club

but do you stay and watch the credits...players walking off is comparable to that......do you stay at the cinema until the entire reel of film has completely finished......or at the game until every player has walked down the tunnel?
I personally make my way down the stand a minute into injury time normally and mooch at an open corner until final whistle and then offski.

Yes I watch the credits and yes I clap the players off. Every game. Even the 4-0 loss at Xmas the other year.

In the good old days when we used to get 5 figure crowds I used to make sure I was ready to sprint out on the final whistle because my bike was left in one of the gardens on Cons Avenue. If you didn't get there quick it would be buried under all the others. Later on I confess I did leave 2 or 3 minutes early sometimes to escape the traffic because in those days it really could take you 30 minutes to get onto Grimsby Road and as far as Isaacs Hill and if you wanted more than one pint after a night match you had to get the car out fast.

Not just at Town though. A lot of people at the big clubs used to do it simply because of the crush through the gates.

Just the one early finish watching Town for me, when Rotherham tonked us by 4 or 5 goals at the Don Valley and we had Toni Ameobi up front. I just thought sack this for a game of soldiers and favoured getting the first tram possible although it felt like a proper walk of shame having to walk the long way round the top of that athletics stadium for everyone to see. Awful day.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Why rush for the toilet queue/bar/kiosk?

Have you seen the crush down the stairs in the Upper ?
If you can get out and back in before the 2nd half kicks off when there's a big crowd you're doing well.  

They should open that exit door past the bogs so people who want to go outside don't have to walk all the way through the bar.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

If anything, show respect to those around you who are still watching the game.

A good point but you've got to be mindful that people e.g. might need a urine or something.
I wouldn't want to do it (I mean leave before HT) but dont see why people get annoyed.

I go down from the stand in the 85 minute and i stand where the ambulances park when im in the main stand then i go out the pontoon way so i can applaud the players, if im in any other stand i stay in my seat until the full time whistle has blown most of the time if not i stand at the front of the stand, so i never leave early

Leaving early is impossible for me.  It would be like trying to pull out during the vinegar stroke.

I left early at Hillsborough (7-1) but that has been the only time.

Like others when in the upper ill make my way down to the front rows for injury time then head for the exit on the whistle.

I never leave early, the annoying part of those that leave early, is when the game gets a little exciting in the last few minutes and the person who has chosen to leave early decides to stop and watch that moment of the game stood in front of people in the front few rows blocking there view. If you have made the decision not to watch the full match you have paid your hard earned for, kindly hurry out of the way of those that want to support there team until the end.

Annoys the hell out of me you have to get up and let these people out. Same with late comers you get settled and are enjoying the start then some pillock makes everybody get up because he usually has a seat somewhere in the middle of a tier. Never an issue with standing but it is with seating.

Oh you're such a better fan for staying longer than everyone else! They've paid for their ticket, they can do whatever the intercourse they want for me.

Quoted from aaron rattray

I go down from the stand in the 85 minute and i stand where the ambulances park when im in the main stand then i go out the pontoon way so i can applaud the players, if im in any other stand i stay in my seat until the full time whistle has blown most of the time if not i stand at the front of the stand, so i never leave early

You can't sit still! No wonder I never see you.

Quoted from wigworld

You can't sit still! No wonder I never see you.

He likes to keep you on your toes when playing spot the rat.

Quoted from WOZOFGRIMSBY

Never ever left a game early. And probably never will

I am with you on this Wozo. Never in 60 years of watching Town and I don't intend to start now (unless they have to carry me out!)

Never left a game early but why are people complaining about people nipping out early at HT?

Its difficult enough getting to the loo and a drink at HT, if you need to and most people would rather be back at the seat for the start of the 2nd half. Going that couple of minutes early at HT means you see all of the second half. If you went with everybody else you would potentially miss 5/10 mins of the 2nd half (when theres a big(ish) crowd)

I've never left a game early (and indeed never understood people leave 10 minutes before the end of the game!) but have to hold my hands up to being the guy who gets up before half time to grab some refreshments, for several reasons:

* Often there's people I want to chat to at half time.. can't do that if I'm queueing for a drink that whole time
* Whilst I'm there to enjoy the game I don't need to see EVERY SINGLE SECOND thats occurring.. it's enough to be able to hear what's going on
* I just don't like to queue - and am happy to miss a minute or two of the game in order to beat the queue

For what it's worth if I was well into a row of people I wouldn't get up and would just wait till half time but if I'm at a ground where we're all standing and I'm near the front (which I normally am) then I'll go!

I think the majority of us have probably got up and walked out as we've conceded a final blow goal in the 89th minute. There's been millions of times we've been say 2-1 down, and they wen't and scored another one in the dying minutes, and you just think to yourself 'righhhhht time to go', with the game finishing to a handful of people left!

Given the amount of late goals we conceded under Newell and Woods, i think the players left early most games.

Can't see an issue with people coming and going as they see fit. They pays their money....................

People queuing up for burgers blocking the front few rows of the ponny grinds my gears.

Dont understand it myself the last to home games people leaving 7 minutes early. Dont see the point and think that the players deserve clapping of the pitch after earning us 3 points

Quoted from oldun

I am with you on this Wozo. Never in 60 years of watching Town and I don't intend to start now (unless they have to carry me out!)

I am still a young un compared to you , only 58 years for me never leaving early.

I usally stay a bit later and let the ones in a hurry go first,

It made me laugh when Arsenal fans left early at Reading when they were losing 4-1 at HT, then Arsenal went on to win 7-5

Also another good one was the Man City fans left early when City losing 2-1 last game of the season, so not being champions,

Then scored 2 goals in added time to take the championship,

Leaving thousands NOT seeing their team clinch it.

I leave the games early on saturday due to starting wqork at 5.30pm. I have to drop my son off home first. What's the problem? We have season tickets and have paid towards the team.

Quoted from sausage rolls

I leave the games early on saturday due to starting wqork at 5.30pm. I have to drop my son off home first. What's the problem? We have season tickets and have paid towards the team.

I do not think anybody was saying the likes of you are a lesser fan,

See my post above about fans leaving early  ( very early ) utm

Never left before the final whistle however always leave my seat and stand in the corner of the findus from 90th min

I remember some celebrity Liverpool fan (not sure who) leaving the Istanbul final at half time, he got in a taxi and the taxi driver told him the score. The dozy sod had to watch the rest of the game in a bar  

I even stayed to the end at Hartlepool, not many Town fans did!

Quoted from 1600

Have you seen the crush down the stairs in the Upper ?
If you can get out and back in before the 2nd half kicks off when there's a big crowd you're doing well.  

They should open that exit door past the bogs so people who want to go outside don't have to walk all the way through the bar.


A good point but you've got to be mindful that people e.g. might need a urine or something.
I wouldn't want to do it (I mean leave before HT) but dont see why people get annoyed.

actually spoke to the saftey steward on sat, asked if they thought the congestion on the stairwell was "safe"now the gates are creeping up halftime widddle or smoke|cuppa is a complete nightmare ,really poor design .

UTM

Quoted from highcliff mariner

actually spoke to the saftey steward on sat, asked if they thought the congestion on the stairwell was "safe"now the gates are creeping up halftime widddle or smoke|cuppa is a complete nightmare ,really poor design .

UTM

What did they say?

Quoted from aaron rattray

What did they say?

Agreed it was a problem , but gave a sort of "what can i do about it " sort of answer




UTM

Quoted from Grantham_Mariner

I even stayed to the end at Hartlepool, not many Town fans did!

Well done that man. The most miserable experience i have ever had watching GTFC. Nearly made it to the end but our driver wanted away and we weren't going to argue.

Quoted from Les Brechin

I've only left a game early once when we were 4-0 down at Barnsley and it had been pissing down all game.

New Years Day 1983 Les?

If so...I was there but stayed to the bitter end  

And on another rain sodden day out at Luton when we lost 6-0 I still stayed till the final whistle

Which all goes to prove what a sad bar steward I must be!  

Seriously though, I can't ever recall leaving when the game's still in play...I accept there could be genuine reasons for leaving but for me it's see it right through all the time

Does it even matter? You do what you like. I've left plenty of times when i've been bored/game won/lost as you're straight out and away to the pub/home. Plus, many of these fans then huddle around the corners of the ground for injury time, so don't actually leave.

I was tempted to leave Braintree away early last season. Stayed to the rather bitter end but not for the car park encounter.

Quoted from WOZOFGRIMSBY

Done it plenty of times at half time. Though mostly when newell was in charge!

I walked out of the away game at Barnet the season we got relegated and was amazed at the number of others who were already outside.

I don't mind if we lose but I do mind if we play like we did under Newell

Quoted from mariner91

Only ever left one game early and that was the 3-0 loss to Torquay the year we went down. One of the most gutting gutless performances I've ever seen.

Just edited that a little to show you what my take on it was...

Flies right in the face of those who said they prefer Neil Woods' football to S&H's

A friend of mine went to Berlin in Germany to see the World Cup qualifier last fall between Germany and Sweden. He left the game early in the second half when Germany led 4-0. The match ended 4-4. We remind him about it.

The (very) cold night at BP against Salisbury in the FA Cup. People were leaving the Findus and then Duffy pops up to force extra time. Some came rushing back in but a few (probably because of the cold) didnt bother.

Never left early.

I've left early plenty of times when we've been playing excrement and getting well beaten. I've got a 80 mile drive home and if I can be home 5 minutes earlier or watch another 5 minutes of a heavy defeat I know which one I'd choose. I left Hartlepool just before half time when we lost 8-1 - who's the more foolish, me or the people who spent another hour in the ground?

That said I haven't left any games early this season as we've never been out of a game I've attended.