The 12th Man and the Ups and Downs of Football

And in fact, if the team's performance is not good, it is very rare for fans to "turn against" the team or the players, but if there is, it will be the case of "turning against" the team's leaders and owners.

Vinh Stadium fans. Photo archive

So here is the story of Manchester United fans - Premier League when this famous and beloved football team gradually declined, all related to the Glazer family - the American owners of the team. What the fans need, the experts need now is "The Glazer family explains themselves to the fans as the team's downward spiral continues".

Former player Gary Neville said “There is no leadership, no voice, you can’t blame individual players or managers. You have to look above, you have to look from the top down. There is a family over there in America who are letting their staff get beaten up and that is unforgivable. Joel Glazer (ie the American owner - HB) has to get on a plane tomorrow, has to go to Manchester and tell everyone what his hellish plans are for the team” and “They have to come out and be confronted. They can’t keep getting away with destroying the team…”.

To see, the football team may be owned by one or more wealthy owners in the country or abroad. But it cannot be said that the owner can do whatever he wants without taking into account the specific results of the team or regardless of the voices of the media or fans. The media and fans will not allow, even force them to get involved in a real, correct way to bring the team up, to both meet and serve the needs of the majority of fans.

In our country, there was a conflict between SHB Da Nang Sports Joint Stock Company and fans of this orange football team in 2019, which had nothing to do with the coach and players of the team. It stemmed from a matter related to the operating budget of the fan club, which was not resolved thoroughly, leading to regrettable consequences. The leaders of the Joint Stock Company had promised to provide funding for the fan club but then did not provide it. The reason given was that there must be a document, the club must have a charter, an account... Then they were in a mess, demanding to cut this, add that, establish a new club with the old club, to the point that the person who had been closely attached to Da Nang football was also boycotted and scolded by the fans...

Without saying, everyone knows, since Da Nang football became professional and abandoned subsidies, what has happened regarding the famous Chi Lang stadium, how the orange fans have dispersed and split compared to the previous time, and especially where is the quality of the team's performance going?

Speaking from afar, think about it closely. For a long time, Song Lam Nghe An fans have been famous for wholeheartedly supporting their hometown team. But recently, there have been incidents of “turning around”, incidents of fans expressing dissatisfaction with players… which are very different, very alarming, warning of a risk of disbandment and division if all related issues are not handled thoroughly and soberly.

When Song Lam Nghe An was still operating under the old model, when the team was having difficulties, the provincial leaders and the Sports Department stood up to support, even leaders like Mr. Hong Thanh and Mr. Van Chiem stood up to "take the hit". Now it seems like everything is like the story of the Glazer family mentioned above: the team is in a bad situation and doesn't know who to call, the team is in trouble and doesn't see anyone directly taking responsibility. Experts and fans, unfortunately, hear the coach stand up to speak, make promises but can't keep them, and promise again. Then the players get upset, in a fit of impulse, do something that can never be done, which is to "tense" with the fans, and then apologize but still feel resentful...

Once an arrow is shot, it is impossible to take it back. Once it is said, it is difficult to “rephrase” or “correct”, especially to those who have been close to us. Only vivid reality and time can erase the regrettable things that have happened. In fact, everyone has to learn many things, beyond their own expertise and depth. Doing the truth is harder than telling the truth. Only when you are wrong can you be right.

Fortunately, Manchester United are getting better after a long period of struggle and the story between fans and the Glazers is gradually fading into the past, giving way to a wonderful atmosphere at the "Theatre of Dreams".

The story of orange and yellow fans as mentioned above, hopefully will soon pass, returning the traditional orange and yellow colors to the stands, at least in... next season, 2023?