Do you go to pre-season friendlies?

[thewwfc]

For me, the only way I would ever watch one would be if it were a testimonial - and that's a pretty safe thing to say in an era where the one-club man is almost extinct.

Just can't bear to watch players sauntering about trying not to get injured, and the sense that the game really doesn't matter. I guess you get to check out any new signings early, but you don't get to see what they can really do against a team of the same level who are really trying.

 

[Laker]

Yes, for 2 reasons:

1. I start getting withdrawal symptoms and a pre-season friendly or two suppresses this a little.

2. I get to support the club a bit and see us play some different sides (who are nearly always in leagues above us).

But yeah, the games are often played at walking pace which makes them poor to watch. That said, we had a two day tournament two summers ago when youth teams of West Ham, Espanyol and Shaktar. Donetsk came. Our first team and West Ham's youths played the 2 foreign sides, 4 games across 2 days for £20 and each game was pretty entertaining.

 

[dedwardp]

Not for me, they don't really hold any interest in my eyes. Plus we always seem to just play Ipswich and West Ham every year which is tedious, but understandable. Would rather spend the money on something else.

 

[cufc17]

I go to most home friendlies and a few local away games. I quite enjoy seeing the new signings settle in and as Laker says, you get to see some different teams.

 

[AdamStag]

Too far,

Manchester to Mansfield is a trek anyway for a home game, so would only go back to 1 if was at home.

Though it's my bday on 13th July so if there's a friendly then i'd go

 

[DarkSithLord]

Normally go to all the home friendles and perhaps one or two of the away friendles as it helps to ease the withdrawal symptoms and is a good time to have a chat with a few fans to see what they have been up to over the summer. Dont normally pay much attention to the games!

 

[ProfessorGreen]

We normally play Torquay away in the height of summer, so I go to that one! Beautiful weekend. Other than that not really.

 

[rudebwoyben]

No way (unless it's for a testimonial). It's the height of summer and there's plenty of other fun things to do at this time of year.

 

[Arbury]

Not for me, bad enough going between August and may let alone adding another month.

 

[E10rifle]

No, because I have a life.

 

[The Terminator]

Yes, I once went to Tamworth on a Tuesday night where we was playing after a few days away.

We also played Gateshead away in 2014 - But I chose to go to the World Cup instead - otherwise I'd probably have gone.

I usually go to all the games, except XI games or if I get a better offer of something to do (which at my age isn't often)

 

[jacobncfc]

I go along to the first couple at local non-league places, living in a different city I don't really see the people I go to games with over the summer, so is nice to catch up with a beer on a sunny evening.

Went to a couple of home ones when we went through a spell of playing weird continental types like AEK Athens and Osasuna, but not the normal boring ones. Will show up for Edwards' testimonial this year, though.

 

[shoddycollins]

I plan to go to a couple since I live so much closer to the stadium, and as Sith says, it helps with the withdrawal symptoms. When i was younger though I would often go to the 'big' friendly of the pre season against someone like boro. For us, friendlies also serve the purpose of allowing us to tour Cumbria and put on some shows for fans in places like Penrith, Kendal and the West.

I know someone who was a frequent attendee at such games, in fact he once travelled to Wigan mid week in mid season to get an early look at Pascal Chimbonda.

 

[PaulHaddock]

The first few games are always good to go to as you've not normally seen football for a while and it's exciting to see new signings for the first time. Plus, it's usually lovely weather and it's very relaxed; nothing better than an evening game.

Wouldn't go to XI games or games that are miles away but luckily, last year, ours were either at home or within the county so it's never too hard to get there.

 

[BeesKnees]

Before the Hive I never went to any. First season after the move I did just to get used to the place, second season went to a couple. Last season, just the crystal palace friendly because it was a good opportunity to see a few ex-players.
Usually go to away friendlies if they are at a ground I haven't been to, I quite enjoy wandering around lower league clubs and being able to watch a game with a pint in hand.

 

[Glasshalffullpools]

I live 6 miles from Pools home ground , and every year they play a friendly here in 'Sunny Billingham ', a 15 minute walk from me , so it would be rude not to pop along ...but there are some Poolies who just have to go to the lot , ..Ashington and Whitby , although only an hour away just dose not appeal to me ...mind you , anyone with a little 'un , it's a great way to introduce them to the game

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

I have made it a bit of a tradition, and I think a fair few others have judging by the fact it tends to be well attended, to go to the Hitchin friendly which tends to be our first friendly of the pre season.

The last few years its been a mid week game on a nice summers evening, Hitchin are a good non league club and its a nice little ground. Good to have a look at the new players, and watch some football for the first time in a while and bump into a few people you haven't seen since the end of the season.

Other than that I tend to give them a miss unless I dont have anything better to do.

 

[rudebwoyben]

Hitchin's ground is unique, a real treasure.

 

[Tom_CUFC]

I tend to do one away one to catch up with mates I don't see over the summer, have a few beers, watch 5 minutes of the game, realise it was a terrible idea and retreat to the bar.

Actually looking forward to this pre-season though with an overseas trip rather than Sutton/Welling/Bromley etc.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Not usually,Went to Tamworth last year though as it's a great day out. We've got Clipstone this year which is the village I live in. Would have gone to that but I'm away on holiday so will miss it. Depending on what away games we get I'll go along if any are new grounds for me and not more than 1 hour or so away.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Ive never seen an entertaining friendly, even against the likes of Liverpool and Everton. Tend to give them a miss. I did go to Chester last summer though, it was awful and nothing more than confirmation how our season would go.

 

[Vanni]

I used to like going to friendly matches but not anymore, and that's only because I don't want to get my hopes up before the season starts. Or the other way round. Some years we had a good pre season and I would think we're deffo going up this year, only to be brought down to earth with a bump after the first couple of league games. But tbf, there were also times when after a poor ps I thought we were going to struggle only to realise when the season got underway that my fears were unfounded.

So nowadays, I only read the match report and my fellow U's thoughts on the ps games, and then see if we have a good side or not after the first 4/5 league matches.

 

[EricSabin]

I'll go to one, Sileby Rangers away. Be rude not to as when they play during a weeknight during the season, with the windows open downstairs I can hear all the shouts from the players/crowd. 2 minute walk and a nice few pints, barely watched the game last year.

 

[antn1.b]

I go. we have a new 11 most seasons for the last 6 years or so. gives me a chance to see what dross we've signed

 

[antn1.b]

weekend in Dublin this year as well would be rude not too

 

[GTFCfish]

I used to like going to friendly matches but not anymore, and that's only because I don't want to get my hopes up before the season starts.

You wouldn't catch any of our fans doing that..........