The packaging of football
Yesterday at 9.00am there was a knock on the door from the postman. I was expecting a package from Amazon and left a note on my door that should I be out it could be left outside the door. There was a package there but not the one I ordered. Instead it was a package the size of a box of chocolates marked 1901 club. This glamorous navy blue box contained a note on the club’s rules and regulations including an incomprehensible dress code, the 1901 admission card with lanyard and lapel pin. All of this could have been enclosed in a standard envelope. More worryingly it arrived on the day of the first match, a league cup tie against Colchester. My seated neighbours at the club were not at home to sign for their cards and needed to arrange separate tickets for the match and car park.
As usual I spoke to Alan on the eve of our matches and he received a package with his season ticket. This contained an upbeat message from the Chairman referring to a refreshing change in energy, purpose and commitment to the Fulham badge since the new coach took over. In that period last season Fulham went from 11th to 20th.
Both packages reflect the way football is going. Alan was saying in the past you received a booklet of tickets for your season ticket but you did not have to be told your support mattered as you knew it did. Trying to decipher the dress code with a member of the 1901 club, I was informed that he was turned away for a pair of stylish loafers classified as trainers. I don’t what a collared shirt is, is this a polo shirt? Most of all I don’t really see why a dress code has to be imposed and judging by the sartorial nature of others in the lounge nor do many others.
