Season 2019-20 Opinion Talking Points
Grumpy Old Men

As the years have passed, I have noticed more and more little things niggle away at me; I feel I am turning into my parents.
Back in my youth, I would get, "waste of money, football is not like it was in my day, they would put in a shift, there was none of this kissing or going down and doing several rolls on the floor, well maybe if a Norman Hunter tackle caught you."
Players were paid bonuses for wins and gate receipts. Even back then, I never complained about the dodgy hot-dog stands outside the ground, the Bovril, tea, or packet of crisps option in the ground.
Even being in a good spot at Goodison by 2pm, only to lose it by 2:50 as Richard Osman arrives from the pub, and decides the spot right in front of you is the best speck... Then waiting for your moment, for a sway in the crowd, to seize your moment, and nip in front of him.
Those things caused just a little sigh and tut on your misfortunes, but you accepted it, with the only talking point being the ref.
Now, though, I get wound up with simple things: players trudging off slowly after being subbed, shaking everyone’s hand, waving to the crowd, before finally leaving the pitch.
A corner being taken outside the quadrant, with his own player a foot away, holding it up in the corner, constant shirt-pulling and holding players down in the penalty area.
Some guy next to you in the seat, taking part of your seat up as well... even a bit of sun in your eyeline is more annoying than it used to be.
In hindsight, it has gone full circle, I have become my parents, and my kids have become a younger me.
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Reader Comments (31)
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2 Posted 06/05/2020 at 05:11:19
#I also
3 Posted 06/05/2020 at 05:23:48
4 Posted 06/05/2020 at 07:23:22
About 7 years ago, I was at a music festival when a very tall Irish lad in his twenties was annoying everyone around us by holding a phone conversation with his girlfriend. I was trying to listen to Joanna Newsome, an American harp player and singer. I thought about taking his phone and throwing it, but it might have hit an audience member.
Instead, in my frustration, I gave him a short left uppercut into his exposed ribs. he doubled-up, shouting "He fucking hit me"! He shut up after that.
5 Posted 06/05/2020 at 07:57:36
6 Posted 06/05/2020 at 08:27:27
I hate watching footballers who don't look like they are enjoying what they're doing. It's a tough sport obviously, so they should get fitter, which will help them work harder and then they should be able to express themselves.
7 Posted 08/05/2020 at 22:02:48
I love to see a footballer take the mickey, with their skill or just a smile. Getting older allows you to smile at the absurdity of youth and long to right once more the should've, could've, would've moments in your life.
8 Posted 08/05/2020 at 22:54:20
Covers a lot of stuff on here.
9 Posted 08/05/2020 at 22:58:39
He's pushing 80 and still has more hair than I do now.
10 Posted 09/05/2020 at 13:26:27
11 Posted 10/05/2020 at 13:28:44
Because of this, I wish I was still young, stupidly fit, playing footy all the time, drinking lots, eating anything, chasing anything, and driving too quick! My lad is 12 soon and has it all to come – lucky bugger!! Happens to us all!!
12 Posted 10/05/2020 at 13:58:16
My Dad was basically serious but, when with people he knew, was funny and gregarious. At family parties, my Mum would play the piano and my Dad would sing songs like Raffertys Pig and Phil the Fluters Ball. As well as recite stuff about Albert and the Lion.
I was a bit of a nutter in my teens, got married early, started treating my job as a career and not an extension of my social life, kids arrived... Boom! I started to turn into my Dad. Basically serious but able to relax with people I knew. Sometimes to excess!
It's a process that accelerates through the years. I'm less tolerant than my Dad but have modified it a bit, because even I could see it was a bit excessive. My younger son is even worse than me.
I'm basically antisocial, my wife informs me. I usually answer, "Who are you again?" She's right, of course. As usual.
I reckon everything is done worse these days, the country is going to the dogs, social media should be banned. Football has deteriorated massively. I hate it that people don't pronounce the letter T, or get apostrophes wrong.
I even think that the beer is not as good – which tends to show how valid my other prejudices are!
13 Posted 10/05/2020 at 14:33:24
Don't forget those who use "of" instead of "have".
Anyway, just off to report people who are out enjoying themselves. Stay safe!
14 Posted 10/05/2020 at 14:45:19
15 Posted 10/05/2020 at 14:48:28
Or start a sentence with 'So'...
16 Posted 10/05/2020 at 15:28:49
17 Posted 10/05/2020 at 15:44:12
18 Posted 10/05/2020 at 15:55:16
19 Posted 10/05/2020 at 15:57:44
20 Posted 10/05/2020 at 16:10:18
21 Posted 10/05/2020 at 16:54:22
22 Posted 10/05/2020 at 17:06:11
23 Posted 14/05/2020 at 08:17:24
The more ex-pros they get on, instead of journalists, the lower the standard of grammar. Clinton Morrison is one of the worst offenders but the new female recruits are almost as bad.
24 Posted 14/05/2020 at 08:33:03
25 Posted 14/05/2020 at 08:34:14
26 Posted 20/05/2020 at 15:34:47
On the subject of concerts, the current trend for holding up a mobile phone for the duration of the concert drives me up the wall. Luckily, my musical taste is heavy rock music, so gigs are generally populated by old gits like myself that are actually there for the music. I have had rows twice with people at gigs who insist on filming the whole concert.
27 Posted 26/05/2020 at 19:59:56
Yes, I AM a grumpy old man.
28 Posted 26/05/2020 at 20:24:01
In fact, I've tons more that makes me grumpy but to even think about it at my age (68) makes me fucking outraged thinking about it!
29 Posted 26/05/2020 at 20:36:05
Best way I can describe it really. I also hate people paying for stuff whilst having a conversation on their mobile in the shops, height of rudeness IMO.
30 Posted 26/05/2020 at 23:09:26
I hate paying for stuff!!!!!!
31 Posted 27/05/2020 at 08:03:51
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1 Posted 06/05/2020 at 04:01:02