New Year's Eve is traditionally a time for risk-taking. In an attempt to have a good time, people do all sorts of crazy things they wouldn't normally dream of doing.
Dancing with gay abandon, ripping their clothes off, consuming one too many alcoholic beverages and shouting "I LOVE youse all !" to complete strangers are all perfectly acceptable forms of behaviour on this one night of the year. One of the many benefits of being a football fan is that we have an inbuilt excuse to engage in this kind of stuff all year round but the catch is, we need our team to provide the inspiration.
Like most other pleasures in life, faking enjoyment of football soon becomes tedious. Fans need a win and/or some great performances every so often to give them the excuse to "get their rocks off" (who else thinks Fox needs to take a break from Britpop in the new year ?)
It's been a long time since Mariners fans have been given a reason to rip off their shirts and I confess, sometimes I've been forced to fake enjoyment this season. Of course, no-one in their right mind chooses to support a football team just to watch them win (except Man Utd fans). Pain and disappointment are all part of the deal and only make the good times sweeter. True fans support their team come what may, but it's fair to say the lack of home wins this season has cast a little grey cloud over Bluetongue that not even Marvin's cute dancing can lift.
Last week's Festive Fixture at the SFS also lessened the Christmas joy in our house. We were so close to snatching a point at the end that I felt more angry than sad at the final result. I'd also forgotten just how aggravating it is to struggle out of the SFS carpark while listening to the triumphant cheers of marauding Cove members. OK, so a few unpleasant words flew out our car window but fair play to them : The Cove at home looked absolutely awesome.
In contrast, we have witnessed the gradual disintegration of The Marinators this year, a fact which makes me much sadder than watching my team drop out of the top six. The reasons behind this seem to be debatable, however, the important thing is that Mariners fans need to regroup and reaffirm their support for their club as loudly and visibly as possible. We need a supporter base behind the goal once more to harass and banter with the opposition fans. Sitting in a corner with no face-to-face contact just doesn't cut it.
If The Coastie Boys are to be the new Yellow Army then more power to them, but what about the other two hundred or so fans who used to make the home end at Bluetongue such a wonderful sight? Sure, we're a small club, but even this time six months ago we had a supporters group to be proud of : what sort of fans just disappear overnight?
Now more than ever, Mariners fans need to take a risk and come out to support their team on New Year's Eve. Put aside whatever differences they may have with each other for 'auld lang syne'. As a new decade begins, be proud of supporting a club that is taking such huge steps to create a state-of-the-art sporting complex for football in NSW. Remember the A-League is in its infancy and needs true believers if it is to grow and prosper.
And perhaps it's time the Mariners took a few risks as well. With Redders in goal and no Heff or Boogs, we may see the usually conservative Lawrie letting his hair down for Hogmanay. We need some early attacking football, just as a party starter, and a few fresh faces on the park. At the risk of sounding cynical, what have we got to lose ?
Let's hope the Mariners give us a reason to rip our shirts off on New Year's Eve, but hey, why not do it anyway ? As the Nix fans have frequently shown us this season, a herd of shirtless supporters can make any party more fun.
Happy New Year to all A-League fans: "I love youse all".
( Real Madrid have just launched an underwear collection. In 2010 we need A-League underwear/bikinis so that female fans can join in the shirts-off ritual. Don't tell me that wouldn't increase crowd numbers !)
