Have things improved?

Just watched an interesting film on BT Sport, it touched on a number of sports from football to rugby through to Olympic athletes.

It was basically getting different peoples takes on if by becoming more professional, there sport has become less enjoyable and fun. There views were broad, and it got me thinking how I feel as a supporter in terms of the then and now.

Me personally I started getting into sport, and more specifically football in the mid 80's. I feel I got the back end of the shall we say less robotic sportsman. Although my love for the game will never die, I feel less connection these days and it worries me. There are numerous things in the game that have no doubt improved it, but has it gone too far?

I'd like to know fellow members views, I know it's probably a topic only likely to appeal to a certain age of fan. One who can make a reasonably comparison due to time served, however I'd also like to hear from people who've only really experienced the modern age of sport. And how if at all they feel it's changed, and how they feel in regards to it.

Just watched an interesting film on BT Sport, it touched on a number of sports from football to rugby through to Olympic athletes.

It was basically getting different peoples takes on if by becoming more professional, there sport has become less enjoyable and fun. There views were broad, and it got me thinking how I feel as a supporter in terms of the then and now.

Me personally I started getting into sport, and more specifically football in the mid 80's. I feel I got the back end of the shall we say less robotic sportsman. Although my love for the game will never die, I feel less connection these days and it worries me. There are numerous things in the game that have no doubt improved it, but has it gone too far?

I'd like to know fellow members views, I know it's probably a topic only likely to appeal to a certain age of fan. One who can make a reasonably comparison due to time served, however I'd also like to hear from people who've only really experienced the modern age of sport. And how if at all they feel it's changed, and how they feel in regards to it.

For a raw spectacle, especially in F1, sport will be at it's purest, for me, in the 80's.
I look back on the 70's and think that must have be F***ing nirvana for sports access.

Modern sports is corporate hell. Great for the finances of the athletes at the top level,
not so good for letting true characters develop and flourish.

Too much young talent tossed on the scrap heap nowadays, while at the same time they
seem afraid to develop their own character.

Give me Hunt, Senna, Lauda.
F**k these bubble gum pop wannabes that parade as sportsmen nowadays.

For a raw spectacle, especially in F1, sport will be at it's purest, for me, in the 80's.
I look back on the 70's and think that must have be f**king nirvana for sports access.

Modern sports is corporate hell. Great for the finances of the athletes at the top level,
not so good for letting true characters develop and flourish.

Too much young talent tossed on the scrap heap nowadays, while at the same time they
seem afraid to develop their own character.

Give me Hunt, Senna, Lauda.
F**k these bubble gum pop wannabes that parade as sportsmen nowadays.

Totally agree with all your sentiments. Quite a few of the sports stars that were on the programme echoed what you've put.

Greg Searle was asked the question regarding his professionalism, in what at the time for him was a very amateur set up. He gave a very interesting response stating he felt by getting funding it improved him overall, but truly believed throwing loads of money his way would have made him lose his edge.

Several footballers pointed to the lads currently happy to sit on benches at PL clubs. It was stated they simply don't have that hunger, as in the back of there mind they can sort themselves for life financially. It struck a real chord with me and it's one of many things in sport that widens the gap between player and fan for me.

What really saddens me is I can't see a way back, from where we are.

Give me Hunt, Senna, Lauda.
F**k these bubble gum pop wannabes that parade as sportsmen nowadays.

Here here Racer.

Totally agree with all your sentiments. Quite a few of the sports stars that were on the programme echoed what you've put.

Greg Searle was asked the question regarding his professionalism, in what at the time for him was a very amateur set up. He gave a very interesting response stating he felt by getting funding it improved him overall, but truly believed throwing loads of money his way would have made him lose his edge.

Several footballers pointed to the lads currently happy to sit on benches at PL clubs. It was stated they simply don't have that hunger, as in the back of there mind they can sort themselves for life financially. It struck a real chord with me and it's one of many things in sport that widens the gap between player and fan for me.

What really saddens me is I can't see a way back, from where we are.

I sadly have to agree with you on that one, it just shows how times change and expectations rise as well as wage demands !
In answer to the OP, no only game coverage has improved.

Give me Hunt, Senna, Lauda.
F**k these bubble gum pop wannabes that parade as sportsmen nowadays.

Funnily enough me and the wife watched Rush a couple of days back. Really makes you see the gap that's widen between 'them and us'.

Funnily enough me and the wife watched Rush a couple of days back. Really makes you see the gap that's widen between 'them and us'.

Nowadays they just seem to be kids that never grew up.
Isolated in the cocoon that rich sportsmen develop in.

There is no character in that.

Nowadays they just seem to be kids that never grew up.
Isolated in the cocoon that rich sportsmen develop in.

There is no character in that.

Very true mate.

Nowadays they just seem to be kids that never grew up.
Isolated in the cocoon that rich sportsmen develop in.

There is no character in that.

It's why I much prefer to follow the bikes and road racing in particular mate.

They just seem that bit more 'real'.

One thing that certainly has improved is the travelling, to and from away games.  As someone who has seen a vast majority my live Liverpool games, from the mid-eighties to present, in the home end of an away ground, some grounds really put the frighteners on me.  The worst being St Andrews, horrible ground, horrible fans.  Now whilst away fans aren't really 'accepted' in the home end, though saying that, the few times I stood on the Kop, away fans, unless dickheads, were treated well if they behaved, only ever saw 1 lad chucked out and even then the stewards just escorted him to the away section!  I've never had an issue in the home end of an away ground itself, but I've seen things happen.  Nowadays it's a bit harder to get tickets for the home end, not impossible and whilst I can't get to Anfield as often as I like, I'll be hitting 4-5 away games this season, ticket availability aside.

I guess the obsession of not wanting to upset sponsors and the media glare coming from all angles now has meant that today's sportsmen and women have seen their personalities watered down. The fact that they now have Alistair Campbell type figures coaching these stars says it all.

I agree broadly with racer as well. Formula One is a great example. You look at f1 today and the main complaint is that they are too PR talkative now. The media and sponsor commitments those guys have to go through these days is unbelievable. That said while they may not have the sparkle of past heroes, today's f1 drivers can still offer personalities that are affable to the f1 follower. Jenson Button is still my favourite sportsman today - I think he is just a lovely human being - a gentleman and Kimi Raikonnen's dismissive attitude to his commitments and all round nonchalant attitude makes him a desirable personality to any sport. I think Seb Vettel is a quirky guy and seems like a fun guy to be around with. His cheeky attitude betrays the fierce determination that got him 4 world titles.

I think the corporate impact made on the sport is most telling on the pit wall. Gone is the era of the 'Piranha Club' and in their place are team managers of a mainstream politician ilk. Take Christian Horner - smooth, diplomatic, confident and says nothing too controversial. That's all very well but when you look at a previous age that gave us Eddie Jordan, Ron Dennis, Flavio Briatore, Jean Todt, Ken Tyrrell, Frank Williams, Bernie Ecclestone, Peter Sauber- amongst them self made men of immense intuition and ambition who ruled their teams with their own unique identities.

Nowadays it all looks and sounds rather grey on the pit wall.