Sevco and their “world records”… man oh man. I always found it amusing that they claimed some of them, most notably the one the Daily Record says they are set to lose this weekend, the highest attendance for a lowest tier match.
Imagine claiming that in the first place. Who was it ran to the Guinness book and asked them to check that nonsense out? They went on and on about it at the time too, a ridiculous scenario in which they seemed to try and claim a new one every week; I joked at the time that the “Biggest attendance at a third division game where a crisp pack blows into one of the goals and startles the keeper” award was still up for grabs.
I understand why it was claimed. I understand where the imperative to do it came from. Their whole history had been eradicated and the fans needed something to cling onto. The idea that “we don’t do walking away” was one of the best PR stunts ever dreamed up by a club. Forget how stupid it was that tens of thousands of them went to Ibrox every week to watch third rate football; I suppose if you want to you can ascribe credit to them for it.
I think of them as gullible fools, clinging on to the bottom rung.
The reason I find this story so interesting is that their fans have long said that this is the kind of things that proves their loyalty; I heard one guy on Clyde the other night claim that it’s always been this way. Nonsense.
I remember in 1988, as we were winning the centenary double, that they were playing in front of 7000 fans.
The myth of this ever loyal support is going to be sorely tested over the next few months; as Phil said in his piece last night, even a slight drop-off in ticket sales would probably be enough to negate any price increase King put on for the next campaign. His club statement of last week was made by a man in a real flap that the numbers might crash … if they do then nothing will stand between that club and the horror of an early administration event.
You’ll have noticed that the talk hinting at a new managerial appointment has been accompanied by stories linking Frank DeBoer to the post; this is typical “jam tomorrow but pay your money today” nonsense from the Ibrox PR department. Pay your money, and believe; that’s the message. The thing is, a lot of their fans no longer do.
So at the weekend one of their much vaunted records might well go; I hope they enjoyed it whilst it lasted. The irony is that Ibrox was full when they were on “the journey”; it might not be that way now they’ve arrived at their hoped for destination.
But they were winning then, and expected to be. They still expect to be but reality has collided with their fantasies. Sooner or later, that will prove to be crucial and you’ll see empty seats at Ibrox once more. And at this moment in time, it’s the last thing they can afford.
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