Boycott on for some, but are we missing a point?

Firstly, I shall not be sharing this on the usual banter sites due to the provocative nature of the subject. However, yesterday Danny laid down a challenge to the 617 to suspend the boycott and they have voted not to do so. It’s a story and therefore I shall offer some input on the site. Please, if you don’t want to read this article, don’t. If you can’t read it without getting angry, don’t. I’m merely responding to yesterday’s events.

I laid in bed wondering about the situation last night and something struck me. All the talk is about the 617 boycotting the Checkatrade Trophy, but it seems we’re forgetting something, certainly those of us in the media, alternative media and suchlike. The 617 are a group of around 70 fans, the difference in attendance between the two Accrington home matches was 4,670. Whilst I know there are other reasons for not attending, that actually makes the 617 around 1.5% of the stay-away fans. With that in mind, does their decision not to attend the game mean Danny’s statement was futile, or has it reached fans who perhaps do not align themselves with the 1.5% whose voice has been focused on?

That isn’t a slur on the 617, but they’re not the only fans boycotting, nor are they the official voice of those that have. I appreciate they are a focus and, because of their efforts at raising the atmosphere at games, they’re focused on as a conduit to reach the boycotting fans, but 68 cannot possibly speak for 4,670. I know you could easily dispute those numbers, I know Block 7 holds far more and the people in that block are influenced by the fans around them, but it is a fair point to raise. Who knows if Danny’s cry for help has galvanised other stay-away fans to come back to the games?

I’m of the opinion it was wise for the 617 not to suspend their boycott, irrespective of how much the club needs them. I know 6,000 or so in Sincil Bank can make enough noise to power the team on, whilst the 617 lads do a great job they the spark that lights the bonfire, but the raging inferno of noise is produced by each and every single fan. Simply put, others must step up this evening, be it in block seven, six or five, and lead chants. Not one of the boycotting fans wants to see us lose, but had they chosen to suspend their boycott I believe everything they claim to stand for would have been belittled.

Everyone who argued against a boycott has said “you’ll come back if we get to Wembley,” and this week the club opened the door a little to allow for a climb down. I’d bet the vote was close, I don’t know but I would imagine some within their organisation want to come back, especially given the club stance. I would hope those people are free to attend if they so desire. Let’s face it, how many of the 617 do you know? I’d identify six or seven members in a line up, nothing more. Many of the fringe elements could come to the game and not even be recognised. The real ‘faces’, the prominent members, are the ones who have to stay away for their own dignity, no matter what the club say. To come back through the door now we’re doing well in the competition would be an affront to their arguments prior to Danny’s press conference.

It was masterful PR by the club though and although it was done with the correct intentions, if it were a game of chess it was almost ‘checkmate’. To indulge not only in dialogue with some boycotting fans, but to also then state publicly which way it would vote in the event of a B team vote was exemplary behaviour. Over at Blunder Park the ‘B’ team debate has caused divide and debate between the board and the club, but that isn’t going to happen here. In fact, the board have been able to remain quiet whilst Danny has put his neck on the line with his comments. He was very clear on his own personal stance and whilst I believe the club feel the same way, they could never come out and say it, certainly not when we’re in the quarter finals of the trophy and new-boys to the Football League.

The 617 really couldn’t win, there move will be met with criticism no matter what happens. There are an element of fans who don’t believe the praise they get is entirely justified. The display in the stand was superb, but I’ve heard it argued lots of non-617 members helped set it up. Again, they’re the fire-lighter, but the roaring open fire is an example of everyone coming together. We must never forget the input the group had when we were on our arse in the National League, when many of those feeding negative comments back were sat at home listening to the results, telling their friends “I used to go and watch Lincoln once.”

This will be my last word on the boycott, there is enough division and ill-feeling between fans as it is without adding more. I just felt it important to wrap up yesterday’s story and now move on from it. I just hope whoever does come along tonight finds the courage to start chants, the fortitude to join in and the longevity to continue them even if we are losing the game. The boycotting fans are making their point by not being there, those who chose not to can make their point by being loud, proud and helping City get to Wembley.