Got my season ticket, so yes. Can't say I was comfortable watching my beloved Seasiders when the Oystains were at the helm, but from the late 90s I had a season ticket (I was attending regularly from the mid 1970s without a ST) right through until the boycotts. Like most of us (I'm guessing not you?) the suing of fans and all the rest of it was the point which we needed to say enough is enough.
Anyhow there were several polls here and there that concluded upwards of 90% of Seasiders didn't want Critchley back. A lot of them are now choosing for whatever reason to now back him. And I do get that. People are (delete as appropriate) forgiving or fickle. Will I be delighted if Critchley gets us promoted? Yes. Will I have the same level of admiration or respect I had before? No.
I think on the whole we have as a collective been patient, understanding and even generous with our backing of all of the duffers that Sadler et al have appointed. Grayson and Appleton were huge mistakes. Just about all of us could see this but largely we backed them regardless of their indifferent recent records, alleged tattoos, besmirching comments etc. McCarthy could have worked out either way. As it happened he was terrible, but again we had the good grace to give him a chance. So I think as fans we should have the same patience and good grace with each other if we have different levels of acceptability and satisfaction re: our returning manager.
He was out of work after 2 disastrous recent jobs went south and Saddler came and offered him a 4 year deal. I suppose successful businessmen can work with people they dislike or even detest and go to sleep easily. And I suppose having principles is a weakness in today's modern world. Maybe I'm a dinosaur? I don't care, nobody will change how I feel. I'm very proud that I have principles.