I think there are some interesting points in this post.
I think you are only partly right 20s. I would argue that the hard core fan of a club like Blackpool ALWAYS goes along predominantly to watch them, rather than the opposition. I can only speak for myself, but an opposition player usually has to do something very special against us before I even notice him.
Outside of the hard core, I'm not at all sure that you are right. Our crowds practically doubled when we made it to the PL. Were all those people there to watch Blackpool? Not necessarily, and not exclusively, I would say.
if you then look at the TV audience - some of it is hard core, clearly. A lot of it is just people consuming a product, in my view. You watch a lot of EPL football, don't you? And outside of a natural affinity for Tottenham you are probably watching it because you have general, rather than specific interest. And there will be plenty of people in the same camp who don't actually have your long-standing attachment to the game.
I think that the way the game is run now caters disproportionately for the TV audience. I know that is where the money is, but the balance is wrong, in my view. It is easy to forget that the sport flourished for over a century before Sky came along, and in my view it would do so again if ever they were told to sling their hook. It thrives, and has thrived, because of the depth and intensity of the competition within it. And that quality is being diluted steadily, year on year.
This has been a good debate, but I am with td53 on one key point ; it is striking how many of you don't even want to contemplate the possibility of radical change. And I don't think you can generalise about supporters of clubs like those you mentioned at the end of your post, 20s. Your point is perfectly valid, and will be true of some people. But not of all ; and I happen to believe that discontent is growing, even if people aren't always absolutely sure they can put their finger on what precisely is wrong.
