Booing the players DURING the game is wrong. There are no two ways about it. If you’re displeased with the performance, there are better and more level-headed ways to express your feelings.
“I'd say vote with your feet and if you're not happy with the ‘service’ you get for your money, then stop going to the service provider. If you were not happy with a restaurant or shop, you'd stop going there. Maybe once the pocket is hit, the board will sit up and take note! Also, if you feel that strongly about it, write to the club and let them know that you, the customer, are not happy - it's the only way to get things done these days. (‘Razor460’ – messageboard)
‘But I pay my money I’ll say what I like’ I hear you saying, and this is a fair point – but what are you paying your money for? What is it you want from the players on the park in Tangerine? Do you actually want them to play badly? Because that’s the only thing that booing them during the game will encourage! Other teams in our situation don’t do this, for example ICT and Livi don’t boo their players to the extent we do, and this is probably due to our recent illustrious past, and the expectation factor that goes with that.
"My Personal feeling is that it is never ok to boo players that are playing for your team. I love this football club to the point of obsession. I don't and have never booed a performance in my life. I hurt inside about the performance as I suspect the players do.” (‘KiltedArab’ – messageboard)
We have to realise who we are NOW, and who we are now is a team struggling near the bottom of the league, and not playing anywhere near as well as we have done in the past. It’s not any of the fans’ faults, but the players need encouragement. The players need confidence, and the players need their fans behind them.
“Never booed a United player or team in my life - what good does it do?” (‘Lightweight Arab’ – messageboard)
We all know that certain players can have bad games, and that fans have their favourites and least-favourites. But for heaven’s sake – why boo one of your own players during a game? Why do this? What kind of fan feels this is helping anyone?
“I say Boo to the Boo Boys. I took my 17 year old daughter to her first match at Tannadice and she could not understand what the booing was about. She asked the naive but simple question, "What sort of fan boos their own team? 'Idiots' was the only reply I could find at the time." (Kingdom Arab – messageboard)
We’ve been heavily discussing this topic on the messageboard here, where the quotes in this article are taken from, with more against booing than for it. Those who feel it is ok to boo generally come out with the argument that ‘I’ve paid my money – I expect more – and if I don’t get it I’m entitled to complain’. No one is disputing the fans’ right to complain – what I am disputing is when it is appropriate to do so – AND IT IS NEVER, EVER, APPROPRIATE TO BOO DUNDEE UNITED PLAYERS DURING THE GAME – NO MATTER HOW GOOD OR BAD THEY ARE PLAYING. It serves no purpose other than to undermine a player’s confidence yet
“Personally I think it is totally unacceptable. What purpose does it serve other than to destroy a player’s confidence? Also, do we think we will attract players when as fans we have a reputation for slaughtering those who are there? Players of all clubs speak to each other.” (‘pigeon2’ – messageboard)
There are better times, and better methods of communicating your displeasure. The time to moan is after the game. It’s a tradition to boo your team off the park if they’ve lost – every club’s fans do this – from Man United down to
“I can't bring myself to boo the team - not ever. I have booed the ref, or the player from the other team who has just put in a bad tackle, but never one of my own team. Not before, during or after any game!” (‘Razor460’ – messageboard)
Here’s a tip – rather than boo a player you don’t like, or is having a bad game – focus your attention on one of the players who is having a better game, and cheer him on as much as you can, leaving the others alone. If you do this – at least you will be expressing yourself in a positive manner and have a positive bearing on the game, in as much as a fan can anyway. It’s our duty, as fans, to do this, not run our own players’ confidence down.
“Personally I've never booed United before, during or after a game...that’s just me...I know everybody is different. I don't have a problem with people booing after the game is finished...if they feel they have been done out of their hard earned cash...its up to them. But my opinion is that you do not boo players during the game...you are there to support the team...that is why you are called supporters!!” (‘Geegee’ – messageboard)
Now don’t get me wrong – I know we are not playing very well, I know there are players who have more howlers than a werewolf convention, my point here, and my only point, is the timing of these complaints – and it simply has to stop during the game. It helps no one, especially the players of the club you support. Do your duty – cheer the team on.