The assertion that people leave before the end of the game because they're not 'real' fans is as insulting as it is simplistic.

From my first visit to Highbury in 1969 to the last home game of the 2000/01 season, I used to stay until the final whistle because I lived in Islington (and later Edgware) and therefore I was free from any pressures in getting home. Now that I live in Warwickshire, the reason for my leaving early is dependant upon train departure times. I stayed to the end of our Carling Cup semi-final win over Spuds and got home at 1.25 a.m. The next morning I caught my usual 6.00 a.m. London train for work.

The vagaries of the Virgin trains evening timetable places one in an exasperating dilemma - do you stay until the final whistle or do you leave with a few minutes to go in order to get home to avoid the 'Remember us - we're your family' comments (not to mention being dead on your feet the next day). It doesn't please me to leave games before the end, it's done through necessity.

I remember being one of the very, very few Arsenal supporters who stayed behind to applaud our players at the end of the 2001 FA Cup final as they did their walk past. Were you there doing the same? I was also at Goodison Park last month with my two sons, staying until the bitter end (by the way, Mr. Green - there were quite a few empty seats near us, indicating unsold tickets - I look forward to your next article bemoaning the lack of 'real' Arsenal fans at away matches. Provided you were there, of course).

I don't want a medal, just as I don't want my loyalties to be questioned by you and other boo boys who don't know the first thing about my own personal circumstances. Keep your insulting comments to yourself.