Our columnist this week is a 20-year-old from Keighley who is studying at Trinity and All Saints College, Leeds, Tim Steere

Have you ever asked yourself: 'why am I bothering with this? All the stress, the pain, the misery, is it worth it?' I challenge anyone to say that this has never crossed their mind.

You'd think that this scenario would be linked to your job perhaps? But what if it was something you chose to do out of work, spending your free time creating these strenuous emotions when you don't have to?

Who would do that to themselves you ask?

Simple answer, a sports fan.

This breed of passionate, yet possibly foolish group of followers, devote their life to uncertainty and emotions that are rarely felt even in the most stressful of jobs.

Now this apparent passion, dedication and patience that most people look for in an ideal marriage is now fading and leading to many painful divorces between fans and their clubs.

But in this settlement, it's the other half that's taking the posh cutlery while the meagre sports fan is left with just a sour taste in their mouth.

The cause of this? Money. It makes the world go round, but it has stopped for many football fans particularly.

High wages are a problem for clubs. One example is Joey Barton of Manchester City, who decided last month that £28,000 a week was a derisory offer. He's now accepted it, which must have pained him to do so, but this is all too common.

These wages are killing clubs. They are forcing ticket prices up and adding to the problems for the humble sports fan and family. If you include travel and the delicate cuisine of a half-time pie or pint, it soon adds up.

The excuse from many clubs for price rises is two words; evil necessity. They need it to keep going - fair point I suppose.

Rugby League takes a more sensible approach with wage capping and I'm all for that in football, as a (dare I say it in a Bradford newspaper) Leeds United supporter, I know what money problems can do to a club as I'm sure many Bradford City fans know as well.

A sports fan has to go through many stressful emotions unnecessarily and pay for the privilege. Seems odd, right?

They pay good, hard-earned money to be on the terraces every week freezing cold, watching a bunch of players (who earn more than they do in a whole year in just a month or so) possibly lose or perform badly and destroy themselves emotionally, and upset their finances.

So the result of all this is that people can't go through with it anymore. It's too much money and too much pain.

Saying that, how many of you will go back next week for the next match? I will. I know I'm mad, stupid, crazy and insane, but just call me a sports fan.

Spare a thought for those who can't though, and unless this wage and money explosion stops soon, there are just going to be more casualties along the way.