My point is mate if you go to a boozer in Coventry and tell a fan of theirs how hard Everton have had it these past 2 decades you'll get laughed oot of town.
It's very Blue Tinted to suggest we've hard "dark times" particularly since 2000 onwards. Frustrating yes but not hard i.e relegations/administration/liquidation that many clubs have faced over the years.
Yes it may be "relative" based on history/size of the club - hard times for a Man Utd fan is finishing 8th but you aint going to have me shed a tear for the "poor sods" when clubs like Sunderland have back to back relegations, Bolton/Derby in financial trouble etc.
I just dont buy what Mr Sweet was selling.