I was one of those people. Something of an apostle in fact. We were affectionately known as the Vanilla Nutters for a while.
And in any ways, I wish I'd never downloaded the third patch because I was absolutely in love with v.1.00.
A few things happened. I became sick of the rubbish crowd sound, the variable pitch graphics, the hideous default kits.
There was also a bit too much space over the pitch. And long shots simply didnt exist
I'd made some edits and klashman tactics but just wanted an option file with Bundesliga. So I think around october time, I finally updated the game and it felt ok.
But being blunt, it was never anywhere near as good as v1.00. I remember vanilla being so soft and free and loose and far more movement points on the players. It also had tempo and rhythm that disappeared from the game, except briefly during the major patch around january time, I think, cant remember now.
So it was the option file that led me down the path of updating the game and eventually falling out of love with it.
Funnily enough, yesterday I thought about going back and giving vanilla a try. But instead I took it to Cex and sold it for a tenner.
All a bit sad now that I think about it.