Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/.
If we do not hit our goal we will be forced to close the site.

Current status: https://keepboardsalive.com/

Annual subs are best for most impact. If you are still undecided on going Ad Free - you can also donate using the Paypal Donate option. All contribution helps. Thank you.
https://www.boards.ie/group/1878-subscribers-forum

Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.

Atmosphere at football grounds?

24

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,985 ✭✭✭✭Gavin "shels"


    Look at the atmosphere at a Pompey game and compare it with a Man U game, there's no comparsion.

    Then look at when Man U are playing away against say a smaller club like Derby, you only get the hardcore fans making the journey with virtually no bandwagoners or foriegners and Man U fans create a great atmosphere. All leads back to the fairweather fans who want a 3 or 4 nil win every game.

    People give out about the all-seater stadiums playing a part in bad atmosphere, well to say the least thats nonsense. Have a look at Polish, Italian, German, etc... all-seater stadiums and the noise created by the fans.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,213 ✭✭✭✭therecklessone



    People give out about the all-seater stadiums playing a part in bad atmosphere, well to say the least thats nonsense. Have a look at Polish, Italian, German, etc... all-seater stadiums and the noise created by the fans.

    Welcome to the Wall, it holds 24000 fans in Dortmund.

    All standing.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,213 ✭✭✭✭therecklessone


    Then look at when Man U are playing away against say a smaller club like Derby, you only get the hardcore fans making the journey with virtually no bandwagoners or foriegners

    You're forgetting the Cockney Reds who travel in large numbers to Utd games, certainly games down south.

    The problem in England is that fans have been beaten down by 20 years of being treated like scum by the powers that be. Prices have spiralled, and the rush to build concrete soul-less bowls has taken all of the life out of top flight football in England. Why do you think clubs like Wigan, Bolton, Boro, Fulham have such sh1t fans? They don't have a load of bandwagoners or day trippers. Any club that needs to play music after they score a goal should be barred from the league...

    It started with Thatcher and has continued under the other lot, football fans are met with distrust wherever they set foot...not the fan who brings his kids to one game a season, and spends a fortune in the club shop, but the fan who likes a drink, and swears in the stadium, and sneaks a smoke in the bogs, and refers to police as Old Bill...these are the people who create an atmosphere at football grounds.

    It suited Thatchers project for a "better" Britain, as football fans were overwhelmingly working class, so while her police force were cracking down on the bootboys at football, they were also cracking miner's skulls and helping smash the print unions for Murdoch and co...the delicious irony of it all...

    FWIW, the best fans in the EPL are West Ham's...much as it pains me to say...Pompey are good, but I could have heard a pin drop when we played them last month at Fratton Park (prompting chants of "sing for the telly" from us)...best away fans are ManYoo, Pompey, Villa, Wham, and I'd like to think Spurs.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 41,926 ✭✭✭✭_blank_


    Generally speaking though, we are the best fans in the Premiership:p
    :D

    Because you have a cow bell!? lol
    Any club that needs to play music after they score a goal should be barred from the league...
    Unless it's La Bamba ;)

    But yeah, that tune from the first division sickens me, Cork City sing it The Webel Awmy. (that's not a typo)

    the fan who likes a drink, and swears in the stadium, and sneaks a smoke in the bogs, and refers to police as Old Bill...these are the people who create an atmosphere at football grounds.
    Yes we are.

    Not "Old Bill" per se, in Dublin, we aren't cockneys. But still, this is exactly the person, the real, old fashioned football fan who is being chased out of existence.
    "SSSSHHHHH....you might upset my gf with ur language."

    Feck you and your gf, you don't belong at football, imo.
    best away fans are ManYoo,
    Am quoting this because I know words of songs, from watching on the telly.


    Hello Hello we are the...

    I know this because I watch them on telly, and I can hear the chants.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,658 ✭✭✭✭Peyton Manning


    Well, it looks like the Safe Standing campaign isnt gonna be too effective anyway :(
    MANCHESTER United have dealt a major blow to the growing fans' campaign for safe standing areas by ruling out the return of terracing at Old Trafford.
    United have written to the Premier League indicating they will not be taking up the offer of a standing trial from Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council, who issue the safety certificate for Britain's biggest League venue.
    And fans' leaders fear United's refusal to allow standing, even on a trial basis, could have a knock-on effect at other Premiership clubs such as Manchester City and Charlton where fans are lobbying for small, safe standing areas.
    Ironically, United's decision comes just as the Football Supporters' Association are preparing to leave on a fact-finding mission into the successful use of terracing in Germany.


    The FSA's Kevin Miles, Mark Longden and Phil Gateley leave for Germany on February 10 to launch the most exhaustive study of terracing safety issues ever undertaken by a British research team. They will present their evidence to Government, the Premier League, the FA and Football League, the Football Licensing Authority and the 92 League clubs in this country.
    But it seems United and most of their Premier League counterparts are determined to resist attempts to reopen the standing debate.
    A Premier League spokesman told Fanzone: "The chairmen remain unanimously opposed to the re-introduction of terracing in any form, as are the Government."


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,235 ✭✭✭iregk


    Welcome to the Wall, it holds 24000 fans in Dortmund.

    All standing.

    Now that was the best atmosphere i've ever experienced. While living in Germany and being an Eintracht fan we headed up to dortmund for an away game. The Dortmund fans are amazing 2nd best in Germany :) The Westfalenstadion has the most amazing noise you have ever heard in your life. Forget anything you have ever experienced in any premiership game because 3 german fans would make more noise on thier own. Sadly being away fans we couldn't get into the wall. Thats stictly the Ultras all season ticket section.

    This is a better pic of it. http://faculty.ucc.edu/egh-damerow/050BorussiaDortmund.jpg

    I've been in Anfield since the 80's looking at and even being in the old Kop. The old kop had absolutely nothing on this place!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,942 ✭✭✭dubmick


    'The crowd were dead,' said the Scot. 'It was like a funeral it was so quiet.
    'You need the crowd to create a good atmosphere. It is all right saying the players can make the crowd respond but in some situations, like this one, the crowd have to get behind the players.
    'I think there have been days like this in the past. It happened some years ago, when we were dominant. The crowd have come to be entertained. It doesn't help us.'
    Dear Mr Ferguson.

    With regards to your comments concerning the atmosphere on New Years Days ‘big’ clash with Birmingham City at Old Trafford I would like to submit the following observations.

    1. It was New Years Day….. most of the crowd were probably hung over/knackered or on corporate freebies (as quite a few people I knew were) or, on a jolly as they had tickets given to them cos the original ticket holder would not be attending due to it being New years and actually having a family, and a life outside of letting their wage packets be controlled by Mr Glazer and his ingenious ticket price increases and cup scheme deviousness .

    2. You will probably find it will have been exactly the same atmosphere at a lot of grounds around the country. It is always quiet on New Years Day - even U2 sang about it being so…

    3. If you want Old Trafford to be a ‘cauldron’ of intensity and fervour for the home team, why not make it affordable again to people on a normal wage? People say from Salford, Trafford, Stretford, to name a few. My brothers seats for this season are £45 each, he has been going since the 60’s and is United through and through, his comment regarding the price increases and cup game robbery plan? “ That’s it for me, how much can they keep squeezing a guy on a normal wage? They want us to pay £45 to watch the reserves playing teams like Exeter on a Wednesday night in the Carling cup, I wont be attending, so will be basically paying £45 to sit at home”. My brother and his mate are now buying a small fishing boat (no sh*t - my better off mates have took his books on) as he knows he can ‘day trip’ to games like most of our natural hometown support now have to. Maybe he will do so up the Irwell in his boat.

    4. Because of the already mentioned price increases and the new ‘automatic cup con’ a lot of supporters now ‘share’ books, so go half as often, and get out of the habit of that home game mentality. You want to see the team, but you don’t feel a regular like you used to, so are not as up for it on every occasion as you feel a little bit of a stranger at times.

    5. When I go for a meal and (pay £45 for the privilege) I do not expect to have to tell the chef how to cook it, or feel forced into encouraging him to perform his gastronomic skills for me, I complement him after I taste the food, I am after all the one who is doing the paying.

    6. When I go to see a band - I do not expect to have to show them how to play their instruments or goad them into putting a good show on for me. They are being paid thousands of pounds for that 90 minutes onstage, it is their job, and I again am one of the ones who is paying. WE are the customers here, it is no different to any business

    7. Win, lose or draw, the players (including yourself) earn £xxxthousands for that game – Win lose or draw. I pay £45 for the same game.

    8. And finally – you are in footballing terms without doubt a hero for every fan of this club (including myself), and one of the greatesmanagers this country has seen. This however does not give you license to say whatever you want and pass judgement about people who have supported this club since birth, some while you were still cutting your managerial teeth at St Mirren. You are from the same area of Glasgow as my stepfather, who stood outside the steelworks everyday with his hand in the air asking for work, please do not loose contact with the common man, we do not take kindly to people in Ivory towers making out that it is our duty to make overpaid stars perform - or blaming the crowd if the players cannot be bothered to pick their game up - surely that is YOUR duty.

    Maybe an idea is to pay them all less (including yourself) and cut ticket prices - I’ll then sing my b*llocks off every game as I’ll have had more money to spend on beer before the game to vibe me up on a cold winters morning, and also a bit extra in my wage packet every month for life’s necessities.


    I shall await the “if you don’t like it you can go and watch Chelsea” reply…. Sir Matt would be turning in his grave.


    Yours
    A normal working class fan being gradually priced out
    Salford.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    DesF wrote: »
    :D

    Because you have a cow bell!? lol

    You forgot the bugle and big silly hat:D

    We even have drums for home matches:o


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,980 ✭✭✭Kevster


    Man, I love Dortmund's stadium. It's the Westfalenstadion, right?

    Do any of ye go to premiership games much? I meant to ask what kind of racist/abusive things are said to players. I mean, Sol Campbell and an increasing amount of others are now speaking-out against abusive fans.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    Kevster wrote: »
    Man, I love Dortmund's stadium. It's the Westfalenstadion, right?

    Do any of ye go to premiership games much? I meant to ask what kind of racist/abusive things are said to players. I mean, Sol Campbell and an increasing amount of others are now speaking-out against abusive fans.

    There is a lot of abuse and there always has been. I think it is now some forms are less acceptable and have been replaced with unacceptable alternatives (I'll explain).

    I remember in the early days of waching football, we had no black players at pompey, the crowds were very racist and if a black player came, he had racist abuse thrown at him. That form of abuse has gone (Thankfully) as it is now considered unaceptable.

    Pompey fans have always given ex Southampton fans a "Scumming" even Shearer got it, but after the game was applauded off as he is widely respected. This is, I believe, acceptable. Wayne Bridge got it, scored against us and ran to the Pompey fans with his finger to his lip. I don't believe the police got any complaints about it, fair dos, he got a scumming and answered in the best possible way.

    However, there seems to be abuse of a more personal nature, even as far as to threaten to kill peoples kids etc, this seems to have increased and is totally unacceptable it seemed to start with Beckham getting sent off against Argentina, has gone on to Ronaldo and Sol has had a lot from Tottenham fans for going to Arsenal (Which I can understand) and opposing fansafter his sexuality was brought into the public domain which is what I think lead to his public complaint. From what I can gather, Redkna got it at Villa from a bloke and his oung son, calling him a crook etc and making the sort of personal attack that could be considered libellous, fair enough if away fans are giving him stick, but for someone to stand behind the dugout all game, with a child and give constant personal abuse, i think that's a bit beyond the pail.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,181 ✭✭✭Davidth88


    Much as I hate to agree with a Rottenham fan , I found myself totally agreeing with what therecklessone has to say..... I even agree about WHU fans, although I hate WHU, Upton Park has a great atmosphere. ( never been to Portsmouth ).

    Chelsea used to have a great away following ( I went home/away every game for 4 - 5 years ) , no idea if they still do although I seem to hear them a lot on the telly.

    I have noticed the few games I have been to recently that Stamford Bridge is becoming more like The Library ( Highbury ) every time.

    I still think that safe terraces should be allowed , that way if someone is annoying you at least you can move... my nightmare would be you pay 1000 quid for a season tkt to find the bloke next to you is a complete muppet / bigot/ really annoying .


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 41,926 ✭✭✭✭_blank_


    constant personal abuse, i think that's a bit beyond the pail.
    Meh, I disagree totally.

    If you can get inside an opposition player's head, and put him off his game, then that is acceptable.

    When we played Cork City in the first round of the FAI Cup last season, for the whole second half I stood a yard from the touchline and abused their left winger from a huge height. Unrelenting abuse. He used to play for us. He kept inching and inching away from the touchline that day. I put him off his game.

    Fast forward to Cup Final day, and I met the player in the bar after the match, and I asked if he remembered the abuse in Tolka that day. He said he did, and he'd thought he'd "killed that fella's family".

    It works.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,121 ✭✭✭✭chopperbyrne


    Jaysus Des that's a bit harsh. What kind of things were you saying?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 41,926 ✭✭✭✭_blank_


    Jaysus Des that's a bit harsh.
    In fairness to the player, the night I met him, months later, he took it in good spirits, the night of the match there were people on the City bench laughing at me/him too.

    I told him I'd do it again, and he said he looks forward to it.

    And anyway, we lost the match :D

    What kind of things were you saying?
    I couldn't possibly risk a ban from this forum by repeating myself :p


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,121 ✭✭✭✭chopperbyrne


    Not repeat the actual wording, but the gist of it.

    Was it personal insults or just general "you're shít" stuff?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    DesF wrote: »
    Meh, I disagree totally.

    If you can get inside an opposition player's head, and put him off his game, then that is acceptable.

    When we played Cork City in the first round of the FAI Cup last season, for the whole second half I stood a yard from the touchline and abused their left winger from a huge height. Unrelenting abuse. He used to play for us. He kept inching and inching away from the touchline that day. I put him off his game.

    Fast forward to Cup Final day, and I met the player in the bar after the match, and I asked if he remembered the abuse in Tolka that day. He said he did, and he'd thought he'd "killed that fella's family".

    It works.

    it does work and it os part of a fans job afaiac. But there has to be limits. People were threatenting to kill Beckham's kids and crazy stuff like that. Constantly calling someone ****/scummer/ is fine, but a lot of the abuse can go too far.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,346 ✭✭✭✭KdjaCL


    The abuse towards the player des abused does get nasty, same as what Goram used to get "only 2 andy gorams " etc:



    kdjac


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,585 ✭✭✭patmac


    The problem with Old Trafford is that it's full of tourists from afar spending copious amounts of money in the club shop. I was at a match against Leeds a few years back and the atmosphere was crap because most people were there for the first time and were too busy looking around the stadium in awe to concentrate on the game. We travelled from Mullingar and the ferry arrived at 3am and some went drinking at that stage! So even though United won 3-2 one guy actually fell asleep during the game! They say that the European games are way better because of the lack of scandies, Asians and drunken/hungover Irish.
    Pompey fans are great for all that singing but I find those 'Pompey Chimes' really annoying (sorry Fred) much like the England band playing those same idiotic tunes over and over, the great escape, Rule Brittania and GSOQ FFS change the record.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 41,926 ✭✭✭✭_blank_


    KdjaCL wrote: »
    The abuse towards the player des abused does get nasty, same as what Goram used to get "only 2 andy gorams " etc:
    He deserved it for what he did to Shels tbh.

    I was angry Des that night.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,454 ✭✭✭✭A Dub in Glasgo


    KdjaCL wrote: »
    The abuse towards the player des abused does get nasty, same as what Goram used to get "only 2 andy gorams " etc:

    "Two Andy Gorams, there's only two Andy Gorams......."

    I remember it well... fantastic :)


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    patmac wrote: »
    Pompey fans are great for all that singing but I find those 'Pompey Chimes' really annoying (sorry Fred) much like the England band playing those same idiotic tunes over and over, the great escape, Rule Brittania and GSOQ FFS change the record.

    tell me about it :o


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,985 ✭✭✭✭Gavin "shels"


    DesF wrote: »
    I was angry Des that night.


    What did you forget that night, you cap or your smokes?:D




    I have to laugh at this idea of a "Safe Standing campaign" by the Man Utd fans, it's an embarrassment to football fans in my eyes. In all the years I used to watch Man Utd on my couch (thank God them years are gone) Old Trafford was the only stadium I never seen anyone standing (except when a goal was scored).

    What in the blue hell are the Police going to do if say 200 people stand up and starting singing in Old Trafford? escort everyone out of the ground who stood up:rolleyes:

    For an example I know of, in Aberdeen it was the same as Old Trafford no standing allow in the stands, but then one season their Ultras (Red Ultras) got season tickets for one section all stood up singing for the game. And you look at their stadium know theres hundreds of people singing which started from about 60 people. If there's a will, there's a way.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,346 ✭✭✭✭KdjaCL


    Man Utd fans tried that and lost, their season tickets where taken away.



    kdjac


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,985 ✭✭✭✭Gavin "shels"


    KdjaCL wrote: »
    Man Utd fans tried that and lost, their season tickets where taken away.



    kdjac


    That has to be a joke?

    What was it a breach of season ticket terms and cons.:D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,103 ✭✭✭estebancambias


    Does it really affect players though? Like when I had matches over near Rivervalley some of the people watching the opposite team were insane. I was like 15, and this old guy said to the player on the pitch ''knock his f**king head out. Ok its hardly personal, but surely it has the same effect. To be honest it didnt really get to me, I found it funny.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,454 ✭✭✭✭A Dub in Glasgo


    I have to laugh at this idea of a "Safe Standing campaign" by the Man Utd fans, it's an embarrassment to football fans in my eyes. In all the years I used to watch Man Utd on my couch (thank God them years are gone) Old Trafford was the only stadium I never seen anyone standing (except when a goal was scored).

    You used to watch MU from the couch and in all those years, you never saw anybody standing? Could it be that you have only watched MU this decade? People have been booted out of Old Trafford for standing. What is with all the rolleyes and embarrassment? You a wannabe ultra or something?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,213 ✭✭✭✭therecklessone


    I have to laugh at this idea of a "Safe Standing campaign" by the Man Utd fans, it's an embarrassment to football fans in my eyes. In all the years I used to watch Man Utd on my couch (thank God them years are gone) Old Trafford was the only stadium I never seen anyone standing (except when a goal was scored).
    The worst offenders in the Premier League are certainly Manchester United supporters. Relatively large numbers of them stand both at home and away, regardless of the quality of the sight lines.

    Source: Jim Chalmers of the FLA Inspectorate, Season Review 1999-00

    I make you 0 for 2 on the issue of standing at grounds so far.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,985 ✭✭✭✭Gavin "shels"


    You used to watch MU from the couch and in all those years, you never saw anybody standing? Could it be that you have only watched MU this decade? People have been booted out of Old Trafford for standing. What is with all the rolleyes and embarrassment? You a wannabe ultra or something?


    Yes I have only watched MU this decade.

    All I'm saying if there is a will there is a way, surely all the Man Utd supporters clubs could come together and get everyone to stand, maybe boycott matches if they're that passionate about the situation.

    Definite an ultra?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,985 ✭✭✭✭Gavin "shels"


    Source: Jim Chalmers of the FLA Inspectorate, Season Review 1999-00

    I make you 0 for 2 on the issue of standing at grounds so far.

    8 years ago. Things have changed immensely in that time in English football.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,213 ✭✭✭✭therecklessone


    Archimedes wrote: »
    Well, it looks like the Safe Standing campaign isnt gonna be too effective anyway :(

    That article you quoted is from 2001...

    http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20010204/ai_n14524357


Advertisement