Have We Got The Worst Atmosphere In The Country

[johnola]

The 1882 movement back in the day managed to make an atmosphere at low attended games back in 2014 by simply gathering a few people willing to sing their lungs out. The club let them gather in certain areas. If there is a will, there is a way.

1882 is the year a lot of our fans were born I reckon.

We’ve had so little success all the old codgers - and I include myself in that - continue to go waiting for that long anticipated sugar rush. There needs to be a turnover as it’s old and stale.

 

[Gutter Boy]

1882 is the year a lot of our fans were born I reckon.

We’ve had so little success all the old codgers - and I include myself in that - continue to go waiting for that long anticipated sugar rush. There needs to be a turnover as it’s old and stale.

Ban statins and do doping tests at the gates

 

[Mikey10]

Ban statins and do doping tests at the gates

Not sure about the drug element, but age has little to do with it. Had two blokes probably in their mid-30s one side of me in the South on Sunday and a bloke on his own in his early 20s, I’d guess, the other side. Not a peep out of any of the three of them during the entire game. I mean the two blokes together didn’t even seem to speak to each other much.

 

[veryoldspur]

Not sure about the drug element, but age has little to do with it. Had two blokes probably in their mid-30s one side of me in the South on Sunday and a bloke on his own in his early 20s, I’d guess, the other side. Not a peep out of any of the three of them during the entire game. I mean the two blokes together didn’t even seem to speak to each other much.

I don't think there is a single answer, but the club needs to accept there is a problem, as I am convinced this has something to do with our poor performances at home. Having the majority of the crowd behind the team is meant to offer an advantage, and this isn't happening at the stadium.

I think there are a number of problems, and they can't be solved easily. I think the demographic of the support has changed, and this has a lot to do with ticket prices. I also believe that political correctness and the fact every supporters knows they have a CCTV camera pointed at them doesn't help either. Modern football stadiums have been turned into sterile theatres, and whilst I appreciate the facilities are a million times better, it doesn't feel like I am at a football match anymore. To a lesser degree I think VAR doesn't help, because we have to sit around for ages waiting to see if the goal has been allowed.

All this said, places like Crystal Palace, Leeds, and Nottingham Forest still have a great atmospheres. However, they all have older grounds, so it makes one think

 

[ricky2tricky4city]

The 1882 movement back in the day managed to make an atmosphere at low attended games back in 2014 by simply gathering a few people willing to sing their lungs out. The club let them gather in certain areas. If there is a will, there is a way.

Ironically it was putting the other '1882' official section band of premium seats right across the middle of the new South stand that was a bit of a own goal imo.

No fans thought that was a (non consulted) good idea

 

[ricky2tricky4city]

I don't think there is a single answer, but the club needs to accept there is a problem, as I am convinced this has something to do with our poor performances at home. Having the majority of the crowd behind the team is meant to offer an advantage, and this isn't happening at the stadium.

I think there are a number of problems, and they can't be solved easily. I think the demographic of the support has changed, and this has a lot to do with ticket prices. I also believe that political correctness and the fact every supporters knows they have a CCTV camera pointed at them doesn't help either. Modern football stadiums have been turned into sterile theatres, and whilst I appreciate the facilities are a million times better, it doesn't feel like I am at a football match anymore. To a lesser degree I think VAR doesn't help, because we have to sit around for ages waiting to see if the goal has been allowed.

All this said, places like Crystal Palace, Leeds, and Nottingham Forest still have a great atmospheres. However, they all have older grounds, so it makes one think

I think what poo poos most of the, on the face of it, valid excuses you put forward is the plain fact that a crazy atmosphere has happened at the new ground and nothing got in the way of it.

The Arsenal home game under Conte when we took the Goons apart 3-0 was electric/carnage/feral (and that's before we'd scored or even kicked off).

As per usual it's all around human motivations and expectations. It's a block of concrete with a roof at the end of the day.

 

[Yiddo]

It’s entitled fans that have now tasted a bit of success who turn up to games to moan rather than sing. Its been declining since we have declined. The time we need the fans most and they are not turning up, its as if they want us to fail just to say they told us so.

 

[Baleforce]

It’s entitled fans that have now tasted a bit of success who turn up to games to moan rather than sing. Its been declining since we have declined. The time we need the fans most and they are not turning up, its as if they want us to fail just to say they told us so.

I don’t think it’s new, I was doing that in the 90’s.

 

[balesleftboot]

Atmosphere is bad and can't be motivating to the players one bit. We took an early lead on Sunday and still the place was quiet. If the atmosphere was rocking after that goal maybe we'd get a different result.

No noise from the crowd unless it's negative noise. Very little sound after we score but very quick to moan and groan when a player makes a mistake and it's funny how they are able to boo loudly at the full time whistle. I also think the moans from the crowd everytime a player makes a mistake contributes to the cautious play we often see. They're terrified of making a mistake.

It's simply not that much of an enjoyable experience going there anymore.

 

[Daisuk]

I think what poo poos most of the, on the face of it, valid excuses you put forward is the plain fact that a crazy atmosphere has happened at the new ground and nothing got in the way of it.

The Arsenal home game under Conte when we took the Goons apart 3-0 was electric/carnage/feral (and that's before we'd scored or even kicked off).

As per usual it's all around human motivations and expectations. It's a block of concrete with a roof at the end of the day.

It is, but if people that are willing to sing together regardless of opposition sit together, the atmosphere will spread and make the whole place better. Stick the people with the most loyalty points together, for instance. Our away fans always sing. Hell, my absolute brick local team in the second division in Norway has a little group of about 300 people that makes more of a ruckus on a game than we seem to do. Just get some people together in the right spot. It cant be that hard. Relocate season tickets if need be. It's vital for the team that they feel supported. I realize I sound a bit immature writing this, but it's possible, we shouldnt keep making excuses. It's not rocket science.

 

[SirPercyHotspur]

Fans in the south didn't have much trouble in singing together when it was anti Levy/ENIC songs , mystery why they can't sing in support of the team during a match.

 

[K.D.D.D.D.Soc]

I would say its a combination of:

1) Too high a proportion of old fans (50+), who are just jaded
2) Too much cocaine, making people bad company
3) The loss of some of the South Korean colour and joy

Writing as an elderly supporter I totally disagree with your assertion in no 1, one of the prime reasons for me no longer attending games was the terrible attitude and reactions of the younger people (I don't include kids) around me, we have become a group of entitled spoilt fans.
The Korean fans are a big loss, I found them polite, enthusiastic supporters and can't remember any behaving as childishly as "proper fans" when things aren't going well.

 

[K.D.D.D.D.Soc]

Can’t say if it’s the worst as I’ve only been to about 40 existing and old grounds in the UK. There’s no doubt that the atmosphere is not the same as it was at the old WHL besides European nights. But to say it’s the worst is a tad OTT. I’ve been to Chelsea and Upton Park to watch Spurs and considering we are their cup final, I was very underwhelmed when you factor in how much both clubs want to beat us.

The only grounds that have ever stood out for me that have a good atmosphere in this country are St James’ Park, Stoke’s ground whatever it is called now and Molineux. Every other ground whether it’s Liverpool, United, Brighton or Everton, I’ve been unimpressed.

I'd include Palace in a good crowd.

 

[K.D.D.D.D.Soc]

They should make the south stand under thirties only.

Is that IQ?

 

[SirPercyHotspur]

Its a fallacy that the The Old Lane was always a bedlam of noise, for the last three years of it's existence I had a ST in the north upper , very little singing or chants up there.

 

[Whiffler]

No songs to sing - just jingles.

Noisier grounds mentioned have latched on to one or more real songs. Hell, Palace have even nabbed the archetypal Tottenham Sound number. Leeds, Birmingham, Liverpool - I remember Tranmere belting out Goodnight Irene at Wembley.

Older fans more likely to go for a song rather than Stand up if you hate Woolwich Nomads, or OOh look - I'm in the Shelf.


So what was top of the Music Hall or whatever charts in 1882 ? or 1901 ? or 1951 ? 1961 ? 1963 ? - all significant dates for us/English football.

Then get someone to pitch the tune to keep upper notes within range.

Then spread the word.



ps - 1882 saw the release of Iolanthe, 1812 overture and Sweet Violets. Maybe too many rude versions out there of that last one.

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[ricky2tricky4city]

Fans in the south didn't have much trouble in singing together when it was anti Levy/ENIC songs , mystery why they can't sing in support of the team during a match.

Alas, Negativity appears to be the de facto societal source of energy nowadays.

 

[veryoldspur]

Writing as an elderly supporter I totally disagree with your assertion in no 1, one of the prime reasons for me no longer attending games was the terrible attitude and reactions of the younger people (I don't include kids) around me, we have become a group of entitled spoilt fans.
The Korean fans are a big loss, I found them polite, enthusiastic supporters and can't remember any behaving as childishly as "proper fans" when things aren't going well.

The girls also wore short skirts and long socks, and that's what I miss the most about them

 

[veryoldspur]

No songs to sing - just jingles.

Noisier grounds mentioned have latched on to one or more real songs. Hell, Palace have even nabbed the archetypal Tottenham Sound number. Leeds, Birmingham, Liverpool - I remember Tranmere belting out Goodnight Irene at Wembley.

Older fans more likely to go for a song rather than Stand up if you hate Woolwich Nomads, or OOh look - I'm in the Shelf.


So what was top of the Music Hall or whatever charts in 1882 ? or 1901 ? or 1951 ? 1961 ? 1963 ? - all significant dates for us/English football.

Then get someone to pitch the tune to keep upper notes within range.

Then spread the word.



ps - 1882 saw the release of Iolanthe, 1812 overture and Sweet Violets. Maybe too many rude versions out there of that last one.

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Accept third party cookies

You will find the loud supporters such as Palace tend to chant rather than sing songs. It becomes quite hypnotic

 

[SpurMeUp]

No doubt its a trend, not just associated with us. People are more isolated. A sad trend in society. The South Stand can be the catalyst for the rest of the stadium to come together, and the club can help invigorate the South Stand. In Italy you have 'ultras' sections which provide most of the atmosphere.

The acoustics in the new stadium are designed to amplify noise, which should help. But what its seems to do is highlight when there are no chants. When a chant finishes or there is no noise, the contrast is so noticeable. From noise to silence, and the silence is deafening! The generous seating space and bright lighting is also not conducive to singing and atmosphere imo. Used to be a bit of a scrum of fans all thrown together with less inhibitions, now everyone's spaced out and illuminated. It can feel a bit cold.

New, fresh songs, and sections where more vocal fans can gather are needed. Perhaps a new standing section next to the away fans could also be beneficial. Could the club also try lowering the lighting during the game, idk if this would help.