Standing at aways

[Goat]

I loved Shrewsbury.

It was a great day, well apart from the whole getting beat thing.

 

[stanleypark]

It's not a boring issue at all mate, it's a very serious one, but I think what people get confused by is that by simply standing up will create a better atmosphere, that isn't the issue, its the ticket pricing.

This is a quote from the new STAND AMF magazine...

Good quote. Pricing will change the numbers of "teenagers and the early twenty-somethings to be able to afford a ticket", but there are still fans in that category who do go and do go and get wellied and want to create an atmosphere, albeit less than you would get if it was cheaper.

So the potential for atmosphere is still there, although of course not to the levels of say abroad or say in the past.

You just need to get those above mentioned people to be by each other rather than being scattered in with the 'well off married couples"

 

[Muggins]

At Arsenal the stewards won't leave you alone if you stand, even if you are on the back row with a wall at your back! I got warned twice and told next time I stood I was out.

You nailed it mate.

Lads, believe it or not we don't actually have a choice to sit or stand at 'all seater' stadiums. I was also warned at Arsenal. Some away games like Fulham turn a blind eye and let people go with the majority, but for the most part you're up when everyone else is up, and down when everyone is else is down.

It's the edge of the seat domino effect. When we get close to goal people stand up, even if they can see perfectly clearly sitting down. It's almost in anticipation of the net rattling. I've even done that in the top balcony haha.

But to make out that fans are split into two factions and actually have a choice, is not right.

 

[Muggins]

Good quote. Pricing will change the numbers of "teenagers and the early twenty-somethings to be able to afford a ticket", but there are still fans in that category who do go and do go and get wellied and want to create an atmosphere, albeit less than you would get if it was cheaper.

So the potential for atmosphere is still there, although of course not to the levels of say abroad or say in the past.

You just need to get those above mentioned people to be by each other rather than being scattered in with the 'well off married couples"

It's seems you've built that stereotype in your head mate. If you did well for yourself and randomly got married, you'd still be 'you' on your feet singing...etc.

I think Cena is right though, it could be argued that younger adults might sing more if they could get to the game.

If the Lower Gwladys was a standing section priced at £10-15, it would be rammed every game and would carry the atmosphere for the whole ground if it had too.

 

[carlos_the_jackal]

It's not a boring issue at all mate, it's a very serious one, but I think what people get confused by is that by simply standing up will create a better atmosphere, that isn't the issue, its the ticket pricing.

This is a quote from the new STAND AMF magazine...

Fair dos. To be honest with you, I'm far more passionate about the ticket pricing issue because it goes way above and beyond creating an atmosphere at football matches.

 

[stanleypark]

How about people stand up when the urge takes them and sit down when they want. When you get thumbheads turning round trying to get other people to stand up when it's 0-0 in a crap game against someone dull it reminds me of forced whackiness, like Newcastle fans "pogo-ing for the Toon". Especially when said thumbhead is some 16 year old scrote who thinks he's Everton fan number 1.

Everyone is different though, I'll have the urge to stand up the whole time so that won't work. I won't at aways unless I know those behind me are happy to stand, because I don't agree with blocking kids views.


When it's 0-0 in a crap game that is the ideal time to get behind them though. It's nothing to do with wackiness, it's not about trying to be a great fan, if it's 0.0 it's about the team needing a lift, and as a supporter, all I can think of as being able to help the team is to try and encourage them by getting a few songs going.


Encouraging the players can help. I'm sure Moyes encourages his players, so if a chant of a players name can encourage him too and make him feel better then it may add a couple of % to his game, perhaps make that extra run, that extra tackle he didn't think he'll do. Sure some players won't care if you sing their name or not, but from the stands we won't know which players they are.


The idea of being a helpless supporter in the stand, who's only role is to give them money via the turnstyles doesn't appeal to me.

 

[Thuck ma Baws]

Everyone is different though, I'll have the urge to stand up the whole time so that won't work. I won't at aways unless I know those behind me are happy to stand, because I don't agree with blocking kids views.


When it's 0-0 in a crap game that is the ideal time to get behind them though. It's nothing to do with wackiness, it's not about trying to be a great fan, if it's 0.0 it's about the team needing a lift, and as a supporter, all I can think of as being able to help the team is to try and encourage them by getting a few songs going.


Encouraging the players can help. I'm sure Moyes encourages his players, so if a chant of a players name can encourage him too and make him feel better then it may add a couple of % to his game, perhaps make that extra run, that extra tackle he didn't think he'll do. Sure some players won't care if you sing their name or not, but from the stands we won't know which players they are.


The idea of being a helpless supporter in the stand, who's only role is to give them money via the turnstyles doesn't appeal to me.

I've been in that position too mate, and there's been times when the crowd is quiet and the game is going against us and I've been the only one on my feet urging the team on too. What I hate though is the cheerleaders who stand up in that situation and start singing, clapping, banging their face on the seat, whatever and then moan when someone tells them to sit down. "F***ing hell you miserable b***ards, stand up". Well you're right mate, I am miserable, we're getting webbed by ****ing Reading.

If you have the urge to stand up regardless of what is happening on the pitch then good for you. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[stanleypark]

It's seems you've built that stereotype in your head mate. If you did well for yourself and randomly got married, you'd still be 'you' on your feet singing...etc.

I think Cena is right though, it could be argued that younger adults might sing more if they could get to the game.

If the Lower Gwladys was a standing section priced at £10-15, it would be rammed every game and would carry the atmosphere for the whole ground if it had too.

The well off married couple comment was in context with the quote from the article.



I'm not arguing about the price issue, I'm adding to it. What I'm saying is that the high prices will reduce the number of teenagers/younger adults attending, not erradicate them completely.

A reduction means there are still some going, meaning that there is still potential for atmosphere, albeit not an atmosphere on a par with say abroad or obviously if you had more of them.

A problem still exists whereby those teenagers/younger adults are not together as large group in the stands, they are together in pockets of 3s and 4's dotted all around the stadium/away end.

So all those groups of 3 fans could potentially be immediately surrounded by 12 fans who want to spectate, and so those 3 fans are going to refine their behaviour in accustom to those 12.

If all those fans were together at the back of the stand then you will get the atmosphere. Obviously 100 who can afford to go will not be as noisy as 500 who could afford to go if cheaper but the potential for an improved atmosphere is still there if they were far more closer together.

 

[stanleypark]

I've been in that position too mate, and there's been times when the crowd is quiet and the game is going against us and I've been the only one on my feet urging the team on too. What I hate though is the cheerleaders who stand up in that situation and start singing, clapping, banging their face on the seat, whatever and then moan when someone tells them to sit down. "F***ing hell you miserable b***ards, stand up". Well you're right mate, I am miserable, we're getting webbed by ****ing Reading.

If you have the urge to stand up regardless of what is happening on the pitch then good for you. Different strokes for different folks.

Banging their faces on the seats! heehee! It sounds like frustration that though they want to urge the team on and no one else is bar them. I just reckon one part sitting, one part standing. You look at managers watching the game, some hate stting down, some hate standing, fans are the same, they act in different ways. The abuse though is 2 ways, standers get abuse off sitters even when not in their way.

 

[Azzurri]

Too many families with coffin dodgers/young kids, not enough teenage/middle aged men.

 

[Cena]

Good quote. Pricing will change the numbers of "teenagers and the early twenty-somethings to be able to afford a ticket", but there are still fans in that category who do go and do go and get wellied and want to create an atmosphere, albeit less than you would get if it was cheaper.

So the potential for atmosphere is still there, although of course not to the levels of say abroad or say in the past.

You just need to get those above mentioned people to be by each other rather than being scattered in with the 'well off married couples"

Agreed. Which is why i say that if people want to sit or stand let them, fans aren't boring if they sit though, its just because we can't groups together, but when we need to, Goodison creates an atmosphere, just because we are quiet at home to Norwich doesn't make us bad fans, i've never understood that logic.

Fair dos. To be honest with you, I'm far more passionate about the ticket pricing issue because it goes way above and beyond creating an atmosphere at football matches.

That's my issue, it's ticket pricing as you say mate. But what I will say is that I guarantee if prices were cheaper, atmospheres would be better.

 

[bluejock]

I f*cking hate Sloop John B.

 

[Woolly Blue]

Park End tend to sit (when i've been here)
Ive noticed alot Park End are were all the alcys go (get in the ground late or just dot on 3pm)

True that, and disappear at 3:25 for a pint and then leave with 5 minutes to go ffs.
Still, each to their own.

Too many families with coffin dodgers/young kids, not enough teenage/middle aged men.

How long you been going to Goodison then mate ?

 

[Azzurri]

How long you been going to Goodison then mate ?

Since I was about 5. Not saying kids shouldn't go, just saying they don't contribute to the atmosphere as much as young men do. Obviously there's some exceptions of course.

 

[Woolly Blue]

Since I was about 5. Not saying kids shouldn't go, just saying they don't contribute to the atmosphere as much as young men do. Obviously there's some exceptions of course.

Yea, I know what you mean, we all like young men

On ticket prices. I first started going on a regular basis in 78/79 and, from memory, I think it was about £1.50 / £2.00 to stand on the Gwladys ? ... which is about £7.50 / £10 in today's money. Todays ticket prices are scandalous. God knows how someone on an average wage affords 'em.

#grumpyoldman