atmosphere BDTBL

[Sean Thornton]

Not overnight, it's been getting worse for years. All seater stadia, with fixed seating plans were a definite major factor though.

Allowing a section, in the right place, to be unrestricted seating and encourage it to be the vocal section (it already is, just not focused) isn't any big deal, or some super plastic modem creation.

It's got worse at BL because of our decline. If a bit of success doesn't bring back the atmosphere that the Kop had when it first became all seater and we are in the top tier it could be down to a change in how support is expressed in general as much as all seater stadia.

I have no objection in principle to a standing/singing area, standing is pretty much mandatory at away games and I like it, but it's likely to cost the vlub revenue and as ive said, I'd rather have instinctive off the cuff support and singing rather some orchestrated glee club or a band.

 

[Dkc]

We have a de-facto standing and singing section already, right at the back of rows E, F and G. I stand there when I go to the games and join in and even start chants despite being 50. I have stood on the kop since I was 12 and intend to do so till I die. Props go out to all those who sing and try to raise the atmosphere. Maybe it should be more coordinated, and if someone wanted to try organising things for next season I'd be all for it. But as others have mentioned, a big problem is that there are a lot more "less-passionate" fans at the Lane these days, ie families with kids.

Perhaps the idea of an official "singing section" on the kop could be suggested for next season

 

[Tyler Durden]

It's got worse at BL because of our decline. If a bit of success doesn't bring back the atmosphere that the Kop had when it first became all seater and we are in the top tier it could be down to a change in how support is expressed in general as much as all seater stadia.

I have no objection in principle to a standing/singing area, standing is pretty much mandatory at away games and I like it, but it's likely to cost the vlub revenue and as ive said, I'd rather have instinctive off the cuff support and singing rather some orchestrated glee club or a band.

I'd hazard a guess that any money spent on rail-seats pales into insignificance compared to what is already paid in agents fees for example, and a far more constructive use of resources.

 

[Dkc]

I have no objection in principle to a standing/singing area.

No chance of an official standing area until the law is changed. But at least at our club a blind eye is turned to those who stand at the back of the kop, unlike places like the Emirates and Olympic Stadium, where you are liable to be thrown out or arrested

 

[Patient Bus]

I can remember us being in third division before getting about 12,000 a match and atmosphere was great people grouped together even tho there was masses of space. Think its definitely being sat down tied to one spot is one reason. This was early Bassett era so we were going places much like now. Perhaps we have all forgot what its like to have something to shout about and things will improve towards end of season.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Thinking about it, a standing section would completely eliminate any need for a singing one as the most vocal supporters would gravitate towards it anyway. Football is by its inherent nature a standing up pursuit, which is why people instinctively stand up when theres an attack on goal and jump to their feet when the team scores. It stands to reason (no pun intended) that you feel more like singing when you're on your feet. I know I certainly do.

 

[alcoblade]

It's got worse at BL because of our decline. If a bit of success doesn't bring back the atmosphere that the Kop had when it first became all seater and we are in the top tier it could be down to a change in how support is expressed in general as much as all seater stadia.

I have no objection in principle to a standing/singing area, standing is pretty much mandatory at away games and I like it, but it's likely to cost the vlub revenue and as ive said, I'd rather have instinctive off the cuff support and singing rather some orchestrated glee club or a band.

You ( and I) might rather have it, the evidence suggests it's not coming though.

Why would it cost the club?

 

[CarlMcBlade]

100% blade, i just wondering why we have allowed it to become so bad. Unless you think it's good? a good mate of mine is Cambridge United and I go watch them play every now and again, everytime ive been they have been more vocal than we have with an extra 15/16k, i can't get my head around it and wont let him come to a united game as he would take the piss, although genrally we are fairly vocal when we travel.

Cambridge my arse! Anybody can be loud in a "phone box" of a ground.
When the Bramall lane end is always empty, it doesn't lend itself to great atmospheres
Get 5k Wendy's, Scabs or Seatsmashers in there and Kop will find its voice right enough.

 

[Karaoke Blade]

It's about intimidation, enthusiasm, claiming for everything and not being happy when we don't get decisions.

Try telling that to the bloke who sits behind me. He thinks he's Mark Lawrenson with his objective analysis of every piece of action. He was at it again on Saturday. 'the ball was never over the line', (after we scored)'their keeper does look injured though' (moments before he takes a goal kick), ' if their keeper took as long as Moore to gather the ball he'd get some right abuse' , and 'I don't know how people sat on the kop can stand up and shout that wasn't offside' . It's called passion mate.

 

[alcoblade]

Cambridge my arse! Anybody can be loud in a "phone box" of a ground.
When the Bramall lane end is always empty, it doesn't lend itself to great atmospheres
Get 5k Wendy's, Scabs or Seatsmashers in there and Kop will find its voice right enough.

I think everyone accepts that. The problem is the 95% of other games.

 

[FlamingLip]

United's atmosphere (like all two third full grounds - no different at the sty or Elland Rd) has suffered due to loss of opposition appetite and less exciting football. And 5 yrs is a considerable period to have 1, 2, 3 at most fixtures you can be seriously excited about. but Clough's cup runs show what it can be like when it matters.

Also, there's a lot of lapsed memories. I remember much of the early warnock era being similar to now. when it was hot, it was shit hot, but home to Wigan (even with a 25k attendance) and the place simply not up for it. home to burnley 2002 (I think) and again, I remember it being a comparative morgue to recent games and folk scratching their heads as to why.

I love the Lane due to it not being an out of the can experience like Palace. if that comes hot and cold occasions then so be it.

 

[blackydog]

I'm not saying I like it, but there's no way it's better when it's spontaneous cause by the time everyone is singing it, the song has nearly finished.

They played the intro for this and it's the best rendition of GCB we'll ever hear. (skip to 2.45)



Although I'd never, ever, ever want them to randomly start playing the intro to Annies Song actually during the match.

I love the FA cup and GCB song.

 

[Sean Thornton]

You ( and I) might rather have it, the evidence suggests it's not coming though.

Why would it cost the club?

I'd expect some to argue the ticket prices should be cheaper ( as has already happened on BM). If that was the case any reduction affects income unless attendances increase to cover it. If rail seating is part of any such deal then that's a further cost.

 

[Sean Thornton]

I can remember us being in third division before getting about 12,000 a match and atmosphere was great people grouped together even tho there was masses of space. Think its definitely being sat down tied to one spot is one reason. This was early Bassett era so we were going places much like now. Perhaps we have all forgot what its like to have something to shout about and things will improve towards end of season.

That last paragraph seems more likely to me.

 

[Sean Thornton]

I'd hazard a guess that any money spent on rail-seats pales into insignificance compared to what is already paid in agents fees for example, and a far more constructive use of resources.

Not really linked though are they?

The club have to weigh up the cost against the demand. Installing rail seats has a cost obviously, are ticket prices cheaper in that section - say the whole Kop - ? If they are then more fans are needed to cover the shortfall and cost of removing the old and fitting them. It's not as simpke as people think.

 

[blackydog]

We have a de-facto standing and singing section already, right at the back of rows E, F and G. I stand there when I go to the games and join in and even start chants despite being 50. I have stood on the kop since I was 12 and intend to do so till I die. Props go out to all those who sing and try to raise the atmosphere. Maybe it should be more coordinated, and if someone wanted to try organising things for next season I'd be all for it. But as others have mentioned, a big problem is that there are a lot more "less-passionate" fans at the Lane these days, ie families with kids.

Perhaps the idea of an official "singing section" on the kop could be suggested for next season

We go on the kop sometimes for a better atmosphere, that is the 2 junior blades and myself. Plenty of passion and singing along from us. Do keep out of the very thick of it though due to the fans who swear every second word.
BUT if I want to follow the match more closely I prefer to be on John St or Westfield, but Westfield is a morgue.

 

[Tony]

Strong smell of Pork Infiltration. Go to Old Trafford, Etihads etc and you'll really notice the lack of atmosphere if not playing big games.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

A good atmosphere in the stadium has got nothing to do with singing moronic embarrassing songs about Woodward and Currie and having no money

Interesting - I don't find that one embarassing at all. I love that old song.
The embarassing one is the 'Shoreham Boys' chant, it's just awful.

 

[FlamingLip]

Strong smell of Pork Infiltration. Go to Old Trafford, Etihads etc and you'll really notice the lack of atmosphere if not playing big games.

I was given tickets to see Citeh against Juve last season - the atmosphere was seriously flat. I can only imagine how poor it would be home to Bournemouth for instance.

 

[alcoblade]

I'd expect some to argue the ticket prices should be cheaper ( as has already happened on BM). If that was the case any reduction affects income unless attendances increase to cover it. If rail seating is part of any such deal then that's a further cost.

I'm not talking abut anything more than a thousand or so well placed, unreserved seats at the back of the kop. The rest would take care of itself.

 

[FlamingLip]

I'm not talking abut anything more than a thousand or so well placed, unreserved seats at the back of the kop. The rest would take care of itself.

Would it? or would it disintegrate the kop with the sitters leaving ALL atmosphere generation to the standers - much like the south and JS do for the kop.

 

[nicksufc]

You should've predicted it then instead of posting after the event

I did predict a post like yours:

And when something is organised - like an Ultras type thing at Palace - it's often scoffed at by other fans who don't think we need anything like that to make some noise.

 

[Sean Thornton]

I did predict a post like yours:

Apart from the fact I didn't scoff at the idea but pointed out that it flopped miserably last time. And probably would again. In my opinion, because we've never followed "fashion" in the past and I'd personally rather not do it now. If it happens, it happens, I won't lose sleep over it whether it's done exceptionall well - which obviously would be a good thing, or like one of those old Top of the Pops albums from years ago where backing singers performed chart his for 49p a shit album.

Something on the pitch to shout about is what will create an atmosphere. As ive said when the Kop first became all seater there was no problem with the vocal support despite claims to the contrary.

 

[Linz]

They ought to resurrect the old BLUT for home fans - unrestricted season tickets so that people can gather where they want and it's something for the Kop to bounce off.

There is a movement in the Premier League to force clubs to offer away fans a section of the ground which is nearest the pitch, which if it's adopted in the lower leagues, would mean moving them downstairs so the whole of the upper tier would be free. Surround the buggers.

I'm sure the CCTV on the upper tier is advanced enough to prevent any sustained naughtiness.

EDITED TO ADD:

You may be waiting a while for a standing section at Bramall Lane. The rake of every stand except the Kop is considered too steep and the Club have costed standing on there and the subsequent reduction in capacity which goes along with it. Let's just say, when it was mentioned, there didn't appear to be a great appetite from the Club to proceed. And that was before they tackled the Safety Advisory Group.

 

[jt64]

How exactly would introducing standing reduce capacity?

 

[Sean Thornton]

How exactly would introducing standing reduce capacity?

At a guess that would be if rail seats were introduced which I believe are larger than normal seats.

 

[Bladey McBladeface]

Interesting - I don't find that one embarassing at all. I love that old song.
The embarassing one is the 'Shoreham Boys' chant, it's just awful.

I too dislike that song.

It's not very inclusive for coeliac suffering virgins.

 

[Ricky]

Must have missed all those deaths on terraced stands steeper than ours in places like Germany...

Steeper stands are better for terracing. When everyone is stood up on less steep stands the view can be obstructed. It happens on our Kop, and anyone who went to Charlton will know exactly what I mean. The most ideal for a standing area is a relatively steep stand and railings.
Even terracing on a steep stand without many railings is safer than many steep stands with only seating, like at Newcastle, as the seat in front is often shin height, which can be a genuine safety risk - and the only one of note you could really encounter in a stadium.

Also think we need to make better use of the upper tier. It's a much better view than the Kop and we need to get more of our fans on there. No reason not to sell season tickets for at least half of the stand. I'd definitely go on there and I think many others would too.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

I have an idea,ban fookin mobile phones,then folks might take more interest in the fookin game and start participating in generating an atmosphere.

 

[SteveBlade]

Said it before, 100 away fans every week making no noise, and where we expect to win every game by several goals aren't the optimal conditions for creating an atmosphere. No back and forths, nothing.

Also, we're all just tired of this league.