Flat atmosphere on the Kop

[Dkc]

Just need a safe standing area. Need to give the young uns and young at heart somewhere to have a sing song. No fucker will be on their phone if the atmosphere is rocking.

But lots of people already stand up at the back of the kop. I've not been on it the season (only been to one game on Westfield) - but it looked like fans were stood at the back of the kop throughout the game

 

[maidmarion]

Haven't read all this thread but the atmosphere against Villa was electric. It was so loud that my ears were throbbing when I left the ground. Obviously the amount of goals scored on the day and the way the team played was a big contributing factor.
But we are very fickle as a crowd, we only seem to get behind the lads when we've scored .....
Not sure what the answer is to this. Standing would certainly make a difference, perhaps that's why the away end often seem quite noisy as they are all stood up.

 

[alcoblade]

But lots of people already stand up at the back of the kop. I've not been on it the season (only been to one game on Westfield) - but it looked like fans were stood at the back of the kop throughout the game

They do.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

^ This, especially as the quality of the football has increased. Last/this season, the same games were:

Norwich: 26,218 (23,850)
Villa: 27,427 (26,030)
Birmingham: 27,427 (23,525)
Preston: 28,568 (23,857)

Hull City: 27,466 (25,360)

Average: 26,854 (24,546)

Things that make you go 'hmmmm'. Hmmmm.

 

[Pinchy]

Hull City: 27,466 (25,360)

Average: 26,854 (24,546)

Things that make you go 'hmmmm'. Hmmmm.

We’ve sold 2000 fewer season tickets. Why, I don’t know. Probably fear of Brexit. The vocal support was awful again yesterday and the traffic dodgers’ Lanexit began on 83 minutes.

Best fans in the land.

 

[Bladezz]

Streaming doesn’t help attendances, if you don’t have a season ticket there’s days when I imagine you question whether to go and pay min £40 for the day or sit at home stream it.

But the atmosphere is very flat. We are top of the league and it’s quiet.

 

[Bladesway]

Sorry but this isn’t an SUFC or even a football problem. There was a time when you went to the match because it was the highlight of your week. Certainly for me it was. You sang your heart out (standing or sitting is just a suitable excuse by the way) and came home to what otherwise was a pretty mundane existance. There was very little other entertainment that you would call as such. Smart phones were non existent and even when they became so, networks were so slow it wasn’t worth checking the BBC sport app more than once per half.

Firstly the value for money factor. It’s shit and taking your kids is a drain on your wallet and your soul. If it is’t 6-6 at half time they want to be on a tablet/phone playing Minecraft, Fortnight or whatever else is available. Sorry but unless it’s a freebie many parents have better options and their kids are more likely to take it.

Then there’s the fact that football itself has changed (Rodders makes the case above). Unless there’s a real needle like there used to be the crackle of the crowd is non existent. Football is more politically correct which of course has a big upside, but the crowd are less volatile.

Every game is covered from every angle, so you don’t need to be there. If you are you won’t miss anything if you are ensconsed in your latest Facebook update. Fuck me, some people are updating threads on here from the match!!

Most games are considered dull in this day of instant, get it now gratification. I salute anyone trying to buck that trend but in my opinion it’s an impossible mission. The clubs don’t want the baggage that goes with the atmosphere, they want families all sat in neat rows. They all go off to the club shop and spend on kits, tat and all that. It’s about pound per customer these days.

It’s fucking sad I know but in my opinion this is the reality.

 

[Rodley]

Sorry but this isn’t an SUFC or even a football problem. There was a time when you went to the match because it was the highlight of your week. Certainly for me it was. You sang your heart out (standing or sitting is just a suitable excuse by the way) and came home to what otherwise was a pretty mundane existance. There was very little other entertainment that you would call as such. Smart phones were non existent and even when they became so, networks were so slow it wasn’t worth checking the BBC sport app more than once per half.

Firstly the value for money factor. It’s shit and taking your kids is a drain on your wallet and your soul. If it is’t 6-6 at half time they want to be on a tablet/phone playing Minecraft, Fortnight or whatever else is available. Sorry but unless it’s a freebie many parents have better options and their kids are more likely to take it.

Then there’s the fact that football itself has changed (Rodders makes the case above). Unless there’s a real needle like there used to be the crackle of the crowd is non existent. Football is more politically correct which of course has a big upside, but the crowd are less volatile.

Every game is covered from every angle, so you don’t need to be there. If you are you won’t miss anything if you are ensconsed in your latest Facebook update. Fuck me, some people are updating threads on here from the match!!

Most games are considered dull in this day of instant, get it now gratification. I salute anyone trying to buck that trend but in my opinion it’s an impossible mission. The clubs don’t want the baggage that goes with the atmosphere, they want families all sat in neat rows. They all go off to the club shop and spend on kits, tat and all that. It’s about pound per customer these days.

It’s fucking sad I know but in my opinion this is the reality.

Watford (!!) giving it a go.



I do also think a noisy atmosphere has a demonstrable impact on performance. Clubs would be wise to tap into that.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

Sorry but this isn’t an SUFC or even a football problem. There was a time when you went to the match because it was the highlight of your week. Certainly for me it was. You sang your heart out (standing or sitting is just a suitable excuse by the way) and came home to what otherwise was a pretty mundane existance. There was very little other entertainment that you would call as such. Smart phones were non existent and even when they became so, networks were so slow it wasn’t worth checking the BBC sport app more than once per half.

Firstly the value for money factor. It’s shit and taking your kids is a drain on your wallet and your soul. If it is’t 6-6 at half time they want to be on a tablet/phone playing Minecraft, Fortnight or whatever else is available. Sorry but unless it’s a freebie many parents have better options and their kids are more likely to take it.

Then there’s the fact that football itself has changed (Rodders makes the case above). Unless there’s a real needle like there used to be the crackle of the crowd is non existent. Football is more politically correct which of course has a big upside, but the crowd are less volatile.

Every game is covered from every angle, so you don’t need to be there. If you are you won’t miss anything if you are ensconsed in your latest Facebook update. Fuck me, some people are updating threads on here from the match!!

Most games are considered dull in this day of instant, get it now gratification. I salute anyone trying to buck that trend but in my opinion it’s an impossible mission. The clubs don’t want the baggage that goes with the atmosphere, they want families all sat in neat rows. They all go off to the club shop and spend on kits, tat and all that. It’s about pound per customer these days.

It’s fucking sad I know but in my opinion this is the reality.

It kind of is though, compared to last season we're losing £50,000ish every home game and over the course of the 18/19 season we're going to lose circa £1.5m in ticket revenue. I doubt that we've made allowances for that. It probably equates to 1/4 of Dean Henderson.

 

[Ricky]

We’ve sold 2000 fewer season tickets. Why, I don’t know. Probably fear of Brexit. The vocal support was awful again yesterday and the traffic dodgers’ Lanexit began on 83 minutes.

Best fans in the land.

No no no that's not an acceptable post.

First halves don't count and we won the game so everything's graaate.

 

[John Street West Terrace]

Did something kick off on the Kop yesterday ,I was in the South Stand came back from the bogs & looked over it like 2 lines of coppers lining the gangways in top left ?

 

[Sheffsteel]

Watford (!!) giving it a go.



I do also think a noisy atmosphere has a demonstrable impact on performance. Clubs would be wise to tap into that.

I worked with a big Watford fan in the mid 80’s and went to the odd Watford game.
Went to their FA Cup tie away to Port Vale in 1987.
Stood on the Port Vale away with the Watford fans and I was shocked at the big difference between Watford and SU fans.

In the Watford away crowd, well over 50% wearing scarfs, almost 50% women/ girls and old men.
I remember commenting at the time, didn’t hear a single swear word. It was really family oriented but felt weird.

Think it was a year later I went to Port Vale again to see us play, a night league match, think we drew 3-3. Hardly any women or pensioners and no children, probably only 20% wearing scarfs/ colours.

There were regular taunting, acts of aggression and swearing every 2 minutes.
A totally different crowd and made me realise how different crowds can be.

So when I see Watford fans waving their flags I think of the plastic soccer fans they have in the US. Every time I hear the Fulham, Leicester and Huddersfield fans waving their clackers I don’t know whether to laugh or cry, it’s so embarrassing.

What makes me cringe even more is the commentator will always say it’s such a great atmosphere at Leicester, Huddersfield, Fulham etc even though it’s false. They may as well pipe cheering noises out of the stadium PA system.

 

[Dkc]

Looked to be a fantastic atmosphere at Elland Rd yesterday

 

[borg elite]

I don't doubt that figure but I thought we'd sold pretty much the same number? I suspected attendances were down because match day prices had increased and we had fewer non season ticket holders attending.

We’ve sold 2000 fewer season tickets.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

Did something kick off on the Kop yesterday ,I was in the South Stand came back from the bogs & looked over it like 2 lines of coppers lining the gangways in top left ?

Yes it did. Something kicked off back there, it was behind me. I think the police had apprehended someone and there was some anti-copper chants. Storm in a teacup.

 

[bladesmanluke]

A solution could be in the pipeline. At least 2 years away, but when the Kop gets expanded and we have an additional 13 or so rows at back, they will be entirely unoccupied by season ticket holders. Something organised needs to be in place to take advantage of that and get the middle completely taken up by people who want to do something about the atmosphere.

 

[Ricky]

A solution could be in the pipeline. At least 2 years away, but when the Kop gets expanded and we have an additional 13 or so rows at back, they will be entirely unoccupied by season ticket holders. Something organised needs to be in place to take advantage of that and get the middle completely taken up by people who want to do something about the atmosphere.

Can guarantee that no one will make any sort of effort on that front, not least the club.

 

[bladesmanluke]

Can guarantee that no one will make any sort of effort on that front, not least the club.

Probably

 

[Ridgeway Blade]

Of course, majority of fans only get to their seats some 5 minutes before teams come out and the rock concert volume of music prevents any pre-match build up like there used to be by both sets of fans. Couple that with the incredible inability of vast numbers who arrive late, can't sit for more than 20 minutes without a toilet break, pie break etc and then leave early at both half time and towards the end shows either people aren't really interested in how a match develops and finishes as they must miss so much of it. Yesterday, after 20 minutes there were so many people going out of the main stand and the Kop I thought it must be nearly half time! As an oldie I remember both sets of fans who wanted prime standing position for a big match, and to stand immediately behind the goals, had to be in their spot some 40 minutes before kick off. There were no extended player warm ups to watch and no music so singing and goading the oppostion fans was the only way to try and keep entertained and spice up the atmosphere prior to the match. Now, we all expect to be entertained by someone else. The players are doing their bit.

 

[1973Blade]

Our crowds are much higher than they were under Bassett and Warnock, apart from our Premier League season under him. They are down on last season, but still historically high.

 

[SwissBlade]

Streaming doesn’t help attendances, if you don’t have a season ticket there’s days when I imagine you question whether to go and pay min £40 for the day or sit at home stream it.

But the atmosphere is very flat. We are top of the league and it’s quiet.

I have a Season Ticket and I stream the games. Do i still count in the attendance?

 

[Bladesway]

It kind of is though, compared to last season we're losing £50,000ish every home game and over the course of the 18/19 season we're going to lose circa £1.5m in ticket revenue. I doubt that we've made allowances for that. It probably equates to 1/4 of Dean Henderson.

I was talking about the atmosphere more than the number of people at the ground. Also, buying fewer season tickets doesn’t always equate to fewer ticket sales. If we start a season well and then more people pay on the day then you could say we end up making more money.

Are ticket sales the biggest factor in an atmosphere? I remember days of 15k and it being a constant wall of noise.

 

[Bladesway]

Watford (!!) giving it a go.



I do also think a noisy atmosphere has a demonstrable impact on performance. Clubs would be wise to tap into that.

But clubs want a family atmosphere because these people spend more per “customer”. Songs about tits, fanny and United are diametrically opposed to family atmosphere.

As for Watford. Give it a couple more years at the top level and it will be like a morgue there.

 

[FlamingLip]

I was talking about the atmosphere more than the number of people at the ground. Also, buying fewer season tickets doesn’t always equate to fewer ticket sales. If we start a season well and then more people pay on the day then you could say we end up making more money.

Are ticket sales the biggest factor in an atmosphere? I remember days of 15k and it being a constant wall of noise.

Im mid thirties so can't hark too far back to nostalgic glory days, but I can't remember a constant wall of noise at the Lane. Even at Peak Warnock, it was still dependant on happenings on the pitch. We're a reactive crowd. Big/exciting incidents in big/exciting matches will give a big/exciting atmosphere. If this didn't used to be the case, either blade specs are on too tight or it's going waaaay back when. My opinion of course.

 

[Jon Bon II]

As for Watford. Give it a couple more years at the top level and it will be like a morgue there.

Watching MOTD earlier, it seemed like half of them had fucked off by halftime at 3-0 down and many more followed shortly after when Bournemouth got their 4th.

 

[Linz]

I’m not allowed to say any naughty words or I might get a letter off the club again telling me that football is no place for swearing and shouting...

 

[Bladesway]

Im mid thirties so can't hark too far back to nostalgic glory days, but I can't remember a constant wall of noise at the Lane. Even at Peak Warnock, it was still dependant on happenings on the pitch. We're a reactive crowd. Big/exciting incidents in big/exciting matches will give a big/exciting atmosphere. If this didn't used to be the case, either blade specs are on too tight or it's going waaaay back when. My opinion of course.

Most times under Porterfield I remember it being loud and most occasions under Bassett. I am of course using comparative times where we were doing well.

 

[FlamingLip]

Most times under Porterfield I remember it being loud and most occasions under Bassett. I am of course using comparative times where we were doing well.

I remember some great atmospheres under Bassett as well as some shockers (eg 2-1 loss home to Wimbledon). Shift in fan and club demographics make it hard to compare or try to emulate now.

Like many I've been to a fair few grounds with and without utd and i can't think of a similar sized club who can claim to have an incessantly noisy 'cauldron'.

Who has the ideal atmosphere we should be aspiring to?

 

[Bladesway]

I remember some great atmospheres under Bassett as well as some shockers (eg 2-1 loss home to Wimbledon). Shift in fan and club demographics make it hard to compare or try to emulate now.

Like many I've been to a fair few grounds with and without utd and i can't think of a similar sized club who can claim to have an incessantly noisy 'cauldron'.

Who has the ideal atmosphere we should be aspiring to?

Milwall can be noisy, but I would suggest no one has said a particular club, more the fact "it aint what it used to be"

 

[Davalon]

Sorry but this isn’t an SUFC or even a football problem. There was a time when you went to the match because it was the highlight of your week. Certainly for me it was. You sang your heart out (standing or sitting is just a suitable excuse by the way) and came home to what otherwise was a pretty mundane existance. There was very little other entertainment that you would call as such. Smart phones were non existent and even when they became so, networks were so slow it wasn’t worth checking the BBC sport app more than once per half.

Firstly the value for money factor. It’s shit and taking your kids is a drain on your wallet and your soul. If it is’t 6-6 at half time they want to be on a tablet/phone playing Minecraft, Fortnight or whatever else is available. Sorry but unless it’s a freebie many parents have better options and their kids are more likely to take it.

Then there’s the fact that football itself has changed (Rodders makes the case above). Unless there’s a real needle like there used to be the crackle of the crowd is non existent. Football is more politically correct which of course has a big upside, but the crowd are less volatile.

Every game is covered from every angle, so you don’t need to be there. If you are you won’t miss anything if you are ensconsed in your latest Facebook update. Fuck me, some people are updating threads on here from the match!!

Most games are considered dull in this day of instant, get it now gratification. I salute anyone trying to buck that trend but in my opinion it’s an impossible mission. The clubs don’t want the baggage that goes with the atmosphere, they want families all sat in neat rows. They all go off to the club shop and spend on kits, tat and all that. It’s about pound per customer these days.

It’s fucking sad I know but in my opinion this is the reality.

We don't need common sense and facts like this when there's an opportunity to say how utterly wank our fans are every week.