When was atmosphere at its best?

[Sean Thornton]

Most recently the Charlton FA cup QF?

 

[dellasthunderbolt]

Against Arsenal at home with Jags in net. Nade 1-0. Rocking!

 

[FinchleyBlade]

Against Arsenal at home with Jags in net. Nade 1-0. Rocking!

That game, Forest play offs, Leeds, Liverpool and Wednesday at home in 02-03 are some of the best ever atmospheres at The Lane.

 

[Loco Blade]

When Porter scores

 

[Eels]

I was only a nipper at the time and had nowt to compare it with but in the early 70s it seemed like everybody 'round me was totally into it and really positive. I'm not sure how well it transferred to the players with the ground only having three sides - quite a lot was made of that when the South Stand was being built. As soon as we'd got four sides though we went to shite and pretty soon the crowds did too. I think the first time I can remember all four sides really rocking was when we beat Scousers in the League Cup.

 

[Sean Thornton]

I was only a nipper at the time and had nowt to compare it with but in the early 70s it seemed like everybody 'round me was totally into it and really positive. I'm not sure how well it transferred to the players with the ground only having three sides - quite a lot was made of that when the South Stand was being built. As soon as we'd got four sides though we went to shite and pretty soon the crowds did too. I think the first time I can remember all four sides really rocking was when we beat Scousers in the League Cup.

Cardiff 5-1 Tuesday evening game.

 

[Eels]

Cardiff 5-1 Tuesday evening game.

One of my first - I couldn't hear properly for about three days.

 

[Sean Thornton]

One of my first - I couldn't hear properly for about three days.

Watford the following Saturday, just a kid but ran on the pitch at the end and shook ref Roger Kirkpatricks hand. The only other time l’ve ever fancied interaction with a ref was wanting to kick bent Liverpool fan Rob Styles in the bollocks.

 

[SwitchBLADE Smiles]

A more recent notable one was Middlesbrough at home in Wilders return to Bramall Lane back in 2022.

Probably helped that we pumped them.

 

[SGBlade]

First started watching in ‘88 and got my first season ticket in ‘89 (great timing). I voted 2000s but in truth the atmosphere is just better whenever we’ve been unexpectedly good. Early 90s Bassett, 2003 Warnock, 18/19 and 19/20 Wilder.

Best individual matches for atmosphere either the first derbies under Bassett or the Leeds and Forest games under Warnock. But the best atmosphere when there was nothing specific riding on it was probably the Derby new years game in the Wilder promo season.

I think it’s gone up and down over the years. Certainly not a steady downward trajectory as seems to be often quoted.

 

[wak1889]

Been watching since the 90/91 and the best atmosphere I can remember was 2003. Both Leeds games, the derby, the Forest play off semi particularly were absolutely rocking. The atmosphere has got progressively worse ever since. Even in our worst league 1 days there was a much better atmospheres than we have currently. We seem to have picked up a lot of entitled fans (probably as a hangover from our seasons in the Prem) who come with their spoilt brat children. Many of these seem to have either been armchair fans until recently or supported other clubs. They come for a chat and a pint and leave before the end!

Kids wearing headphones to protect their ears and the parents that encourage it is the problem sadly

 

[Superblades]

2000–2005 with G&H in full flow.

01-04 when g&h was banned. Great times.

 

[borg elite]

Kids wearing headphones to protect their ears and the parents that encourage it is the problem sadly

Are you seriously blaming the lack of atmosphere on a few children who may be wearing ear defenders to protect their hearing, or maybe they're autistic and/or have sensory issues?

 

[Nesh Blade]

Kids wearing headphones to protect their ears and the parents that encourage it is the problem sadly

Terrible take. Out of 25k there last night what do you think the percentage of attendees was kids wearing ear defenders? Don’t be daft

 

[PrestwichBlade]

The atmosphere at BL reeks of middle class families who come with little Tarquin from Birkdale or Westbourne and are completely apathetic to the club. Honestly if it meant getting rid of a lot of the new “fans” we have picked up over the last 8 years I’d gladly go back to league 1

Do you want some chips to go with your shoulder?

 

[GlosBlade]

I’ve been going since 73, there’s been ups and downs in the intensity of the support throughout that period. I loved being on the top half of the standing kop in the 70’s but probably the most consistently vociferous I remember was the period 2003-2007 ish from both G/H and the kop. We do still occasionally have a fantastic atmosphere, Derby at home Boxing Day 2018 was intense, and I thought the recent first season back in the Premier League was often pretty good too. So were Norwich and Burnley in 2022. So it can still happen. But people get older ( I’d hate to be on a standing kop now,) and reserved seating stops the younger more boisterous elements gathering. We probably need a largish area of unreserved seating/ safe-standing on the kop to allow like-minded folk to congregate. Some other grounds seem to manage it, but I don’t know how you deal with the displaced season ticket holders.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Do you want some chips to go with your shoulder?

Some more sawdust because his heads obviously been leaking.

 

[fifty shades of blade]

Kids wearing headphones to protect their ears and the parents that encourage it is the problem sadly

 

[Wilderat Heart]

I suspect every fan site like this one has an identical article regardless of club. Home fans across the board are quieter than in the past and away fans are now the main kickstarter for atmosphere. Last night when the away support was so small ( not a criticism of Swansea, its a very long way on a Wednesday night when every game is available on the telly) The home fans have to provide the atmosphere and a frustrating first half performance like yesterday doesn't help. I would like to see the top half of the Kop made safe standing at about the point where the rows go to double letters. This means old buggers like me can still sit on the kop without a problem and I suspect most fans could stay pretty much where they are now. Most fans on the top of the Kop generally would stand anyway. as far as posh kids not singing doesn't seem to be a problem at the rugby. Maybe everybody needs to get off their mobile phones.

 

[Blademan18891889]

01-04 when g&h was banned. Great times.

Well it wasn't. Was after that norwich game wasn't it, maybe 05, could be wrong but it certainly was open in 03, it was tremendous too.

 

[AWetFlannel]

There are still plenty of grounds across the country that have multiple stands full of fans standing and singing.

We have about a quarter of one stand standing and need an excuse to make any noise after the GCB.

 

[Berkshire Blade]

So we all all agreed...bring back Tom Hark.

 

[Robby Blade]

G&H rockin n rollin with proper flares, none of these pansy smoke things they have now.

 

[crazyblade1889]

Do you want some chips to go with your shoulder?

Ha! I’m guessing you have little Tarquin or little Crispin at one of said schools where they’ll teach him to be a lemming and vote Tory. Football used to be for the working class lads now it’s for middle class Hooray Henrys and people wonder why the atmosphere has gone down

 

[mancunianblade]

Been watching since the 90/91 and the best atmosphere I can remember was 2003. Both Leeds games, the derby, the Forest play off semi particularly were absolutely rocking. The atmosphere has got progressively worse ever since. Even in our worst league 1 days there was a much better atmospheres than we have currently. We seem to have picked up a lot of entitled fans (probably as a hangover from our seasons in the Prem) who come with their spoilt brat children. Many of these seem to have either been armchair fans until recently or supported other clubs. They come for a chat and a pint and leave before the end!

The Forest Game was the first that came to mind when I thought about it. I was only really young when we got relegated from the PL in 1994 but for some reason I sem to remember the atmosphere and attendance took a major hit mid to late 90s and I don't mean when John St was flattened.

 

[PrestwichBlade]

Ha! I’m guessing you have little Tarquin or little Crispin at one of said schools where they’ll teach him to be a lemming and vote Tory. Football used to be for the working class lads now it’s for middle class Hooray Henrys and people wonder why the atmosphere has gone down

You guess wrong. I'll send you some salt with the chips as well.

 

[FinchleyBlade]

Ha! I’m guessing you have little Tarquin or little Crispin at one of said schools where they’ll teach him to be a lemming and vote Tory. Football used to be for the working class lads now it’s for middle class Hooray Henrys and people wonder why the atmosphere has gone down

What a stupid post. Class envy and resentment is toxic. Particularly considering that your political point doesn't even make sense, as its the middle class Hooray Henrys who just voted Labour back into power across the country. They are also the people who dominate the Labour party in parliament.

 

[Gin&Juice]

Whenever there’s a fucking corrupt ref and we start motoring. For some reason that has always been our ignition.

Last time I went to a game and it got mad like that was against Derby on boxing day. Can’t think of any that touched that since, albeit I haven’t gone consistently in a while.

 

[1973Blade]

There's been some great atmospheres since I have been going in the 80s. But a game like yesterday's, with a small away following and poor first half has always been quiet.

 

[Bell4]

1970-75