CaughtInTheBrambles writes on behalf of Section 6
Well, not a club as such, Section 6 is much more a loose coalition of singers than a club.
After receiving universally good feedback, with a better atmosphere at the Plymouth game, Section 6 continues at the Blackpool and Forest games.
The concept of Section 6 is simple, to create a singing section in the North Stand that leads the rest of the stand in trying to recreate the much lauded noise from the North of the last decade. We do not want to be the only pocket of singers in the North, we will sing all game and hopefully get singers in Section 5 and Section 4 to join in.
There are also aims to introduce colour to the games, this does not mean you have to wear a replica shirt, but there are banners and flags and if everyone brings a scarf then these will be used to add colour to proceedings. The influence here are the many Ultra groups around the world. Their use of sight and sound is remarkable, some of that would be a good idea.
The experience from the Plymouth game was mixed. We were not coherent in the first half but much improved in the second. It is a learning curve and we are learning, what naturally happens at some away matches where the stewards tell us to "sit where you like", (stand more like) and all the singers congregate is actually harder to do at home.
We were too spread out in the first half, once we really occupied a block and all sang the same songs it was much better. So that was a lesson, it was all positive, the feedback was positive, people commented on the better atmosphere, hopefully Section 6 contributed to that.
Singers in Section 5 want us to try and move closer to them, but there is no room to do so, maybe we will have to split into two blocks, one smaller one closer to Section 5, but we do not have the numbers yet to do that. We shall listen out for you in Section 5, if you listen out for us. If singers in two blocks sing together the rest of the NS lower will join in.
So, we still need more bodies, the more voices, the more volume and the better the atmosphere. We are in this for the long run, we are not in it for a short term grin, this is a real attempt to make Ipswich loud again. It will take time and lots of effort, my ageing bones felt it after the Sheffield game, but the necessary rearrangement of the diaphragm muscles had worked for the Blackpool game, result aside it was a success.
So, if you like to sing and want to join in, what do you have to do? If you are in a section that currently sings, then stay, but try and keep your lugholes open for our songs and join in. If a various singing groups coordinate their efforts we can unite the North Stand in one song. If that can happen once a game it will sound quite magnificent.
So, how do you get involved? If you have a season ticket, ring the Ticket Office and get them to move your seat to Section 6 somewhere around row seats 145 to 160. If like me you buy on the day go to the Matchday Ticket Office and ask for a ticket in Section 6.
Check out the Section 6 forum and sign up. You can find it here.
If nothing else just sing along with us. We look forward to seeing and hearing you at the Blackpool and Forest matches.