| FAO: Blue Action 19:08 - Jun 1 with 10184 views | victorysquad |
What is the benefit of moving to Block A? Would love to support the initiative, but are there any plans for next season? Expansion or moving to a more prominent position?
Fed up of being in the North, they don't sing any more. So open to moving but Stand A seems ineffective.........
The vision has to be to eclipse what Palace has done, and eventually try and emulate a Dortmund style experience, but what is the vision?
discuss..... [Post edited 1 Jun 19:11]
|  |
| |  |
| FAO: Blue Action on 12:59 - Jun 2 with 2307 views | Vic |
| FAO: Blue Action on 19:56 - Jun 1 by DinnernotTea |
Make north stand lower another £100 per season instead of the current cheapest seats in the ground. Immediately the old boys and girls who offer absolutely nothing in terms of making noise in our "kop" will move on. They bang on about "I've been here 30 years 40 years blah blah". No mate, you treat your season ticket as a bill and you don't won't to pay more (who can blame them).
Stand in north lower now and the average age is above 50, it is mental. And such a dull experience.
North lower was and should always be for the younger generations making a racket for 2 hours. |
It's yobbo's like you that stand all the time that mean that proper fans like me can't see a thing. I sometimes roll up my blanket and sit on it to get a bit higher, or try to balance on my thermos - but it makes no difference. |  |
| |
| FAO: Blue Action on 13:07 - Jun 2 with 2267 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
| FAO: Blue Action on 10:44 - Jun 2 by Leaky |
Plenty of noise at away games as has been noted by sevreral EPL teams this season. Its just getting them together in PR |
Yep our away fans have been great. But even the you are looking at like 2000 fans. That wouldn't be enough to get PR going i don't think. |  |
| |
| FAO: Blue Action on 13:18 - Jun 2 with 2237 views | Slambo |
| FAO: Blue Action on 10:35 - Jun 2 by Luk38644 |
S5 ST holder here, have been for 13 years – I’m fully behind what BA as anything that helps improve atmosphere is a bonus, especially the displays, however there are a few things I just don’t quite get when it comes to BA.
First off, I’ve never understood the wanting to command S5 thing – I get they want to be central behind the goal, but the reality is that there are alot of people in there who sing already (myself included) who would be hoofed out for basically not being part of BA. No group should take priority over seating over anyone else, but I’m sure BA are accepting of this hence the move to Block A.
The move just doesn’t seem to have worked & if we’re looking at it in a simplistic way, they’ve moved out of the NSL, taken a load of singers with them meaning the vocal supporters are now split across and even wider area and into another stand, because there are still lots of singers in S4 & S5. I do understand their gripe with people in the NSL who don’t sing, trust me, it irks me too as I don’t see the point being in there unless you add to the atmosphere, but splitting away from the NSL doesn’t feel like the answer as, lets be honest, the Cobbold will never be the home to a singing section, it’s just not suitable for it at all – it will always be NSL and so it should be. The only time I could see that changing is after a Cobbold redevelopment and even then, that will be for more corporate/posher seats than the ‘rowdy lot’.
I just feel BA moving away has split us all apart when we all need to be in the NSL together somehow – I’m not sure how that is possible, but letting them command S5 just because it’s a ‘group’ isn’t the answer. Maybe the club could hold back non-renewal seats in S5/S6 and then BA get first dibs on them so over time, they filter back in? I’m not sure – I hope they find a way but atm, it feels like a huge chunk of voal fans have moved out of the natural singing heart of PR which is a bad thing. |
I hear what you're saying and I think we're kind of making the same point. It's not exclusively about us: it's about having an area - ideally behind a goal - where the express purpose is to sing in support of the team. How would this be enforced? Well, I guess that's where we'd come in. If we had a hardcore leading the rest of the section/stand - and a club that would support that (i.e not siding with fans who moan about it, which is what they consistently do in A Block) - then the fundamentals are in place...
(As a quick aside, having a 'group' leading also helps in the introduction of new songs and singing of the 'right' songs (i.e no anti Delia Smith sh1te). Left to their own devices people will just introduce quick, easy chants usually based on whatever one of the big clubs happens to be singing at that moment, or, again, resort to anti Delia Smith sh1te)
But, as it stands, the singers - as you rightly say - are scattered to the wind. This was still an issue while we were in section 6, remember. I still shudder at staring back at an ocean of disinterested, apathetic faces, trying to link up with the other oases of singing dotted around the stand. A Block, as it stands, is still the best attempt we've had so far in creating a proper atmosphere section... |  |
| |
| FAO: Blue Action on 13:23 - Jun 2 with 2220 views | _clive_baker_ |
| FAO: Blue Action on 19:36 - Jun 1 by Cheltenham_Blue |
From where I sit in the SAR right next to the away fans, the move has been really negative. If anything it's really difficult to hear them at all now, they were noticeably louder in S6.
If I can't hear them, slightly ahead of the Cobbold, I fail to see how the sound can travel to the away fans who are at right angles with the sound cushioning of several hundred plump bodies in-between. |
I'm probably in the minority but I don't really see the significance of the sound travelling to the away fans. The priority should be the sound travelling to the pitch. I couldn't give a feck what the away fans make of it. |  | | |
| FAO: Blue Action on 13:26 - Jun 2 with 2215 views | Reuser_is_God |
| FAO: Blue Action on 09:48 - Jun 2 by TRUE_BLUE123 |
Is the issue not just that we don't have a very noisy home support these days.
Those in A block give it a go. Then a smattering of people in the lower north. But aside from that most of the ground are more than happy to just sit and watch the game. Which is there right to do that, I think its a shame but to me that's just how most of our fans want to operate.
Even last season, when we were winning every week, scoring loads of goals I didn't think our home support was particularly noisy. It had moments, but in the most part it was just a bit flat. Not sure how you can solve that problem unless you replace half the ground. |
I think we have enough noisy fans to make a good din, we just need to get them all together in a prominent area of the ground. |  |
| |
| FAO: Blue Action on 13:32 - Jun 2 with 2184 views | Slambo |
The other point worth making, is what would a proper atmosphere section look like? You cite Dortmund's Yellow Wall, or what HF are doing, but do you think Ipswich fans really want that? Because let me tell you, we get plenty of kick back even in A Block. Would you want me up on a scaffold screaming at you to keep singing even when we're 3 nil down? Would you want your view obscured by flags? Would you want your view obscured potentially by an in play tifo? Because that is utterly normal not only on the continent, but in Scotland, lreland and in the 'new' leagues like MLS, A-League and J-League so gleefully sneered at by English supporters. Holmesdale Fanatics waved at least 2 flags for the entirety of that cup final - imagine the uproar if we'd done similar... | |
| |
| FAO: Blue Action on 20:36 - Jun 2 with 1960 views | victorysquad |
| FAO: Blue Action on 13:32 - Jun 2 by Slambo |
The other point worth making, is what would a proper atmosphere section look like? You cite Dortmund's Yellow Wall, or what HF are doing, but do you think Ipswich fans really want that? Because let me tell you, we get plenty of kick back even in A Block. Would you want me up on a scaffold screaming at you to keep singing even when we're 3 nil down? Would you want your view obscured by flags? Would you want your view obscured potentially by an in play tifo? Because that is utterly normal not only on the continent, but in Scotland, lreland and in the 'new' leagues like MLS, A-League and J-League so gleefully sneered at by English supporters. Holmesdale Fanatics waved at least 2 flags for the entirety of that cup final - imagine the uproar if we'd done similar... |
Yes I think we want all of that.
I went to a Swedish game this season and IFK Gothenburg are awesome, PSG too of course.
So yes, yes and yes.
It does not matter if other people don't want that, that is up to them. But if people DO want that, then there should be a prominent place for it at PR.
I am sure if you did a survey of the players they would want it, and would it enhance their sporting performance, 100% it would. | |
| |
| FAO: Blue Action on 22:38 - Jun 2 with 1887 views | Leaky |
| FAO: Blue Action on 20:36 - Jun 1 by hammo56 |
I would just pay the £100 extra as I’m a cantankerous old git. |
Me too |  | | |
Login to get fewer ads
| FAO: Blue Action on 22:41 - Jun 2 with 1882 views | Leaky |
| FAO: Blue Action on 19:53 - Jun 1 by Reuser_is_God |
I’ve not heard away fans once all season sat in A block & I include celebrating goals in that. |
Ever thought of having your lughole de waxed | | | |
| FAO: Blue Action on 10:34 - Jun 3 with 1640 views | portmanroadblue |
Personally think they should be in SAR upper or lower. Lower would be best for a visual aspect to start with and expand to the whole of the SAR when/if required.
NSL would also then still generate an atmosphere and am sure the sides would join in as and when they feel like it. |  | | |
| FAO: Blue Action on 13:21 - Jun 3 with 1522 views | Slambo |
| FAO: Blue Action on 20:36 - Jun 2 by victorysquad |
Yes I think we want all of that.
I went to a Swedish game this season and IFK Gothenburg are awesome, PSG too of course.
So yes, yes and yes.
It does not matter if other people don't want that, that is up to them. But if people DO want that, then there should be a prominent place for it at PR.
I am sure if you did a survey of the players they would want it, and would it enhance their sporting performance, 100% it would. |
Couldn't agree more mate. And yet, at the Forest game, someone assaulted one of our members for waving a flag in play; and at the Brentford game, another bloke (might've been the same one) snatched the flag out of a member's hand and snapped it. The club just avoid the topic altogether, but the stewards are told that flags are not supposed to be waved in play, so we're completely undermined. I've even been notified before about complaints about the drum. And all this in A Block, which was supposed to be a designated section where the expectation was you create atmosphere..!
The problems stem from the fact that - in my opinion at least - the club never really wanted A Block to happen and it was probably just a sop to make me leave them alone; it was rushed through last minute and not really communicated with anyone. There was a pretty bland tweet I seem to recall, and then there's just the vague 'singing section' disclaimer added when buying A Block tickets. We suggested putting out a proper disclaimer on the ticketing portal, clearly saying what to expect (and what is to be expected), and we even went to the trouble of writing it for them, but they ignored it...
Despite this, it's still infinitely better than it was in the NL, but we can already see how it will peter out if the club don't really back it. In recent days we've approached them about moving us to the front, making us more prominent and allowing the capo to lead from the front (being able to face the fans and gee them up makes SO much difference); alongside this, creating a 'buffer' around us, which would allow fans from elsewhere to come in and remain part of the 'pack' if that makes sense, rather than being scattered around the section. This would involve moving something like 40-50 fans. Always controversial, but the club moved thousands to make way for the extra away fans last year, not to mention making space for the extra media suites or whatever it was; what's more, there are something like 200 free seats in A Block, so anyone moved could easily remain in the section, perhaps mere yards from where they already are! Either way, you've got to crack eggs to make an omelette. We've also talked about building a raised platform at the front of the section for the capo, not to mention a proper, unambiguous 'code of conduct'. I know the capo stand has been okayed by health & safety, and a code of conduct would eliminate all the aggro mentioned above with a sweep of a pen. It's all perfectly sensible, feasible and ultimately for the benefit of the club. It's just a question of will...
So we'll see. It's still in the discussion stage so it's not fair of me to talk about it, but let's just say I don't feel optimistic. The reality is, as I mentioned in a previous post, English football is specifically geared up to suppress independent fan culture, and ITFC - albeit better than others - is no different. Who knows, maybe something substantial will come with this Cobbold rebuild (and i'm constantly in the club's ear about that) or maybe even the introduction of this independent football regulator... | |
| |
| FAO: Blue Action on 16:46 - Jun 3 with 1427 views | sbitfc |
| FAO: Blue Action on 13:32 - Jun 2 by Slambo |
The other point worth making, is what would a proper atmosphere section look like? You cite Dortmund's Yellow Wall, or what HF are doing, but do you think Ipswich fans really want that? Because let me tell you, we get plenty of kick back even in A Block. Would you want me up on a scaffold screaming at you to keep singing even when we're 3 nil down? Would you want your view obscured by flags? Would you want your view obscured potentially by an in play tifo? Because that is utterly normal not only on the continent, but in Scotland, lreland and in the 'new' leagues like MLS, A-League and J-League so gleefully sneered at by English supporters. Holmesdale Fanatics waved at least 2 flags for the entirety of that cup final - imagine the uproar if we'd done similar... |
Whilst many agree with the general aim of improving the atmosphere, with a focus on increased vocal support, it’s probably fair to say that most English fans who want to sing just aren’t into the ultra scene. In reply to a comment under one of your early blogs, you even said yourself that “matching black t-shirts is mondo cheesy and not a big fan of those European style banners”.
We don’t have enough dedicated ultras to fill a large section and very few others are gonna be up for their view being obscured for large parts of the game by flags and tifos. Most primarily identify as Town fans / football fans. What’s the point of being in the ground if it’s not also about watching the game (whilst backing the team)? Visual displays can be done outside.
In that blog, you also mentioned people being “a little put off by the organisational and hierarchical structure of European ultra groups, or even those closer to home like the Holmesdale Fanatics over at Crystal Palace”. Don’t think that’s changed and can’t help thinking that if we just try to copy what’s done elsewhere, it’ll only ever be a much smaller version of it and won’t address the overall issues that you said led to you setting up the group in the first place (appreciate you’ve moved away from that).
Age doesn’t matter to me either but there’s a noticeable irony, given all the (old) age related comments about the NSL in the thread, that the first thing that various people have said to me (when I’ve asked about potentially going up to A-Block) is about how young the crowd is there (in less polite terms). I don’t think it’s a coincidence as younger fans are probably more open to acting on directions from a capo.
Perhaps this is how the ultra scene will grow though - as a new generation will grow up supporting the team in this way. However, right now, it’s almost become a separate movement within the existing fan base (which requires it’s own space), rather than representative of it…so probably unrealistic to expect mass participation, or for people to conflate it with suggestions about how to improve the NSL (not saying that BA have done recently)… | | | |
| FAO: Blue Action on 17:30 - Jun 3 with 1382 views | blueM3 |
Ahhh. Good to see the annual ‘We’re better fans than you’ thread. Or should it just be the thread of self entitlement?
Whatever it is, it proves the idiocy of the fans of this club who really think they’re a ‘somebody’ because they have half a shandy and sing at the football.
We’ve had the usual comment of anyone in the Sir Alf isn’t a fan, as they’re not the loudest. We’ve had the self entitlement of feeling they deserve centre of the stand behind the goal pretty much, just because…
Let’s face it. If the atmosphere is going to get hot, it will get there down to a few factors. Firstly if the football being watched is decent. A fiery game or just a decent game will usually rouse the natives.
Secondly if the majority of people knew what was actually being sung half the time that would help. I know I’m usually hearing people asking what’s being said. And that is the same regardless of where I may sit.
Just because you think you’re the life and soul of Portman Road, it doesn’t give you divine right to anyone else’s seat that they’re paying their hard earned for. If that’s their seat and has been for however long then it’s tough. So make some noise where you all congregate, and do what you can to involve everyone with knowing what’s being sung etc. don’t then come on here and laugh at people that don’t sit in the north stand or don’t necessarily know the words to every chant in the world.
Anyone who’s at those games is there as a fan. And no one on here is anymore important as a fan than the next person
For a group of people who want to be supposedly inclusive in building this atmosphere you don’t half alienate yourself from a hell of a lot of folk. | | | |
| FAO: Blue Action on 18:24 - Jun 3 with 1294 views | TexacoCup |
It might be too late now but why not make SBRL a ‘sit/stand where you want’ stand? As a teenager in the 1970s we were packed in the NL by 1.30 and hoarse by kickoff! |  | | |
| FAO: Blue Action on 18:31 - Jun 3 with 1279 views | Meadowlark |
| FAO: Blue Action on 19:56 - Jun 1 by DinnernotTea |
Make north stand lower another £100 per season instead of the current cheapest seats in the ground. Immediately the old boys and girls who offer absolutely nothing in terms of making noise in our "kop" will move on. They bang on about "I've been here 30 years 40 years blah blah". No mate, you treat your season ticket as a bill and you don't won't to pay more (who can blame them).
Stand in north lower now and the average age is above 50, it is mental. And such a dull experience.
North lower was and should always be for the younger generations making a racket for 2 hours. |
Yeah. I kinda agree with that. I served a long appreticeship in the North Stand, but happy to see out my days in Churchmans now.
I do sing at away matches though...... |  | | |
| FAO: Blue Action on 18:38 - Jun 3 with 1262 views | victorysquad |
| FAO: Blue Action on 13:21 - Jun 3 by Slambo |
Couldn't agree more mate. And yet, at the Forest game, someone assaulted one of our members for waving a flag in play; and at the Brentford game, another bloke (might've been the same one) snatched the flag out of a member's hand and snapped it. The club just avoid the topic altogether, but the stewards are told that flags are not supposed to be waved in play, so we're completely undermined. I've even been notified before about complaints about the drum. And all this in A Block, which was supposed to be a designated section where the expectation was you create atmosphere..!
The problems stem from the fact that - in my opinion at least - the club never really wanted A Block to happen and it was probably just a sop to make me leave them alone; it was rushed through last minute and not really communicated with anyone. There was a pretty bland tweet I seem to recall, and then there's just the vague 'singing section' disclaimer added when buying A Block tickets. We suggested putting out a proper disclaimer on the ticketing portal, clearly saying what to expect (and what is to be expected), and we even went to the trouble of writing it for them, but they ignored it...
Despite this, it's still infinitely better than it was in the NL, but we can already see how it will peter out if the club don't really back it. In recent days we've approached them about moving us to the front, making us more prominent and allowing the capo to lead from the front (being able to face the fans and gee them up makes SO much difference); alongside this, creating a 'buffer' around us, which would allow fans from elsewhere to come in and remain part of the 'pack' if that makes sense, rather than being scattered around the section. This would involve moving something like 40-50 fans. Always controversial, but the club moved thousands to make way for the extra away fans last year, not to mention making space for the extra media suites or whatever it was; what's more, there are something like 200 free seats in A Block, so anyone moved could easily remain in the section, perhaps mere yards from where they already are! Either way, you've got to crack eggs to make an omelette. We've also talked about building a raised platform at the front of the section for the capo, not to mention a proper, unambiguous 'code of conduct'. I know the capo stand has been okayed by health & safety, and a code of conduct would eliminate all the aggro mentioned above with a sweep of a pen. It's all perfectly sensible, feasible and ultimately for the benefit of the club. It's just a question of will...
So we'll see. It's still in the discussion stage so it's not fair of me to talk about it, but let's just say I don't feel optimistic. The reality is, as I mentioned in a previous post, English football is specifically geared up to suppress independent fan culture, and ITFC - albeit better than others - is no different. Who knows, maybe something substantial will come with this Cobbold rebuild (and i'm constantly in the club's ear about that) or maybe even the introduction of this independent football regulator... |
You have to hold to the benefits it will bring the club and the players. I wish there was more science to back up the improved sporting performance with a strong vocal support behind the team, because that ultimately would be worth a lot of money to the club.
The main issue you have is there is nowhere for your songs to spread, you need a Kop stand, where if 50 up the back are singing, it spreads throughout the stand. With the way the stands are right now, it is just all over the place as NSL 4/5 and NSL 1/2/3 sing to their own tune, we are all out of sync. I think Churchman's upper could work. | |
| |
| FAO: Blue Action on 21:18 - Jun 3 with 1143 views | Slambo |
| FAO: Blue Action on 16:46 - Jun 3 by sbitfc |
Whilst many agree with the general aim of improving the atmosphere, with a focus on increased vocal support, it’s probably fair to say that most English fans who want to sing just aren’t into the ultra scene. In reply to a comment under one of your early blogs, you even said yourself that “matching black t-shirts is mondo cheesy and not a big fan of those European style banners”.
We don’t have enough dedicated ultras to fill a large section and very few others are gonna be up for their view being obscured for large parts of the game by flags and tifos. Most primarily identify as Town fans / football fans. What’s the point of being in the ground if it’s not also about watching the game (whilst backing the team)? Visual displays can be done outside.
In that blog, you also mentioned people being “a little put off by the organisational and hierarchical structure of European ultra groups, or even those closer to home like the Holmesdale Fanatics over at Crystal Palace”. Don’t think that’s changed and can’t help thinking that if we just try to copy what’s done elsewhere, it’ll only ever be a much smaller version of it and won’t address the overall issues that you said led to you setting up the group in the first place (appreciate you’ve moved away from that).
Age doesn’t matter to me either but there’s a noticeable irony, given all the (old) age related comments about the NSL in the thread, that the first thing that various people have said to me (when I’ve asked about potentially going up to A-Block) is about how young the crowd is there (in less polite terms). I don’t think it’s a coincidence as younger fans are probably more open to acting on directions from a capo.
Perhaps this is how the ultra scene will grow though - as a new generation will grow up supporting the team in this way. However, right now, it’s almost become a separate movement within the existing fan base (which requires it’s own space), rather than representative of it…so probably unrealistic to expect mass participation, or for people to conflate it with suggestions about how to improve the NSL (not saying that BA have done recently)… |
Oh no, i'm getting hit with quotes from my old blogs!! Getting the Paxman treatment!! I'll have to go back and read them. Seem to recall a comment comparing me to Chairman Mao in one. Wild...
Yeah, some good points in there. I think the issue early on was I didn't really know what I wanted. I was happy with some kind of area where singing was encouraged, as I felt the NL had completely lost its way, but that was kind of it. It wasn't until Blue_Order (the real talent behind the operation. The Noel to my Liam, if you will) got involved that it started to take shape and form...
So yeah, I might have been dismissive of those hallmarks of the ultra scene in the early days, but the further into it we got, the more in that direction we drifted. If we weren't aspiring to be ultras, then what were we aspiring to be? I thought the organisation was unnecessary, but if you're not organised, how do those mental tifos and choreos get done? Or the 'corteo' marches, or the coach greets, or simply new and (more) interesting chants?
Socially, the English are much more individualistic than their European counterparts. We seem to have completely lost the ability to even conceive working collectively towards a common goal. Add in the grinding commercialisation of English football, where we're all encouraged to just passively consume the product, and it's no wonder so many fans are left yearning for something deeper and shoot envious glances across the channel...
You're right that we've moved away from trying to be a representative force - but that absolutely doesn't mean we now aim to be an oppositional one either, as some people imply from time to time. The reality is, as you say, that we were going to have to break away and do our own thing and hope that fans who think like us would make their way over and hope that the club would better facilitate that. If you can't take Mohamed to the mountain, or however the saying goes...
The age thing is getting annoying, and I regret making cheap shots in the past as a lazy shorthand for more passive fans. I'm 41 fer chrissakes. The older lads in the group are the backbone of it. We have got some solid younger lads, but for every one of them there have been 5 that we've had to boot for being utterly useless. Give me the mortgage paying dads... | |
| |
| FAO: Blue Action on 22:08 - Jun 3 with 1088 views | J2BLUE |
| FAO: Blue Action on 20:36 - Jun 2 by victorysquad |
Yes I think we want all of that.
I went to a Swedish game this season and IFK Gothenburg are awesome, PSG too of course.
So yes, yes and yes.
It does not matter if other people don't want that, that is up to them. But if people DO want that, then there should be a prominent place for it at PR.
I am sure if you did a survey of the players they would want it, and would it enhance their sporting performance, 100% it would. |
You can't answer for everyone. A lot of people just want to watch the game and would be very annoyed with in play things blocking their view.
With that said, I fully support BA getting their own section where people can move to and then what happens in that section is their business.
Edit: Should have read your whole post before replying! You make that exact point. My bad. [Post edited 3 Jun 22:10]
|  |
| |
| FAO: Blue Action on 13:20 - Jun 4 with 786 views | JackNorthStand |
| FAO: Blue Action on 19:56 - Jun 1 by DinnernotTea |
Make north stand lower another £100 per season instead of the current cheapest seats in the ground. Immediately the old boys and girls who offer absolutely nothing in terms of making noise in our "kop" will move on. They bang on about "I've been here 30 years 40 years blah blah". No mate, you treat your season ticket as a bill and you don't won't to pay more (who can blame them).
Stand in north lower now and the average age is above 50, it is mental. And such a dull experience.
North lower was and should always be for the younger generations making a racket for 2 hours. |
I’m actually requesting to move my seat to another part of north lower as the people around my particular seat are exactly the types you’ve described.
Downer on my match day experience. | | | |
| FAO: Blue Action on 13:34 - Jun 4 with 764 views | hype313 |
This isn't a dig at BA or the NS, but the atmosphere has deteriorated quite badly in recent times (as someone who sits in the West) Different songs starting up, not in sync, and Block A gets ruined by the nature of the stand.
As Lagos stated the club are not really bothered, it's all about the £££ (which I get) but it is to the detriment of the matchday experience. That's not unique to us BTW, a lot of bigger clubs would prefer to lose ST holders so they could sell the tickets at triple the price to tourists.
Not sure what the answer is, romantically going back to the old NS with both home and away would be brilliant, but, unfortunately that will never happen (despite the scars from flying objects..) [Post edited 4 Jun 13:40]
|  |
| |
| Agreed on 13:46 - Jun 4 with 742 views | Dyland |
| FAO: Blue Action on 13:34 - Jun 4 by hype313 |
This isn't a dig at BA or the NS, but the atmosphere has deteriorated quite badly in recent times (as someone who sits in the West) Different songs starting up, not in sync, and Block A gets ruined by the nature of the stand.
As Lagos stated the club are not really bothered, it's all about the £££ (which I get) but it is to the detriment of the matchday experience. That's not unique to us BTW, a lot of bigger clubs would prefer to lose ST holders so they could sell the tickets at triple the price to tourists.
Not sure what the answer is, romantically going back to the old NS with both home and away would be brilliant, but, unfortunately that will never happen (despite the scars from flying objects..) [Post edited 4 Jun 13:40]
|
Atmosphere in Upper North just to right of goal is pretty pants, and always was unless it's a cracking exciting or narky etc. game.
It's the stadium acoustics, simple as. And there's nowt can be done about it.
It's not BA's job to sort the stadium's atmosphere or acoustics out is it. If I wanted to sing and wave banners all game I'd join a group like that wherever they were, and good on them.
I'm a cynical old fart and can't see it ever grwing organically into an ultras type fest, so they should enjoy it while they can and ignore the nay sayers. Tis modern football, unfortunately innit. |  |
| |
| Yeh whatever on 13:49 - Jun 4 with 731 views | Dyland |
| FAO: Blue Action on 21:18 - Jun 3 by Slambo |
Oh no, i'm getting hit with quotes from my old blogs!! Getting the Paxman treatment!! I'll have to go back and read them. Seem to recall a comment comparing me to Chairman Mao in one. Wild...
Yeah, some good points in there. I think the issue early on was I didn't really know what I wanted. I was happy with some kind of area where singing was encouraged, as I felt the NL had completely lost its way, but that was kind of it. It wasn't until Blue_Order (the real talent behind the operation. The Noel to my Liam, if you will) got involved that it started to take shape and form...
So yeah, I might have been dismissive of those hallmarks of the ultra scene in the early days, but the further into it we got, the more in that direction we drifted. If we weren't aspiring to be ultras, then what were we aspiring to be? I thought the organisation was unnecessary, but if you're not organised, how do those mental tifos and choreos get done? Or the 'corteo' marches, or the coach greets, or simply new and (more) interesting chants?
Socially, the English are much more individualistic than their European counterparts. We seem to have completely lost the ability to even conceive working collectively towards a common goal. Add in the grinding commercialisation of English football, where we're all encouraged to just passively consume the product, and it's no wonder so many fans are left yearning for something deeper and shoot envious glances across the channel...
You're right that we've moved away from trying to be a representative force - but that absolutely doesn't mean we now aim to be an oppositional one either, as some people imply from time to time. The reality is, as you say, that we were going to have to break away and do our own thing and hope that fans who think like us would make their way over and hope that the club would better facilitate that. If you can't take Mohamed to the mountain, or however the saying goes...
The age thing is getting annoying, and I regret making cheap shots in the past as a lazy shorthand for more passive fans. I'm 41 fer chrissakes. The older lads in the group are the backbone of it. We have got some solid younger lads, but for every one of them there have been 5 that we've had to boot for being utterly useless. Give me the mortgage paying dads... |
Shut it, Chairman Mao.
That is priceless :) | |
| |
| FAO: Blue Action on 19:47 - Jun 4 with 575 views | victorysquad |
| FAO: Blue Action on 17:30 - Jun 3 by blueM3 |
Ahhh. Good to see the annual ‘We’re better fans than you’ thread. Or should it just be the thread of self entitlement?
Whatever it is, it proves the idiocy of the fans of this club who really think they’re a ‘somebody’ because they have half a shandy and sing at the football.
We’ve had the usual comment of anyone in the Sir Alf isn’t a fan, as they’re not the loudest. We’ve had the self entitlement of feeling they deserve centre of the stand behind the goal pretty much, just because…
Let’s face it. If the atmosphere is going to get hot, it will get there down to a few factors. Firstly if the football being watched is decent. A fiery game or just a decent game will usually rouse the natives.
Secondly if the majority of people knew what was actually being sung half the time that would help. I know I’m usually hearing people asking what’s being said. And that is the same regardless of where I may sit.
Just because you think you’re the life and soul of Portman Road, it doesn’t give you divine right to anyone else’s seat that they’re paying their hard earned for. If that’s their seat and has been for however long then it’s tough. So make some noise where you all congregate, and do what you can to involve everyone with knowing what’s being sung etc. don’t then come on here and laugh at people that don’t sit in the north stand or don’t necessarily know the words to every chant in the world.
Anyone who’s at those games is there as a fan. And no one on here is anymore important as a fan than the next person
For a group of people who want to be supposedly inclusive in building this atmosphere you don’t half alienate yourself from a hell of a lot of folk. |
Mark, if you want this subject to be closed off, then give us a proper stand.
btw - Slambo - interesting you want the seats down the front of Section A - up the back is always where you can make most noise imo. More visible down the front for sure. [Post edited 4 Jun 19:58]
| |
| |
| FAO: Blue Action on 23:43 - Jun 4 with 484 views | ZedRodgers |
I'm afraid I simply can't take any so-called "singing section" seriously when it visually resembles about one-sixth of a stand doing karaoke in a broom cupboard. The whole vibe is a bit pathetic and radiates forced fun - I would say it’s on a par with Leicester’s tragic slither of ultras/fanatics (or whatever term of self-parody we’re meant to use these days). It’s closer to kids on a school trip pretending they’re in Napoli than any serious attempt at improving anything.
That said, credit where it’s due: BA’s full-stand displays over the years have been impressive - It’s a shame we haven’t seen many of those lately. My advice? Stick to those. And perhaps use some of the crowdfunding to invest in some group therapy to help manage this collective case of Main Character Syndrome.
At the heart of every one of these tedious back-and-forths is a glaringly obvious question: why would anyone think ring-fencing the “right” kind of fans to decide what's best for everyone else would ever end well? All it does is create a perpetual them-vs-us impasse, as perfectly demonstrated by several responses here. The best atmospheres I can remember at Portman Road happened when everyone let their guard down and enjoyed themselves - no choreography, no manifestos, just limbs and noise. Think Burley’s Barmy Army non-stop for 45 minutes, or those spontaneous eruptions during the recent promotion run-ins. These days, sadly, you tend to only really feel that vibe at away games. Meanwhile, this A-block vs North d*ck-measuring contest is less “ultras” and more “Mumsnet beef in a car park.”
And for the love of all that is holy, can we drop this bizarre obsession with the Crystal Palace “blueprint”? The idea that we need to emulate their faux-Eurocrap ultras routine makes me want to punch myself in the face with a Portman Pie. Good luck pitching that as the only route to an atmosphere to anybody who remembers the old North Stand.
If anything, that kind of sanitised, club-approved cosplay is exactly what we should be avoiding. It would be the first of the final nails in gentrifying Portman Road into a sterile museum where noise is only permitted between approved time slots, and by those with a special wristband.
Slambo, I’m looking directly into your soul here. Personally, I’d take a bit of “anti-Delia Smith sh*te” over the family-friendly “that’s the way we like it” templatechant.mp3 any day. You claim to speak for independent fans, but from your responses here, I wouldn’t be shocked if you soon proposed replacing “Norwich” with “others” in all songs to curry favour with the club. You seem torn between wanting a seat at the table and insisting you’re defiantly independent - the kind of contradiction that usually ends with someone in a beret writing a manifesto nobody reads. |  |
| |
| FAO: Blue Action on 23:51 - Jun 4 with 467 views | Blueastheycome |
| FAO: Blue Action on 23:43 - Jun 4 by ZedRodgers |
I'm afraid I simply can't take any so-called "singing section" seriously when it visually resembles about one-sixth of a stand doing karaoke in a broom cupboard. The whole vibe is a bit pathetic and radiates forced fun - I would say it’s on a par with Leicester’s tragic slither of ultras/fanatics (or whatever term of self-parody we’re meant to use these days). It’s closer to kids on a school trip pretending they’re in Napoli than any serious attempt at improving anything.
That said, credit where it’s due: BA’s full-stand displays over the years have been impressive - It’s a shame we haven’t seen many of those lately. My advice? Stick to those. And perhaps use some of the crowdfunding to invest in some group therapy to help manage this collective case of Main Character Syndrome.
At the heart of every one of these tedious back-and-forths is a glaringly obvious question: why would anyone think ring-fencing the “right” kind of fans to decide what's best for everyone else would ever end well? All it does is create a perpetual them-vs-us impasse, as perfectly demonstrated by several responses here. The best atmospheres I can remember at Portman Road happened when everyone let their guard down and enjoyed themselves - no choreography, no manifestos, just limbs and noise. Think Burley’s Barmy Army non-stop for 45 minutes, or those spontaneous eruptions during the recent promotion run-ins. These days, sadly, you tend to only really feel that vibe at away games. Meanwhile, this A-block vs North d*ck-measuring contest is less “ultras” and more “Mumsnet beef in a car park.”
And for the love of all that is holy, can we drop this bizarre obsession with the Crystal Palace “blueprint”? The idea that we need to emulate their faux-Eurocrap ultras routine makes me want to punch myself in the face with a Portman Pie. Good luck pitching that as the only route to an atmosphere to anybody who remembers the old North Stand.
If anything, that kind of sanitised, club-approved cosplay is exactly what we should be avoiding. It would be the first of the final nails in gentrifying Portman Road into a sterile museum where noise is only permitted between approved time slots, and by those with a special wristband.
Slambo, I’m looking directly into your soul here. Personally, I’d take a bit of “anti-Delia Smith sh*te” over the family-friendly “that’s the way we like it” templatechant.mp3 any day. You claim to speak for independent fans, but from your responses here, I wouldn’t be shocked if you soon proposed replacing “Norwich” with “others” in all songs to curry favour with the club. You seem torn between wanting a seat at the table and insisting you’re defiantly independent - the kind of contradiction that usually ends with someone in a beret writing a manifesto nobody reads. |
Give over you massive fanny |  | | |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
