The way things used to be (at filbo)

[knightonfox]

Think I reached my lowest moment since moving to the crisp bowl on monday against Sunderland. Sat down for the first time in L1 this season. There just didnt seem to be any reason to stand up anymore. Sunderland completley outsung us, piss poor performance on the pitch and hardly anyone seemed bothered to rival the sunderland chants (even when score was 0-0).

Remember the sunderland fans starting a constant chant of red and white army which went on and on. surely we wouldnt stand and take that would we? In the Kop at filbo we would have responded with a wall of noise back at them and drowned them out The saddest part came when we started to sing 'when you're smiling' and so few people in L1 that we couldnt even hear ourselves. Cant remember a single occasion at Filbert Street when if we were singing, the away fans could be heard over the top of our noise.

Got me thinking of times when I used to arrive on the train from Hinckley as a teenager (1994/ 95)and sometimes you could hear the Kop as you walked out the station. The noise would become louder as we went through Mandella park and by the time we were on Burnmore Street it would get me running to the ground. Through the turnstile into the kop corner, up the steps and the noise would be deafening. Where are all of 600-700 that used to provide us with the backing that other teams used to talk about. Remember reading a Stoke fanzine shortly after we played them in 1996 play-off first leg. They talked about the wall of noise that was coming from the Kop 30-45 minutes before kick off time. Similar comments came when reading a man-Utd fanzine shorly after O'Neill took us into the prem. They commented that it was their favourite ground and had by far the best atmosphere of anywhere in the premiership. Similar comments came from Chelsea fans that the Kop corner was the most intimidated they had been since playing Millwall.

Contrast that situation to now.

We never sing before kick off

Most fans regard our ground as being the quietest or one the quietest they have visited in recent years.

We get outsung by small groups of 500-600 visiting fans.

People often mention that the crap atmosphere is simply because we are so poor on the pitch nowadays and that I'm comparing it with one of our most successful periods as a club. Its a fair point in some ways. If we were doing well, the atmosphere would improve but I dont think it would be by any great amount. When we secured promotion under Adams against Brighton I remember commenting at the end about how much better the atmosphere would have been at filbo. Yes we were singing, but not with the same passion we used to.

maybe I should just get used to it and realise that things will never be as good at the crisp bowl as Filbo. Maybe my memories are looking back with rose tinted glasses at a time when i was filled with testosterone and easily impressionable. Just want to enjoy the football again like i used to.

Rant over!

[MC Prussian]

Generally speaking, football has changed fan-wise.

The old stadiums, albeit providing a fantastic arena for fans and their chants, were all considered potential danger zones (and a few deadly incidents had to prove that).

The new architecture, plus the seating does allow hardly anyone (or a group) to sing.

Add the strict stadium policies to that (stewarding) and the fact that football has been "eventized" in order to attract more "peaceful" families and kids, two parties that you cannot call as enthusiastic (chant-wise) as the "hard core" fan groups.

And then, of course, there's a team on the pitch that displays mostly piss-poor performances. Whether this is due to a lack of motivation or a lack of fundings or even caused by the aforementioned missing stadium atmosphere, I can't tell.

[Ultra]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The group in L1 is not big enough to be heard.

It may as well move back to the Kop and form a proper singing area.

If we were in the Premiership, and winning our fair share of home games, the atmosphere would be every bit as good as it was at Filbo.

The Villa cup game proved what can be achieved, and the ground wasn't even full!

[Leicester Lass]

Great first post and I agree with Ultra, this season against Villa we proved just how passionate we can be - just when the players were showing how passionate they can be.

[James.]

Some people will probably accuse you of dragging up an issue that has already been discussed many a time on this forum.

However I don't think there's anything wrong with some nostalgia now and again and given the last two performances on and off the pitch I completely understand your comments and appreciate the obvious passion and frustration with which you wrote the post.

Going to Southampton showed me that just because you move grounds doesn't mean you have to sacrifice atmosphere. Their fans were excellent and to be perfectly honest embarrased us for much of the match.

At the same time however the only times I do feel the old intensity of support for Leicester is on those away days. I've been to QPR and Luton this season and there I thought our fans were great, having a sing-song and a general good laugh. This spark just isn't there at the Walkers.

There's probably a whole load of reasons for this (poor performances, a shift in the demographics of the support, the new ground dividing fans, etc etc) but god damn it I too long for those deafening days in the double decker!!

[Suffolk_fox]

How many Country and Western Singers does it take to change a light bulb?

Two - one to change the bulb and the other to sing about how good the old one was....

I don't think that the Walkers is any less passionate than Filbo - I could compare the recent Villa game with a few games I remember at Filbert Street, where we were outsung.

Face it, we have been on the slide since MON left, and we moved stadia during this bad period. This is the reason for the lack of passion!

[Geo V]

Great topic.

I cant say Im an expert on the atmosphere in the last 2 years as I have hardly been (live in London) but when I used to live in Leicester and follow the boys in the late 80`s and early 90`s, the atmosphere within the Penns was amazing, especially with the double decker on top keeping in the noise!!!

You have to remember in those days the footy was shite for us, playing infront of 8,000 against Oxford but at least we all left with a crokey voice. Whenever I vist mates in Leicester or speak on the phone they say its not the same as too many people dont get involved, no new songs, no real hero`s on the pitch etc etc. Its down to us to raise the bar regardless of the teams performances though and we should be proud of our new stadium and not live in the past...JUST SING YOUR HEARTS OUT FOR THE LADS!!!!!!!

[vanfox12]

Great topic.

I cant say Im an expert on the atmosphere in the last 2 years as I have hardly been (live in London) but when I used to live in Leicester and follow the boys in the late 80`s and early 90`s, the atmosphere within the Penns was amazing, especially with the double decker on top keeping in the noise!!!

You have to remember in those days the footy was shite for us, playing infront of 8,000 against Oxford but at least we all left with a crokey voice. Whenever I vist mates in Leicester or speak on the phone they say its not the same as too many people dont get involved, no new songs, no real hero`s on the pitch etc etc. Its down to us to raise the bar regardless of the teams performances though and we should be proud of our new stadium and not live in the past...JUST SING YOUR HEARTS OUT FOR THE LADS!!!!!!!

The thing is some of the best things to happen at Filbert St happened in the last few years of the old stadium come to think of it apart from the the ocd promotion and finishing 3rd and 2nd in the old first division in 1920's our most sustained periods of success have come since the end of the Second World War. with the 60's and 90's being arguably the golden periods in our clubs history in terms of enjoyment and success. The Walkers is a new stadium and it will take time for it to achieve the same success as Filbert St but we have to perservere and hope the good times come back and at the end of the day thats what keeps fans going in the hope that more success will come to top what has gone before.

[London_Fox]

When I first started going to City my old man wasn't a huge football fan and we used to sit in the family stand. I'd just stare in awe at the Kop. Only took a couple of seasons before we moved across to SK1 and had some great times there. I'll never forget thegame when we were getting relegated against Man Utd and everyone was singing or the last game against Spurs. I just can't imagine taking my son to the football (in 10 years) and being able to kindle that passion in him that I got. I'm not even old and i'm getting nostalgic.

[luffbra]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The group in L1 is not big enough to be heard.

It may as well move back to the Kop and form a proper singing area.

If we were in the Premiership, and winning our fair share of home games, the atmosphere would be every bit as good as it was at Filbo.

The Villa cup game proved what can be achieved, and the ground wasn't even full!

I think you're right ...

I also remember lifting the roof off at the Walkers when ...

1 - Tommy Wright scored against Forest to more or less guarantee promotion (in fact, I seem to remember we were all jumping up and down, and the stadium was shaking)

2 - Craig Hignett scored a last minute equaliser () against Arsenal ...

3 - Mark de Vries (remember him) score last minute against Spurs.

etc...

THe atmosphere can be great in the Walkers, BUT it seems we only sing/shout when we're playing well (or when Rob Styles awards a penalty against us - one of my mates is a Sheffield Wednesday fan, and he said they could barely hear themselves shout when the penalty had been scored as we were making so much dissenting noise)...

[Poakey]

Now stadiums are all seated makes a big difference.I remember going down filbo with my younger brother(paying £6/7 to get in) in the kop,when youd run up those stairs to the back of sp1/2 the hairs on your neck would stand on end.This was half hour before a game!!As for when we scored my brother used to shit himself(think he was about 14 at the time),youd be pushed forward but it was awesome,we still talk about those days now and we know they will never be coming back.Big shame.

Games like when we played wednesday last game of a season,they were goin up so they took 8000 fans,but we still outsung them even though we where shit.

[Chairman of the Bored]

Excellent first post and some good contributions. I sit in the A&L now (just up from the half way line) and it's me and Wifey making the only noise. Sad state of affairs. The boys in L1 are really good though. Keep it up!

I'm going back in time here, but '68, Rotherham (h), 5th round of the FAC. I got stuck at the back of the Kop, hardly saw a ball being kicked in anger all night, but I sang all the way through the match. 42,000 I think. And the Villa semi vs Liverpool when we had the Holt End, what noise we made that night.

Those were the days my friend.....

[Kilworthfox]

I don't think that it is the walkers that is to blame. Filbo was great, not because of the ground but because the fans would all stand, sing, be proud of their team, good or bad, nowadays our fans are complaining about mexican waves, and you get stared at for singing "Rob Kellys Blue & White army" whilst banging on the back like I did vs Barnsley. To me that says it all Our fans are happy clappers, will support in their own way as long as it does not make too much fuss, maybe with their Brittish reserve intact, well I cling to the days of rowdyness, shit grounds terracing, and shitty football, which I can see many on here also miss.

It is no accident that this topic comes around like the moon, Seating, Pricing, drinking, policing, stewarding, and families have all contributed to the change in atmosphere. Mums & Dads don't even think twice about bringing their little kids into the Walkers kop, can't imagine that at filbo!

I have to say I understand that things were not perfect years ago, Safety has improved, and for familys and white colar workers it is a more acceptable atmosphere, but it does seem to have sapped away at the passion of the Kop.

Going to the footy nowadays is a less enjoyable experiance from an atmosphere point of view, but if Leicester City were to come up against strong opposition most weeks like in the prem then our fans would be more vocal no doubt. Maybe "Big Club" syndrome is the cause of this better atmosphere in recent big games, although Barnsley was quite enjoyable for em and my rowdyness

[Leonisco]

All those moaning about how much they miss Filbo - just be glad you got to experience it!

I only ever went to 2 senior matches at Filbert Street - one was a Worthington Cup match v Chesterfield (won 3-0 )and the other was when we played Southampton the year we went down (lost 4-0 ). This is mainly cos my dad isn't a City fan, so never used to take me. It's one of the biggest regrets of my life that I never really went to Filbo and didn't get to experience it.

[Fez of Mahrez]

If everyone who moaned about the atmosphere did something about it then they'd have nothing to moan about.

[stez]

All those moaning about how much they miss Filbo - just be glad you got to experience it!

I only ever went to 2 senior matches at Filbert Street - one was a Worthington Cup match v Chesterfield (won 3-0 )and the other was when we played Southampton the year we went down (lost 4-0 ). This is mainly cos my dad isn't a City fan, so never used to take me. It's one of the biggest regrets of my life that I never really went to Filbo and didn't get to experience it.

jesus! that was the worst game i ever saw at filbert street! i'm surprised you carried on!

[London_Fox]

If everyone who moaned about the atmosphere did something about it then they'd have nothing to moan about.

If only that was true, most of us who 'moan' or enjoy the memories of filbert street, probobly do try and sing and get behind the team but the other 20000 odd fans just stare at you like you're weird, even in the kop!

The thing that I really don't get and I wish someone could explain to me is fans being quiet at away games. You make the effort to spend a fortune, take your kids, travel all the way to Southampton or some hole up in the north of England to watch city...you can't expect quality football surely. I go for the day, the atmosphere and all that. What do they go for? To sit silently for a few hours somewhere other then Leicester, makes no sense to me.

[Floating Fox]

If only that was true, most of us who 'moan' or enjoy the memories of filbert street, probobly do try and sing and get behind the team but the other 20000 odd fans just stare at you like you're weird, even in the kop!

The thing that I really don't get and I wish someone could explain to me is fans being quiet at away games. You make the effort to spend a fortune, take your kids, travel all the way to Southampton or some hole up in the north of England to watch city...you can't expect quality football surely. I go for the day, the atmosphere and all that. What do they go for? To sit silently for a few hours somewhere other then Leicester, makes no sense to me.

That Is why something needs to be done like this.

An area needs to be created where people who think like me and you sit - therefore creating a much more fun atmosphere, well at least for the people in the group becasue I hate it when I go to away games and I'm surounded by people who all want to sit down. If peopl could all get toghtehter that wanted to sing regardless of the result then I think it would improve. This would be another aim of an Ultra's group.

[lcfc_jme]

If everyone who moaned about the atmosphere did something about it then they'd have nothing to moan about.

Aye this is true. We try (myself, Standupandsing, bertfox, filbertway, potter3 and others on the back couple of rows in the Kop), but the songs don't get off the ground because not many people further down want to join in, and because we're spread along the back and not all in one block, it's hard to keep the atmosphere going. Unfortunately, with us playing the way we are, this doesn't look like changing either.

If you'd like the atmosphere to return and want things to change, visit the Leicester City Ultra's thread, post what you think and join the campaign

[potter3]

I actually heard L1 properly and clearly for the first time ever on Saturday. Or was it the first time I realised it was them and not the away fans as we have the same songs as everyone else

[He's not bald]

I actually heard L1 properly and clearly for the first time ever on Saturday. Or was it the first time I realised it was them and not the away fans as we have the same songs as everyone else

It's sad..the walkers is different,my first matches were with my older mates in pen 3,I can remember going up the stairs at the back and when I reached the top the noise almost took my breath away...and that was 30 mins before the match!,on ocassion when we played really will you couldn't hear the half time scores for the singing.I was 12 then and last week I took my 12 year old daughter to a match at the Walkers for the first time (after lots of promises to the wife).

My daughter is very keen on football,she watches M of the D plays for her school and regularly watches her cousin play for an academy team who's name I won't mention here!!!

Can you imagine my disappointment not only at the performance which itself was bad enough but the atmosphere was just dreadful and I could tell by the look on her face that she wasn't impressed.

It just brought all the memories flooding back of how it was at Filbo...sure there were performances almost as bad...but the atmosphere was nearly always great.

[Geo V]

If everyone who moaned about the atmosphere did something about it then they'd have nothing to moan about.

Great quote.

Being a part-time attendee to the games these days having moved to London and working in retail (hard to get Saturdays off), I must admit to the dissapointment both me and the brother get when we get to some games. WE ARE SO QUIET at times its beyond belief. When I pay money for 90 odd minutes worth of so called entertainment, I dont let whats going on during the game influence my enjoyment of the day. From the drink before hand to the singing during the game to the beer afterwards! I cant belive how many people turn up and just sit idle doing fu** all and just looking forward to leaving and talking of how shite we were. Its down to everyone to muck in and join in the singing and get behind the team, even if we are getting dicked by Southend.

GET SINGING FFS!!!!!!!!

[Sods]

I never ever got to witness the kop at filbo. And im absoultely guted by it, by the storys. But i did witness Filbert street and the atmosphere was emense even in the family stand people would stand up and sing. Would we ever see this at the walkers. The reasons why i think the atmosphere is not as good are,

1. Where the away fans are postioned- but we all know this will never be likely to happen.

2. most of the singers who start the songs off are in the l1.

3. Standing would also help but this will never happen.

All i can see is that more people will join the l1 like myself to gain the atmosphere again. And the ground will end up like coventrys is. The shout about the putting a special area for singing is what the club could easily do, that is southampton ground started out like. Also people talk about the Villa game, a lot of people i know from l1 including myself had to move to the kop that day. So that is why the atmosphere was probably louder which got more people singing that usually wouldn't.

[Geo V]

I never ever got to witness the kop at filbo. And im absoultely guted by it, by the storys. But i did witness Filbert street and the atmosphere was emense even in the family stand people would stand up and sing. Would we ever see this at the walkers. The reasons why i think the atmosphere is not as good are,

1. Where the away fans are postioned- but we all know this will never be likely to happen.

2. most of the singers who start the songs off are in the l1.

3. Standing would also help but this will never happen.

All i can see is that more people will join the l1 like myself to gain the atmosphere again. And the ground will end up like coventrys is. The shout about the putting a special area for singing is what the club could easily do, that is southampton ground started out like. Also people talk about the Villa game, a lot of people i know from l1 including myself had to move to the kop that day. So that is why the atmosphere was probably louder which got more people singing that usually wouldn't.

I was a Liverpool fan as a kid and that one game I went to for a laugh with mates aged 16 at Filbo in which it started with singing in the streets the roar of the fans as we entered the penns converted me into a blue forever! Its a shame that the new fans dont seem to get that same bug that we got on our first visit. Leicester doing all these cheap deals to get fans in but not that many seem to be getting the bug.

BTW, I`d love the "singers" to spread out and really try and get the rest of the fans into the swing of things by joining in. Some people seem to be embarrassed to get involved or something. Its not the bloody X-Factor!!!!

[Floating Fox]

I was a Liverpool fan as a kid and that one game I went to for a laugh with mates aged 16 at Filbo in which it started with singing in the streets the roar of the fans as we entered the penns converted me into a blue forever! Its a shame that the new fans dont seem to get that same bug that we got on our first visit. Leicester doing all these cheap deals to get fans in but not that many seem to be getting the bug.

BTW, I`d love the "singers" to spread out and really try and get the rest of the fans into the swing of things by joining in. Some people seem to be embarrassed to get involved or something. Its not the bloody X-Factor!!!!

IF we did spread out though the atmopshere would be even more dire. I dont even want to think about it