Atmosphere Initiative,

[BrummieFOX]

Don't normally post here unless something interesting pops up, or I like a new song

Anyway, thought this may interest the people who are disgruntled with our clear lack of atmosphere down at the Walkers. I have a few mates who are Ipswich fans and one has been telling me about a group of so called 'hardcore' fans who have gained the backing of the club to improve the atmosphere at home games. Im not 100% sure on how they have backed them but I believe it's to do with advertising the initiative. Bascailly this group have organised meetings at a designated pub before games to discuss songs, atmosphere, the bringing of flags, scarfs,banners to the ground (which has previously been forbidden???). They will then all move to the same section of the ground to try and create atmosphere, or at least get people singing. I know we did something similar with our 'singing section' but it didnt really seem to get going, no disrespect to anyone on here who had a hand in setting it up because it's a great idea. I feel that this failed as it was in the wrong section of the ground. I think that if we set up something similar, with large groups of fans meeting in the pubs before the game, handing out scarves, flags (provided by the club ), getting new songs going and being situated at the back of the kop, then it could transform the atmosphere! We've proved that we can make a bit of noise in the kop, i remember the Villa cup tie being a great atmosphere, spurs game(despite the lack of attendance) and various others. so with 100 or so singers standing at the back, we could get the old SK1 atmosphere back! Thoughts?

[filbertway]

Don't normally post here unless something interesting pops up, or I like a new song

Anyway, thought this may interest the people who are disgruntled with our clear lack of atmosphere down at the Walkers. I have a few mates who are Ipswich fans and one has been telling me about a group of so called 'hardcore' fans who have gained the backing of the club to improve the atmosphere at home games.

Im not 100% sure on how they have backed them but I believe it's to do with madvertising the initiative. Bascailly this group have organised meetings at a designated pub before games to discuss songs, atmosphere, the bringing of flags, scarfs,banners to the ground (which has previously been forbidden???). They will then all move to the same section of the ground to try and create atmosphere, or at least get people singing.

I know we did something similar with our 'singing section' but it didnt really seem to get going, no disrespect to anyone on here who had a hand in setting it up because it's a great idea. I feel that this failed as it was in the wrong section of the ground. I think that if we set up something similar, with large groups of fans meeting in the pubs before the game, handing out scarves, flags (provided by the club ), getting new songs going and being situated at the back of the kop, then it could transform the atmosphere!

We've proved that we can make a bit of noise in the kop, i remember the Villa cup tie being a great atmosphere, spurs game(despite the lack of attendance) and various others. so with 100 or so singers standing at the back, we could get the old SK1 atmosphere back! Thoughts?

Bit easier to read now.

Nice idea in theory...in practise it's not easy though, as I'm sure some of the lads who helped kick start N block will tell you.

[Thracian]

So much effort has been made about this in the recent past that I'm sceptical.

A combination of what the club wants to promote and what the law allows just makes dialogue ineffective. At least that, combined with the seats people have already paid for and the resulting difficulty in getting everyone together.

Whether you could get cold tea and biscuits served on lap trays in the family section is another matter. Hot tea would affect health and safety! whistle:

It needs to happen, no doubt, but making it happen is something else.

[Lovejoy]

The harsh reality is that the majority of people in the kop are too bone idle to move, and don't like creating an atmosphere anyway. Their just the sort who like being able to hear a bit of noise, not create it. Part of the reason why the "N Block" initiative never took off I'm sure .

[Kilworthfox]

Don't normally post here unless something interesting pops up, or I like a new song

Anyway, thought this may interest the people who are disgruntled with our clear lack of atmosphere down at the Walkers. I have a few mates who are Ipswich fans and one has been telling me about a group of so called 'hardcore' fans who have gained the backing of the club to improve the atmosphere at home games. Im not 100% sure on how they have backed them but I believe it's to do with advertising the initiative. Bascailly this group have organised meetings at a designated pub before games to discuss songs, atmosphere, the bringing of flags, scarfs,banners to the ground (which has previously been forbidden???). They will then all move to the same section of the ground to try and create atmosphere, or at least get people singing. I know we did something similar with our 'singing section' but it didnt really seem to get going, no disrespect to anyone on here who had a hand in setting it up because it's a great idea. I feel that this failed as it was in the wrong section of the ground. I think that if we set up something similar, with large groups of fans meeting in the pubs before the game, handing out scarves, flags (provided by the club ), getting new songs going and being situated at the back of the kop, then it could transform the atmosphere! We've proved that we can make a bit of noise in the kop, i remember the Villa cup tie being a great atmosphere, spurs game(despite the lack of attendance) and various others. so with 100 or so singers standing at the back, we could get the old SK1 atmosphere back! Thoughts?

[DB11]

Bit easier to read now.

Nice idea in theory...in practise it's not easy though, as I'm sure some of the lads who helped kick start N block will tell you.

Thanks for putting it into paragraphs

[davieG]

You'll be hard pushed to get the hardcore fans involved again as they were badly let down by the club irrespective of whether N block was the right place or not - the club helped to choose it or at least wholeheartedly agreed with it and then got cold feet allowing the stewards to become bullies with people ending up being banned.

Oh and please not flags - they do not create an atmosphere, they get in the way and actually have a negative effect on the vocal output, never mind that once given out they (thankfully) never return.

If the club are really interested in creating an atmosphere that 'equals' that of the fans I'd be amazed, but if they e it's now up to them to initiate it because without their help, agreement and genuine support it's not going to happen.

For a start an unreserved seating area that allows like minded individual to congregate - a key ingredient to promote singing is to get friends together including, dare I say it none ST holders.

Abolish the goal music - if you can't get a genuine spontaneous atmosphere after a goal then how do you expect one to appear when the game is in a lull. Atmospheres, in ordinary games don't just happen they need to be developed, nurtured and built up over many games excluding from this the goal scoring response acts negatively on the creation of an atmosphere for the rest of the game.

Fans have now been conditioned by the club into thinking that atmosphere = flags, piped music, a drum - Wrong!!!

[foss1884]

No disrespect intended, but we already have a "singing section" and it is L and K Block. Most fans know that if they want to be a bit more vocal with some banter they head for this area of the stadium. In the last 18 months, more supporters have flocked to K and even J block as an overspill to supporters wanting to be more vociferous at games. The problem lies in some more vocal fans refusing to move away from the Kop and relocate to L or K Block.

[davieG]

No disrespect intended, but we already have a "singing section" and it is L and K Block. Most fans know that if they want to be a bit more vocal with some banter they head for this area of the stadium. In the last 18 months, more supporters have flocked to K and even J block as an overspill to supporters wanting to be more vociferous at games. The problem lies in some more vocal fans refusing to move away from the Kop and relocate to L or K Block.

I not against what you are saying but getting more vocal in those areas does not create a 'stadium atmosphere', L1 for the most part cannot be heard in the kop, unless you get a decent portion of all areas of the stadium vocal it will always seem like a library.

Many fans will not initiate the singing but if there are enough singers around them many more will join in.

[Vestan Pance]

No disrespect intended, but we already have a "singing section" and it is L and K Block. Most fans know that if they want to be a bit more vocal with some banter they head for this area of the stadium. In the last 18 months, more supporters have flocked to K and even J block as an overspill to supporters wanting to be more vociferous at games. The problem lies in some more vocal fans refusing to move away from the Kop and relocate to L or K Block.

I think you are dead right. We now have to admit that the kop is dead and we need to move on. I have done what others have done in sending polite emails and letters to the club over what we all know they have been doing wrong, but to no avail. L1 is now the natural place for vocal supporters to go, we need to encourage others to make their way to that corner.

Let's be honest the club don't like what has happened over L1 but it's the only way those supporters could get what they wanted. L1 all the way from now on, the only way to bring back some atmosphere.

[Lillehamring]

I think you are dead right. We now have to admit that the kop is dead and we need to move on. I have done what others have done in sending polite emails and letters to the club over what we all know they have been doing wrong, but to no avail. L1 is now the natural place for vocal supporters to go, we need to encourage others to make their way to that corner.

Let's be honest the club don't like what has happened over L1 but it's the only way those supporters could get what they wanted. L1 all the way from now on, the only way to bring back some atmosphere.

not necessarily.

i think the factor that most people have overlooked is that having the singing section along the side of the pitch sucks and always will suck for numerous reasons, however, for a singing section to scuceed, as well as being behind a goal, it also needs to be next to the away fans, sooooo.....

the chances of getting some atmosphere at the walkers needs one of two things to happen, either:

1. swapping the designation of the family stand and the kop, or

2. moving the away fans to the corner next to the kop on the east side - as it was at filbert street.

personally, until either of these changes are implemented, i can't see creating an atmosphere being anything other than pissing in the wind.

no doubt the club would cite numerous logisitical and beaurocratic reasons why they won't do this...

[Simi]

Fact is, the club are not interested. They are liars who will drag you along for a couple of months then leave you in the shit.

They're only interested in a family atmosphere which involves sitting down and clapping along to a run of the mill tune.

[Floating Fox]

Fact is, the club are not interested. They are liars who will drag you along for a couple of months then leave you in the shit.

They're only interested in a family atmosphere which involves sitting down and clapping along to a run of the mill tune.

Agreed.

The screwed us over with N block and will do the same to you. I can imagine its got a hell of a lot worse of Tim Davies left as well.

[Uncle Monty]

Nice idea

[Guest]

I think you are dead right. We now have to admit that the kop is dead and we need to move on. I have done what others have done in sending polite emails and letters to the club over what we all know they have been doing wrong, but to no avail. L1 is now the natural place for vocal supporters to go, we need to encourage others to make their way to that corner.

Let's be honest the club don't like what has happened over L1 but it's the only way those supporters could get what they wanted. L1 all the way from now on, the only way to bring back some atmosphere.

I have posted it before, but if anyone is thinking of moving then they should start moving to N Block, so that we can surround the away fans, a la Southampton. L1 can only hold so many, and to me it makes more sense than moving to K or even J where the flask brigade starts to take effect. If enough people were to move, like with L1, what can the club do?

If people are really serious about changing the atmosphere, then waiting for the club to do something is pointless, as is asking for permission. Just do it.

[FantasticMrFuchs]

If people want to sing then they will sing,You'll find its only the top 8/10 rows singing in L1 & K the middle n bottom halfs are just as quiet as the rest of the ground.It also doesnt help when our OWN fans boo right side left side.

Its K block that kick it off every week so if you dont like it keep quiet like the other 16-18 thousand fans each week.What makes me laugh is that its probley the same fans booing right/left side as those having a go at the boo boys earlier in the season,Like the club these people seem to think its there club and there club only with no regard for others opinions to be honest you see alot of it on this & talking balls forum. As said in above posts people are to stuborn to move to a diffrent seat.It would be nice to see the singing section in the posh stand,last game of season everyone buy a ticket and give them a real walkers experiance haha Happy 2009 May It Bring You Lots Of Matty Fryatt Goals!!!!!

[Jimmy]

If people want to sing then they will sing,You'll find its only the top 8/10 rows singing in L1 & K the middle n bottom halfs are just as quiet as the rest of the ground.It also doesnt help when our OWN fans boo right side left side.

Its K block that kick it off every week so if you dont like it keep quiet like the other 16-18 thousand fans each week.What makes me laugh is that its probley the same fans booing right/left side as those having a go at the boo boys earlier in the season,Like the club these people seem to think its there club and there club only with no regard for others opinions to be honest you see alot of it on this & talking balls forum. As said in above posts people are to stuborn to move to a diffrent seat.It would be nice to see the singing section in the posh stand,last game of season everyone buy a ticket and give them a real walkers experiance haha Happy 2009 May It Bring You Lots Of Matty Fryatt Goals!!!!!

signing right side lefts side, in the same stand, is stupid which is why it gets boos, personally I choose to drown it out with another chant

[DJ Barry Hammond]

Fact is, the club are not interested. They are liars who will drag you along for a couple of months then leave you in the shit.

They're only interested in a family atmosphere which involves sitting down and clapping along to a run of the mill tune.

To be fair a family atmosphere is proberly best for the club coffers which is what they have to look to maintain. A family of 4 through the gates is a lot of money.

End of the day if you want atmosphere, you go to away games. Sadly I feel the lack of atmosphere was proberly created in part by being crap at home for a long period of time. Shame it hasn't picked back up now that we have something to cheer about again - maybe it will in warmer weather, only time will tell.

[davieG]

To be fair a family atmosphere is proberly best for the club coffers which is what they have to look to maintain. A family of 4 through the gates is a lot of money.

End of the day if you want atmosphere, you go to away games. Sadly I feel the lack of atmosphere was proberly created in part by being crap at home for a long period of time. Shame it hasn't picked back up now that we have something to cheer about again - maybe it will in warmer weather, only time will tell.

Not if the kids are under 8 or 16 and much less than four 22 - 35 years olds paying full wack, many of whom no longer go because of the imposed family atmosphere.

[AoWW]

If people want to sing then they will sing,You'll find its only the top 8/10 rows singing in L1 & K the middle n bottom halfs are just as quiet as the rest of the ground.It also doesnt help when our OWN fans boo right side left side.

Its K block that kick it off every week so if you dont like it keep quiet like the other 16-18 thousand fans each week.What makes me laugh is that its probley the same fans booing right/left side as those having a go at the boo boys earlier in the season,Like the club these people seem to think its there club and there club only with no regard for others opinions to be honest you see alot of it on this & talking balls forum. As said in above posts people are to stuborn to move to a diffrent seat.It would be nice to see the singing section in the posh stand,last game of season everyone buy a ticket and give them a real walkers experiance haha Happy 2009 May It Bring You Lots Of Matty Fryatt Goals!!!!!

In fairness it didn't help at the Hereford game that they got their lefts and rights muddled up!

[20mj08]

If people want to sing then they will sing,You'll find its only the top 8/10 rows singing in L1 & K the middle n bottom halfs are just as quiet as the rest of the ground.It also doesnt help when our OWN fans boo right side left side.

Its K block that kick it off every week so if you dont like it keep quiet like the other 16-18 thousand fans each week.What makes me laugh is that its probley the same fans booing right/left side as those having a go at the boo boys earlier in the season,Like the club these people seem to think its there club and there club only with no regard for others opinions to be honest you see alot of it on this & talking balls forum. As said in above posts people are to stuborn to move to a diffrent seat.It would be nice to see the singing section in the posh stand,last game of season everyone buy a ticket and give them a real walkers experiance haha Happy 2009 May It Bring You Lots Of Matty Fryatt Goals!!!!!

the left side /right side chant it pointless so good on everyone who dissagrees with singing it

i agree and among with alot of others would love to see us surrounding the away fans but as people have said, the club wont do it and are more botherd about there half time prawn sarny than the fans veiws

[gazzer]

2. moving the away fans to the corner next to the kop on the east side - as it was at filbert street.

I would imagine the away fans are positioned where they are for easy and quick access to their waiting Supporters' Coaches, and to lessen the chances of trouble before or after the games. Also that section sometimes get sunshine in their eyes so could be considered an inferior view.

[Lillehamring]

I would imagine the away fans are positioned where they are for easy and quick access to their waiting Supporters' Coaches, and to lessen the chances of trouble before or after the games. Also that section sometimes get sunshine in their eyes so could be considered an inferior view.

naturally, the club can make excuses for anything, which is why it's such a futile exercise, as many have said, until the club decides they WANT to do something about it....

or till we are in the top 6 of the prem

[coolcat]

Don't normally post here unless something interesting pops up, or I like a new song

Anyway, thought this may interest the people who are disgruntled with our clear lack of atmosphere down at the Walkers. I have a few mates who are Ipswich fans and one has been telling me about a group of so called 'hardcore' fans who have gained the backing of the club to improve the atmosphere at home games. Im not 100% sure on how they have backed them but I believe it's to do with advertising the initiative. Bascailly this group have organised meetings at a designated pub before games to discuss songs, atmosphere, the bringing of flags, scarfs,banners to the ground (which has previously been forbidden???). They will then all move to the same section of the ground to try and create atmosphere, or at least get people singing. I know we did something similar with our 'singing section' but it didnt really seem to get going, no disrespect to anyone on here who had a hand in setting it up because it's a great idea. I feel that this failed as it was in the wrong section of the ground. I think that if we set up something similar, with large groups of fans meeting in the pubs before the game, handing out scarves, flags (provided by the club ), getting new songs going and being situated at the back of the kop, then it could transform the atmosphere! We've proved that we can make a bit of noise in the kop, i remember the Villa cup tie being a great atmosphere, spurs game(despite the lack of attendance) and various others. so with 100 or so singers standing at the back, we could get the old SK1 atmosphere back! Thoughts?

Great idea...I might steal that idea if I can from your Ipswich buddies and export it to the Italians when I'm at Genoa v Torino...see if it catches on over there!!!

Fair play to LCFC though for allocating singing section for the away section...something the MK Dongs can't/won't think of!

[Guest]

naturally, the club can make excuses for anything, which is why it's such a futile exercise, as many have said, until the club decides they WANT to do something about it....

or till we are in the top 6 of the prem

Not strictly true. The decision was made to house away fans in that corner, so it has been designed to be segregated properly, and in the event of cup games, can be extended. As well as that, there are police cells in that corner, and as most incidents requiring the facilities are going to be where the home and away fans are next to each other, to move the away fans to the other end of the ground makes things a little more harder for the constabulary.