Singing Section

[prayforsnow]

Not everybody is gonna get over to L & K.What's wrong with another area that sings.Theres probably a few more thousand in the ground that wanna sing.Lately sk1 is singing more varied songs than L so I hope it grows.

Nowt wrong with it at all. I hope it works. I was in SK1 for last nights game and was next to some old boys starting Ormondroyd songs. Aside from them it was dire and I missed L

[Maybes]

L block was pretty shit last night bar the back 5 or so rows

I assure you that SK1 was worse.

[prayforsnow]

It's very frustrating, as in one swoop the club could rectify it. Swap the family end with the kop. Issue season ticket holders with the 'mirror image' of their seats in the new stand and we would be off. All the sitters (which is half of the current kops problem) would be weeded out and we would have a great singing/standing section.

 

For safety reasons they won't do this tho as the 300-500 standers in L is far more manageable than 3000-4000 which is what I would like to think would happen.

[Corky]

"Your support is f**king shit", they sang from the away section. And they were right.

 

Usually, when we are underdogs or being outclassed, we have a laugh, get behind the team, go all self-depricating (Ole's for a completed pass etc) but there was nothing last night. The most noise was made for an X Factor singer.

[prayforsnow]

I think last night just emphasises that all singers need to be in one place. Last night was especially poor because you had the cock up from the club of making L1ers leave L1 and then saying actually no you can all come back. So it left some people like me in SK1, some people in H and some back in L1.

 

Does the family stand extend into the corner with the west stand? Or is that classed as the west stand?

[C-man]

People may call me biased because I already stand near there but I honestly think that the corner of SK1 (old Fosse Boys corner where some lads (DanLCFC was that you with the flag last night?) appear to have gathered and are doing a good job) is the only viable option for us to have a section like this. Yes there are arguments against it but I fully reject the idea that if singers moved from L1 that it would have a detrimental effect on the ground's atmosphere as a whole.

 

I could think of a hundred reasons why but for a start, it's relatively empty - of the three blocks it would involve relocating the fewest number of current incumbents. The club clearly don't want anything to happen in N Block so I'm sorry to say that any attempt there is likely to be a completely wasted enterprise.

 

It's a bigger area, with cheaper ticket prices than in L/K and J.

 

You could even argue that standing behind a goal is more beneficial for the team.

 

If safe-standing was ever brought in, it would almost certainly be at the Kop end. There's no way the police would sign off on a trial next to the away fans.

 

I constantly hear that L1 is a growing area and is improving. I personally can't see it - from a distance numbers seem to dwindle and those sitting at the front are just a complete waste of space. How long do we need to give it? It physically can't grow any more without people paying lunatic sums for tickets so it's unquestionably a complete non-starter.

 

I could go on but I'd be wasting my time - if people can't see that L and N are sadly lost causes then we have no hope of ever moving forward. Unfortunately those in L and N that want to improve the atmosphere are going to have to bite the bullet and move. There'll always be those who want to stay in L to watch the away fans but I'd question how much they actually add to the atmosphere anyway!

[LCFC FOX]

I would happily move to SK1 from where I currently sit (N block) but I don't want it to be a waste. Plus where exactly in SK1 will we be sitting? Its okay saying near the top but its actually quite far apart one side to the other 

[prayforsnow]

People may call me biased because I already stand near there but I honestly think that the corner of SK1 (old Fosse Boys corner where some lads (DanLCFC was that you with the flag last night?) appear to have gathered and are doing a good job) is the only viable option for us to have a section like this. Yes there are arguments against it but I fully reject the idea that if singers moved from L1 that it would have a detrimental effect on the ground's atmosphere as a whole.

 

I could think of a hundred reasons why but for a start, it's relatively empty - of the three blocks it would involve relocating the fewest number of current incumbents. The club clearly don't want anything to happen in N Block so I'm sorry to say that any attempt there is likely to be a completely wasted enterprise.

 

It's a bigger area, with cheaper ticket prices than in L/K and J.

 

You could even argue that standing behind a goal is more beneficial for the team.

 

 

 

I'll say it again ....."If I'm wrong why when we first moved to the KP was the Kop not absolutely buzzing? Everyone from SK1 at Filbert Street like me moved there as that was the area of the ground we were told to go to....didnt end too well did it?"

 

Away fans are needed...L is a crap place because it restricts the size but without having anyone to sing at (aside from the players) a singing section will never take off in the current Kop....history has already proven it.

[LCFC FOX]

I'll say it again ....."If I'm wrong why when we first moved to the KP was the Kop not absolutely buzzing? Everyone from SK1 at Filbert Street like me moved there as that was the area of the ground we were told to go to....didnt end too well did it?"

 

Away fans are needed...L is a crap place because it restricts the size but without having anyone to sing at (aside from the players) a singing section will never take off in the current Kop....history has already proven it.

Selhurst Park? 

[Dan]

People may call me biased because I already stand near there but I honestly think that the corner of SK1 (old Fosse Boys corner where some lads (DanLCFC was that you with the flag last night?) appear to have gathered and are doing a good job) is the only viable option for us to have a section like this. Yes there are arguments against it but I fully reject the idea that if singers moved from L1 that it would have a detrimental effect on the ground's atmosphere as a whole.

 

I could think of a hundred reasons why but for a start, it's relatively empty - of the three blocks it would involve relocating the fewest number of current incumbents. The club clearly don't want anything to happen in N Block so I'm sorry to say that any attempt there is likely to be a completely wasted enterprise.

 

It's a bigger area, with cheaper ticket prices than in L/K and J.

 

You could even argue that standing behind a goal is more beneficial for the team.

 

If safe-standing was ever brought in, it would almost certainly be at the Kop end. There's no way the police would sign off on a trial next to the away fans.

 

I constantly hear that L1 is a growing area and is improving. I personally can't see it - from a distance numbers seem to dwindle and those sitting at the front are just a complete waste of space. How long do we need to give it? It physically can't grow any more without people paying lunatic sums for tickets so it's unquestionably a complete non-starter.

 

I could go on but I'd be wasting my time - if people can't see that L and N are sadly lost causes then we have no hope of ever moving forward. Unfortunately those in L and N that want to improve the atmosphere are going to have to bite the bullet and move. There'll always be those who want to stay in L to watch the away fans but I'd question how much they actually add to the atmosphere anyway!

 

Yet another decent argument for SK1. I see it here as SK1 having the most potential of the three options, yet L is the only one that's anywhere near a decent singing section and even that's gone downhill in my opinion.

 

It wasn't me with the flag, was my mate. He's normally the one who starts off everything (got to admit I'm not overly keen on his Celtic/Palace song nicking but other than that he's fantastic )

[Dan]

I'll say it again ....."If I'm wrong why when we first moved to the KP was the Kop not absolutely buzzing? Everyone from SK1 at Filbert Street like me moved there as that was the area of the ground we were told to go to....didnt end too well did it?"

 

Away fans are needed...L is a crap place because it restricts the size but without having anyone to sing at (aside from the players) a singing section will never take off in the current Kop....history has already proven it.

 

I think if you need to be right next to their support to hear them/sing at them then they really aren't the sort worth bothering with. No offence to them like, but 500 Barnsley fans? Who the fvcks arsed?

[prayforsnow]

Selhurst Park? 

 

Not talking about other clubs, this is specific to our set of fans. Yes it works there, but people forget that when we first moved grounds the concept of L1 never existed. Pretty much all the singers from SK1 at Filbo moved to SK1 e.g. what is being advocated here....and didnt work out, it was crap. Hence the reason I and many others moved and thats is why L1 grew. 

 

I just dont see how now moving everyone back its going to have magically changed. Our fans are not perhaps the most original with chants etc. and we need away fans to feed off.

[LCFC FOX]

Yet another decent argument for SK1. I see it here as SK1 having the most potential of the three options, yet L is the only one that's anywhere near a decent singing section and even that's gone downhill in my opinion.

 

It wasn't me with the flag, was my mate. He's normally the one who starts off everything (got to admit I'm not overly keen on his Celtic/Palace song nicking but other than that he's fantastic )

I was pretty much sat a few rows behind him, I thought it was actually pretty good up there. Do you and him (and his flag) always sit up there?

[C-man]

I was pretty much sat a few rows behind him, I thought it was actually pretty good up there. Do you and him (and his flag) always sit up there?

That's where I would imagine any 'singing section' would start from should it be situated in SK1. I stand round from there towards the goal in another group of standers. In theory the whole of that section is free to expand into - would be a significant area.

I disagree with prayforsnow - I think the demographics of our support has changed since then and I believe that far more fans than ever are open to, or at least in admission that organised support is the way forward. We could make it work but it needs positivity from everyone.

[prayforsnow]

That's where I would imagine any 'singing section' would start from should it be situated in SK1. I stand round from there towards the goal in another group of standers. In theory the whole of that section is free to expand into - would be a significant area.

I disagree with prayforsnow - I think the demographics of our support has changed since then and I believe that far more fans than ever are open to, or at least in admission that organised support is the way forward. We could make it work but it needs positivity from everyone.

 

 

I hope I get proven wrong.  I would move back straight away if the atmosphere improved over L...football for me has always been 50% match 50% atmosphere and if we got back to how Filbert St, was i wouldnt care where I was sitting but we'll have to agree to disagree that it'll happen in SK1 with the stadiums current layout

[Dan]

I was pretty much sat a few rows behind him, I thought it was actually pretty good up there. Do you and him (and his flag) always sit up there?

 

I've never seen that flag in my life and the fact he didn't have it in the second half suggests to me it might not be up there again. Wouldn't be surprised if stewards took it off him.

 

That's where I would imagine any 'singing section' would start from should it be situated in SK1. I stand round from there towards the goal in another group of standers. In theory the whole of that section is free to expand into - would be a significant area.

I disagree with prayforsnow - I think the demographics of our support has changed since then and I believe that far more fans than ever are open to, or at least in admission that organised support is the way forward. We could make it work but it needs positivity from everyone.

 

Yep, there's genuine potential there but I can see why a lot don't bother because there's so few of us that you can hardly hear us.

 

I think tonight's brought out quite a few concerns about the lack of atmosphere at our place, and rightly so. I can accept one shocker (although it isn't one) if it makes people closer to wanting to make a genuine effort in improving it.

I hope I get proven wrong.  I would move back straight away if the atmosphere improved over L...football for me has always been 50% match 50% atmosphere and if we got back to how Filbert St, was i wouldnt care where I was sitting but we'll have top agree to disagree that I think it'll happen in SK1 with the stadiums current layout

 

50/50 for me also, but I don't know, I can enjoy myself if we lose.

[MATLCFC]

What makes me laugh is why people aren’t just willing to give it a go. Is it that hard?! Go over towards the corner / SK1 for ONE game in big numbers??? Anyone would think it is a season long commitment. People put constant road blocks in the way that’s why these things never take off.

 

It doesn’t need a name or a group title. It needs a group of likeminded people who don’t want to sit in silence all game to go to one area, an area which can seat more than 500 fans….

[LCFC FOX]

Nope he still had his flag but he put it down, Probably because he ended up giving in. He did wave it a few times when chants started though

[prayforsnow]

What makes me laugh is why people aren’t just willing to give it a go. Is it that hard?! Go over towards the corner / SK1 for ONE game in big numbers??? Anyone would think it is a season long commitment. People put constant road blocks in the way that’s why these things never take off.

 

It doesn’t need a name or a group title. It needs a group of likeminded people who don’t want to sit in silence all game to go to one area, an area which can seat more than 500 fans….

 

Yes, it is that hard. How do you propose we get these big numbers to go over there exactly? The percentage of fans that use foxestalk, or follow relevant accounts on twitter/facebook is tiny compared to those that actually go to games.  I'd be more than up for it for a couple of games but to coordinate a move like that is pretty hard

[LCFC FOX]

Even if it was just people off Foxestalk who want to stand and sing? Why not? That happened for Burton

[prayforsnow]

Even if it was just people off Foxestalk who want to stand and sing? Why not? That happened for Burton

 

Yeah easily do able, but I and others in L1 already stand with like minded people who want to stand and sing and I'm not gonna move from there for a sing song with 10 or so bods off here

 

But thats not the point that was being made. Apparently its a piece of p*** to get 500 or so people to do it on mass, if it were I would be up for that but its not. The only way I can think of doing it is getting L1army on twitter on board and then handing out leaflets or something at games.  Just saying it on here will result in next to no one turning up

[JonnyBoy]

Man City fans were class last night, our away support is nowhere near close as good as that. Even though i hate to admit it. Their variation of songs was very good. Alot of them original. Everyone was standing and everyone was singing. 

[MATLCFC]

Yes, it is that hard. How do you propose we get these big numbers to go over there exactly? The percentage of fans that use foxestalk, or follow relevant accounts on twitter/facebook is tiny compared to those that actually go to games.  I'd be more than up for it for a couple of games but to coordinate a move like that is pretty hard

 

Foxes talk is a huge forum with a very wide reach, also, there are more ways to communicate things than ever before?? I really don’t think it’s that hard. Take the ‘Fosse Boys’ for example, I didn’t want to join an Ultra Group as such, but I heard about them and thought hey they are having a go at improving atmosphere I’ll go sit up there – If another 1000 followed we would now have some atmosphere as simple as that. I don’t see what is so difficult personally – it just requires people to actually act...

[AndWhat?]

I hope I get proven wrong.  I would move back straight away if the atmosphere improved over L...football for me has always been 50% match 50% atmosphere and if we got back to how Filbert St, was i wouldnt care where I was sitting but we'll have to agree to disagree that it'll happen in SK1 with the stadiums current layout

 

That's the same attitude everyone will have, which means it will never happen!

[Union FS]

Some interesting views on here today. We've posted our response on our website, but for ease of reference the comments are also in full below. This is clearly an emotive issue and the internet can sometimes prevent people from getting their points of view across succinctly. For that reason we believe holding an in-person forum is the best way forward.

 

We've set a date and time - 29 December, 12 noon - but the venue is still to be confirmed. The Old Horse near Victoria Park is definitely one possibility, however. Feel free to have a read and if you are interested in finding out more about us or the meeting, please get in touch.

 

Thank you.

 

 

What’s the most commonly discussed topic amongst football fans?

 

Four-four-****ing-two? The manager needs the chop? Where are the goals coming from other than penalties?

 

But we’d hazard a guess that the most discussed topic for a City fan is the atmosphere at the ground. Every game, people comment on it: ‘We were shit today;’ Didn’t hear a peep once we went behind!’ and far less frequently ‘it was bouncing in the Kop.’

 

Ironically, it’s the one thing that we as fans can do something about. The majority won’t think twice about commenting on it. Lots are happy to suggest solutions but sadly as a collective we have not managed to put any theory into practice for long enough to develop as a group of fans. The Fosse Boys had a go. So did N Block. The most success we’ve had in generating any atmosphere over the years is undoubtedly those in L1.

 

Now is the time to do something about it. Plenty of solid suggestions have been made but not backed up. We all hope that we’ll be rubbing shoulders with the best next season, and as the Man City game last night proved, we won’t struggle to sell out at Filbert Way. Trying to improve our support with organised methodologies will be a far greater ask in an already full stadium.

 

We would argue that having a number of areas in the Stadium where fans stand and chant is in no way a bad thing and we applaud the efforts of those in L and K, N and SK1 who in their own way are going about improving their own ‘matchday experience’. However, it is a widely accepted fact that having all your vocal fans in one place is beneficial. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that’s why away ends are, in general, far more vociferous than their hosts.

 

So we’re effectively presented with two choices:

 

1) Continue with the current set-up where L1 is the ‘lead block’, encouraging those around the ground to join them at the top of K and even J.

 

2) Unfortunately admit defeat in L1 – whilst acknowledging that some would like to stay – on the basis that the area is limited, in terms of both space but more importantly price. Also accept the Club’s apparent insistence against any atmosphere being generated in the Family Stand and give up on the N1 project. Choose another area in the ground to migrate to where there is both space and cheaper match and season tickets.

 

Sadly for those currently in L, K and N we have to admit that Option 2 gives us more flexibility and potential for future growth. Of that there is no doubt. How this would be achieved – and at what potential cost – is up for some serious debate, which we would welcome.

 

We wish to make clear that we are not suggesting that everyone ups sticks and moves. We recognise that a lot of fans enjoy the banter with the away support. But what we would argue is that there is a wider issue here, and for the long-term enjoyment of all of us, something must be done now.

 

Please let us know your views and if you wish to discuss this further or simply join us, we would welcome you at our first meeting as Union FS on Sunday 29 December (12:00, venue TBC - contact [email protected] to register your attendance) before the Bolton game.