Persistant Standing

[Blue Daze]

The only way to watch a match properly isn't it?

 

[Shed]

Yes.

 

[moi]

The only way to watch a match properly isn't it?

Not if you have a nice old lady with an arthritic back sitting behind you...especially if she has a rolling pin tucked up her sleeve!  

 

[Blue Daze]

Not if you have a nice old lady with an arthritic back sitting behind you...especially if she has a rolling pin tucked up her sleeve!  

That's what the west stand is for.

Seriously though, I think the club needs to look to stop enforcing this rule in certain blocks/stands. We talk about great atmospheres and every match I think of with a great atmosphere has been one where I've been on my feet for 90. 

Just came to mind when some old chaps were moaning at the game yesterday for us to sit down after about 5 seconds of the match.

 

[Beerqueen]

I think the problem is that EVERY ticket says you can't stand, whereas in reality (at least recently) the stewards allow you to stand in certain areas.  If people knew one way or the other which it was to be they could know which ticket to buy.  If it's your first game, how do you know that in MHL and the Shed middle you can stand?  

Personally I prefer to stand, but can understand that not everyone does, or is able to.  

 

[ForeverCarefree]

Just came to mind when some old chaps were moaning at the game yesterday for us to sit down after about 5 seconds of the match.

And there's your answer, not everyone who attends a game wants to stand for 90 minutes.

If/when standing areas are introduced at grounds then standing for the full 90 will be acceptable but until then persistent standing can and does ruin the match day experience for people, particularly children who find it extremely difficult to see anything when people in front of them stand.

Your own match day experience may be boosted by standing but that shouldn't be at the detriment of other people's match going experience.  

 

[Droogba]

And there's your answer, not everyone who attends a game wants to stand for 90 minutes.

If/when standing areas are introduced at grounds then standing for the full 90 will be acceptable but until then persistent standing can and does ruin the match day experience for people, particularly children who find it extremely difficult to see anything when people in front of them stand.

Your own match day experience may be boosted by standing but that shouldn't at the detriment of other people match going experience.

Not everyone can stand for 90 minutes. Is unable to I mean.

 

[ForeverCarefree]

Not everyone can stand for 90 minutes.

More to the point, not everyone WANTS to. 

 

[Droogba]

More to the point, not everyone WANTS to.

Sure, my mind is willing, but the body won't comply.

 

[Blue Daze]

And there's your answer, not everyone who attends a game wants to stand for 90 minutes.

If/when standing areas are introduced at grounds then standing for the full 90 will be acceptable but until then persistent standing can and does ruin the match day experience for people, particularly children who find it extremely difficult to see anything when people in front of them stand.

Your own match day experience may be boosted by standing but that shouldn't at the detriment of other people match going experience.  

And here's where I sound like an asshole.....

Supporters should be there to support the team. Clues in the title. It's why we don't call football fans audiences.

The manager has asked for our backing on numerous occasions and surely everyone's matchday experience is heightened by the result, so why on Earth would you go to a football match if you're not going to contribute to the atmosphere and subsequently the result??

To watch, not to support.

It's why the best matches always feature 90 minutes of fans standing in the vast majority. But you tell me - when has your matchday experience been helped by people sitting?

As for a solution, I think all rules against persistant standing should be relaxed/unenforced in the Shed and MHL, and possibly even the West Lower. If people want to sit then they can go in the upper tiers and make the East Lower a fully OAP/young stand. Put the away fans up in the East Upper.

 

[moi]

And here's where I sound like an asshole.....

Supporters should be there to support the team. Clues in the title. It's why we don't call football fans audiences.

The manager has asked for our backing on numerous occasions and surely everyone's matchday experience is heightened by the result, so why on Earth would you go to a football match if you're not going to contribute to the atmosphere and subsequently the result??

To watch, not to support.

It's why the best matches always feature 90 minutes of fans standing in the vast majority. But you tell me - when has your matchday experience been helped by people sitting?

Well, your first sentence was 100% correct!!  

My matchday experience back in the days of all standing would have been greatly enhanced by seating because then I might have seen a lot more of the game instead of being wedged between men half as tall again as I am/was.

And if I went nowadays, which I don't because my pension won't stretch to it, I would surprise you with the strength of my vocal chords if you stood up in front of me!

Seriously, Blue Daze, just consider the possibility that you too will be old one day.

 

[Valerie]

Well, your first sentence was 100% correct!!  

My matchday experience back in the days of all standing would have been greatly enhanced by seating because then I might have seen a lot more of the game instead of being wedged between men half as tall again as I am/was.

And if I went nowadays, which I don't because my pension won't stretch to it, I would surprise you with the strength of my vocal chords if you stood up in front of me!

Seriously, Blue Daze, just consider the possibility that you too will be old one day.

Tunnel vision from some, that's what it is Moi (pun on "vision" not intended...).

 

[Blue Daze]

Well, your first sentence was 100% correct!!  

My matchday experience back in the days of all standing would have been greatly enhanced by seating because then I might have seen a lot more of the game instead of being wedged between men half as tall again as I am/was.

And if I went nowadays, which I don't because my pension won't stretch to it, I would surprise you with the strength of my vocal chords if you stood up in front of me!

Seriously, Blue Daze, just consider the possibility that you too will be old one day.

I'm sympathetic to that but shouldn't we be looking to create the best atmosphere at matches? Isn't there a correlation between matches with the best atmosphere and the matches where the fans are on their feet for 90 minutes?

We need to win against PSG and the game will have an amazing atmosphere - the MHL and Shed will be on their feet I can say with 99% certainty.

Shouldn't we be looking at how to get that in every match and also accommodate those who don't want to stand up and cheer the team on rather than sending threatening letters to the most vocal fans? 

 

[Droogba]

This reminds me , age and standing. I try not to be one of those old people who think they are entitled. When the nephew took me out for lunch a young family seated nearby had a toddler who decided to lay on the floor. An old man, en route to the gents, couldn't wait or step over the child, he stood on his hair!

My nephew and the family had a bit to say!

Back on track, there need to be options. I can stand a while, but do need to sit from time to time.

 

[Chelsbear]

Ideally stadiums would be designed to allow standing but sadly that isn't the case.

Standing areas are a great idea and I do hope it can come into effect sooner rather than later.

We really should however respect the guidelines in place though for safety reasons alone. It's hard though as it's a natural reaction to get up and cheer, sing or show any kind of pleasure/displeasure tbh.

The overall atmosphere suffers as a result as it’s hard to sing/cheer while seated as it just doesn’t feel natural.

For the time being though best to go with the flow and respect the clubs and leagues stance.

 

[Blue Daze]

Tunnel vision from some, that's what it is Moi (pun on "vision" not intended...).

I will agree with that. My focus is solely on how we can create the best possible atmosphere to get behind the players, be that 12th man and lead us on to more success.

How amazingly selfish of me.

 

[ForeverCarefree]

And here's where I sound like an asshole.....

You? Never. 

Supporters should be there to support the team. Clues in the title. It's why we don't call football fans audiences.

Trouble here is that this makes an assumption that everyone has the same mindset of what lending their support is when attending a match. 

The manager has asked for our backing on numerous occasions and surely everyone's matchday experience is heightened by the result, so why on Earth would you go to a football match if you're not going to contribute to the atmosphere and subsequently the result??

It's quite possible to sing, clap and generally make noise from a seated position. 

It's why the best matches always feature 90 minutes of fans standing in the vast majority. But you tell me - when has your matchday experience been helped by people sitting?

Opinion = // = Fact

When I was a young teenager my experience was heightened by being able to see the match, not trying to stand on a retractable wobbly plastic seat just to be able see what's going on. 

Having a ticket towards the back of the lower tier in both the Mathew Harding and East Stands where when those in front of you stand your view is restricted to something akin to looking through a letterbox. 

And just in general I like to concentrate on the football being played, taking it all in, watching the players movement all over the pitch which is easier to do when your view isn't being restricted. 

As for a solution, I think all rules against persistant standing should be relaxed/unenforced in the Shed and MHL, and possibly even the West Lower. If people want to sit then they can go in the upper tiers and make the East Lower a fully OAP/young stand. Put the away fans up in the East Upper.

"Standing tolerant" sections would work but the reality is that they don't exist and I am personally sympathetic to those who feel their match going experience is ruined by persistent standing. 

I personally thinking modern day terracing would be fine and it is the clear answer for those looking for a specific match day experience but that's still a long was off and until that day arrives I think supporters should be respectful of the everyone in attendance and also the rules in place (which I believe are printed on the back of all tickets). 

 

[Blue Daze]

Trouble here is that this makes an assumption that everyone has the same mindset of what lending their support is when attending a match. 

Cheering my team on, vocalising my support, getting behind them - what's your definition?

And just in general I like to concentrate on the football being played, taking it all in, watching the players movement all over the pitch which is easier to do when your view isn't being restricted. 

So which match's atmosphere has been heightened by fans sitting down? Would you like me to list one's that have been made better by fans standing? Ones where being the twelfth man has had an almost tangible impact on the pitch?

"Standing tolerant" sections would work but the reality is that they don't exist and I am personally sympathetic to those who feel their match going experience is ruined by persistent standing. 

I personally thinking modern day terracing would be fine and it is the clear answer for those looking for a specific match day experience but that's still a long was off and until that day arrives I think supporters should be respectful of the everyone in attendance and also the rules in place (which I believe are printed on the back of all tickets). 

That's a perfectly respectable position to take. And it will be completely ignored when the players need our support.

Did you sit down in Munich so that the person behind you could see the penalties being taken?

 

[moi]

I'm sympathetic to that but shouldn't we be looking to create the best atmosphere at matches? Isn't there a correlation between matches with the best atmosphere and the matches where the fans are on their feet for 90 minutes?

We need to win against PSG and the game will have an amazing atmosphere - the MHL and Shed will be on their feet I can say with 99% certainty.

Shouldn't we be looking at how to get that in every match and also accommodate those who don't want to stand up and cheer the team on rather than sending threatening letters to the most vocal fans? 

Is there?  And does that also correlate with the matches we win? That I think would be the one factor that could persuade the board to introduce safe standing - but doesn't that have to be allowed by parliament first?

Do you think that it is the MHL and Shed End being on their feet that will lead the team to victory, or might there be more important factors involved?

Who is sending threatening letters?