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

Yes.

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!  

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.

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.  

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.  

Edited March 2, 201511 yr by ForeverCarefree

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.

Edited March 2, 201511 yr by Droogba

Not everyone can stand for 90 minutes.

 

More to the point, not everyone WANTS to. 

More to the point, not everyone WANTS to.

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

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.

Edited March 2, 201511 yr by Blue Daze

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.

Edited March 2, 201511 yr by moi

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...).

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? 

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.

Edited March 2, 201511 yr by Droogba

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.

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.

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). 

 

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?

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?

While I love a good atmosphere, it isn't everything. If I get the chance to stand, I do and enjoy it but I wouldn't stand if no one was around me or if someone behind me asked me to sit down (with good reason).

 

The solution seems to be standing areas. Specific areas of the stadium designated for standing. While standing is banned everywhere there won't be a solution as plenty of people want to but plenty of people (and the rules) say you shouldn't. 

 

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?

 

 

 

What like tactics, financial clout, players' performance on the day? Do I think those are factors? Um, possibly. Yes?

 

Do I think that a great atmosphere can impact the match and does the greatest manager in world football agree with me?

 

 

Who is sending threatening letters?

 

The club sends letters to 'persistent standers'

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

 

It doesn't matter what my own personal definition is because as I said the definition isn't going to be uniform for all 43,000 people in attendance. 

 

What I would add is that all of the things you listed are achievable from a seated position. 

 

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?

 

Two of the greatest matches I attended at the Bridge were the Cup Winners Cup semi final against Vicenza and when we beat Barcelona in the Champions League 3-1, both times I was sat (key word) in the Shed Upper and I and those around me barely stood for the duration of those games. 

 

You're putting forward a loaded argument, you're stating your opinion that standing increases atmosphere/match day enjoyment as fact. That people as recently as yesterday asked for you and those around you to sit in your provided seat is surely a demonstration that persistent standing is detrimental to the enjoyment of those around you? 

It doesn't matter what my own personal definition is because as I said the definition isn't going to be uniform for all 43,000 people in attendance. 

 

What I would add is that all of the things you listed are achievable from a seated position. 

 

 

And what particularly match would you say exemplifies such an atmosphere with people being seated?

 

 

Two of the greatest matches I attended at the Bridge were the Cup Winners Cup semi final against Vicenza and when we beat Barcelona in the Champions League 3-1, both times I was sat (key word) in the Shed Upper and I and those around me barely stood for the duration of those games. 

 

 

That's incredible because I was at both matches in the Shed Lower and we stood for the vast majority. Same goes for the 4-2 Liverpool FA Cup game in the MHL, the Liverpool match a few weeks ago and the final 10 minutes of the Bradford game when the crowd finally woke up....really are too many to mention.

 

Maybe we just had different experiences of those matches (if you sat in the first half of the Barca game then I'd have been amazed) but I honestly think there's a massive correlation between matches with great atmospheres and matches where people stand. Ooh, Wimbledon at Highbury in the Cup....actually most away games nowadays.

Edited March 2, 201511 yr by Blue Daze

What like tactics, financial clout, players' performance on the day? Do I think those are factors? Um, possibly. Yes?

 

Do I think that a great atmosphere can impact the match and does the greatest manager in world football agree with me?

 

 

The club sends letters to 'persistent standers'

 

 

But are they THREATENING letters?  Do they say, "Roman will send Moi round to beat the living sh*ts out of you if you keep standing up in front of her?"   Or do they threaten to cancel their season tickets if they persist in breaking the club's rules?

 

There were very strong reasons why standing was phased out.  There are also good reasons for reintroducing safe standing in specified areas.

 

Why should a certain percentage of the crowd think "We have to right to break these rules with impunity"?

But are they THREATENING letters?  Do they say, "Roman will send Moi round to beat the living sh*ts out of you if you keep standing up in front of her?"   Or do they threaten to cancel their season tickets if they persist in breaking the club's rules?

 

 

The latter. 

 

 

There were very strong reasons why standing was phased out.  There are also good reasons for reintroducing safe standing in specified areas.

 

 

Agree with the latter. The former....notsomuch.

 

 

Why should a certain percentage of the crowd think "We have to right to break these rules with impunity"?

 

Because they don't think that. Their thought is 'Come on Chelsea!'.

 

It's not this weird thing. Look at Parliament when people want to voice something passionately, they stand up. When people go to the theatre and want to show appreciation, they stand up and applaud. Standing is a thing humans do when they get excited, when they display passion.

 

It's not called 'sitting down and being counted'.

 

Anyway, not worth having an argument over. I think that if the club wants to improve the atmosphere they need to look at issues like this.