Atmosphere 2024/25

[Edghill OG]

Atmosphere wasn’t terrible yesterday but there was a ridiculous amount of people who appeared to be influencers taking the constant selfie-taking and duck face poses to parody levels. I’ve long tried to be fair about the so-called ‘tourism’ situation but the number of Instagram and phone addicts is in danger of getting silly. If the new NS isn’t to be a home end I hope the club can lure some of the people who go to the match because they think it’s fashionable there and free up the rest of the ground for people who actually want to see the football. It’s clearly not just us - it’s happening across the Premier League and PSR is not helping - but this season the number half and halves seems to have accelerated.

I think there's a number of factors at play. It does feel awfully sanitised these days and I don't think it's conducive to creating a great atmosphere. In days gone by it was far more tribal and their was a sense of pride in being an intimidating place to come to and not being out-sung by the opposition. That seems to be gone and it almost feels numb.

The declining number of locals, the increasing number of neutrals/tourists or even away fans in the home end, the scandalous pricing, the half and half scarves, the constant bombardments and warnings on the concourse of how you can lose your ticket, the announcements on the tannoy of not upsetting anybody, the Disneyland shit outside and the light displays. They want people sat in silence and the 'undesirables' to quit and it's working.

The lack of atmosphere is one thing, but the lack of emotion now is what hurts me. I'm guilty of not much singing myself yesterday, but at least it mattered and I was going irate at the continual schoolboy defending. Most are just sat there in silence and appeared to be indifferent about how the game was playing out. With Haaland's penalty the amount of cunts with their camera phones out..... you're in the 3rd tier for fuck sake!!! Enjoy the fucking moment instead of concentrating on capturing some grainy video on something that is being filmed globally anyway. Unfortunately this is what the Etihad has become and it isn't enjoyable.

 

[Tim of the Oak]

The 1894 group get a let of stick too for some reason, I can't understand why they do, They put effort in and try create atmospheres.

Imagine what it would be like without them...

P.S. It has already fallen off a cliff :) Local blues aren't going anymore, We have a WhatsApp group chat with a fair few of us in just chatting City stuff about the games, There hasn't been a message in it for a long time, Most of which now attend Stockport games

True, it’s pointless pointing the finger at 1894. I know I did at half time against Brugge but that was to gee up our fans.

I think we need to get back to basics:
Re-establish the junior blues and invest in our next generation of support.
Let the North Stand become the home end without the obsession with hospitality seats.
Encourage youths to attend with cheaper prices and dedicated block(s).
Stop listening to terrible advice including stop making every game in a season (card) transferable.

 

[give it to gordon]

I agree with most of the comments but disagree that the Etihad has a monopoly on shite atmosphere, because it's exactly the same at the swamp, and despite all the media bollocks, Anfield is only a cauldron for 2-3 games per season.

The new breed of football fan just doesn't attend for the same reasons as the traditional hardcore and doesn't even get that growing sense of anticipation in the days leading up to a City game.

It's a pl problem or is it ? Is this what the pl want ?
Life in general is very bland, everything is so fucking expensive. You have to watch what you say incase you offended anyone. You can't take the piss because some fan groups are very sensitive when on the receiving end. Modern music is shit, tv programs are shit all reality based.

The way things are going I'll be buying some stupid fucking trousers and taking up golf or bowls. If that happens I have told my wife to section me.

 

[paulchapo]

I agree with most of the comments but disagree that the Etihad has a monopoly on shite atmosphere, because it's exactly the same at the swamp, and despite all the media bollocks, Anfield is only a cauldron for 2-3 games per season.

The new breed of football fan just doesn't attend for the same reasons as the traditional hardcore and doesn't even get that growing sense of anticipation in the days leading up to a City game.

I touched on this in my previous post. Years ago going to the match was everything. There was less competition, it was affordable and if you wanted to go you just turned up, queued, paid or bunked in and that was that. No memberships, purchasing history etcetera, it was easy.
There was less football and certainly a lot less on tv. If you missed a game and it wasn't on MOTD or Sunday afternoon you missed it. Going to the match was the highlight of the week and eagerly anticipated. It's now actually becoming a chore for many people. They go out of a dwindling sense of loyalty and habit but the attraction is diminishing year by year. They can stay at home and on a match day watch up to three games legally if they have paid the subscriptions and any game they want if they have illegal streams. It probably won't be in my lifetime but virtual reality spectators will be the fan of the future. All the experience of being at the game without leaving your armchair.

 

[Matty M24blue]

I think there's a number of factors at play. It does feel awfully sanitised these days and I don't think it's conducive to creating a great atmosphere. In days gone by it was far more tribal and their was a sense of pride in being an intimidating place to come to and not being out-sung by the opposition. That seems to be gone and it almost feels numb.

The declining number of locals, the increasing number of neutrals/tourists or even away fans in the home end, the scandalous pricing, the half and half scarves, the constant bombardments and warnings on the concourse of how you can lose your ticket, the announcements on the tannoy of not upsetting anybody, the Disneyland shit outside and the light displays. They want people sat in silence and the 'undesirables' to quit and it's working.

The lack of atmosphere is one thing, but the lack of emotion now is what hurts me. I'm guilty of not much singing myself yesterday, but at least it mattered and I was going irate at the continual schoolboy defending. Most are just sat there in silence and appeared to be indifferent about how the game was playing out. With Haaland's penalty the amount of cunts with their camera phones out..... you're in the 3rd tier for fuck sake!!! Enjoy the fucking moment instead of concentrating or capturing some grainy video on something that is being filmed globally anyway. Unfortunately this is what the Etihad has become and it isn't enjoyable.

Had people actually arguing over being irate over some of the mistakes being made yesterday. Telling heads to fuck off for not backing the team.

As much as some people don’t want to sing etc isn’t half some self righteous city fans playing the I’m a better blue then you card.

We aren’t what we used to be in terms of shit, I think we’ve been spoilt. The apathy in the stands is equally reflected by the effort from the squad at the minute.

Do wish people would drop the “can’t criticise the players” card .

A season out of Europe or in the europa is probably what we deserve and I’m fine with that. The club needs to reflect that and think going forward however as I don’t think they planned for this.

 

[jrb]

I think there's a number of factors at play. It does feel awfully sanitised these days and I don't think it's conducive to creating a great atmosphere. In days gone by it was far more tribal and their was a sense of pride in being an intimidating place to come to and not being out-sung by the opposition. That seems to be gone and it almost feels numb.

The declining number of locals, the increasing number of neutrals/tourists or even away fans in the home end, the scandalous pricing, the half and half scarves, the constant bombardments and warnings on the concourse of how you can lose your ticket, the announcements on the tannoy of not upsetting anybody, the Disneyland shit outside and the light displays. They want people sat in silence and the 'undesirables' to quit and it's working.

The lack of atmosphere is one thing, but the lack of emotion now is what hurts me. I'm guilty of not much singing myself yesterday, but at least it mattered and I was going irate at the continual schoolboy defending. Most are just sat there in silence and appeared to be indifferent about how the game was playing out. With Haaland's penalty the amount of cunts with their camera phones out..... you're in the 3rd tier for fuck sake!!! Enjoy the fucking moment instead of concentrating or capturing some grainy video on something that is being filmed globally anyway. Unfortunately this is what the Etihad has become and it isn't enjoyable.

There was a message on the large advertising boards along ESL urging fans to report any derogatory comments.(I can't remember the exact wording) I was going to take picture, but I didn't have time before the message was changed. I've never seen that before displayed on the advertising boards along ESL.

I saw a lad on the edge of block 115 having some banter with the Brighton fans. Basically the Brighton fans were taking the piss out of him and laughing at him, whilst the City fan was going on with himself at the Brighton fans. Nobody else was involved. 2 stewards marched down the steps, pulled him to one side, had a word with him, stopped him from doing what he was doing, and walked up the steps again.

As you say, the whole match day experience has become nothing more than a security check, sanitised by over zealous stewarding, and ground rules and regulations that the club are doubling down on, and forcing on the fans.

 

[jrb]

Amongst the on-going and declining atmosphere at the Etihad that Pep has has noticed and has mentioned on numerous occasions, Pep has never once called out his Barcelona mate Soriano for his role in creating this with his relentless determination at all costs to drive match day revenue above everything else.

 

[Jazzyblue]

I think there's a number of factors at play. It does feel awfully sanitised these days and I don't think it's conducive to creating a great atmosphere. In days gone by it was far more tribal and their was a sense of pride in being an intimidating place to come to and not being out-sung by the opposition. That seems to be gone and it almost feels numb.

The declining number of locals, the increasing number of neutrals/tourists or even away fans in the home end, the scandalous pricing, the half and half scarves, the constant bombardments and warnings on the concourse of how you can lose your ticket, the announcements on the tannoy of not upsetting anybody, the Disneyland shit outside and the light displays. They want people sat in silence and the 'undesirables' to quit and it's working.

The lack of atmosphere is one thing, but the lack of emotion now is what hurts me. I'm guilty of not much singing myself yesterday, but at least it mattered and I was going irate at the continual schoolboy defending. Most are just sat there in silence and appeared to be indifferent about how the game was playing out. With Haaland's penalty the amount of cunts with their camera phones out..... you're in the 3rd tier for fuck sake!!! Enjoy the fucking moment instead of concentrating or capturing some grainy video on something that is being filmed globally anyway. Unfortunately this is what the Etihad has become and it isn't enjoyable.

I was able to buy two extra tickets on the day not too far from me for the first time in a while, and when I got to the game there was two seats in front of me I could swap them for. Twenty tickets spare in each section a couple of hours before kick off as more and more relist. That number will go up the way things are going. Proper fans are starting to talk with their feet just as we can see the new NS terraces. I’ve tried to rationalise what’s happening but this season is really making worry for where all this is leading mate

 

[fathellensbellend]

I think we just need to accept what our club has now become, anyone who prices Brighton at home starting at 61 pounds and kids 35 pounds are just not in our world, and not even close, they have no idea of our core demographic, and truthfully they don't care about it. I have lost all respect for Khaldoon he has lied about staying true to City's heritage and the only thing they are motivated about is money and support from anywhere but Manchester. The pricing yesterday should be our category a pricing, and even then the kids tickets are 20 pounds too dear. Ticket revenue is such a small % of turnover (10-15) and yet it is the single most important thing for supporters, it's soul destroying. We will have a 60000 stadium to fill soon, guess what if they lowered the prices the fans would be just as likely to spend the spare cash in the club shop. Everything that is wrong with the matchday experience i am laying firmly at the clubs door, even a home fa cup tie manages to fill like an away game due to handing over the best seats for atmosphere.

 

[give it to gordon]

There was a message on the large advertising boards along ESL urging fans to report any derogatory comments.(I can't remember the exact wording) I was going to take picture, but I didn't have time before the message was changed. I've never seen that before displayed on the advertising boards along ESL.

I saw a lad on the edge of block 115 having some banter with the Brighton fans. Basically the Brighton fans were taking the piss out of him and laughing at him, whilst the City fan was going on with himself at the Brighton fans. Nobody else was involved. 2 stewards marched down the steps, pulled him to one side, had a word with him, stopped him from doing what he was doing, and walked up the steps again.

As you say, the whole match day experience has become nothing more than a security check, sanitised by over zealous stewarding, and ground rules and regulations that the club are doubling down on, and forcing on the fans.

Yet in the bogs in 315 before the game



City seem happy to mufc written on the wall

Now that pissed me of before a ball had been kicked

 

[jrb]

There were 3 seats to the right of me empty. 2 seats in front of me empty. I stand in the middle/top of block 115. When empty seats start appearing in there in those numbers close to me, then something isn't right.

It doesn't amaze or worry me anymore, but I still think about it.

Why would the directors continue with this policy of expensive match day tickets leading to empty seats, which they can see from the directors box, instead of making tickets affordable and filling all the seats at the Etihad. What an absolutely absurd and crazy ticket selling policy they continue to have.

 

[Edghill OG]

There was a message on the large advertising boards along ESL urging fans to report any derogatory comments.(I can't remember the exact wording) I was going to take picture, but I didn't have time before the message was changed. I've never seen that before displayed on the advertising boards along ESL.

I saw a lad on the edge of block 115 having some banter with the Brighton fans. Basically the Brighton fans were taking the piss out of him and laughing at him, whilst the City fan was going on with himself at the Brighton fans. Nobody else was involved. 2 stewards marched down the steps, pulled him to one side, had a word with him, stopped him from doing what he was doing, and walked up the steps again.

As you say, the whole match day experience has become nothing more than a security check, sanitised by over zealous stewarding, and ground rules and regulations that the club are doubling down on, and forcing on the fans.

Painful mate isn't it?

Tannoy asking you to report people. The shit in the concourse really annoys me. Those screens that change, posters in the toilet plastered with the same messages. Basically telling me the minimum and maximum penalty of every offence going. Essentially the maximum ban for everything is losing your season ticket and getting a lifetime ban. I think most people are aware they aren't allowed to throw objects ffs. It's so patronising.

When I was younger it was the support rather than the team that made me keep coming back. Spent much of the game gazing over at our vocal fanbase and laughing at the creativity of some of our chants than watching the mediocrity of the team on the pitch. I took offence when the likes of Leeds supporters chanted that we'd 'sold our soul', but I'm now inclined to agree.

 

[doobyedoobye]

I can only assume that their focus is on the new gen of "consumer"....

 

[TivvyBlue]

100% this post.

I've been in the South Stand a number of times but only do it if I'm going the game on my own as I normally have my daughter with me and as you said if you try get a chant going people look at you and you get the impression that they are thinking "what the fuck is that **** at"...

I sit elsewhere with my daughter because she's not great with noise that's why I used to avoid the South Stand, I reckon I could bring her in now no problem!

I'll give you a laugh, I was in 132 with my little one, About 30 minutes into the game an Asian woman was walking into the row that we were in, She said to me "You are sitting in my seat", I said "No I'm not, this is my seat". She walked off and got a Steward and they both came down and said "Can I see your ticket sir", I showed them the ticket on my phone and clearly my seat, Row V Seat 873, The Asian woman has her ticket on her phone and she's not even in the right fucking block, Plus she had Row A on her ticket...

An old blue on front of me in Row U had the same problem, He was a season ticket holder and the woman was adamant that he was in her seat, Another blue let a shout at her and said "He's there every fucking week love, Now piss off I can't see the fucking game".

Had this at least three times in the seat next to me this season. Woman next to me yesterday didn’t speak a word of English so it makes it even harder for blues to tell them where to go. Painful

 

[blue b4 the moon]

I touched on this in my previous post. Years ago going to the match was everything. There was less competition, it was affordable and if you wanted to go you just turned up, queued, paid or bunked in and that was that. No memberships, purchasing history etcetera, it was easy.
There was less football and certainly a lot less on tv. If you missed a game and it wasn't on MOTD or Sunday afternoon you missed it. Going to the match was the highlight of the week and eagerly anticipated. It's now actually becoming a chore for many people. They go out of a dwindling sense of loyalty and habit but the attraction is diminishing year by year. They can stay at home and on a match day watch up to three games legally if they have paid the subscriptions and any game they want if they have illegal streams. It probably won't be in my lifetime but virtual reality spectators will be the fan of the future. All the experience of being at the game without leaving your armchair.

The big chunk of the crowd who were lively in the 70's/80's/90's are now all hanging on trying to keep what football in the stands was all about and we're all getting a bit too old to be ballooning about but, we're the best we've got.

Ok there are some younger fans who are up for it but with pricing and other things there isn't enough of them to make the difference.

Football as we know it is croaking it in the stands.

 

[jrb]

Painful mate isn't it?

Tannoy asking you to report people. The shit in the concourse really annoys me. Those screens that change, posters in the toilet plastered with the same messages. Basically telling me the minimum and maximum penalty of every offence going. Essentially the maximum ban for everything is losing your season ticket and getting a lifetime ban. I think most people are aware they aren't allowed to throw objects ffs. It's so patronising.

When I was younger it was the support rather than the team that made me keep coming back. Spent much of the game gazing over at our vocal fanbase and laughing at the creativity of some of our chants than watching the mediocrity of the team on the pitch. I took offence when the likes of Leeds supporters chanted that we'd 'sold our soul', but I'm now inclined to agree.

It is.
And it has got more and more obvious this season.
The club are really pushing it now.
Tighter security and more over zealous stewarding has become much more evident this season.
Perhaps the directors are reacting to their fuck ups of selling home tickets to away fans, and this is their way of trying to rectify their mistakes?

 

[give it to gordon]

Had this at least three times in the seat next to me this season. Woman next to me yesterday didn’t speak a word of English so it makes it even harder for blues to tell them where to go. Painful

When I first took my lad 20 years ago, I think it's fair to say someone with a southern accent ( with abit of manc lol ) was abit unusual at the game.
We would be in the family stand and fans would talk to us because of our southern accent. Were surprised when told we left at 6am ( lots of loo brakes ) my lad loved it and was surprised how friendly the mancs are lol he wanted us to move to Manchester.Really enjoyable times, now we hear different languages and no one talks to us.
Attending matches has really changed and not for the better of died hard fans

 

[BlueSkyBlue]

I was talking to a Singaporean family of 3 yesterday.

They bought their tickets from SeatPick, for £130 each. They were assigned 3 seats apart but contacted them and got 3 together with no hassle - so SeatPick must have blocks of them.

They had been to a-field and Trafford, only one of them was a 'City fan'.

Im not judging them, it's just what's happening - £390 potentially for the club, plus shop sales compared to me paying just double that for an entire season and grumping at 2.65 for water.

The front row of 115 also had many strangers yesterday.

 

[Bellamy's Caddy]

Were seats taken out for this god awful massive advertising hoardings? Fortunately can't see them from my seat, but every time I watch the game back on TV I can't help but think how shit they look. Sure they make a fortune which is the reasoning... but pretty crap if fans were moved to accommodate them.

 

[give it to gordon]

Were seats taken out for this god awful massive advertising hoardings? Fortunately can't see them from my seat, but every time I watch the game back on TV I can't help but think how shit they look. Sure they make a fortune which is the reasoning... but pretty crap if fans were moved to accommodate them.

Weren't the first 3 rows removed ?