Etihad atmosphere

[philiph20]

I can go back as far as the early 70's and whilst Maine Rd wasn't as bad, this trait was still there. Most of the time the prevailing attitude at least until there is a major key moment in the game is that sort of stereotypical Manc type cynicism. That said, when it does go it really goes. Obviously really big moments like Aguero 9320 or the preceding 1-0 in the derby but one of the loudest all round the ground ones I recall was around 94/95 when Newcastle visited MR under Keegan. Sellars scored first for them and then we went 2-1 up (Walsh debut goal?). I've rarely seen MR like that. Even a few Geordies who'd got tickets in the City part of The North Stand we're commenting ' never realised this place was as mad as this' (paraphrased).

There are other contributing factors I think. Firstly that ingrained hope it will go well but expect it to go wrong whilst arms folded mentality. Secondly, because of our long period of under-achievement and despite a loyal core, the percentage of home match attending fans that are in the late teens, twenties, early 30's, the one's who generally give it wellie, is maybe a lot lower than other clubs. This may change over the next 5/10 years with a sustained period of success as we attract local fans that might otherwise have opted for United.

Maybe too it is just that the profile of a large chunk of fans at other clubs is simply more 'blindly fanatical' Liverpool being the best example e.g. the pre- City/Chelsea coach parade and appealing/squealing every decision against them, whereas ours is one more of steadfast loyalty blended with self-criticism/moaning and the occasional 'roof-off' moment.

I had an interesting discussion in the pub about City fans and a group of us came to the conclusion that we are Joy Division to the Scum's New Order, we are the Fall to their Stone Roses, we are undemonstrative, very cynical, quite English and unshowy in comparison to their mawkish gobby strutting and posturing.

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

Another pathetic excuse - the football's not exciting enough; the stadium acoustics are all wrong; the teams not good enough; we're not running away with the league in October; the Wi-Fi situation is a fucking disgrace; I can't get served at half time because we don't employ efficient bar staff; the away fans are in the wrong place; there's too many away fans; there's not enough away fans; my knees hurt; it's that time of the month; I'm a taciturn mancunian and I like nothing more than a good moan; etc. etc.

If you can't see that we're the problem then we just need to agree to disagree.
If you don't think we have a problem then, again, we just need to agree to disagree.

I think most people on this thread want to sit in a stadium that's bouncing, for the big games at least.

Well seeing as I haven't said any of that, I'm not sure of your point. I don't groan when the ball goes back as I understand the system we play. However, as I said, many around me DO groan and many like to shout instructions such as "F*cking lump it forward", which I take as they don't understand the system.

It appears you're moaning at me because I'm not moaning about anything - I'm quite happy. But then again I traded my soul to the devil just to see us win something ... anything. Maybe there's something in that!!

 

[Manchester33]

I know it's an on-going process and I recognize you've (1894 group) made great progress and you've provided a foundation to build on.

We're just trying to get a few thousand people to sing at a football match.
Despite the negativity on here I'm sure it can be achieved and the 1894 group and block 115 is the key.

Is it still possible to walk around from 105 to 115 (via the North stand)?
Is it easy to relocate to SS L1 behind the goal?

It's possible, but you would have to walk through the stand as opposed to the concourse where they've now built the wall in the CBL1 concourse.
Relocating is quite easy. There were season tickets available in that block the last time I checked and there are ALWAYS single seats for every cup game. If you (or anyone reading this) is interested in relocating for the odd game, ring the club and get as close to 115 as you can.

 

[GortonBlue62]

Well seeing as I haven't said any of that, I'm not sure of your point. I don't groan when the ball goes back as I understand the system we play. However, as I said, many around me DO groan and many like to shout instructions such as "F*cking lump it forward", which I take as they don't understand the system.

It appears you're moaning at me because I'm not moaning about anything - I'm quite happy. But then again I traded my soul to the devil just to see us win something ... anything. Maybe there's something in that!!

Sorry if I misinterpreted you.
Let's not fall out, we're all on the same side.

I just want to see the crowd making a noise and it drives me mad when all I hear are excuses.

C'mon City!

 

[Deleted member 77198]

That's a good post. From an 1894 view, we aren't immune from criticism - we thrive on 'positive' criticism to help improve the atmosphere. It get's frustrating when you hear things like the 1894 group don't sing - we do, just no one else seems to want to join in. Then it becomes even more frustrating when we get abuse from other City fans for trying new things i.e. drum against Borussia.

I'd also disagree that what we've tried so far hasn't worked - We are far from the finished article, but we've only had one season under our belt. I think the atmosphere HAS improved, and that there is more 'constant' singing. It's just not loud enough because others won't join in. Groups like Holmesdale Fanatics at Palace and the Green Brigade at Celtic have had over 10 years to influence the atmosphere at their respective grounds. I think we've laid the foundations very well and as long as the number of people who're passionate about this rises, and more people try and get involved, we'll have the best atmosphere within a matter of years.

The 1980's styled atmosphere is dead. It will never return because it thrived on hooliganism (which is impossible to replicate in modern day Britain). I'd challenge everyone on here to list the 5 best sets off fans in the world - if you can list all 5 who don't use a drum then you're kidding yourself. The next question would be, would you swap our atmosphere for theirs - if it's no, then I don't know what you're doing on this thread!

Lots of excellent atmospheres in Serie A that don't have a drum.

Drums are absolutely awful as part of football atmospheres most of the time, unless you are in a giant stand like at San Lorenzo in Argentina where it blends into the noise of the hordes in the stand all singing. We don't need that at City as our tiers are tiny and as Bayern and others have shown; the drum is too loud in our small tiers.

Most of the German drum lead atmosperes where drums are smashed fuck out of are utterly annoying. Those moments when Bayern have been to our place when the drumming stops and you think "ah thank fuck for that" only for it to *BANG BA BANG BANG* back into action just moments later are monotonous to the point of tedium.

At Celtic the other week I thought the incsessent hammering of the drum ruined what was impressive noise, the best chant was when the drumming stopped and they all sang "CEELTIC...CEELTIC...come on you boys in green", it didn't need a drum to make that special.

As for the atmosphere at the Etihad, it will never be good until we move away from the away fans into our own side/end with a stand just for Blues. It would have been much better if the singing section had been extended where it was before in 110+111 instead of put in the South Stand where it's sandwiched between away fans to the right, the boring Colin Bell to the left and a corporate section above. That was a bit of a stupid idea to be honest.

But will we move it when we get a new North Stand? Here's hoping!

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

Sorry if I misinterpreted you.
Let's not fall out, we're all on the same side.

I just want to see the crowd making a noise and it drives me mad when all I hear are excuses.

C'mon City!

No worries.

I think we can all agree that it isn't like it used to be and some of that is for the worse and some is for the best. We've been on a mammoth rollercoaster ride over the last 40 years, the lack of dips and climbs takes some getting used to.

 

[M18CTID]

Often I've found there is a great atmosphere in the bar areas which evaporates when you go back into the vastness of the stadium space.

Ah yes, the mysterious case of the "concourse singer". Often more of an issue at away games, where at times pretty much the whole away contingent are bouncing like fuck down on the concourse yet many of them suddenly lose their voices once they've taken their seats. Grounds where this is most likely to happen: Stoke (every season we play them), WBA, and Burnley. Regarding Stoke, I saw comments on here several weeks back talking of the atmosphere being fantastic. Now it wasn't the worst atmosphere in the world - and I've been to plenty of away games where it's been much worse - but there were plenty of quiet moments in the match. Oh, and it's the easiest thing in the world for the whole away end to sing when we're 3-1 and 4-1 up in the dying moments and most of the home fans have cleared off out of the stadium. That said, the Stoke fans weren't all that and the atmosphere at their home games has been getting progressively worse since they came up in 2008.

 

[Deleted member 77198]

I'll probably be told I'm a boring **** for this but I hate concourse singing. Everyone bouncing around chanting at the top of their voices to show how great a set of fans they are on YouTube only to be quiet or even silent in the stands when it counts. Shite!

 

[M18CTID]

I'll probably be told I'm a boring **** for this but I hate concourse singing. Everyone bouncing around chanting at the top of their voices to show how great a set of fans they are on YouTube only to be quiet or even silent in the stands when it counts. Shite!

I don't mind it but only as long as we carry it on in the stands, and as you and I have stated many of them don't!

 

[Manchester33]

At Celtic the other week I thought the incsessent hammering of the drum ruined what was impressive noise, the best chant was when the drumming stopped and they all sang "CEELTIC...CEELTIC...come on you boys in green", it didn't need a drum to make that special.

As for the atmosphere at the Etihad, it will never be good until we move away from the away fans into our own side/end with a stand just for Blues. It would have been much better if the singing section had been extended where it was before in 110+111 instead of put in the South Stand where it's sandwiched between away fans to the right, the boring Colin Bell to the left and a corporate section above. That was a bit of a stupid idea to be honest.

But will we move it when we get a new North Stand? Here's hoping!

The first point above about that Celtic song, I have to disagree with you. That Particular song was introduced by the Green Brigade who've galvanized the wider fanbase and ingrained a more euro-style atmosphere into their culture. Without the use of a drum they would have been significantly less effective through the years. That one particular song doesn't need a drum, but imagine if our block just shouted 'Come on you boys in blue'... the rest of the stadium would not join in because they don't have that mentality, yet. If you asked ANY Celtic fan if drums are instrumental (excuse the pun) to their atmosphere they would say YES.

the next point about us having one end - I agree. I'd prefer that. Preferably in the North Stand. There are so many issues in doing that right now though (relocating family stand/getting fans to move away from the away support). The singing section couldn't be extended from 110-111 because the police won't let people stand up along the sides of the pitch. Where we relocated to was the perfect choice because it offered a mix of, being near the away fans, being near the existing singing section (the plan was that everyone would join in around us - which they don't), being close to the pitch, not having to relocate anyone. If you mean it was a stupid idea from the club when we first moved to this ground, then I agree. But we are where we are and we have to work with what we have.

It depends what happens and how they design the North Stand. I've heard exciting things about it - but I won't hold my breath until it's been announced from the powers that be.

 

[BlueSkyBlue]

Im right at the front of the 'singing section' behind the goal.

At the weekend I had an ear infection and couldn't sing - but then I noticed that all the people who normally join in with me werent singing, until I started singing in the second half when they joined in....for me I think the early kick offs ruin it.

 

[Deleted member 77198]

Im right at the front of the 'singing section' behind the goal.

At the weekend I had an ear infection and couldn't sing - but then I noticed that all the people who normally join in with me werent singing, until I started singing in the second half when they joined in....

Leader leader leader leader!

 

[Deleted member 77198]

the next point about us having one end - I agree. I'd prefer that. Preferably in the North Stand. There are so many issues in doing that right now though (relocating family stand/getting fans to move away from the away support). The singing section couldn't be extended from 110-111 because the police won't let people stand up along the sides of the pitch. Where we relocated to was the perfect choice because it offered a mix of, being near the away fans, being near the existing singing section (the plan was that everyone would join in around us - which they don't), being close to the pitch, not having to relocate anyone. If you mean it was a stupid idea from the club when we first moved to this ground, then I agree. But we are where we are and we have to work with what we have.

It depends what happens and how they design the North Stand. I've heard exciting things about it - but I won't hold my breath until it's been announced from the powers that be.

Yeah it's never been right since we moved there in 2003. The away fans always have been and still are in the wrong place, I really hope we can sort the right thing out for a vocal stand in the North Stand though. Like you say, let's not hold our breath in wait.

 

[GortonBlue62]

Im right at the front of the 'singing section' behind the goal.

At the weekend I had an ear infection and couldn't sing - but then I noticed that all the people who normally join in with me werent singing, until I started singing in the second half when they joined in....for me I think the early kick offs ruin it.

We need more like you!

When I try singing in 105 people just get embarrassed and start looking at the the floor - mustn't have the voice for it.

 

[BlueSkyBlue]

Leader leader leader leader!

Hahaha - it was more a comment about the small pockets that do sing and others not joining - its lonely down at the front when youre singing on your own. Hart once even gave me a very weird look when taking a goalkick

We need more like you!

When I try singing in 105 people just get embarrassed and start looking at the the floor - mustn't have the voice for it.

Sadly Im the over 40 group - we need some raucious young millionaires with a bad attitude who can afford to attend and want to be boistrous! :)

 

[Shirley]

Nothing much has changed from the old days at Maine Road, from the Kippax we tried the Platt Lane, from there we tried the North Stand then back to the Kippax.
We will get it right one day but kudos to the 1894 group, keep right on.....

 

[GortonBlue62]

Often I've found there is a great atmosphere in the bar areas which evaporates when you go back into the vastness of the stadium space.

Great example of this was Southampton away last season.
A group of about 25 lads were absolutely brilliant for about 25 minutes before the game.
It didn't carry on into the stadium but I think it was probably because they all went there separate ways to there own seats.

But it showed that we do have enough young fans and they can make a difference.

At Norwich (PL not FAC) last year I was talking to a young lad. It was his first away game he'd travelled down from Lincolnshire (his dad was native manc and a blue).
He'd been looking for an away fans pub but had been disappointed and he was mega disappointed with the atmosphere under the stand at Carrow Road. Kept saying 'I thought it'd be better than this'. It was very quite. Hope he hasn't been put off for life.

 

[GortonBlue62]

Lots of excellent atmospheres in Serie A that don't have a drum.

Drums are absolutely awful as part of football atmospheres most of the time, unless you are in a giant stand like at San Lorenzo in Argentina where it blends into the noise of the hordes in the stand all singing. We don't need that at City as our tiers are tiny and as Bayern and others have shown; the drum is too loud in our small tiers.

Most of the German drum lead atmosperes where drums are smashed fuck out of are utterly annoying. Those moments when Bayern have been to our place when the drumming stops and you think "ah thank fuck for that" only for it to *BANG BA BANG BANG* back into action just moments later are monotonous to the point of tedium.

At Celtic the other week I thought the incsessent hammering of the drum ruined what was impressive noise, the best chant was when the drumming stopped and they all sang "CEELTIC...CEELTIC...come on you boys in green", it didn't need a drum to make that special.

As for the atmosphere at the Etihad, it will never be good until we move away from the away fans into our own side/end with a stand just for Blues. It would have been much better if the singing section had been extended where it was before in 110+111 instead of put in the South Stand where it's sandwiched between away fans to the right, the boring Colin Bell to the left and a corporate section above. That was a bit of a stupid idea to be honest.

But will we move it when we get a new North Stand? Here's hoping!

I want a drum.

A big loud drum that wakes up all the cool miserable people who don't like noise at football matches.

I think the 1894 group should get a drum and completely disregard anyone who objects.

Boom boom.

 

[Deleted member 77198]

Some of the best atmospheres are in Serie A with no drums in sight (or sound):











Drums have never really been part of football culture in Italy and I hope it doesn't become part of ours here in England neither, especially at City. I don't like them as part of football atmospheres and never will.

 

[GortonBlue62]

We should use the threat of a drum as an incentive. Sing like an Italian or we're getting a drum.

Why is it that middle class people in Munich, Turn, Milan, Madrid, Paris, Rome etc. can join in the singing while us miserable manc bastards can't be arsed.

Are we more sophisticated than them?