We used to go to CB3, loved the halfway line vantage point, but honestly it had become a complete morgue. Full of away fans, casual non-City football tourists, disinterested corporates, bored Dads whose young kids wanted to see City (but the kids are too young to contribute to the atmosphere), and social media influencers bloggers vloggers tik-tokers, so it became awful. Silent, dull, distant, it started comparing badly to watching it from home on TV where we'd have better food, cheaper beer, less cold, no travel, and less costs. Better atmosphere in our sitting room with me and my 2 lads at least supporting City and shouting at the TV.
Moved to family stand a few times, but it was dire for Real Madrid last year, I think the vlogger getting his hair cut was in our section.
We're matchday purchasers, so don't always get to choose, but my lads are only interested now in SS3, and we've had some great buzzing atmospheres up there, against United and Liverpool were particularly good. A good bunch up the back often get a bit of rhythm going banging the cladding and chanting.
I was a bit shocked yesterday, thousands streaming out of SS3 well before the end with the game in the balance. The singing participation was well below normal as well. Also noticing more and more tourists up there, they're welcome to come, but they add nothing to atmosphere. (Also the early leavers affliction is a local issue not a tourist one).
For me, it's simply down to how you sell the tickets. Arsenal, Liverpool and United have 5 game purchase history requirements, so more likely the buyers are real fans who attend a bit. Other games don't have that. The atmosphere is really affected. When we beat Arsenal 4-1 in '23 I was in CB 3, absolutely buzzing, loads of real City fans around us, all giving it to Arsenal. A few weeks before we were in the same section for Bayern Munich in the UCL, it wasn't terrible but the difference was really obvious compared to Arsenal.
Selling tickets on a points based system, when long term attenders get purchasing preference in certain areas really helps to get the right people in the same sections. We used to do it like that.
Now we just sell £35 memberships, and anyone that buys one can compete with me for tickets. I'll make more noise, but I'll spend a lot less. The club accountants choose our matchday supporters now.
The club's selling policies are absolutely killing the "product". It may even be too late. We're not alone, read Liverpool, United, Arsenal, Chelsea forums, same issues. Clubs chasing tourist £'s and are killing the atmosphere which attracts the tourists. They're so blind to what's happening....because they don't attend games like we do, and they don't care.
Getting kinda bored with it now myself. English football may well crash and burn, as a formerly great day put, ruined by the number crunchers. The tourists will soon realise it's shit, and move on to something else. The clubs will want us back, but we'll have moved on as well, watching local football or other sports.
Sorry for the gloom. I used to love the buzz of going.
