Bring the Noise

[BringBackSwales]

Firstly an ongoing well done to the 1894 group, you lot really do give a fuck, and I hope you continue to do so.

However are we not a little too hard on ourselves sometimes? It has been said a few times that our fan base is the oldest in the Premier League, the constant negativity from sky, by, bbc and all national newspapers (and the muen is hardly a great supporter of ours) must have had a negative impact on newer/younger fans coming along. Older people tend to be more cynical, and less likely to sing; I do, in the family stand, much time the embarrassment of my kids!

Society has changed as well. People are definitely more cynical in general than they were in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, there’s more other things to do, more social media, more phones to look at during the game and so on. From what I see this is no different to most other clubs. There is the odd exception like palace, but that always looks a bit contrived to me, and for sure it looks a younger average fan age than ours. Older people are unlike to change what they do - if they are quiet now, they probably always will be.

So keep up the good work 1894, buy a better megaphone (but destroy any drums), as however much better it could be, it would be much worse without your efforts

 

[ell]

Christ, almost as embarrassing as that time we piped songs through the speakers at home to Bolton under Pearce. What has happened to our club.

Just go the game have a few pints and sing a few songs.

 

[M18CTID]

Firstly an ongoing well done to the 1894 group, you lot really do give a fuck, and I hope you continue to do so.

However are we not a little too hard on ourselves sometimes? It has been said a few times that our fan base is the oldest in the Premier League, the constant negativity from sky, by, bbc and all national newspapers (and the muen is hardly a great supporter of ours) must have had a negative impact on newer/younger fans coming along. Older people tend to be more cynical, and less likely to sing; I do, in the family stand, much time the embarrassment of my kids!

Society has changed as well. People are definitely more cynical in general than they were in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, there’s more other things to do, more social media, more phones to look at during the game and so on. From what I see this is no different to most other clubs. There is the odd exception like palace, but that always looks a bit contrived to me, and for sure it looks a younger average fan age than ours. Older people are unlike to change what they do - if they are quiet now, they probably always will be.

So keep up the good work 1894, buy a better megaphone (but destroy any drums), as however much better it could be, it would be much worse without your efforts

Was amusing when the megaphone first got used last night. Straight away, some bloke was shouting over to @jrb "Pass us that over here mate - I just want to use it for a few seconds". Not a chance that was ever happening because as already stated, as agreed with the club only certain people are allowed on it and it has to be used responsibly, ie: no swearing, etc, so as much as we want to belt out "Who the fuck are Man United....", we'll all probably be copping a ban for it!

 

[jfg16]

Last night was a new low for us as a fan base in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong was a great turnout for what feels like a bit of a dead rubber fixture these days having played them so often.

However, I really do not understand with this fascination of bringing a drum and megaphone. A drum and megaphone put me off singing more than they encourage it. It’s embarrassing and artificial as anything. Yes our atmosphere is poor at times but come on, really? What do you expect against Shakhtar? Might be the last time I bother with these CL group games.

Not even to mention a fella bringing a birthday cake into the South third tier and the club deciding what we really need is some bang average band playing inside the ground.

What happened to going the game with your mates, having a few beers, having a laugh and a sing without all this nonsense of forcing atmosphere?

 

[jrb]

Interesting comments. Keep them coming.

TBF, I’m not had to put a tin hat on.(yet!)

The general consensus is, there isn’t one. Lot’s of mixed opinions and views, which isn’t a bad thing. If anything, it shows how divided opinions ‘still’ are and probably always ‘will be’ about a megaphone and a drum.(more so)

The megaphone is getting a mixed, but more positive response. The drum a lot less so. Personally I’m not a drum person, but I’m not bothered by it.

1 interesting moment last night.

During the Guardiola chant in the 2nd half, which got going across the South stand, I turned around with the megaphone, facing the fans, and in full view of the fans. Out of Two and a half blocks, roughly about 1250 fans, blocks 114,115 and 116, hazarding a very rough guess, there were a couple of hundred fans singing the Guardiola chant. The remaining fans were either watching the match, or looking at me, but not joining in with the chant.

All 3 blocks had a very, very, mixed group of fans, old, young, Male, Female, Kids, British, Foreign, regulars, tourists, etc. TBH, it’s a mixture of fans and people that won’t create a sustained atmosphere at any match.

On a CL night we have rely on those regular PL City fans who do go to the CL matches to create an atmosphere. Limited in numbers. The CL group stages are always poorly attended by our regular fans. But as the CL progresses and we get further into the knockout stages of the CL, those missing regular fans come back.

From a personal point of view, and after last night, I think the megaphone is worth another try at the the next CL game. It doesn’t have to be by me, but I won’t mind doing it again. But I also think it’s a good idea to give somebody else a go. There are some decent singers in 1894 who can get chants going. (like most people can) But the megaphone needs to be louder to have more of an impact. I think last nights megaphone was between 30watts-50watts? There are 100watt megaphones on the market. See below.

As for the drum, I can take it or leave it.

1894 will go back to the club. The club will read and look at the feedback on here. We’ll have a discussion. And a decision will be made whether or not to use the megaphone and /or drum again.

Once again, thanks for all the feedback.

 

[jrb]

PS.

Apologies for the large megaphone picture. :-/

 

[trevorriley]

some good feedback and everybody seems to be on the same wave length. On the whole we know that sitting around doing nothing and not trying anything new isn't going to improve the atmosphere. Thought last night was a good trial, boring game didn't help, but we tried the megaphone and all know now where improvements are needed should we try it again. We will work on the technicalities. I apologise to any fans round us that said "give us a go on the mega". Unfortunately like jrb said the club had a cut off switch and agreement that only one person was allowed to use it.

Hats off to jrb for giving it a go. Its ok saying "I will try it", not as easy as you think. The thing is face to face last night jrb didn't get any flack, most had banter and lots joined in having a laugh. Even in good banter first half he got a "what the f***n hell is that", to which jrb came back with SS give us a song !

Had a few good young lads come and join us second half saying good on you for trying and can we join in as its boring where we are. Had we not made the effort at the front of 116 I think the silence would have been worse. Not that it was a good night for singing at all, but often the group stage kind of dead rubber games never take off.

We struggled hearing the kids in SS3, noticed later on, shows how sound doesn't travel. Interesting when I turned round to get songs started you could see pockets of singers right across the back of most blocks, we desperately need us all to bunch up in the same block somehow. Could see one guy in SS level three trying his best to get songs going.

Please if anybody has constructive ideas for next home CL game post them on here, lets make the knock out stages like a fortress in there. We will be getting blocks of tickets again for the front of wither 115 or 116, look out on here for applying. The front is the only area where we have availability of spare tickets to group, there is nothing free at the back to group up.

And Psychedelic, I don't think you like the drum haha. You are a top bloke, will do you a deal. We wont use the drum in the next CL home game if you come and join us at the front, belt some songs out with us always good to see you join in.

 

[ytic04]

Personally it's not for me.

If you want it to work I do think you need to stick with it though.
In the Family Stand once the kids had stopped pissing there sides through the first half and the elders thought their water was being turned off people were starting to mutter songs by the second half when they had worked it out.

FYI the sound did carry across to the Family Stand albeit like a dying cat. A better quality Megaphone maybe or somebody with a deeper voice.

Anyway a good effort and better than no noise plus the entertainment value.

 

[Marvin]

By the end of the game I head a lot of young kids singing so it worked

A game like that must be really hard going to get people to join in. However there are other games where it will be much easier.

 

[Marvin]

Personally it's not for me.

If you want it to work I do think you need to stick with it though.
In the Family Stand once the kids had stopped pissing there sides through the first half and the elders thought their water was being turned off people were starting to mutter songs by the second half when they had worked it out.

FYI the sound did carry across to the Family Stand albeit like a dying cat. A better quality Megaphone maybe or somebody with a deeper voice.

Anyway a good effort and better than no noise plus the entertainment value.

It's City v Shakhtar in a game where City were almost through. Context.