ayrshire_blue
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 1 May 2008
- Messages
- 6,211
I have read a lot about the atmosphere at City. I used to watch from the Kippax back in the day and yes the crowd noise was greater than the sterile atmosphere of today. However we have never really had an "end" to call our own.
Away fans used to occupy the right hand side of the Kippax near the Platt Lane stand.
As times have changed to all seater stadia and the average age of match going fans is going up (read some stat saying it's now over 40) it's hardly any wonder the atmosphere is poor.
I also think our long and illustrious history is partly to blame. Back in the 60s and 70's we didn't really have sustained success. Most other fans liked us back then for being the great unpredictables. Some other clubs around the same time eg Liverpool had sustained success and built up its fan base quickly. The manager at the time (shankley) forged a bound and cause with the fans. It started the ball rolling and the Kop figured in creating an atmosphere that often beat opposing sides before the set foot on the pitch.
I realise today the atmosphere is not the same at Anfield as it was yester year but what I think I am trying to say here is, as much as some of our fans are trying to manufacture a good atmosphere and well done to those that are trying - it's not a cause.
Most of the best atmospheres I've experienced as a long standing City fan is when we are being treated unfairly eg Taylor's referring decisions or when a crunching tackle wins the ball etc.
I hope a long period of sustained success coupled by an area designated for standing goes some way to contribute to a better atmosphere in future and that we make either the south stand or expanded north stand a purely designated city end
Good post mate, our fans are definitely at their loudest when decisions aren't going our way or such like.
When the North stand is done I'd like to see the singing section and the 1894 group move to the North, along with those who usually sit round the 111 section. Relocate the family section to the opposite side of the south stand to where the away fans are sat.
It's only a possible solution to help things and I've no idea whether it would work, but it can't get a single bit worse than it is just now.
Plus, imo it would make more sense for the team to be shooting towards the more vocal of our fans in the second half, that extra bit of encouragement won't do any harm either.