Afternoon All, I am a new member but life time City supporter. I have lived in Newcastle since the age of four but always remained a City fan, despite numerous trips to St James Park with Toon mates and occasionally to Roker Park/Stadium of Light at Sunderland. I also have a good friend who works for Liverpool so I occasionally see them play too (against City and North East teams).
This is my first ever post and I felt compelled to hunt out somewhere to share my thoughts after my recent Derby trip to the Etihad on Saturday. Hence, the reason for joining and posting on this forum. After going to the recently Wembly game against Arsenal and the Derby, I was suprised that on both occassions I was surrounded by foreign supporters. It is great to have this international appeal, but I do feel it is diluting the atmosphere at the stadium. It pains me to say this, but the support I have witnessed at St James Park, Stadium of Light and Anfield has been far better than the Etihad.
We have clearly grown significantly over recent years and with our success we have inevitably attracted new fans (some may call them glory seekers...tbh I dont care if they are or not). In doing so, I feel these fans are perhaps 'immature' as fans (for want of a better phrase), in so far as they don't yet share the understanding, passion, etc that long standing fans do. This is no fault of theirs, it is just the reality. What can we do to get these fans more engaged, or more inclined to make their voices heard when it is necessary on the terraces?
On Saturday, I felt sick to the pit of my stomach when I took my seat at half time and looked around the stadium at empty seats. The whistle blew and it felt like I was sitting in a library. Where was the roar of support, that I hear at St James Park? I knew what was going to happen, the second half started like a whimper and sadly the team did too. When the first goal against us went in, where were the screams of support? The sense of urgency? There was nothing. Me and my son yelled and screamed but the rest around us sat staring in disbelief at what was unfolfing.
I dont think we can lay the blame for the poor second half atmosphere at the feet of new fans, as there were clearly many long standing fans still not in their seats at half time. These things have got to change. We have an incredible stadium and incredible team and incredible supporters (when they turn up), but our team need that '12th man' to have their backs for every 90+ minutes that they are on the pitch.
Saturday was so painful to endure. We need to be heard tonight for the duration. I'll always be keepin the faith until that final whistle blows, lets make sure the team know we do as well!
Agueroooo!
