Etihad atmosphere

[Metalartin]

Got told to "fucking sit down" on Saturday from
Someone behind as Aguero burst into the area late on in search of a winner.....jobs fucked

Some may not agree with me on this but when you hear things like that you have to wonder if the people who really prefer to watch the game in this way(moaning about people making noise, standing up or showing excitement) aren't they better off watching it at home where it's all nice and quiet? Fair enough if you don't want to join in but don't put other people off from getting into the stadium experience it's supposed to be bloody noisy, passionate and exciting... that's what we mean by "atmosphere".

 

[ccr]

Close the bars 15 minutes before kick off.

 

[IOWBlue]

My opinion for whats its worth, is that it will never go back to what it was. We still hark on about games from 3,4 and 5 years ago that were great atmospheres. 2 or 3 a season is poor, and unless something changes dramatically regarding standing, pricing and paying on the day it will be the sanitised affair we have now. im so glad i went through the 70's and 80's to know what it was really like to feel the adrenoline from 2 days before a game. A bit edgy nearing the ground in case of some mither, and almost guaranteed away from home, ( but how else do you learn life skills ). getting in an hour before kick off and singing with your mates till after the final whistle. Went to the everton game with my 14 year old, and i feel for him that it cant be as it was. ( i had already been to the swamp and dirty leeds away at that age on my own ). It has become too much of a middle class event, and i actually think that because of our "higher age" supporters, we will soon have attendences stalling. A few years ago most were saying "away days" were better than home games, now theres moaning that they are not the same any more. Once the diehards dwindle down we could be in trouble, 35-40'000 always, but until pressure is put on to change things i can see the future ( in the stands ) not being great.

 

[citymad]

The Etihad could easily have a fantastic atmosphere. .

filled with another teams supporters :)

In all seriousness this lack of atmosphere probably goes way back and is deep seated in the minds of a big part of our match going support. We have such a large number of fans in their 40's and 50's who remember the dark days that its just second nature to be either moaning, leave early or just be plain apathetic at the game. Yes we've had some special moments with Aguero's goal and the taking of the clock down but by and large we are still a set of glum fans. It won't be until a new generation of younger fans replace this older generation that the atmosphere will change.

 

[YaYa's Left Peg]

filled with another teams supporters :)

In all seriousness this lack of atmosphere probably goes way back and is deep seated in the minds of a big part of our match going support. We have such a large number of fans in their 40's and 50's who remember the dark days that its just second nature to be either moaning, leave early or just be plain apathetic at the game. Yes we've had some special moments with Aguero's goal and the taking of the clock down but by and large we are still a set of glum fans. It won't be until a new generation of younger fans replace this older generation that the atmosphere will change.

Or we start to dominate over a significant period. As you say we have probably the largest proportion of older fans in comparison to other clubs, most, if not all, with an underlying feeling that it's all going to go horribly wrong. Hence the tension if we don't score early, or the resigned acceptance when the opposition scores - you can almost sense that they're all thinking the same thing when that happens - typical City.

We need more of the new generation of fans who don't have that mindset, but that I'm afraid that that is not going to happen overnight.

 

[Blue Til Death]

Bring back standing and you bring back the atmosphere, its that simple, away games are always rocking. A safe standing section of the ground will generate the atmosphere and that will transfer to the rest of the ground in time.

 

[jrb]

Our match going fan base is probably the oldest in the PL.

Even in the SS singing sections, it's full of older City fans

Hell, I'm 49!(but sing)

The majority of these older fans don't want to sing on a regular basis. That in itself defeats the purpose of a singing section.

Until the club, in conjunction with the fans, branches, and groups like 1894, faclitate and create a genuine singing section, *full of fans who want to sing*, the atmosphere at the Etihad will never change.

There is no point in 20 fans trying to stsrt songs on a regular basis, when 1000's stood in front and to the side of them only join in every now and again.

But improving the atmosphere can be done. Look at Celltic. Their singing corner is great. Atmosphere's in Spain were pretty dreadful, not anymore. Look at Madrid. A genuine singing section in the top tier behind the goal. And at Barcelona, and within 1 to 2 season's, they have created a loud, colourful, and genuine singing section behind the full length of one goal. The difference and improvment in the atmosphere at the Nou Camp was obvious to me inside the stadium.

There is one more chance left, namely the NS expansion. Get that wrong and it's over for good!!!

 

[Gorton_Tubster]

Wow this thread has been quiet up until we started losing.


We all sit their worried and nervous when we are losing. Thats when we are quiet.

We need a drum banging trumpet blowing section that just keeps on singing no matter what

 

[Kyle_Mck]

On the subject of safe standing.
Installing this won't be the automatic atmosphere generator most seem to think it is.
Lets not forget that SS Level 1 is practically an unofficial standing section as it is.

Celtic, Dortmund and a host of other clubs all had fantastic atmospheres before safe standing was introduced.
Palace arguably have the best home 'section' in the league and they don't have safe standing.
Sure it helps, but the main driver behind an atmosphere is having a group of people all with the intent to sing, get behind the team, and by enlarge... take risks with displays, songs and dare I say it, instruments.
It takes time, it costs funny and it needs dedication.
I believe the 1894 Group have got all that.

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

It is what it is. The minute you have to orchestrate something, it becomes false and cheesy. Some games will be great, some will be shite - I like that.

That said, some of the work the 1894 group do looks good, but it should remain concentrated in the south stand.