I’ve decided to start with the topic that is most important to me.

I strongly believe that something needs to be done about the atmospheres and rules in the English stadiums.

I have my reasons and I have some ideas so I hope you can see where I’m coming from..

I will post videos of good and poor fans from around the world to outline the difference. I will open discussions after each big game about the game itself and the atmospheres.

What I think needs changing:

• I think every stadium in England should have a supporters section with safe standing just like in Germany. There have been no major safety problems over there and it has boosted the atmosphere up amazingly.
• I think a more carefree attitude should be adopted. It looks amazing when thousands of fans are making noise whilst bouncing, waving flags, twirling scarves and holding up banners. How often do you see that in England…? Not very often at all. I’m as passionate as any England fan and I’m not good at admitting other countries do things better but we could learn a lot from what some foreign fans are doing. By this I don’t mean the hooligan side of the ultras, it is more the fact that they make so much noise and put on jaw dropping shows.
• Another major point is the ticket prices. They must be lowered to bring the heart and soul back into football. A lot of true fans are priced out these days, which is a joke. With low ticket prices, standing areas and a carefree attitude I think we could finally bring back the English noise of the old days in every day football instead of just various big games.

Other Ideas:

• I think the whole family atmosphere thing has gone a tad too far in England. I know that children should definitely get the chance to go to matches and support their team and some people may argue that this standing section could be dangerous for youngsters. If people feel this then there could be an age limit on that area like 14 or 16, so the children can sit anywhere else in the stadium. If the children are into that kind of thing, when they’re older they will of course get the chance to be part of it.
• I know that a lot of the people in charge will go on about the money and troubles that are involved with converting grounds. But seriously, the Prem is the richest league in the world. The clubs find money to pay players ridiculous amounts and build new corporate boxes and all that crap, I’m sure they can spend money on giving something back to the true fans.
• I know at some grounds there are already areas where fans stand e.g. Old Trafford and White Hart Lane. But this is not safe standing, and banners and flags aren’t used often at all. Plus all stadiums should adopt this, not just a few. I think the area shouldn’t be a small corner; it should be a large part of the stadium. For starters the true fans make football so they shouldn’t have a tiny area in the corner of the stadium. For example, I think that in a 30.000 stadium the standing section should = 10-15,000, the away section 3,000 and the rest for families and corporate, in my opinion that’s more than fair seen as back in the day it used to be the whole stadium standing and making noise anyway.
• Just imagine Wembley, 90,000 fans, 40,000 or more all together standing, bouncing, waving flags, holding banners, singing their hearts out for England. It would be absolutely amazing. No teams would want to play England at Wembley. Instead, at the moment, it’s quiet, dull and boring. We got outsung by the Germans and the Croatians which I find an absolute joke and it should never happen in England.
• I also think that the England national fans need more songs. I enjoy singing the ones we have now but we need more intimidating songs and a wider variety so we aren’t singing the same songs all the time. There are so many possibilities for songs, they can be thought of and put on the internet so everyone can learn the words. I mean Germany coming to Wembley, beating us on the pitch, outsinging us off the pitch and singing footballs coming home in our language was just embarrassing! We need chants and songs that amaze people, bouncing and roaring

Examples:

• There are a lot of examples of this kind of idea working. I’ve already mentioned Germany and I will be posting as many videos as possible.
• Celtic are another good example. It isn’t just a coincidence that they rarely lose at home in Europe even against such teams as Man U and Milan.
• Same with a lot of the eastern European countries. As soon as their team starts getting momentum, the fans make even more noise and make it hard for the opposition to get back in control. Even the greatest teams fall, like Chelsea in Fenerbache.
• The same goes for away support. If you travel and make a big effort for your team then often you will get repaid. Coventry took 11,000 or more to Old Trafford and ended up winning. Also Scotland taking 20,000 to France and beating the team that came 2nd in the world cup. Imagine the feeling the Scottish players had when they walked out onto that pitch, looked up and saw half the stadium was Scottish. Must have been a big boost.
• On the international stage the best example I can remember is England playing in Russia. Most of the Russians were standing and making an incredible amount of noise. It looked like England were in control but as Russia came back into the match, the noise levels increased even more. You could tell this drove the Russian players on and they went on to win and now they are in Euro 2008 and where are England!!??
• After all nobody can deny that a passionate crowd can be a 12th man. So let’s make it happen… let’s make Wembley a fortress like it once was!

Please post your thoughts and own ideas.

I will update and post videos ASAP.

Filed under: My Thoughts by danamba