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Post by terriersyndrome on Nov 6, 2023 19:40:21 GMT 1
Maybe a better comparison would be someone like Lecco or Spezia in Serie B rather than Lazio?
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ben1987
Mental Health Support Group
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Post by ben1987 on Nov 6, 2023 20:06:02 GMT 1
Re: Gas Club, is there any outline of a business plan, or are folk saying "buy it" for the club to own its losses and pay for its upkeep? Seems to me it would at least need to pay for itself by raking in as much cash as possible for 23+ matches a season. Would also be amazing to somehow screen away matches in there, plus other big non-Town matches? I'd also have a merch point in there, selling CL items as well as the club shop stuff. But then does all that detract from what could/should be happening at the ground? I suppose if the club owned both, it wouldn't really matter. Basically if nobody takes it over, then it’ll get bulldozed. When we used the Gas Club before, we had a merch table there and sold most of our merchandise from there. We also made all our displays upstairs there.
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rab030
Iain Dunn Terrier
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Post by rab030 on Nov 6, 2023 20:07:57 GMT 1
Hi all I spent last week in Rome, and (since Roma didn't have a game) took my lad to see Lazio at home to Fiorentina last Monday night at the Stadio Olimpico. Every aspect of the experience was markedly different to a game at the JSS. We arrived with a good 45 minutes to spare. We elected to eat at the stadium so had some freshly made pizza from one of the concessions stall, which were well staffed and had quick service. I paid around 8 quid for a beer and a decent sized slab of pizza. We took our seats and were shocked by the atmosphere. With 35 minutes to go to kick off the noise was deafening, despite the stadium being half full (roughly £35k). The pre-match hype was built by what was clearly a regular playlist of songs being booked out over a crystal clear PA system. The warm ups were conducted during a deafening cacophony of noise. Flags waving everywhere. when the teams were announced, their stadium announcer announced each player with a shout of their first name, and the entire crowd as once responded with the surname. The game was conducted with no lull in the noise. These guys never seemed to repeat a chant, yet they never stopped. It was a tightly fought contest, and when Fiorentina netted the Lazio fans simply started chanting even louder without hesitation, before the goal was ruled out by VAR. There was no let up at half time and despite it looking like it may end as a goalless draw, the fans were relentless. They were rewarded when Ciro Immobile scored a stoppage-time penalty, the last kick of the match. The announcer then led the celebration by shouting "Ciro" and the fans responded "Immobile". this was repeated too many times to count (at least ten) and the stadium was crazy. After the game my lad commented that it was impossible to have any meaningful conversation about the match during it as we couldn't really hear each other. So, what is my point? Well, to my shame this was my first game overseas. And I simply couldn't stop comparing the atmosphere. Yes, Lazio are a big club but this was a Monday night, 8,45pm kick off in the autumn, Fiorentina bought only about 150 fans. The stadium was only half full. It would be the equivalent of a Tuesday night game at home to Stoke for us. And yet the fans played such a huge part in driving the team on, and they were encouraged by excellent "stage management" (best term I can think of) by the club. A superb sound system, integrated with big screens at both ends, and a stadium announcer that really loved the role of "hype man". (I have no problem with Rambo, by the way). I suppose I just wondered what it would be like to have that here,. The closest we had, I think, were Wagner's two full seasons. (also, not only can you take beer into the stands by they have at seat service. Superb). I know we don't have much to cheer about at the moment but then, relatively speaking, neither do Lazio. Oh, and I forgot to add when there was a downpour on the hour mark to a man every ultra took their shirts off, and the effect puts the Toon Army getting their moobs out to shame. Similarly, I went to a Lecce match towards the end of September. Everything about it was fantastic - I'm thinking of making them my first team and demoting Town, it's just a trickier round trip going to the south east corner of Italy. Tricky - but less roadworks and temporary traffic lights !!
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Post by rockwall on Nov 6, 2023 20:36:29 GMT 1
End of the day, a lot of the atmosphere side of your post can only be down to us. We are the ones with the voices to chant. We are the ones to get noise going. Just means getting more on board to join in with the CSL. It'd be great of flags etc could be put everywhere and held everywhere too. Since Covid, the biggest hurdle the CL has faced with the exception of poor results most weeks has been the lack of interest. There’s about 50 active members who make up the CL14, comparing that to Lazio who are probably around the 5k mark and have years and years behind them is probably a bit different but within that 50, it was once 3 to 4 times bigger than that in terms of lads actively involved in and around the core in the south stand, making displays, doing charity, helping day to day. You only have to look at the south stand now and see how it’s thinned in the last year or two in particular, that gives you an indication of how much it’s dropped off. There’s often a misconception that the CL14 is the south stand, it’s not. The CL14 is about 50 lads in the south stand. We’ve lost quite a number of it’s members over the years who actually no longer come to the stadium anymore, so it’s not a case that they’ve fallen out of love with the CL14, they’ve fallen out of love with town. I have really close friends who I’ve known years who literally haven’t been for over a year. They’re still big supporters of the CL14, just lost the love for town and the club presently. Like many of the fan base I suppose. Getting people actively involved isn’t easy, since the loss of the Gas Club it’s even harder. (Kev I know you read this board. Buy it) It’s another hammer blow to the group, it’s another brick wall we have to climb over. The CL14 will be 10 years old in April 2024 and it’s come a long way but it’s getting harder and harder every season currently with keeping fans interested and keeping the group active. As you can see, the group hasn’t produced a large display since the play off semi final against Luton, although that’ll change shortly. When interest drops, less hands make work, harder. The CL14 are a presence in the south stand and do their best but ultimately the whole fan base is swimming in a different direction to the club at the moment and until a togetherness returns, it’ll continue to be a slog. The group is still very much active but it’s on a much smaller scale now to what it was back in 2016-2019. It needs results on the pitch now. All true points. It's a shame the gas club hasn't been taken over yet. So much potential and with ideas going forward could be a huge benefit. 1. Showing major live sports when they are on. 2. Merchandise sales. 3. Organised events such as race nights, comedy clubs etc. 4. Pre and post match entertainment. 5. Private functions If it is owned by the club, then nothing here would be taking away from the club.
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Post by reverendstarbuck on Nov 6, 2023 21:05:22 GMT 1
Re: Gas Club, is there any outline of a business plan, or are folk saying "buy it" for the club to own its losses and pay for its upkeep? Seems to me it would at least need to pay for itself by raking in as much cash as possible for 23+ matches a season. Would also be amazing to somehow screen away matches in there, plus other big non-Town matches? I'd also have a merch point in there, selling CL items as well as the club shop stuff. But then does all that detract from what could/should be happening at the ground? I suppose if the club owned both, it wouldn't really matter. Basically if nobody takes it over, then it’ll get bulldozed. When we used the Gas Club before, we had a merch table there and sold most of our merchandise from there. We also made all our displays upstairs there. Wow, that right? They'll knock it down?
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Post by Ginger Ogre on Nov 6, 2023 21:50:35 GMT 1
Lots of comments in the thread about Lazio being decent, and bigger etc etc. That actually means nothing in terms of how fans support thier club in the continent (and most other places across the world actually)
Its a totally different mentality. Watch any game in Europe and 99% will have a far better atmosphere than anything you see in England. The division/form/league position/players/manager/chairman/weather generally make no difference the the Ultra Groups.
The fans see it as thier duty to go and support the team, regardless of any of the above. They have years and years of mentally that has been bred into them.
English football is now entertainment. Its like going to the cinema or a theatre where if you don't see what you like you complain and stop going until it gets better. Fans turn up now expecting to be entertained and will only sing (generally) when the going is good.
I see so many comments from English fans in regard to bad atmospheres, but the problem is, nobody wants to do anything about it. They want others to do it so they can enjoy it. The CL for example get comments weekly on Social Media about how bad they are from fans who will sit for 90 mins and not make a noise.
Someone has already said it on here, but if fans want an atmosphere it's really easy to do. Fans just have to open thier mouths and make some noise.
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COWSHEDPHIL
Jimmy Glazzard Terrier
Everybody In The Centre Circle!
Posts: 4,004
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Post by COWSHEDPHIL on Nov 7, 2023 0:27:36 GMT 1
Lots of comments in the thread about Lazio being decent, and bigger etc etc. That actually means nothing in terms of how fans support thier club in the continent (and most other places across the world actually) Its a totally different mentality. Watch any game in Europe and 99% will have a far better atmosphere than anything you see in England. The division/form/league position/players/manager/chairman/weather generally make no difference the the Ultra Groups. The fans see it as thier duty to go and support the team, regardless of any of the above. They have years and years of mentally that has been bred into them. English football is now entertainment. Its like going to the cinema or a theatre where if you don't see what you like you complain and stop going until it gets better. Fans turn up now expecting to be entertained and will only sing (generally) when the going is good. I see so many comments from English fans in regard to bad atmospheres, but the problem is, nobody wants to do anything about it. They want others to do it so they can enjoy it. The CL for example get comments weekly on Social Media about how bad they are from fans who will sit for 90 mins and not make a noise. Someone has already said it on here, but if fans want an atmosphere it's really easy to do. Fans just have to open thier mouths and make some noise. Agree with Pozza here. We still have the best goal celebrations though. What they call ‘limbs’. We always have and always will. I do think the atmospheres in the U.K. rival the continent on some occasions but it’s rare. Like Pozza says fans in the U.K. turn off too quickly nowadays.
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Post by shawsie on Nov 7, 2023 1:10:20 GMT 1
Went to mainz - stuttgart a momth ago and it was brilliant as a day out. The football itself was barely championship quality but fans turn up to have a good day out and if the game is good then even better. Prices are affordable (15 euros to stand) as is food and beer and with free transport from train station to the ground its all about enjoyment for the fans there - stuttgart took c5k fans and its 150km plus away so a fair trek and they made a right old noise.
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Post by space hardware on Nov 7, 2023 7:55:29 GMT 1
Went to mainz - stuttgart a momth ago and it was brilliant as a day out. The football itself was barely championship quality but fans turn up to have a good day out and if the game is good then even better. Prices are affordable (15 euros to stand) as is food and beer and with free transport from train station to the ground its all about enjoyment for the fans there - stuttgart took c5k fans and its 150km plus away so a fair trek and they made a right old noise. I'm sorry, Mainz v Stuttgart in the Bundesliga was "barely Championship quality"? What would that make our recent games? 😂
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Post by Gag_N_Bone_Man on Nov 7, 2023 10:47:05 GMT 1
Are you really comparing us to Lazio? You'll be comparing Tom Edwards to Tommy Smith next No, I'm comparing my experience of watching a match in Italy with my lifelong experience of watching matches here. I've watched hundreds and hundreds of games at all levels in this country, and nothing compares.
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Post by Porrohman on Nov 7, 2023 13:34:43 GMT 1
Maybe a better comparison would be someone like Lecco or Spezia in Serie B rather than Lazio? Yes Graeme, can you go back on holiday to somewhere with a less good football team instead. 😁
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Post by Porrohman on Nov 7, 2023 13:38:15 GMT 1
Went to mainz - stuttgart a momth ago and it was brilliant as a day out. The football itself was barely championship quality but fans turn up to have a good day out and if the game is good then even better. Prices are affordable (15 euros to stand) as is food and beer and with free transport from train station to the ground its all about enjoyment for the fans there - stuttgart took c5k fans and its 150km plus away so a fair trek and they made a right old noise. I'm sorry, Mainz v Stuttgart in the Bundesliga was "barely Championship quality"? What would that make our recent games? 😂 It'd explain why they let Burgzorg go though 😉
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Post by shawsie on Nov 7, 2023 22:53:16 GMT 1
Went to mainz - stuttgart a momth ago and it was brilliant as a day out. The football itself was barely championship quality but fans turn up to have a good day out and if the game is good then even better. Prices are affordable (15 euros to stand) as is food and beer and with free transport from train station to the ground its all about enjoyment for the fans there - stuttgart took c5k fans and its 150km plus away so a fair trek and they made a right old noise. I'm sorry, Mainz v Stuttgart in the Bundesliga was "barely Championship quality"? What would that make our recent games? 😂 Honestly - mainz were appalling for most of the game. Stuttgart marginally better - but the atmosphere was electric!
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Post by space hardware on Nov 7, 2023 23:06:16 GMT 1
I'm sorry, Mainz v Stuttgart in the Bundesliga was "barely Championship quality"? What would that make our recent games? 😂 Honestly - mainz were appalling for most of the game. Stuttgart marginally better - but the atmosphere was electric! But ... and I'm not disputing what you're saying here ... ... the Championship games I've personally seen this season would embarrass League Two.
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htfcterry
Andy Booth Terrier
[M0:2]htfcterry
Posts: 3,735
Member is Online
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Post by htfcterry on Nov 8, 2023 6:53:35 GMT 1
I'm sorry, Mainz v Stuttgart in the Bundesliga was "barely Championship quality"? What would that make our recent games? 😂 Honestly - mainz were appalling for most of the game. Stuttgart marginally better - but the atmosphere was electric! It must have been bad, they’ve since sacked their head coach and put Jan Siewert in charge 😂 … Who won his first game 2-0 against RB Leipzig! Incredible result!!
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Post by Porrohman on Nov 8, 2023 7:03:49 GMT 1
Honestly - mainz were appalling for most of the game. Stuttgart marginally better - but the atmosphere was electric! But ... and I'm not disputing what you're saying here ... ... the Championship games I've personally seen this season would embarrass League Two. That's cos Town were playing in them 😉😁
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Post by royrace on Nov 8, 2023 10:13:27 GMT 1
End of the day, a lot of the atmosphere side of your post can only be down to us. We are the ones with the voices to chant. We are the ones to get noise going. Just means getting more on board to join in with the CSL. It'd be great of flags etc could be put everywhere and held everywhere too. Since Covid, the biggest hurdle the CL has faced with the exception of poor results most weeks has been the lack of interest. There’s about 50 active members who make up the CL14, comparing that to Lazio who are probably around the 5k mark and have years and years behind them is probably a bit different but within that 50, it was once 3 to 4 times bigger than that in terms of lads actively involved in and around the core in the south stand, making displays, doing charity, helping day to day. You only have to look at the south stand now and see how it’s thinned in the last year or two in particular, that gives you an indication of how much it’s dropped off. There’s often a misconception that the CL14 is the south stand, it’s not. The CL14 is about 50 lads in the south stand. We’ve lost quite a number of it’s members over the years who actually no longer come to the stadium anymore, so it’s not a case that they’ve fallen out of love with the CL14, they’ve fallen out of love with town. I have really close friends who I’ve known years who literally haven’t been for over a year. They’re still big supporters of the CL14, just lost the love for town and the club presently. Like many of the fan base I suppose. Getting people actively involved isn’t easy, since the loss of the Gas Club it’s even harder. (Kev I know you read this board. Buy it) It’s another hammer blow to the group, it’s another brick wall we have to climb over. The CL14 will be 10 years old in April 2024 and it’s come a long way but it’s getting harder and harder every season currently with keeping fans interested and keeping the group active. As you can see, the group hasn’t produced a large display since the play off semi final against Luton, although that’ll change shortly. When interest drops, less hands make work, harder. The CL14 are a presence in the south stand and do their best but ultimately the whole fan base is swimming in a different direction to the club at the moment and until a togetherness returns, it’ll continue to be a slog. The group is still very much active but it’s on a much smaller scale now to what it was back in 2016-2019. It needs results on the pitch now. I hope the club can do something to help out the CL, I've no idea what that could look like tbh but I'm sure you have some ideas. I honestly think the success we had in 2017 probably wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for the atmosphere generated. Brilliant in the first year of the prem too. Sad to see numbers have dwindled but just goes to show fans need something to shout about. Keep up the good work
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Post by royrace on Nov 8, 2023 10:17:15 GMT 1
Since Covid, the biggest hurdle the CL has faced with the exception of poor results most weeks has been the lack of interest. There’s about 50 active members who make up the CL14, comparing that to Lazio who are probably around the 5k mark and have years and years behind them is probably a bit different but within that 50, it was once 3 to 4 times bigger than that in terms of lads actively involved in and around the core in the south stand, making displays, doing charity, helping day to day. You only have to look at the south stand now and see how it’s thinned in the last year or two in particular, that gives you an indication of how much it’s dropped off. There’s often a misconception that the CL14 is the south stand, it’s not. The CL14 is about 50 lads in the south stand. We’ve lost quite a number of it’s members over the years who actually no longer come to the stadium anymore, so it’s not a case that they’ve fallen out of love with the CL14, they’ve fallen out of love with town. I have really close friends who I’ve known years who literally haven’t been for over a year. They’re still big supporters of the CL14, just lost the love for town and the club presently. Like many of the fan base I suppose. Getting people actively involved isn’t easy, since the loss of the Gas Club it’s even harder. (Kev I know you read this board. Buy it) It’s another hammer blow to the group, it’s another brick wall we have to climb over. The CL14 will be 10 years old in April 2024 and it’s come a long way but it’s getting harder and harder every season currently with keeping fans interested and keeping the group active. As you can see, the group hasn’t produced a large display since the play off semi final against Luton, although that’ll change shortly. When interest drops, less hands make work, harder. The CL14 are a presence in the south stand and do their best but ultimately the whole fan base is swimming in a different direction to the club at the moment and until a togetherness returns, it’ll continue to be a slog. The group is still very much active but it’s on a much smaller scale now to what it was back in 2016-2019. It needs results on the pitch now. All true points. It's a shame the gas club hasn't been taken over yet. So much potential and with ideas going forward could be a huge benefit. 1. Showing major live sports when they are on. 2. Merchandise sales. 3. Organised events such as race nights, comedy clubs etc. 4. Pre and post match entertainment. 5. Private functions If it is owned by the club, then nothing here would be taking away from the club. Plus you have a load of thirsty students on the door step. I remember the student night at the Plaza back in the day on a Monday night, it was rammed! Bands, DJs, reasonably priced alcohol and I'm sure you could make it wipe its face during the week.
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Post by mosher on Nov 8, 2023 10:26:48 GMT 1
All true points. It's a shame the gas club hasn't been taken over yet. So much potential and with ideas going forward could be a huge benefit. 1. Showing major live sports when they are on. 2. Merchandise sales. 3. Organised events such as race nights, comedy clubs etc. 4. Pre and post match entertainment. 5. Private functions If it is owned by the club, then nothing here would be taking away from the club. Plus you have a load of thirsty students on the door step. I remember the student night at the Plaza back in the day on a Monday night, it was rammed! Bands, DJs, reasonably priced alcohol and I'm sure you could make it wipe its face during the week. Even when not thirsty I've never understood why we don't have more tie-ins/offers for students being a University Town. Chichester College used to have a tie-in with Portsmouth while I was there and I know at least one lad became a ST holder off the back of it, despite not living down there, he was from the Midlands somewhere.
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Post by Gag_N_Bone_Man on Nov 8, 2023 10:51:54 GMT 1
End of the day, a lot of the atmosphere side of your post can only be down to us. We are the ones with the voices to chant. We are the ones to get noise going. Just means getting more on board to join in with the CSL. It'd be great of flags etc could be put everywhere and held everywhere too. Since Covid, the biggest hurdle the CL has faced with the exception of poor results most weeks has been the lack of interest. There’s about 50 active members who make up the CL14, comparing that to Lazio who are probably around the 5k mark and have years and years behind them is probably a bit different but within that 50, it was once 3 to 4 times bigger than that in terms of lads actively involved in and around the core in the south stand, making displays, doing charity, helping day to day. You only have to look at the south stand now and see how it’s thinned in the last year or two in particular, that gives you an indication of how much it’s dropped off. There’s often a misconception that the CL14 is the south stand, it’s not. The CL14 is about 50 lads in the south stand. We’ve lost quite a number of it’s members over the years who actually no longer come to the stadium anymore, so it’s not a case that they’ve fallen out of love with the CL14, they’ve fallen out of love with town. I have really close friends who I’ve known years who literally haven’t been for over a year. They’re still big supporters of the CL14, just lost the love for town and the club presently. Like many of the fan base I suppose. Getting people actively involved isn’t easy, since the loss of the Gas Club it’s even harder. (Kev I know you read this board. Buy it) It’s another hammer blow to the group, it’s another brick wall we have to climb over. The CL14 will be 10 years old in April 2024 and it’s come a long way but it’s getting harder and harder every season currently with keeping fans interested and keeping the group active. As you can see, the group hasn’t produced a large display since the play off semi final against Luton, although that’ll change shortly. When interest drops, less hands make work, harder. The CL14 are a presence in the south stand and do their best but ultimately the whole fan base is swimming in a different direction to the club at the moment and until a togetherness returns, it’ll continue to be a slog. The group is still very much active but it’s on a much smaller scale now to what it was back in 2016-2019. It needs results on the pitch now. Out of interest, if you were to list 5 things the club could do in this area to make things better, what would it be?
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Post by colnevalleyblue on Nov 8, 2023 11:08:50 GMT 1
All true points. It's a shame the gas club hasn't been taken over yet. So much potential and with ideas going forward could be a huge benefit. 1. Showing major live sports when they are on. 2. Merchandise sales. 3. Organised events such as race nights, comedy clubs etc. 4. Pre and post match entertainment. 5. Private functions If it is owned by the club, then nothing here would be taking away from the club. Plus you have a load of thirsty students on the door step. I remember the student night at the Plaza back in the day on a Monday night, it was rammed! Bands, DJs, reasonably priced alcohol and I'm sure you could make it wipe its face during the week. Might be wrong but I think times have changed now. The University has a lot of international students and people who don't drink for religious reasons, the drinking culture for young ones seems to have changed (probably for the best). The student bars in the town centre are a lot quieter than they used to be, there isn't even a bar on campus anymore. Which I assume was closed because it wasn't making any money. Probably do better if it becomes a gym. Not something I want like but just think WM/Student clubs have had their day.
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Post by Captainslapper on Nov 8, 2023 11:18:44 GMT 1
I've been to Boca, Fluminese and Flamengo, way better atmospheres, but mostly due to the fact people are allowed to actually do things over there. Over here we've got to get the club to sign off on a banner! lol The vast majority of Town fans are fans that want to sit rather than get involved in atmoshphere. Very true. Went to the San Siro many years ago for a Milan v Juventus game ..sort of the equivalent of Man Utd v Liverpool over here...not a local derby as such but huge rivalry and hatred. The ultras ran the ground behind the goal..no police or stewards to speak of. They could do what they liked which included enormous pyrotechnics going off, the loos being a drug den, every set of stairs being rammed with standing fans. Everyone drinking. The game was shit as Italian football usually is but the atmosphere never let up. Tonnes of violence before during and after too, inside and outside the ground..none of which seemed to get a mention in the press the following day ( as far as I could tell ) There was so much going on that wouldn't be allowed at an English game it was ridiculous. Germany's the same. Been to a reserve match at Dortmund in the little stadium outside the main one and even at that there were 300 Dortmund ultras huddled together who never let up through the entire 90 minutes after greeting the team with a spectacular explosion of confetti! It was bizarre!
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Post by Captainslapper on Nov 8, 2023 11:20:51 GMT 1
Lots of comments in the thread about Lazio being decent, and bigger etc etc. That actually means nothing in terms of how fans support thier club in the continent (and most other places across the world actually) Its a totally different mentality. Watch any game in Europe and 99% will have a far better atmosphere than anything you see in England. The division/form/league position/players/manager/chairman/weather generally make no difference the the Ultra Groups. The fans see it as thier duty to go and support the team, regardless of any of the above. They have years and years of mentally that has been bred into them. English football is now entertainment. Its like going to the cinema or a theatre where if you don't see what you like you complain and stop going until it gets better. Fans turn up now expecting to be entertained and will only sing (generally) when the going is good. I see so many comments from English fans in regard to bad atmospheres, but the problem is, nobody wants to do anything about it. They want others to do it so they can enjoy it. The CL for example get comments weekly on Social Media about how bad they are from fans who will sit for 90 mins and not make a noise. Someone has already said it on here, but if fans want an atmosphere it's really easy to do. Fans just have to open thier mouths and make some noise. Spain isnt like that to be fair in my experience. Been to Barcelona and even with 75,000 in the stadium and the team winning the atmosphere was flat as a fart.
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Post by townarentbest on Nov 8, 2023 11:34:22 GMT 1
Honestly - mainz were appalling for most of the game. Stuttgart marginally better - but the atmosphere was electric! But ... and I'm not disputing what you're saying here ... ... the Championship games I've personally seen this season would embarrass League Two. Try watching a League 2 game! I watched 30mins of Bradford during the previous international break, and it would "embarrass the Conference League"!
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Post by townarentbest on Nov 8, 2023 11:38:07 GMT 1
I've been to Boca, Fluminese and Flamengo, way better atmospheres, but mostly due to the fact people are allowed to actually do things over there. Over here we've got to get the club to sign off on a banner! lol The vast majority of Town fans are fans that want to sit rather than get involved in atmoshphere. Very true. Went to the San Siro many years ago for a Milan v Juventus game ..sort of the equivalent of Man Utd v Liverpool over here...not a local derby as such but huge rivalry and hatred. The ultras ran the ground behind the goal..no police or stewards to speak of. They could do what they liked which included enormous pyrotechnics going off, the loos being a drug den, every set of stairs being rammed with standing fans. Everyone drinking. The game was shit as Italian football usually is but the atmosphere never let up. Tonnes of violence before during and after too, inside and outside the ground..none of which seemed to get a mention in the press the following day ( as far as I could tell ) There was so much going on that wouldn't be allowed at an English game it was ridiculous. Germany's the same. Been to a reserve match at Dortmund in the little stadium outside the main one and even at that there were 300 Dortmund ultras huddled together who never let up through the entire 90 minutes after greeting the team with a spectacular explosion of confetti! It was bizarre! And whilst some seem to flag bear these environments as some amazing nirvana that we should want to attain - hopefully we *never* end up with a drug den loo, stairs being rammed, and tonnes of violence before during and after inside and outside the ground etc. (We've got the shit games though!)
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Post by royrace on Nov 8, 2023 12:22:18 GMT 1
Plus you have a load of thirsty students on the door step. I remember the student night at the Plaza back in the day on a Monday night, it was rammed! Bands, DJs, reasonably priced alcohol and I'm sure you could make it wipe its face during the week. Might be wrong but I think times have changed now. The University has a lot of international students and people who don't drink for religious reasons, the drinking culture for young ones seems to have changed (probably for the best). The student bars in the town centre are a lot quieter than they used to be, there isn't even a bar on campus anymore. Which I assume was closed because it wasn't making any money. Probably do better if it becomes a gym. Not something I want like but just think WM/Student clubs have had their day. I think you're right to an extent, the young ones do have other things to keep them amused these days and seem to be far more sensible when it comes to drink than we were on the whole! There is still a big student market in most uni towns and cities though and lots of nights aimed at students. I'm just surprised they can afford it these days with the price of a pint! I think without students you'd struggle to entice most folk out midweek. Seeing the state of Huddersfield town centre these days though there isn't much competition if you built something nice. Gets worse every time I go, very depressing.
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Post by rockwall on Nov 8, 2023 13:24:04 GMT 1
All true points. It's a shame the gas club hasn't been taken over yet. So much potential and with ideas going forward could be a huge benefit. 1. Showing major live sports when they are on. 2. Merchandise sales. 3. Organised events such as race nights, comedy clubs etc. 4. Pre and post match entertainment. 5. Private functions If it is owned by the club, then nothing here would be taking away from the club. Plus you have a load of thirsty students on the door step. I remember the student night at the Plaza back in the day on a Monday night, it was rammed! Bands, DJs, reasonably priced alcohol and I'm sure you could make it wipe its face during the week. Get local young bands, especially ones at the uni, to perform and open as a student night!
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Post by Mastercracker on Nov 8, 2023 13:37:02 GMT 1
Might be wrong but I think times have changed now. The University has a lot of international students and people who don't drink for religious reasons, the drinking culture for young ones seems to have changed (probably for the best). The student bars in the town centre are a lot quieter than they used to be, there isn't even a bar on campus anymore. Which I assume was closed because it wasn't making any money. Probably do better if it becomes a gym. Not something I want like but just think WM/Student clubs have had their day. I think you're right to an extent, the young ones do have other things to keep them amused these days and seem to be far more sensible when it comes to drink than we were on the whole! There is still a big student market in most uni towns and cities though and lots of nights aimed at students. I'm just surprised they can afford it these days with the price of a pint! I think without students you'd struggle to entice most folk out midweek. Seeing the state of Huddersfield town centre these days though there isn't much competition if you built something nice. Gets worse every time I go, very depressing. You're average student night out these days (and for the last decade or so) is about 3 drinks and 35 photos for Instagram. All about how you look/how you're perceived to look rather than just having fun and/or getting leathered. It's partly why despite the Uni seemingly flourishing the Town centre doesn't improve. They all get the train to Leeds for their night out on a Friday and Saturday. They don't need cheap drinks cos they barely have any. Also a much better look having your snaps down Greek Street than King Street.
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Post by royrace on Nov 8, 2023 17:12:16 GMT 1
I think you're right to an extent, the young ones do have other things to keep them amused these days and seem to be far more sensible when it comes to drink than we were on the whole! There is still a big student market in most uni towns and cities though and lots of nights aimed at students. I'm just surprised they can afford it these days with the price of a pint! I think without students you'd struggle to entice most folk out midweek. Seeing the state of Huddersfield town centre these days though there isn't much competition if you built something nice. Gets worse every time I go, very depressing. You're average student night out these days (and for the last decade or so) is about 3 drinks and 35 photos for Instagram. All about how you look/how you're perceived to look rather than just having fun and/or getting leathered. It's partly why despite the Uni seemingly flourishing the Town centre doesn't improve. They all get the train to Leeds for their night out on a Friday and Saturday. They don't need cheap drinks cos they barely have any. Also a much better look having your snaps down Greek Street than King Street. ... And who could blame them. Huddersfield has nothing to offer. Walk along a city centre Street in any of our neighbouring towns and cities and you'll be spoiled for choice. I can't think of a single reason to go for a night out in Huddersfield. Sad state of affairs. It's not the town I remember any more. Worse than it ever was whilst neighbouring towns and cities improve. The council needs to attract quality retail outlets, bars and restaurants somehow, parking would come in handy too since (understandably) the vast majority of the population don't want to cycle in or get on a bus.
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ben1987
Mental Health Support Group
Posts: 7,162
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Post by ben1987 on Nov 8, 2023 23:00:44 GMT 1
Since Covid, the biggest hurdle the CL has faced with the exception of poor results most weeks has been the lack of interest. There’s about 50 active members who make up the CL14, comparing that to Lazio who are probably around the 5k mark and have years and years behind them is probably a bit different but within that 50, it was once 3 to 4 times bigger than that in terms of lads actively involved in and around the core in the south stand, making displays, doing charity, helping day to day. You only have to look at the south stand now and see how it’s thinned in the last year or two in particular, that gives you an indication of how much it’s dropped off. There’s often a misconception that the CL14 is the south stand, it’s not. The CL14 is about 50 lads in the south stand. We’ve lost quite a number of it’s members over the years who actually no longer come to the stadium anymore, so it’s not a case that they’ve fallen out of love with the CL14, they’ve fallen out of love with town. I have really close friends who I’ve known years who literally haven’t been for over a year. They’re still big supporters of the CL14, just lost the love for town and the club presently. Like many of the fan base I suppose. Getting people actively involved isn’t easy, since the loss of the Gas Club it’s even harder. (Kev I know you read this board. Buy it) It’s another hammer blow to the group, it’s another brick wall we have to climb over. The CL14 will be 10 years old in April 2024 and it’s come a long way but it’s getting harder and harder every season currently with keeping fans interested and keeping the group active. As you can see, the group hasn’t produced a large display since the play off semi final against Luton, although that’ll change shortly. When interest drops, less hands make work, harder. The CL14 are a presence in the south stand and do their best but ultimately the whole fan base is swimming in a different direction to the club at the moment and until a togetherness returns, it’ll continue to be a slog. The group is still very much active but it’s on a much smaller scale now to what it was back in 2016-2019. It needs results on the pitch now. Out of interest, if you were to list 5 things the club could do in this area to make things better, what would it be? The obvious is winning games and Gas club would be one but I guess it’s beyond them but it’s about fluency and direction. 1. Communication. Actively communicate with your fan groups. Be proactive, go to them rather than waiting for them to come to you and raise issues. Be proactive, not reactive with your fans. 2. Have a clear identity as a club, so the fans can feed off that. See number one to understand what identity as a club you should be and what fans want the club to be. Full clarity on your identity. No confusion, crystal clear. 3. Pricing. Do not, I repeat do not consider, discuss or implement a price increase. The most vocal element of your support will be hit the hardest. Don’t assume that pricing is all a fan factors in when they buy a season card, they invest their time too. I don’t care about Rochdale or Sheffield Wednesdays prices. I care about towns. Sensible, simplistic pricing needs to remain and If I was them, I’d put a 5 year price freeze on them. If you increase prices, fans through the turnstiles will fall off a cliff. 4. Forget goal music, forget clappers, forget gimmicks. Invest in your fans, they give everything for their respected causes. Support them. Go above and beyond. WE are doing you a favour, not the other way round. Whatever it takes, give them the tools. Make your stadium, your home. Ban away drums, allow home fans to build the atmosphere, build rapport with players and fans. 5. Safe standing, because I’m selfish.
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