Any Australians been to an English Premier League match?

Cupido13

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Thread starter #1
I went to a match at Elland Road last season and I tell you what it was more exciting and had more atmosphere than any AFL game I have ever attended.

Any one else had the pleasure of witnessing a Premiership game? I am curious to know whether everyone else found it as exciting as I did.
 

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Shinboners

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#2
Manchester United vs Everton in 1994. It was the game after Sir Matt Busby had passed away, we won 1-0, the atmosphere was amazing.

Liverpool vs Bristol City, three days after the United vs Everton game. It was an FA Cup tie, Bristol won 1-0 and Souness was sacked a few days later.

United win, Liverpool lose....it couldn't have been any better.
 

Paris75

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#3
Originally posted by Cupido13
I went to a match at Elland Road last season and I tell you what it was more exciting and had more atmosphere than any AFL game I have ever attended.
Where'd you sit? Not in the lurpak I hope, North east is the only place to be ;)
 

moomba

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#5
Sadly the days of the really good atmospheres at football games are over.

All seater stadiums, TV, corporate prawn sandwich eaters, the same two (now three) teams fighting for the title with no-one else in with a shot, high ticket prices have all had negative effects on the atmosphere at games.

The atmosphere at matches is still excellent, but not a patch on what it used to be.

Moomba
 

GoalsFrom50Out

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#6
I wasn't very old - maybe five - Dad took me along with my uncle to a Sheffield Wednesday match. Hillsborough was pretty empty then ... can't remember who Wednesday played. I think it was Manchester City.
 

Paris75

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#7
Originally posted by moomba
Sadly the days of the really good atmospheres at football games are over.

The atmosphere at matches is still excellent, but not a patch on what it used to be.

Moomba
The atmosphere in div 1 games (and below) isn't too bad at some places as all the glory hunters tend to stay away, probably one of the few benefits of relegation.
 
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#8
1978 was the last time i saw top live english football. A draw with Spurs enough to promote us to the old 1st division.

Never been relegated since.......just!!!
 

CDFCLad

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#9
over 30 of them......Sunderland FC season ticket holder about 3-4 years ago. Best memory - Beating Chelsea 4-1 after loosing to them 4-0 a matter of weeks earlier.

Also been to a few Newcastle :mad: matches with family members who unfortunately follow them.

Also been to a hell of alot of Div 1, 2, and 3 matches.
 

Voice of Reason

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#10
Originally posted by moomba
Sadly the days of the really good atmospheres at football games are over.

All seater stadiums, TV, corporate prawn sandwich eaters, the same two (now three) teams fighting for the title with no-one else in with a shot, high ticket prices have all had negative effects on the atmosphere at games.

The atmosphere at matches is still excellent, but not a patch on what it used to be.

Moomba
I grew up there and followed Spurs, as well as seeing numerous other teams at various times, from 1970 to 1990.

The atmosphere of standing in gangs with the surreal feeling that a massive war was about to start at any moment was incredible.

I saw Leeds v. Villa on my last visit 6 years ago and am seeing Leeds v Spurs in January (and maybe another game or so). I enjoyed the event last time, but as you describe, it's not what it was.

The atmosphere at West Coast Eagles v Fremantle 2nd derby in the last H&A round last year was as good as most soccer games I've been to. England v South Africa in rugby union was pretty good too (though I'm less a fan of the game).
 

wellsy

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#11
Originally posted by CDFCLad
over 30 of them......Sunderland FC season ticket holder about 3-4 years ago. Best memory - Beating Chelsea 4-1 after loosing to them 4-0 a matter of weeks earlier.

Also been to a few Newcastle :mad: matches with family members who unfortunately follow them.

Bad luck hey, by the time i finally get over to England, Sunderland may find themselves even further down ;)

I hate the Aussie dollar but it is slowly climbing :(
 

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JF_Bay_22_SCG

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#14
Originally posted by moomba
Sadly the days of the really good atmospheres at football games are over.

All seater stadiums, TV, corporate prawn sandwich eaters, the same two (now three) teams fighting for the title with no-one else in with a shot, high ticket prices have all had negative effects on the atmosphere at games.

The atmosphere at matches is still excellent, but not a patch on what it used to be.

Moomba
You ain't been to Dortmund in Germany then yet mate! 28000 standing terrace, 6 metre high flags, flares going off, people leading the songs with loudhailers, songs that last 10 minutes in duration (no joke!).

It's paradise for all prospective ULTRAS!................................ where support is as visual as it is it vocal.

Except I follow FC Bayern. Where's the Inola Gay when you need it!? ;)

Here are some picks of what goes on at the Westfalenstadion.
<http://www.stadionwelt.de/Stadionwe...russia_Dortmund/0304/BVB_lev0304/BVB_lev.html>

JF
 

moomba

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#15
I think the lack of terraces is probably the biggest barrier to good atmosphere in Engish football, I'm not sure but I think the lower leagues still allow some standing room??? I haven't done so yet, but I am keen to go to the odd lower division match, Oldham and Bury are nearby and could use the cash.

To be honest loudspeakers, flares and 10 minute songs don't really appeal that much too me. Give me the roar of the crowd every time Shaun Wright-Phillips gets the ball and pushes forward and the rest doesn't matter so much. IMO too much emphasis is placed on creating atmosphere (usually articificial), and less on letting the match and the sport create it's own atmosphere.

Moomba
 
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#16
Yep - Whitehart Lane and Highbury in the Premiership. Vicarage Rd in the !st div.

Best atmos I've ever enjoyed at a sporting event:

1. 1984 GF during the Essendon comeback to end a 19 year premiership drought...

2. Australia v England at Twickenham last year ( the 1 pointer) - that was amazing

3. Scud beating Sampras in straight sets at the Aussie open in straight sets when just a kid - that was huge.

I think soccer crowds are overrated.
 

Cupido13

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Originally posted by moomba
I think the lack of terraces is probably the biggest barrier to good atmosphere in Engish football, I'm not sure but I think the lower leagues still allow some standing room??? I haven't done so yet, but I am keen to go to the odd lower division match, Oldham and Bury are nearby and could use the cash.

To be honest loudspeakers, flares and 10 minute songs don't really appeal that much too me. Give me the roar of the crowd every time Shaun Wright-Phillips gets the ball and pushes forward and the rest doesn't matter so much. IMO too much emphasis is placed on creating atmosphere (usually articificial), and less on letting the match and the sport create it's own atmosphere.

Moomba
I am just wondering how many games you have been to, or if you are just quoting stories you have read off the net?
 

GOALden Hawk

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#19
Went and saw Liverpool v Villa in January at Anfield. Had to buy off a scalper, but was only 12 rows from the front behind the goals, so pretty happy.

Thought the atmosphere was very good myself, especially when we had scored. Still maintain it was better at the WCQ or even the International Rules though.

But it was worth all the money and getting up at 5AM just to see Michael Owen score. Even if you only do it once do it, it's an experience not to be missed.

Might try and do it again next October if I have a bit of luck with the schedules, otherwise might just check out a Div 1 game.
 

Weaver

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#20
Reserved seats / season tickets have killed the atmosphere. It means that the loud singers are dispersed over the ground and broken up by quieter types.

The best atmosphere is normally to go to an away game (or get into the away end). Then you get 1-2,000 or so hard-core fans in a tight area, all liqoured up and ready to sing the place down. More often than not the concentrated away support out-sing the home crowd.
 
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#23
yes, but the atmosphere sounded better than any other game i've watched on TV. the commentator himself said the stadium was 'shaking'.
 

sethlad

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#24
Aston Villa 2 Derby County 0,Villa Park, April 2000

Derby County 3 Leicester 0,Pride Park, April 2000

Two very different grounds,2 very different experiences.


Seth.
 

DEVO

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#25
Haven't been to a Premier League match, but I have been to Brunton Park twice to see my beloved Carlisle United play and have been to Victoria Park in the Scottish Highland to see Ross County play.
 
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