Level 1 Aisle 37 Reserved Seat Section - A New Low

[soups1982]

Let me preface this post with an initial disclaimer. I'm no angel at the footy. I enjoy barracking loudly, passionately, getting behind the club I love, giving a bit of lip to opposition players and every now and then a frustrated expletive may creep out accidentally, however given that no expletives were muttered makes what happened today even more un-explainable.

I go to the footy with my mate from work (we're professional contractors working in the IT industry) most weeks. I've been a member for 9 years and a social club/ultimate member since 2009. This year we decided that it might be a good idea to upgrade our membership to a reserve seat on level 1. Whats not to like, I mean level 1, great seats on the wings, plus we'll have the added bonus of being with our own.

Now perhaps I missed the memo regarding the reserved seat section. I figured it was a place where lovers of the St Kilda Football Club would congregate on a weekly basis (or at least for home matches). I understood it to be a place where friendships could be fostered, based on a mutual love and support of the team. I thought it might even be a place which contained an ounce of atmosphere.

How wrong I was....

Today at the GWS game, I was feebly heckled by a st kilda supporter a few rows in front of us, after I had some encouraging words for heath shaw. The older lady fired back, "well he's better than you". Well I was surprised to say the least, however perhaps she was a relative. The game continued and we continued to yell out the typical things one says at the football: "Ball, Go Saints, C'mon Saints" etc. The father of the same family turns around and says "Will you guys shutup this is a family area", along with "go on, have another beer". It was shocking to us to say the least. His kid clearly did not like noise, which makes me wonder why he was brought to a football match. Afterall, it's not the ballet is it?

There was a bit of back and forth between us and them, because we reminded them they were actually at the football, however nothing even close to getting out of hand. The older lady of their group (the one from the heath shaw remark) got up out of her seat and headed back up the aisle (I presumed to grab food, go to the bathroom etc) and was back shortly thereafter.

About 5-10 minutes later a security guard came down to us to give us a 'warning'. The conversation went like this.

Security: "We have received a couple of complaints regarding you guys"
Me: "I'm guessing you mean you have received one complaint, and it was from that lady over there?"
Security: "Yes, it was regarding your language"
Me: "I can assure we have not been swearing. They got angry at us because they thought we were being too loud, however there was no swearing"
Security: "If someone makes a complaint, then I am obliged to follow it up. If there is another complaint we may have to ask you to leave"

I also asked if the Security guard if we were able to put in a complaint about them and he said yes, however it didn't feel right to get involved in a petty tit-for-tat with these people, however needless to say we were both stunned. Essentially being held hostage by this group, who wanted to control the amount of noise their son is subjected to at the footy.

Another lady came past after the siren had sounded and congratulated us barracking and being passionate, however the whole situation is very alarming and has me quite perturbed (hence the 6am post)

So aside from my concerns that this section of the ground clearly appears to be filled with 'part-time' types who don't exude any passion for the saints at all, we are now in the unenviable position of having to sit near these people for the remainder of the season.

Will be making a call to the club on Tuesday to discuss our options, however I don't see why we should be penalised or have to move given this situation.

Does anyone have any feedback, suggestions, similar/different experiences in the reserved seat section. Any help/advice would be great.

 

[George]

I had a similar altercation with people behind me in the cheer squad of the 2010 Grand Final. I lost my voice that day from the enormity of the game/our chance to win the flag and had people in a couple rows behind me telling me to sit down after I got up and went mental as BJ took that hanger. For what it's worth an elderly lady was also involved.

Just tell them to get stuffed, you get supporters like that at the football all the time. This isn't a ballet, this is a football match. For some of us this means more to us than just a football club, for some (including myself) it's held family together through some shit times....so when you see your club doing well you want to show them your support. I'm glad someone came over to you and congratulated you for your behavior, I would've done the same. People y nature are selfish and if they expect to go to the football and not come across a passionate supporter they are from another planet.

 

[ronnysnodgrass]

Should add some of these to Etihad like they have at the movies....

(also be useful at Tigers and Freo games this year.....)

 

[cartel]

I am very much a quieter supporter - don't confuse yelling with passion!

How people choose to support their team though doesn't really bother me, unless being racist/sexist/violent etc etc. And it definitely sounds as though you weren't doing anything wrong.

 

[dewah07]

this is why i sit lev 3 behind the goals. can say whatever i want with 0 consequences.

 

[Flandersss]

People are too precious, that's the problem.

I sat level 1 wing with Carlscum members round 22, 2012.

What a day. Got told to shut the **** up numerous times LMAO

 

[Tom_Wilson_55]

This kind of crap really irks me...

The fact that that people whinge, complain and then get support from security for people SUPPORTING THEIR OWN BLOODY TEAM!
It's just an indictment on the game.
How it can occur in someone's mind that this isn't ok thing to do it at the footy is beyond me.
If you're not prepared for your kids to be 'subjected' to consumption of alcohol and the odd use of foul language then take them to the bloody netball.
Where's the passion? Where's the love? Where's the comradeship?

I wish you all the best with your follow up to the club and really hope that they're supportive with your complaint.

 

[felsty]

Where's the comradeship?.

Is that like comradery and mateship blended? I like it

 

[my name was taken]

Stand your ground and keep the seats. There's no terms and conditions of entry that say you can't be vocal, tell the club this when you call. You weren't swearing or intimidating other supporters, if the other family don't like noise the should go home and get foxtel and watch at home.

 

[cooperrules]

i called our players overpaid c"$#s which slipped out in anger as we hit about the 15 minute mark of the 1st quarter after that disgusting display of vfl standard rubbish. i was so frastrated and angry that i lost total control. the saints fella in front of me turned and told me that if were to keep going he would have me ejected which is fair enough.

 

[Rors]

If I go to Etihad with mates, we stand at the back of level 1 & just move around the ground to prevent the 'dobbers' from wrecking our fun.

I sat with the travelling Saints fans up here for the GWS game at Spotless last year. Most of them are mortified if you even yell out a harmless insult like 'dickhead' about an opposition player. When did going to the footy become a part of the nanny state?

Further into the game, Toby Greene tried to rough up one of our boys, think it was Newnes after Jack had buried Whitfield in a bone jarring tackle right in front of us... I kindly advised Toby 'that he'd need his crutches to win that fight', a play on words based on Toby's assault incident at Zagame's the year previous. A few fellow fans around had a laugh, while a few told me that he'd beat me in a fight. I was shocked that my own supporter base had a dog back at me for something that wasn't even remotely insulting to anyone. My answer back to them was 'no he wouldn't, I've got my Dads walking stick....'. The majority of fans around us at least had a laugh at that one & the others didn't bother us again. But again, I still couldn't believe that fellow supporters are such sooks

 

[Sippa]

I am also a reserved seat member, level 1 on the wing. Have been since we moved to etihad. In the early days, it was purely St Kilda members in there. I get quite vocal at the footy however I remember one guy who used to sit in there was just a complete dickhead. Would abuse our own players every week without fail, and nearly always he was wrong with what he was saying, and he had a habit of slamming his foot on the ground, which the floor at etihad is quite flimsy and would make you jump every time. I love passionate supporters, but blokes like that just make it unbearable.

On the other hand, now our area is not St Kilda reserved. You have the same people who have held the same seats for a long time, but now they sell general admission around us which is a nightmare. Each week we end up with opposition supporters behind or next to us, and as always plenty of dickheads. I don't understand why the club doesn't keep all the members together, make it strictly members areas? I'd happily move my seats to another part where it was all members.

 

[Chuckie357]

I thought I had a bad night at Adelaide ovals Saturday when a female port Adelaide supporter extremely rudely and aggressively told me to sit down when I was coming back from the toilet and she was 2-3 rows behind me

 

[Joffaboy]

I am also a reserved seat member, level 1 on the wing. Have been since we moved to etihad. In the early days, it was purely St Kilda members in there. I get quite vocal at the footy however I remember one guy who used to sit in there was just a complete dickhead. Would abuse our own players every week without fail, and nearly always he was wrong with what he was saying, and he had a habit of slamming his foot on the ground, which the floor at etihad is quite flimsy and would make you jump every time. I love passionate supporters, but blokes like that just make it unbearable.

On the other hand, now our area is not St Kilda reserved. You have the same people who have held the same seats for a long time, but now they sell general admission around us which is a nightmare. Each week we end up with opposition supporters behind or next to us, and as always plenty of dickheads. I don't understand why the club doesn't keep all the members together, make it strictly members areas? I'd happily move my seats to another part where it was all members.

Thats what the Moorabbin wing was create for.
On level 3 though

 

[soups1982]

thanks for your responses all, feeling a bit better about things. Will be drafting a comms to the club today and also giving them a call.

Does anyone have a contact at the club they could suggest we direct this situation to? Would be most helpful.

Thanks all at BF

 

[soups1982]

Update - It appears as though these people have written in to the Herald Sun. Page 19 - 'Foul-Mouthed Footy'. An utter fabrication of the truth.

It really appears as though we have no formal recourse, other than to call up the club and asked to be moved. What a poor investment the reserved seat membership appears to be.

 

[NarrowMind]

Update - It appears as though these people have written in to the Herald Sun. Page 19 - 'Foul-Mouthed Footy'. An utter fabrication of the truth.

It really appears as though we have no formal recourse, other than to call up the club and asked to be moved. What a poor investment the reserved seat membership appears to be.

That's outrageous, but then again i'm not surprised with that sort of behavior anymore as I've found I have to implement the same game day routine of roaming the standing room like Rors.

 

[The Punter]

I'm surprised my two sons didn't ask me to be removed on Sunday in the last quarter when I was giving it to one of the umpires.

They're both under 5.

 

[Joffaboy]

If you can endure Level 3 everyone is welcome on the Moorabbin Wing. Aisle 36 to 37.

No opposition supporters and even one time when I was pissed blind and spent the whole game bagging Jack Watts, I didnt get into trouble, well too much anyway.

For courtesy sake I havent done that again.

 

[Coconut_twirl]

I am sorry to hear that. I upgrades my membership and I was so lucky to score a seat on Row A in L17. Amazing seats, it was just a shame quite a number of Saints players butchered the ball going forward. I am surprised you got that reception from a fellow Saints supporter. I am think there would have been only 20 GWS fans at the ground.

 

[Rors]

I'm surprised my two sons didn't ask me to be removed on Sunday in the last quarter when I was giving it to one of the umpires.

They're both under 5.

This is awesome

 

[saintvic]

That is absolutely hilarious that it riled her up so much that she wrote into the paper.

I have had reserved seats level 1 aisle 32 for about 10 years, it gets very loud and vocal in our section especially in the front rows where I sit, that is part of the atmosphere of going to the footy.
I can't believe saints supporters are complaining to Security about other sainters!

 

[Rors]

Update - It appears as though these people have written in to the Herald Sun. Page 19 - 'Foul-Mouthed Footy'. An utter fabrication of the truth.

It really appears as though we have no formal recourse, other than to call up the club and asked to be moved. What a poor investment the reserved seat membership appears to be.

Was this the lady???

 

[RoundCubic]

Update - It appears as though these people have written in to the Herald Sun. Page 19 - 'Foul-Mouthed Footy'. An utter fabrication of the truth.

It really appears as though we have no formal recourse, other than to call up the club and asked to be moved. What a poor investment the reserved seat membership appears to be.

Seems mad but if you get someone like that just put ur phone mic to record these mad people can get so worked up they convince themselves that their story is true.
Its unimaginably satisfying to be able to prove they are just a mad bi#@h and watch them start arguing against empirical evidence and start complaining about conspiracies

 

[Savatage]

Let me preface this post with an initial disclaimer. I'm no angel at the footy. I enjoy barracking loudly, passionately, getting behind the club I love, giving a bit of lip to opposition players and every now and then a frustrated expletive may creep out accidentally, however given that no expletives were muttered makes what happened today even more un-explainable.

I go to the footy with my mate from work (we're professional contractors working in the IT industry) most weeks. I've been a member for 9 years and a social club/ultimate member since 2009. This year we decided that it might be a good idea to upgrade our membership to a reserve seat on level 1. Whats not to like, I mean level 1, great seats on the wings, plus we'll have the added bonus of being with our own.

Now perhaps I missed the memo regarding the reserved seat section. I figured it was a place where lovers of the St Kilda Football Club would congregate on a weekly basis (or at least for home matches). I understood it to be a place where friendships could be fostered, based on a mutual love and support of the team. I thought it might even be a place which contained an ounce of atmosphere.

How wrong I was....

Today at the GWS game, I was feebly heckled by a st kilda supporter a few rows in front of us, after I had some encouraging words for heath shaw. The older lady fired back, "well he's better than you". Well I was surprised to say the least, however perhaps she was a relative. The game continued and we continued to yell out the typical things one says at the football: "Ball, Go Saints, C'mon Saints" etc. The father of the same family turns around and says "Will you guys shutup this is a family area", along with "go on, have another beer". It was shocking to us to say the least. His kid clearly did not like noise, which makes me wonder why he was brought to a football match. Afterall, it's not the ballet is it?

There was a bit of back and forth between us and them, because we reminded them they were actually at the football, however nothing even close to getting out of hand. The older lady of their group (the one from the heath shaw remark) got up out of her seat and headed back up the aisle (I presumed to grab food, go to the bathroom etc) and was back shortly thereafter.

About 5-10 minutes later a security guard came down to us to give us a 'warning'. The conversation went like this.

Security: "We have received a couple of complaints regarding you guys"
Me: "I'm guessing you mean you have received one complaint, and it was from that lady over there?"
Security: "Yes, it was regarding your language"
Me: "I can assure we have not been swearing. They got angry at us because they thought we were being too loud, however there was no swearing"
Security: "If someone makes a complaint, then I am obliged to follow it up. If there is another complaint we may have to ask you to leave"

I also asked if the Security guard if we were able to put in a complaint about them and he said yes, however it didn't feel right to get involved in a petty tit-for-tat with these people, however needless to say we were both stunned. Essentially being held hostage by this group, who wanted to control the amount of noise their son is subjected to at the footy.

Another lady came past after the siren had sounded and congratulated us barracking and being passionate, however the whole situation is very alarming and has me quite perturbed (hence the 6am post)

So aside from my concerns that this section of the ground clearly appears to be filled with 'part-time' types who don't exude any passion for the saints at all, we are now in the unenviable position of having to sit near these people for the remainder of the season.

Will be making a call to the club on Tuesday to discuss our options, however I don't see why we should be penalised or have to move given this situation.

Does anyone have any feedback, suggestions, similar/different experiences in the reserved seat section. Any help/advice would be great.

I must admit, I am a very passionate supporter but due to working most weekends, I literally get to one game or two a year. Back in the day, though, I used to have a reserved seat on Aisle 37.

Yes, I am loud, yes I am passionate - but I always supported the team & never bagged our own players.

To say I felt un-welcomed, is an understatement. I almost felt ashamed getting to my seats every week because the people around me clearly just liked going to the football in silence. Barracking for my team was taboo.

If I do get to the football these days, I like to stand at the back of the aisles with supporters that like to get into the game. If I want to go to the theatre, I'll go to the theatre - not a game of AFL football.