The on topic thread

[SM]

Unfortunately, Old Trafford is about 70% Tourists/upper class supporters, 25% hardcore, 5% away fans.

Yep, all the bigger clubs are going the same way. Which is incredibly ironic, as they're the ones who least need to raise revenue from ticket sales.

I can see the point of view that they need some discriminant so that there aren't hundreds of thousands of people trying to buy tickets to each game, but surely there's something that can be done.

 

[jd2010]

Liverpool as well. Not saying it doesn't already happen. I was at Anfield January 2014, and it was absolutely dead silent apart from the away supporters. They do their big boisterous "YNWA" and then they'll have the occasional bit of noise, and especially after they scored they were up and about, but the support in general at all of those big clubs is pretty average.

To be honest Arsenal is one of the better ones, was at the Emirates twice and had decent noise on both occasions - once against us, once against your mob in the FA Cup.

Agree was at Liverpool twice last year and outside the YNWA they were pretty tame. Mind you they were playing awful at the time so that doesn't help. I'm judging Arsenal off what I saw on TV and mates that were at the Everton game and they said it was A-League esque (bar WSW & MV) for it's lack of atmosphere

 

[Jatz]

You haven't watched an Arsenal or Chelsea game of late?

Tottenham is quieter than both. Awful atmosphere at the stadium most of the time.

 

[Jatz]

But yes, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool last season all lacked atmosphere as well.

 

[jd2010]

Tottenham is quieter than both. Awful atmosphere at the stadium most of the time.

2013/14 under Sherwood yes nobody wanted to be there. Last season the Lane was rocking even on freezing Thursday nights!

 

[Bojan KantKick]

Yep, all the bigger clubs are going the same way. Which is incredibly ironic, as they're the ones who least need to raise revenue from ticket sales.

I can see the point of view that they need some discriminant so that there aren't hundreds of thousands of people trying to buy tickets to each game, but surely there's something that can be done.

I don't mind tourist coming from all over the world to see United, far from it, but there needs to be a middle ground here. United ticket prices aren't too bad, we just need to expand the stadium. Not sure whether the glazers are willing to fund it. Add another 25k to capacity and we're sorted.

 

[SM]

But yes, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool last season all lacked atmosphere as well.

You're going to ask me why I remember this, but I remember arguing with Jod or ADL that Liverpool had shit atmosphere and you telling me that I was an idiot to try and argue with a Liverpool supporter. Right after I got back from England as well..

Anyway. Yeah, Liverpool have been dreadful for a few years now with regards to atmosphere. Keep in mind I was there when they were on the charge for the title, and they still couldn't muster a half-decent atmosphere at Anfield. I'll forgive them for their atmosphere at the KC since we were twatting them 3-1.

 

[jd2010]

I don't mind tourist coming from all over the world to see United, far from it, but there needs to be a middle ground here. United ticket prices aren't too bad, we just need to expand the stadium. Not sure whether the glazers are willing to fund it. Add another 25k to capacity and we're sorted.

Don't think capacity is the problem. Season ticket prices for the regular person is just too high. An extra 25k with United's worldwide pull will just bring in another 15k of tourists and dilute the atmosphere true support actually creates

 

[SM]

I don't mind tourist coming from all over the world to see United, far from it, but there needs to be a middle ground here. United ticket prices aren't too bad, we just need to expand the stadium. Not sure whether the glazers are willing to fund it. Add another 25k to capacity and we're sorted.

Add capacity, add loyalty discounts, and you might start to get some real fans being able to afford to come back.

Perhaps for every year you've been a season card holder you get a 5% discount on the next year's season ticket.

 

[SM]

Don't think capacity is the problem. Season ticket prices for the regular person is just too high. An extra 25k with United's worldwide pull will just bring in another 15k of tourists and dilute the atmosphere true support actually creates

Loyalty discount may help that which is what I've just brought up. Add in a discount per year you've held a season ticket, and cap it at maybe a 50% discount, and you might get decent supporters being able to afford it. Of course bringing it in now may not do much as most can no longer afford them, but there'd be some method to bring them back you'd think.

 

[Bojan KantKick]

Don't think capacity is the problem. Season ticket prices for the regular person is just too high. An extra 25k with United's worldwide pull will just bring in another 15k of tourists and dilute the atmosphere true support actually creates

It's why i used to love watching the boro, 10k all standing stadia, easy access to frothies, atmosphere was amazing!

 

[Bojan KantKick]

Add capacity, add loyalty discounts, and you might start to get some real fans being able to afford to come back.

Perhaps for every year you've been a season card holder you get a 5% discount on the next year's season ticket.

correct, with more capacity, loyalty discounts could definitely work, even if you just gave 5 year plus season ticket holders a guaranteed season ticket price freeze for 5 years rather than a discount.

 

[Jatz]

You're going to ask me why I remember this, but I remember arguing with Jod or ADL that Liverpool had shit atmosphere and you telling me that I was an idiot to try and argue with a Liverpool supporter. Right after I got back from England as well..

Anyway. Yeah, Liverpool have been dreadful for a few years now with regards to atmosphere. Keep in mind I was there when they were on the charge for the title, and they still couldn't muster a half-decent atmosphere at Anfield. I'll forgive them for their atmosphere at the KC since we were twatting them 3-1.

That sounds more like me

I really noticed it last year for the first time in a while. It was so quiet! Haha

 

[SM]

That sounds more like me

I really noticed it last year for the first time in a while. It was so quiet! Haha

Could hear a pin drop.

"We forgot you were here," "Just like a library" and "Where's that famous Anfield atmosphere" were brilliant chants to sing.

 

[jd2010]

Loyalty discount may help that which is what I've just brought up. Add in a discount per year you've held a season ticket, and cap it at maybe a 50% discount, and you might get decent supporters being able to afford it. Of course bringing it in now may not do much as most can no longer afford them, but there'd be some method to bring them back you'd think.

The big thing I hope we achieve with the new stadium is exactly that. Funnily enough there's been talk of the A-League's "active support" areas being introduced into our single tier safe standing stand. I went to a PSG game last season and I think they did it magnificently. 70% of the stadium was normal ticketed seated and about 4 bays were "active zones" where you had no seat number and you could just move freely and stand and sing. Was brilliant, even if I didn't know any of the French songs I was singing!

 

[elhadjihenry]

Don't think capacity is the problem. Season ticket prices for the regular person is just too high. An extra 25k with United's worldwide pull will just bring in another 15k of tourists and dilute the atmosphere true support actually creates

This is certainly the problem at the Emirates. The proper fans are well outnumbered by corporates, tourists and fairly impartial fans.

Our away support is sensational you can always hear them over home fans wherever we are playing, just need to drop the prices at the Emirates so 10k more of them can be at our home games!

 

[SM]

The big thing I hope we achieve with the new stadium is exactly that. Funnily enough there's been talk of the A-League's "active support" areas being introduced into our single tier safe standing stand. I went to a PSG game last season and I think they did it magnificently. 70% of the stadium was normal ticketed seated and about 4 bays were "active zones" where you had no seat number and you could just move freely and stand and sing. Was brilliant, even if I didn't know any of the French songs I was singing!

I was thinking that this was the perfect thing to bring in! Whenever a nutter or steward tells you to sit down and shut up because they wanted to be able to see, I thought that it'd make sense to have an area designed explicitly for standing up and singing, so that people know what they're in for if they buy a ticket in there.

 

[Bojan KantKick]

The big thing I hope we achieve with the new stadium is exactly that. Funnily enough there's been talk of the A-League's "active support" areas being introduced into our single tier safe standing stand. I went to a PSG game last season and I think they did it magnificently. 70% of the stadium was normal ticketed seated and about 4 bays were "active zones" where you had no seat number and you could just move freely and stand and sing. Was brilliant, even if I didn't know any of the French songs I was singing!

Not sure how many on here like Bball and follow the Bogeyman, but he did some fantastic stuff when he was with the Bucks. He effectively, bought a whole bunch of tickets in a single section and gave them to fans who promised to cheer all game, 'squad 6' haha

Here's an article on it. http://offthedribble.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/bucks-fans-respond-to-boguts-incentive/?_r=0

 

[jd2010]

This is certainly the problem at the Emirates. The proper fans are well outnumbered by corporates, tourists and fairly impartial fans.

Our away support is sensational you can always hear them over home fans wherever we are playing, just need to drop the prices at the Emirates so 10k more of them can be at our home games!

Home support is always quieter than away support because it's so hard for like minded singing supporters to actually sit near each other. At away games it's a given you'll be drunk, standing & singing at the top of your lungs

 

[Jatz]

Our home support was much louder than away support last season. We had a really great atmosphere at the King Power

 

[SM]

Home support is always quieter than away support because it's so hard for like minded singing supporters to actually sit near each other. At away games it's a given you'll be drunk, standing & singing at the top of your lungs

Yep, away games are more enjoyable to go to, especially the ones furthest away from your ground, as you know only the diehards will be there.

Swansea away was pretty much my favourite game of the trip.

 

[jd2010]

Our home support was much louder than away support last season. We had a really great atmosphere at the King Power

That's because nobody wants to go to Leicester and those from Leicester can't get out!

 

[SM]

Our home support was much louder than away support last season. We had a really great atmosphere at the King Power

Because you brought in those stupid cardboard clappers at the end of the season. Means even those who don't want to sing and chant can make noise. Some support that concept, others are against it. I know when I'm at a Swans game and a kid is waving one around I want to rip their head off.

 

[jd2010]

I know when I'm at a Swans game and a kid is waving one around I want to rip their head off

Can't boo. Can't use a cardboard clapper. What can you do at the SCG?

 

[Jatz]

Because you brought in those stupid cardboard clappers at the end of the season. Means even those who don't want to sing and chant can make noise. Some support that concept, others are against it. I know when I'm at a Swans game and a kid is waving one around I want to rip their head off.

Not always. They weren't there against United. It was probably quieter during our 140 days on the bottom of the table but that would make sense.

The clappers helped no doubt but our atmosphere was good before them.