Hate plastic fans? Sick of the Emirates silence? This might be of interest…
I’ve read plenty of articles over the last couple of weeks citing the lack of noise at the Emirates as being a problem.
One article blamed our slump in form on the fans (Really?), another said the need for beer at half time is ruining the atmosphere and countless others have commented on the crappy noise levels.
I never really noticed the lack of singing before, mainly because I sit quite close to the red section… and quite close to Geoff who simply doesn’t shut up the whole game!
I’m not one for slagging the fans but I have a confession to make… I noticed the crap atmosphere when I watched the Boro’ game on T.V the other day. It was very quiet and if you want your players to up it to the next level… a bit of encouragement doesn’t do them any damage does it (Look at Pompey!)?
Now, I am not going to sit here and tell you its the corporates fault… or the club levellers… or people taking pictures of the ground the whole game. Why? Because none of those reasons rub with me.
What I have noticed at the Emirates is that a bit of ‘West Stand decorum’ has crept in around the stadium. It could be stewards conditioning us not to tolerate noise, a different type of fan attending or football tourists on the rise… it doesn’t matter.
The fact is, if you stand up and sing, you are often frowned upon. Its what used to happen in the old West stand (How long will it take for Weststander31 to post, ‘I used to sit in the west stand and the atmosphere was ripping… you know nothing Pedro.’).
I think we should take a business like approach to this problem.
In business if you have a problem you don’t look to blame… its not constructive. What you look to do is find a viable solution. So there will be no shit slinging from me today.
What to do then?
Start a campaign from the comfort of my office chair! That’s bloody what to do!
…and what to name this campaign?
Bring Back The NOISE!
Ok, marketings not my thing… Geoff can take care of that but you get the jist of where I am heading!
Here are the solutions… they could all be shite… if you think they are shite… suggest something better! But whatever idea gets the backing of the people, I will put it in a letter to Arsenal or try and implement the idea using other methods!
Solution 1
Fans who used to make the noise no longer sit with each other, everyone is alien to one another. So if you used to sing, you will generally find yourself feeling a bit of a plonker when you stand up, belt out a bit of,
‘Arsssssenal, Arrrseeeenal F.C, We’re by far the…’
Only to look down and see that no one else is sharing that moment with you.
So my suggestion is this.
Orange shirts!
People who like to sing and lead by example will wear orange shirts, then they are easily identifiable to other fellow singers!
Flipping genius!
Hey, you might even make friends with some like minded gooners! If there are ten of you sitting in close proximity - you can all identify each other and easily coordinate a song… it could encourage those around you to join in (and maybe encourage RvP to score a goal!)!
Solution 2
This one is a little more complicated and would require the assistance of Arsenal F.C!
Would I get that assistance…?
Well, they were quite charitable when Diarra asked for something he didn’t deserve… so why the hell not?
Steven Hawkins… piss off… I am about to show you how real mathematicians roll…
There are 56,000 season ticket holders (roughly).
Modest estimates would suggest that 10% of that amount enjoy a sing song.
5,600 singers divided by 32 inner rows in the stadium… that’s 175 singers per block and 1400 singers per quadrant.
All the singers would be sat together in a singing section for a block (like a choir). They would all be aware they were with other like minded singers and hopefully they could help bring back the atmosphere!
Would that not raise the freaking roof chaps?
Yes sir it would.
So how about I raise an online petition for season ticket singers? Everyone who likes to sing, signs up.
If you have one of those chums who thinks a blog is the time of the month where his missus wont put out… sign him up too… you can all sit together!
We then present the list of fans (Accompanied with season ticket numbers) to the Arsenal ticket office and then the onus is on Arsenal to prove they want a great atmosphere.
Would Wenger dig this idea? Hell yes, he told me so on facebook.
Solution 3
I could post up a song sheet, with a bit of encouraging text. The sheet would then be available for you guys to print and hand out in the thousands at the game.
Cost? Don’t worry about it… most peoples work places actively promote this sort of paper wastage… less paper… means less pollution.
‘Good old Arsenal, we’re proud to sing that name…’
So what do you think? Do I have a campaign? Will you join? Can we make the Emirates a noise fortress!
I believe we can!
I mean what do we have that our south coast chums don’t? Except a wife that can’t be classed as a blood relative!
My gosh, I am on fire today!
Anyway, let me know what you think!
Have a good day Grovers!
March 19, 2008 at 9:51 am
Good post Pedro! I like the song sheet idea, maybe a cheerleader type person in each section at pitch level throwing his arms about.
And they should tell the stewards to shut the fuck up and look out for troublemakers and not standing up singers.
March 19, 2008 at 10:08 am
An interesting concept and some unique solutions -First of all dont like orange for 2 reasons
Orange ripped me off big time for use of my mobile in Spain
Also orange reminds me of all those crap experiences I had on easyjet so please no Orange .What about songs being shown on the screens like saturday morning pictures (for those old enough to remember) and follow the bouncing ball.All singers could wear Britney spears Mikes which could be pumped into the pa system and you could then have it as loud as youd want
It must be the stadium or the stewards causing silence cos when I was watching Milan in Spain on the TV all you could hear were the gooners -brought tears to my eyes
Must dash but whats this about Theo being called up for the france england FRIENDLY-I FUCKIN HATE FRIENDLYS
March 19, 2008 at 10:11 am
oh yeah and well done pedro good one
(Whats this about wordpress flag that says im posting too quickly ) They dont call me speedy gonzales for nothing -well in my sex life I say “this is gonna be good -wasnt it ”
Adios
March 19, 2008 at 10:12 am
Quite like the orange shirt idea, if say last game this season a visual image could be made with a lot of publicity, it might give the club something to think about.
March 19, 2008 at 10:15 am
morning grovers, good post this morning,
orange like bergkamp day, that worked a treat,
whats the deal with Ben & Jerry-gate, hleb being tapped up
March 19, 2008 at 10:19 am
Where I sit there is plenty of nois, The trouble is its ALL negative barracking coming from so-called “supporters.
I have never understood why people spend over a thousand pounds a year just to come to the stadium to slag-off every mis-placed pass and perceived lack of effort. If the Gunners are not 3-0 up within 30 seconds of kick-off an Amazon River of criticism flows from the stands to the pitch
These people totally ruin the game experience for me and after 40 odd years I am considering giving up my season ticket, though it pains me to say so.
The concept that the team most needs positive support when they are playing below par seems beyond these people who appear to think players are robots for whom “form” and fluctuating performance is an unnatural state.
The final irony is that many of these arch-moaners have clearly never played football to a level much past Sunday morning kick-a-bouts, Yet they all appear to have the highest FA Coaching qualifications, becuase they see every pass and have the solution to every percieved tactical failure by that French bloke Wenger who clearly shouldn’t be allowed to manage the production of a cup of tea, let alone The Arsenal.
Please, oh please don’t encourage these people any more!
pk
March 19, 2008 at 10:20 am
I like your efforts but I think at the end of the day the vast majority of fans respond to whats going on in front of them. its certainly easier to get a good atmosphere when you are playing a big rival but also if the team are getting stuck in and applying a lot of pressure then you notice the atmosphere really cranks up. when we are playing poorly no bugger wants to make a noise. even the red section was like a morgue on Saturday - if these guys cant make a noise when the going is tough, what chance the middle class prawn sandwichers doing so?
I am one of those that is just itching to sing but feel so embarrassed when I am the only person in my section singing. I came from the old Lower West Stand, where the atmosphere was better than most gave credit for. I think a lot of the noise then stayed inside the stand so other parts of the stadium never realised how loud it sometimes was. now I am amongst mostly ex East Standers and its terrible.
March 19, 2008 at 10:26 am
I’m new to your Blog Pedro but have to admit its the best Arsenal Blog I’ve seen. I’m a Scottish Gooner and only get down to a limited amount of home games, mostly I see them from the away end of the Reebok, St. James’ and the Riverside. Though I haven’t been to the Emirates as much as I’d like I do agree, the lack of noise is having an impact on our players. I like the song sheet idea. I reckon there have been a lot of new supporters in the stadium each week since the move from Highbury and I’m not sure they know the words to our famous songs.
March 19, 2008 at 10:27 am
I used to sit in the west stand and the atmosphere was shit.
I now sit in the east stand and the atmosphere is shit.
Is there a pattern forming?
March 19, 2008 at 10:33 am
In Italy they have a type of ‘instructor’ with a drum ramping up the noise levels. It could never have worked at Highbury because of the lack of space, but could certainly work at Cashburton.
The only problem that could arise is the stewards keep telling the fucker to “siiidaaaan”.
We go to away games and spend most of the game standing without being constantly told that we face ejection if we don’t sit down. Half the problem is that the stewards at Highbury and now Emirates are so anal with their fucking rules.
The cunts.
March 19, 2008 at 10:35 am
so steve you want some cheer leaders, i like the sound of it!
March 19, 2008 at 10:38 am
I read a article in a german football-journal one month ago, dealing with this subject.
And they wrote, that there are actually plans to install a “singers block”.
Looks like they’ve stolen your “Solution 2″ before you even imagined it ^^
March 19, 2008 at 10:39 am
Gazzap, thats what the issue for me is. You have to get blind drunk if you want to start singing (Geoff does), because you can go through a whole song and no one will join you!
The orange shirts idea was inspired by Bergkamp day! I think people need to know if they are going to start singing, other people will join in.
I just don’t believe that Arsenal fans are quieter by design? It doesn’t make sense does it?
I don’t expect it to be as loud as the away games, but we should be matching united… I think the bedding in process with the stadium has nearly come to the end, so we need to seriously consider ways to improve the atmosphere because it is dull.
Steve, we were west upper… its was painful.
Cheers for the kind words Martyboy.
March 19, 2008 at 10:40 am
Fink… is that at Arsenal?
March 19, 2008 at 10:41 am
To simplify things why not put asside a few sections of the ground where there is no standing. All the miserable sods can go to those sections and sit down and moan for the whole match, with all the stewards in with them. leaving the rest of the ground to stand, sing and shout as much as they like.
March 19, 2008 at 10:42 am
I like that idea… BRING BACK THE TERRACE!
March 19, 2008 at 10:44 am
Some good ideas there and anything to get others singing would be great. I feel a right prune sometimes when I stand up, sing songs and generally encourage the lads on, only to look around me to see others among me sat there waiting to be entertained.
At the Boro game I was giving Mido grief about being a fcuking Y*d twat for kicking our Gael in the head when I was tapped on the shoulder by a female two seats away from me…
“Don’t use that word please, it offends me”
Me:”Which word love? The Y word or the F word?”
Her: “Both she said”
This from the same women who may as well been doing her fcuking knitting the entire game as she never uttered a single word, except ‘excuse me’ when she got up to go to the loo halfway through the 2nd half.
Yes love, YOU in block 104, row 25, seat 363. I am a season ticket holder and not missed a game and that is the FIRST time I have seen you at the ground. Next time, bring a newspaper, some prawns and your crochet pattern you plastic fan.
Rant mode off.
March 19, 2008 at 10:44 am
I like “Solution 2″ mate!
For me, that’s the only feasible plan that will actually get results, because the atmos is fucking pathetic now!
I have the luxury of sitting in the Block 6, where we go mental, all game… but I’ve got loads of mates who sit other parts of the stadium & they are told regularly to “sit down & shut up” by fans & stewards alike!
Something has to change, in people’s attitude! They can’t want noise & a better atmosphere, but yet get funny when someone nears them does exactly that!
It think it’s the so called “Old Guard” who are the worst! The one’s who’ve had their season tickets 20+ years & think they have the right to do whatever they want, because they’ve been going for so long! I’ve had my season ticket 11 years, and if anything, I’m getting nosier & nosier each season!
Might be an idea to send that solution to the club or RedAction Pedro?
March 19, 2008 at 10:47 am
How about a clock.
At least then they’d have something to sing to.
On that - how about a song called “Tick Tock We Want Our Clock.,..!”
And what happened to that petition?
March 19, 2008 at 10:53 am
@ Pedro:
Yes. It was an article in the “11 Freunde” ^^ named “In the Stadium of Silence”.
But the essence is another: The author remembers the nick “Library of Highbury” and says then, that at Ashburton Grove there is actually a “Singing Block”, which is quite small, but singing all the 90 minutes .
P.S.: The “instructor” is named “capo” and I think you first need a block with people, who are 100% ‘in’ for singing before you can start with one.
March 19, 2008 at 10:59 am
Thats interesting.
The only block I can think of is the red action block? They used to have singing seats at Highbury I think?
Brigham, that was hilarious… The people who do me in are the ones who take a blanket and times into the stadium… like they were over the park?
Clock End, idea 2 makes the most sense… spread the noise to raise the roof kind of thing. But can Arsenal displace people? Would people accept it? Do Arsenal want a rowdy stadium?
March 19, 2008 at 11:02 am
I fully respect your efforts in recognising and making some sort of attempt to reconcile the problems with the atmosphere at the Emirates. However, Highbury wasn’t called the library for nothing? Arsenal have always had a large middle-class following, more so then any other London club although at Highbury these were generally confined to the upper tiers of the East and West stands. The move to the Emirates has simply exacerbated the problem as more and more people have been priced out of watching their team and have been replaced by individuals who see football as fashionable and want to be entertained. These people don’t go to West-End shows and shout or sing to encourage actors to put on a better performance, they expect it, and after all they’ve paid their money…why not? The club don’t give a shit, if they did there would be more subsidised tickets…they just want your money! I attended my first Arsenal game in 1975 and have been all over Europe following them, but the ‘match day’ experience you get at the Emirates leaves me cold…it’s a cathedral to money! So good luck in your efforts; but I suspect your swimming against a social and cultural change in football which will require you to change the person(s) wearing the tee-shirt rather then the colour of it?
March 19, 2008 at 11:02 am
I used to sit in North Bank at Highbury and f*ckin loved it!! Now I’m a red member it’s near enough impossible to get a ticket for a match in the lower tiers, let alone anywhere near the Red Action seats which is where fans that want to sing like me belong!!
I guess in about 10 years I’ll be able to get a silver membership and sit back where i belong!
March 19, 2008 at 11:04 am
great idea!…bout time somone gave it some proper thought and address it logically…unfortuantely being in the ARSE end of the world i cant represent with an orange shirt, but wud if i cud!! Tho let me say ive been to the grove many times last season to know enough that the stewards are wankers, and at times u get more noise at a funeral…besides the red section ofcourse…
As for your idea the petition, probly the best way to address the board is to say that you’ll agre to sit down and sing, as long as your all together…then if they allow it, stand up and sing your heart out!…like the red section do…too many ppl standing and singing will prevent the stewards from being absolute cnuts!! the only thing that cud get in your way is getting so called ‘fans’ that dont wana move/dont sing to agree to move…
but pls oh pls persist with this…its gona be a long way to pulling this off…but persistence may be the key…
March 19, 2008 at 11:10 am
Someone’s nicked my name again.
Pedro/Geoff, you should put a stop to impersonating on here, it loses the site’s credibility
March 19, 2008 at 11:12 am
LOL.
his name has a full stop after it!
March 19, 2008 at 11:12 am
Pedro…
Alot of people have moved their seats, since the move to the Emirates because they want to get near friends or get away from the block 6 (which fucking loads of them did, after 3 months of sitting there! ha ha)… So the possibly of getting a small section in each block, designated for singers, is quite high, I think!
The only stumbling block would be, to get the club to go ahead with it, because obviously they don’t want large pocket of people standing up constantly & swearing, like Block 6 though!
It’s a toughy mate! Theres no quick fix for this!
Paul…
I do & I don’t agree with you pal!
We do have a large middle-class following and your views on the club & football in general are SPOT ON, but we did not deserve the “Highbury Library” tag 1 bit!
If you’ve all been to the Riverside, Craven Cottage, Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge, Villa Park, The Valley etc… You’d know what I mean?
Their atmos is beyond a joke… so I don’t think it’s impossible to get the atmos back to a respectable level, but it’s just getting the club to get their finger out… which I can’t see happening!
March 19, 2008 at 11:16 am
We don’t want seat in Emirates.
Force everyone to stand during the game!!!
THat’s the best solution!
March 19, 2008 at 11:16 am
Bloody hell! In 3 years i m gonna b ther, sitting anywher but singing at the top of my voice. If I can do that in my TV room then wy not in the stadium :(.
I envy u guys for I cant b ther seeing the matches evry week. But blimey in 3 yrs i’ll hav my mba deg. n a gud job in london n the first thing i m gonna do which was my lifelong wish (though vry small) is to b ther jumping ol d night
March 19, 2008 at 11:17 am
i want a rowdy stadium! As a red member i sit somewhere different for every game i manage to get tickets for, i have found if i sit among a group me irish guys which seems to happen regular, they dont mind me getting up and singing and sometimes getting involved themselves, however, when i sit among tourists and 1st time fans/ non british nationals they tend to sit motionless as if i should be sectioned! When the flamster scored his screamer against newcastle, i was going fucking ballistic and all around were just standing! I guess it just depends on what you want out me your match day, just dont stop me enjoying mine!
March 19, 2008 at 11:21 am
A man desperate at tottenham current situation decides to top himself.In his living room, alone, he prepares to hang himself. At the very lastmoment, he decides upon wearing his full tottenham kit as his last statement.A neighbour, catching sight of the impending incident, informs the police.On arrival, the police quickly remove the tottenham kit and dress the man instockings and suspenders. The man, totally confused asks why.
The policeman simply replies, “it’s to avoid embarrassing your family.”
Morning all!!!!
Made me smile, I hope it does you too! It’s taking 3 days for me to even get remotely positive, so hence my unnoticed absence!!
Great post Pedro, and good points/suggestion flooding in. last time I was at the ground, block 8 i think it was, there wa a lady in there with a drum, making a well appreciated racket, and the mad mob joined in from time to time, but every 5 or so minutes some twat faced Steward would come over and tell us off for enjoying ourselves!!
There in lies your problem, get rid of the cunt stewards and most people will get up and sing, although considering 20-30% of the seats are corporate give aways, you’ll still get a high percentage of non singing twats!
March 19, 2008 at 11:24 am
Fuck me, Odub is re-incarnated. Praisey Lordey.
March 19, 2008 at 11:25 am
Clock End Gooner -
Your old nemesis here - or as you called me the other day ‘mug’ -
With middle classes able to fork out money to buy a new stadium, the atmosphere was always going to decline - a point clearly made in FEVER PITCH.
I’m glad you are able to make the noise and long may it continue. Just understand the demographics have shifted irreversibly.
Which is why I see no point in paying out a load of money and needing to get shitfaced to deal with these middle class types when I know perfectly well that when I started going in 1986 I paid just £3 for the kind of atmosphere that positively craps on the one generated nowadays.
But as you said the other day - I have nothing positive to say about Arsenal…
If only you had the first idea about me.
PS Out of curiosity, what can the club do to get the atmosphere? And do you really think they care? So long as they’re getting money in, I seriously doubt that it matters to them…
March 19, 2008 at 11:25 am
I said this somewhere yesterday. The club could do more. At Anfield they play ‘your never walk alone’ over the stereo system. Arsenal play Tom Jones or Elvis. Sort it out. Its not up lifting, lets start with something more Arsenal related. And more up lifting. I live up north (moved there not born). I’m a red member and cant get tickets like i once did. It is begrudging to watch a game on the telly and see the stadium start to empty so early while were losing. And to see it so quite, its worse than Highbury which had its good and bad days. I get away more and we have a really good traveling crowd. A Goog artical picked up some very good points. I backed a 10er on the double last night. 7/2 on the league then 11/2 on the CL, as a student i need that. However you cant buy the buzz of winning the league. COME ON THE GUNNERS
March 19, 2008 at 11:25 am
I went mental when Ade’s goal v boro was disallowed for offside (obv a Boro tackle not an Ars pass) people around me where either silent or looked at me disapprovingly for swearing/making too much noise. If everyone goes mental at the ref if blatantly influences them. halsey performance was scandalous - at Anfield he would have felt in fear of his life, our reaction was half-arsed and muted. Too many fans who don’t hace the passion or understand the rules imo.
March 19, 2008 at 11:29 am
Steve it’s been a hard slog getting back to bing remotely civilized while discussing the Arsenal, mate at one point the missus wouldnt even let me watch Sky ‘cos any time I saw anything Arsenal I just went stratight into rant mode!!!!!
Anway, I’m human again!!!
March 19, 2008 at 11:35 am
Herdee…
I believe I called you a twat… and trust me, in insidearsenal.com, you said some pretty twatish thing!
Insidearsenal made a similar point about the crowd & you abused the writer! Now you appear to be on here agreeing with the post!
Make your mind you mate?
Anyway, judging by everyone’s “match day experience” (FUCK ME! SOUNDS LIKE A FUCKING TOUR GUIDE!), it looks as if this hollow atmos is here to stay, unless the club decide to maybe make a 2nd RedSection over near the away fans or get Predro’s Solution number 2 gets off the ground! I reckon that’s the last hope, for me!
March 19, 2008 at 11:35 am
everyone missed you odub, check back, your name has been mentioned more than AW’s!(or eboues)
March 19, 2008 at 11:44 am
chris just looked back, it has been bloody quiet!! Monday looked like a damn awful day!!
March 19, 2008 at 11:44 am
Clock End Gooner -
I think it was ‘mug’ -
But let’s agree to disagree.
Read my post again - I don’t agree with visionboy because he squarely placed the blame for four consecutive draws against dogshit teams on the fans. That is a dopey statement. Lack of experience, choking, fatigue are reasons - atmosphere is ridiculous. It is a very slight factor at best. These are two distinct articles - indeed, it is referred to in the opening para of this post.
Hence answer my question now - do you really think the club want a change/will do anything about it?
March 19, 2008 at 11:48 am
Despite my previous disagreements Id really like to say that was an damn excellent post.
March 19, 2008 at 11:50 am
Welcome back Odub and a big welcome to Martyboy, unless we can get the stewards to shut their mouths and fuck off the only way to do it, is to put it on the screen or have a cheerleader, trouble with orange shirts is we all wear red.
It has nothing to do with class, it’s to do with everyone around you not singing, crack that and it’s job done!
March 19, 2008 at 11:50 am
Odub, there was a board meeting this morning about your absence and Geoff thought you were in Spain?
Great joke btw! Chris, your joke was funny too… i can’t post that one though!
I am pretty sure Arsene is aware of the 12th man scenario Herdee. He can’t
underestimate it surely?
I think if we had enough of a following we could really do something about this problem… all the blogs should get involved because it is a central issue at the moment.
We don’t want to be a laughing stock do we?
I don’t put it down to a middle class demographic. Where is the data to prove that?
Passion isn’t a reserve of the working class… look at the Rugby games? The fans are passionate there, so why not at Arsenal.
I just think its a leadership issue. There are plenty of singers out there… we just need to make them aware of each other… or put them together in a voluntary scheme.
Backing of Arsenal is key, would we get it is the question?
March 19, 2008 at 11:55 am
Herdee…
I never agreed the whole reason for our downfall was the atmos! That’s pathetic! But it can be a factor… anyways… fuck it! Let’s move on!
Yeah, I think the club WANT to improve the atmos…
but they WON’T because of upsetting the typical middle-class P.C. fan!
It’s funny, because if someone has been going 11 years, like myself, traveled all around Europe, got 6 Arsenal tattoo’s and generally screams their head off every single game…
Compared to the views of a women who has never been in her life & doesn’t like swearing, will always be seen above me… HENCE WHY SO MANY OF THE WORKING CLASS LOYAL FANS… HAVE EITHER FUCKED OFF FOR GOOD, OR JUST GO TO AWAY GAMES!
I got kicked out, in only my 4th game, at the Emirates in Block 6 for…. WAIT FOR IT…. Standing up!!!
Everyone went mental & now, we stand the whole game… so there is a little bit of hope, if we get enough people to stand up to these fucking PC cunts & say “Bollocks! I’ve paid my money! You can’t ruin my match day experience…”
March 19, 2008 at 11:55 am
Great article. I went to Manure away in the FA cup and we didn’t stop singing even when 4 nil down. I went to Wigan 9 and half hours on a coah for a nil niler. Not so much noise as Old Traffold but still more than the Emirates.
It saddens me to say that the away supporters atmosphere is far better than we can produce at home. We should be making the Emirates atmosphere an intimidating one for away teams and supporters.
Any suggestion that inceases the noise levels should be welcomed with open arms. Therefore I suggest free alcohol voucher system to get the timid ones going!
March 19, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Cheers guys, just got majorly pissed off after the Boro game, cam on here, and there was a whole load of twats from the Arsene knows bridage that werent helping!
In Spain weekend incl 13th, would have gone before, but dont want to miss the CL games!
March 19, 2008 at 12:02 pm
I been thrown out of Highbury twice, the Grove once in pre season, West Ham and Shite Hart lane twice, and it wasn’t for standing up, so what, it doesn’t make you a better supporter.
I was working class but I decided to work harder and earn a shed load of money so I’m now middle class, so what does that matter, I sing my heart out every game.
March 19, 2008 at 12:11 pm
In my mind, football is slowly being taken away from the working class man, when one used to look forward to Saturday and the chance to spend some quality time with like minded people. Meet up in the pub a few hours before the game, some fish n chips on the way to the ground, sing a few songs whilst queuing up etc, etc.
Now all we have is Arsenal telling us to ‘enjoy your matchday experience’. Do me a favour Arsenal, I have always enjoyed my days watching the club I love and I don’t need some poncy announcer telling ME how to enjoy MYSELF. I go to the match to be with MY mates, share some laughs and have a good sing song whilst watching my heroes drub the opposition.
Why should it be frowned upon by the suits or women with crochet patterns at the game, just because I love to shout, scream and show my passion for MY team?
Return football to the masses, to those who really care, to those who are committed to the cause - NOT to those who see it as a day out at some stadium so they can tell their girlfriends or workmates what a ‘jolly good day out’ they had at a place in London on Saturday.
‘Sing up for the Arsenal’
March 19, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I dont actually think the atmosphere is THAT bad at emirates. Certainly no worse than most of the away grounds ive been to- goodison, st james’s old trafford etc. I think the days when home atmospheres were really rocking are long gone. It only happens for the big games. For example i thought there was a great atmosphere against milan this season. I agree i would like to see the noise upped, but that isnt goijg to happen as long as they charge 66 quid for a bloody ticket! Too many yanks in the stadium, just there for a tourist visit. But that said i definitely dont think we deserve our ‘library’ reputation.
March 19, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Ooooooh, fucking hell Geoff!
Don’t get your thong in a twist!
It wasn’t supposed to be a competition son! I was just stating what you get thrown out for?
(and for the record… I’ve been thrown out of Highbury twice, WHL twice, Stamford Bridge, O.T. twice, City Ground… but who’s keeping track, hey?)
March 19, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Sorry, why is geting thrown out good for atmosphere?
March 19, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Odub -thought you were getting pissed in Alcazares -thats better than any anger management course-JUst got back and the weather is so cold -WElcome back
Geoff you have been thrown out of many places -Im sorry you are still working class -youre middle class when you have a real Aston
Ive never heard you sing what about posting a video of you singing at family weddings that should fun -do you take requests MY way would be good -you can post it on email funnies
March 19, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Option that you haven’t considered, probably cos you don’t think it’s even worth attempting:
Get some of the quiet fans noisy. There are probably enough new fans that could benefit from a bit of ‘leadership’ ie moulding.
My suggestion is to (somehow?) get them into singing in the pubs before the game- 2 benefits, people get some drink inside them and people get into the singing in an easier atmosphere are then more likely to go for it in the game
March 19, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Six tattoos? Now that is impressive.
Although like you admit, our sort aren’t overly welcome at Arsenal nowadays. Why? Because by going nuts we can incite trouble and make the experience that little less fun for little Johnny and little Johnny’s daddy who will trundle up from some leafy suburb, fork out a load of money at the club shop and represent the middle class base.
That’s the problem -
Sorry you got chucked out and peace out,
Herdee
PS Last point re atmosphere - one of the best atmospheres I recall was Rumbelows Cup v Man United - before the game, at half time, when we got it back to 3-2 we were superloud. But we still lost.
March 19, 2008 at 12:26 pm
i think we need to raise our voices not just to boost the player morale but also to intemidate the opposition i watch other matches abroad and they never stay quiet when i go to the emirates if i sing on my own i get looked at like a weirdo but next season will be different i dont care who looks at me im guna do what i do best which is support the GOONERS!!!
March 19, 2008 at 12:27 pm
It’s not GoonerC…
I’m just stating WHAT you can get thrown out for these days…
Then Geoff came out with “I’ve been throw out X amount of times” for no reason!
March 19, 2008 at 12:30 pm
I dont think its a middle class vs working class problem. I think its more that because we have become such a global club, with a world class stadium and we are known for playing great football we get lots of people coming along just for the experience, not to sing and support the team. To just blame the middle class is ridiculous, I am distinctly middle class and I sing my heart out. I dont think that its as simple as working class fans sing middle class dont. Thats just playing on sterotypes.
March 19, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Fair enough clock end.
March 19, 2008 at 12:32 pm
That was not the point I was making, you were banging on about classes and I was letting you know that getting slung out of football grounds was not a domain of the working classes, there’s no class system in passion.
March 19, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Herdee…
Hope you weren’t being sarcastic there! ha ha!
Yep, summed up perfectly there!
I’m not saying football needs to return to the 80’s, full of hooligans & people bashing each other up… but it really needs to go back to some mescaline roots!
This pathetic political correct culture we have at the moment, is ruining our game!
Football used to be about lads going out, on the piss, having a laugh with their pals & FOR 90 MINUTES A WEEK… Forget all your troubles & focus on 1 thing!
Now it’s some pathetic quivering PC mess… You can’t say this! You can’t say that! You can’t stand up! You can’t enjoy yourself… BUT WE’LL HAVE YOUR MONEY THOUGH! YES PLEASE!!!
GRRRR… winds me up, the more I think about it!
March 19, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Guys, this post wasn’t about the reasons for the lack of atmosphere!
It was about suggestions.
You can’t take the game back… people who can afford it will go. If you have a half decent job, you can afford a ticket… if you were smart enough to put yourself on the waiting list early… you can get a ticket.
If you look around next time at the emirates, you will see that its full of normal people.
Its about uniting them to sing!
The Spuds are expensive and they sing… The hammers have a huge demographic of middle class fans (According to Magnussons market research) and they sing… we need to think past the classes because it wont change.
How do you gel the people? How do we move forward?
Those are the real issues and there has been some great responses.
I like the one about getting people to meet before the game!
The atmosphere isn’t great when you walk to the ground anymore!
You could ask all singers to meet at a certain bar… there are loads of things we could do!
March 19, 2008 at 12:36 pm
It’s hardly a solution to the whole thing, but I think that the stadium announcer before the game doesn’t help the atmosphere. When he reads the team sheet out he used to say the players name then everyone would cheer = plenty of noise + everyones voice box warmed up. Nowadays he decides to say the players first name and let the fans shout the surname (like they do abroad where they have less atmosphere than the premiership.) Hardly anyone joins in this ridiculous game - most of the players names are never sung in unison by the crowd and it is almost like a game where the announcer says the players first name + the crowd have 2 show whether they know the guys surname, far less like they are getting behind the guy than giving him a good old fashioned ‘hooray’. I remember at highbury the great cheers when Bergkamp and Henrys name were called out on the teamsheet. As for now and the ridiculousness of having to finish off the guys words for Gil-’berto’ and Den- ‘ilson’ it is almost embarrasing. Maybe it seemed like a good idea at the time but for me it’s just a failed experiment we should get rid of.
I dunno how we could do it but I’d like to see some instigators in each section. A lot of the time chants go around the stadium and although you hear them in the distance most people wont join in until someone sitting near you has started (almost out of embarrasment.) All it needs is someone in each block instigating the songs and then everyone is away. The idea of a singing section is great but most of the people in the stadium would make noise if others around them did. Its almost a case of - “you first”!
Either that or put pictures of Mark Halsey on the back of everyones seat. There’s nothing like a sense of injustice to get the crowd wound up and making noise!
March 19, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Well said Geoff and Gooner C!
Great point Clockender… you summed it up in your last comment.
March 19, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Ok, fair enough…
To be honest, using the class thing in this case if probably inacurate… becuase what is class now a days?
Your accent? Your budget? Your house? FUCK KNOWS…
It’s just, you rarely see geezers with cockney accents heading up to the corporate section…
Just like I don’t know many people who speak prim & proper, singing songs like “eyes wide, skin back tight…”
March 19, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Not at all being sarcastic Sir - being honest.
Clock End Gooner, the whole thing has changed and that’s why I gave yp - my last game was a middayish kick off against Birmingham six days after we won the league for the last time. It was like a morgue. And all I felt for the rest of the day was how 75% of the people did not deserve to be there and just how sad it was that the working class supporters they had replaced could not have been there. Because they would have loved such a moment.
Selah.
March 19, 2008 at 12:40 pm
I agree Hadley, the announcer thinks he’s doing pantomime and treats us like babies, the stewards are the real problem, it was never like this at Highbury, they need to back off.
March 19, 2008 at 1:00 pm
ha ha! Cheers Herdee…
Yeah… I remember that game actually! I was in the Clock End & it was completely dead! I was going mental! “WE JUST WON THE FUCKING LEAGUE!! WHY ARE YOU SITTING HERE, LIKE WE’VE JUST BEEN FUCKING RELEGATED?!!!”
Anyway, it’s good to get all this off our chests… AND WE CAN ALL AGREE ON SOMETHING!!
NEXT TIME YOU GO TO THE GROVE, SING YOUR HEART OUT, NO MATTER WHAT ANY CUNT AROUND YOU SAYS!!! (Just don’t get yourself kicked out! We need all the proper Gooners, we can get!)
March 19, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Afternoon!
Great post Pedro, nice to see someone trying to sort the mess that is the Emirates.
I don’t like all this class talk though, the problem is more deep rooted than something as simplistic as class.
Clockender? Were you monitoring peoples accents in the corporate bit? I work in corporate business and let me tell you this. Plenty of them are potty mouth Londoners with loads of cash.
Middle class is just based on cash these days, so its unfair to say ‘take the game back from those who work hard’. Middle class people didn’t make there money from being thick (Jade goodie aside), and you need a certain amount of passion to make cash!
Not that I am knocking some of you point clockender,
‘You can’t say this! You can’t say that! You can’t stand up! You can’t enjoy yourself… BUT WE’LL HAVE YOUR MONEY THOUGH! YES PLEASE!!!’
You thought thief! Well said
Anyway, thats my thoughts on the matter.
Great point Hadley.
How about cattle prods? You don’t sing, you get prodded? It would work!
March 19, 2008 at 1:07 pm
we most certainly dont have 56,000 season ticket holders!
March 19, 2008 at 1:09 pm
more abuse to the opposing team also! cheering will be significantly increased when the recipient of the abuse fucks up,
March 19, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I have the solution……… buy a couple of really exciting star players and watch the atmosphere lift !!!!
March 19, 2008 at 1:26 pm
touche!
March 19, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Whilst i like the ideas in principal, should a club as Big as arsenal with the following that we have, really have to resort to such measures?, would it really work?, i dont think you can break peoples mind set….surely, being a gooner and wanting to sing up for the boys is a big enough reason to give it your all game in game out..sadly, the vast numbers its a no…
i must admit though there is only a small majority that sing in my section, mainly those who have been on the lash (including myself) and you kind of feel guilty or out of place for standing up and belting out songs for the boys, why oh why, god its so frustrating….while others around us dont sing a hoot…where is the passion at times , it only appears to come through when we play the big boys, even then at times i feel as though there should me more….it pains me to say, but see how passionate the yids get and they have little to cheer about, maybe its because we are so used to success people take it for granted….the boys need our support week in week out, be against the scum or playing shite against boro…
we got labelled as the library at highbury and sadly it appears to be going down the road at the emirates unless something gives….
March 19, 2008 at 1:46 pm
But hang on….I thought Arsene knew? ha, ha, just kidding!
March 19, 2008 at 2:10 pm
My firm just hired a spud to work in my department, the guy started today and I only just got round to asking who he supports, my day is now fucking ruined!!!
March 19, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Ok guys here you have it Metro Mag conducted a survey of the loudest fans in the premiership last year -this is their findings -
130 decibels is the same as a jet engine
1. Sunderland average decibels129.2
2. Tottenham Hotspurs 128.2
3. Manchester City 127.4
4. Aston Villa 126.5
5. Everton 126.1
6. Chelsea 125.8
7. Middlesborough 125.4
8. Derby 124.7
9. Newcastle 124.5
10. West Ham 123.8
11. Birmingham 122.7
12. Arsenal 122.3
13. Portsmouth 120.9
14. Blackburn 119.5
15. Bolton 119.1
16. Liverpool 118.9
17. Manchester United 117.5
18. Wigan 116.8
19. Reading 116.2
20. Fulham 115.4
March 19, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Odub hope youve got that spud supporter cleaning the bogs out -and next year if he is good you can let him have a brush !!!!!!
March 19, 2008 at 2:19 pm
3 decibel difference is twice as loud, i.e 130 is twice as loud as 127
March 19, 2008 at 2:21 pm
I was at the game on Saturday and I thought Halsey’s diabolical perfromance got a fairly noisey reaction from the crowd. In block 92 the atmosphere seemed lively to me, although there were dips.
A few points I’d like to raise:
1. Is it actually official policy at the stadium for stewards to order singers to sit down/shut up ? Is it not allowed ?
2. I’d suggest the worse thing is when some of the crowd get on the player backs when a pass is misplaced or they show a bit of mis control.
3. Yes, it’s bad that there isn’t more singing to encourage the players, but I feel the groans are worse.
4. If I didn’t have chronic laryngytis I would have shouted loudly for my team and I didn’t abuse them whenever Adebayor lost possession or broke a move down.
March 19, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Just for you Mike….
Q:How do you kill a tottenham fan when he’s drinking?
A: Slam the toilet seat on his head!
So Sunderland have the loudest fans!! Fat lot of bloody good it’s doing them!!, Although Fulham’s position sort of tallies with the league position…Shit fans, shit team!
March 19, 2008 at 2:23 pm
One of the most painful things one can go through is having to sit through every arsenal game in a different country and scream your lungs out with every pass, every goal scored and every tackle by flamster and then read about the stupid fans that actually go and watch the matches and just clam up watch the game like its a physics lecture..
Where’s the PASSION ladS!!! I’m sure everyone at some point in their lives has known what its like to hear fans screaming encouragement to you when your on the field or doing something or the other… so come on go out there and scream yourselves hoarse!!!because thats what any arsenal fan with heart would do.
March 19, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Thanks Odub -especially for you
Q: What’s is the differance between Pamela Anderson and the Tottenham goal?
A: Pam’s only got two tits in front of her.
March 19, 2008 at 2:29 pm
…oh and if you had Roy keane staring at you you would sing loud as well -its worse than the Gallas stare
March 19, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Can’t even swear in our block anymore without being threatened by some stupid old biddy who says she’s going to “text them, I’ll text them you know!” What a silly old cunt, what the fuck is somebody like that doing at the Arsenal? No wonder it’s shit now.
March 19, 2008 at 2:34 pm
odub… one of the reasons that the Ibrox is one of the hardest stadiums to play at is cause of the fans.. explain anything??
March 19, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Q. Why do tottenham fans whistle whilst sitting on the toilet?
A. So they know which end to wipe!
mate, I can go all day with spuds toilet jokes!!!
Loads of the regulars are still missing btw, loads of new faces though…all good!
March 19, 2008 at 2:35 pm
and one other point, I find the “Stand up if you hate Tottenham” unneccessary.
I DON’T CARE about T***enham(unless we are playing them at the time) - I’d rather spend my lung power on cheering on my team than wasting my breath on the likes of the shower of sh**e from the wrong end of Seven sisters.
March 19, 2008 at 2:35 pm
on the other hand Ant geoff had an old lady sitting behind him that made geoff sound like the archbishop of canterbury
March 19, 2008 at 2:39 pm
So can I ..this is really gonna piss Pedro off but hey danger is my middle name -
Well actually its william .AND Steve has given up with the jokes so heres another one
Q: Santa Claus, the tooth fairy, an intelligent Spud supporter and an old drunk are walking down the street together when simultaneously they each spot a fifty quid note. Who gets it?
A: The old drunk, of course - the other 3 are mythical creatures.
March 19, 2008 at 2:40 pm
bloody hell charybdis1966 take that away and you would have nothing!
March 19, 2008 at 2:43 pm
True Mike, she is a real foul mouthed beast!
I’ve never heard an old woman use the word cunt before!
Odub, I’m disappointed… you haven’t filled the funnies list with your golden jokes!
Charybdis, I think it is policy to erradicate rowdy behaviour… the stewards are terrible. They really are killing the atmosphere.
Are you prepared to risk your season ticket for the noise? Doubtful.
Stoneage, not singing is not a mindset.
You can change how people think, you just have to know how to do it!
Thats the sticking point!
March 19, 2008 at 2:43 pm
I like singing that song cahrybdis1966!! As irrelevant as it might have seemed as we played meelan, I still stood, nd belted it out with full gusto!!!
Ok Mike, that puts you ahead on points…
Q: What do you get when you offer a tottenham fan a penny for his thoughts?
A: Change!
March 19, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Chris, surely we have more to us than hating the Trotts ?
I’d a thought players would rather hear songs being sung about how great Arsenal and it’s players would be much more motivating for them ?
And if they perform better surely we all win.
Save the Trotts songs till when they play us - and then let rip, loud and venomous.
March 19, 2008 at 2:47 pm
shit forgot about that Pedro, can you cut and paste both our efforts or do we need to repost them to the funnies?! There havent been any entries on there for a while either!!
March 19, 2008 at 2:52 pm
final one Odub -sorry Pedro
Q: What do spuds Fans and sperm have in common?
A: One in 2.000.000 has a chance of becoming a human being.
March 19, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Charybdis1966! I love that song!
It motivates people to have a common hatred! We love the fact that we all share the same passion of disdain for the boys in white!
I appreciate there is not reason to sing it if we are not playing them… but I don’t care about the logic! When a spud is watching us play and they see all the fans stand up cause they hate Tottenham, they all notice!
Its funny, and I wouldn’t change if for the world!
March 19, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Mike!
I am going to have to cut and paste all these jokes tonight!
Odub, I am going to add some to the site this weekend. I am going to get some pics of google images and vandalise them!
March 19, 2008 at 2:55 pm
OK, Pedro (and others) - I see where the unifying factor of an overiding dislike can work as well as that for a positive vibe.
I’ll join in with that next time - if I can get another ticket this season (all the Reading tickets for sale to red members got snapped up sharpish this morning).
March 19, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Funny though Charybdis… I know a lot of guys who don’t like that song.
March 19, 2008 at 3:00 pm
charybdis1966, I’ve had my eye on the reading game for weeks, me and the missus have got red membership, and it sold out this morning! Cunts, the Liverpool home CL game goes to Red Tuesday morning.
That song and the ‘who’s that team they call the arsenal’ one are worth the admission alone!
March 19, 2008 at 3:05 pm
You’re at it again aren’t you Pedro?!! You know what I’m, talking about!
March 19, 2008 at 3:06 pm
exactly charybdis1966, its a unifying song, and is bloody funny, especially for the new comers, i kind of see your point however, but its not overly offensive,
March 19, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Odub, I was holding out hope for Reading to take my boys to and was pretty deflated to come up empty - I managed to log in and find an apparently non sold out block, but every time I clicked on “buy” I got the error message on top of the page.
A few more attempts like this, add on a few time-out log outs, a few system crashes at the online box office and then there sold out. Damm !
Might get something off ticket exchange but I’d really need 2 pairs of tickets as I don’t to sit my boys on their own (they are 8 and 10).
How does “Whos that team they calll Arsenal” go ?
March 19, 2008 at 3:18 pm
charybdis1966 you must be the same person that posted the wonder of you video at the arsenal on youtube -I just love that song especially when the chorus kicks in
March 19, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Who’s the team they call the Arsenal?
Who’s that team we all adore?
They’re the boys in red and white,
and they fucking dynamite.
and they just show us how to score.
Don’t quote me on that but I’m sure it’s 75% correct
March 19, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Yes, Mike(neighbour), that is me.
I did tape the one on Saturday too but on a crappier phone so it comes out rather garbled.
In time I reckon that song will mean the same to us as the Anfield/Ce;tic song.
They should have a scroll of the lyrics on the screens while it plays - and lyrics of arsenal songs during the game also.
March 19, 2008 at 3:23 pm
http://www.michalska.net/northbank/songs.html
there is a variation of it here odub
March 19, 2008 at 3:26 pm
charybdis1966 have you got a link to the vid we can view?
Chris I think the last line varies according to how pissed/angry or anti spuds the group of singers are! Works either way!!
March 19, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Some choice ones on here!!!!!
http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Stadium/7320/arsenal.html
March 19, 2008 at 3:30 pm
its all good!
i woudl imagine white riot by the clash would be a more appropriate intro song!a bit more up tempo,
it was mentioned earlier but what the fuck is going on at matches playing katie mellua and other morbid crap, next they will be playing cold play and we can all kill ourselves together ala david koresh!
March 19, 2008 at 3:31 pm
and the next table
http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Stadium/7320/scum.html
March 19, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Odub, I’ll stick up the link later (as my work pc filters out the you tube site) if Mike (Neighbour) doesn’t do so before hand.
March 19, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Done SIR
http://www.youtube.com/user/charybdis1966
March 19, 2008 at 3:46 pm
eh hello, did anyone else notice!?!?!?!
March 19, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Cheers for that Mike.
Notice what Chris?
March 19, 2008 at 3:51 pm
did you not click the youtube link!?!?!?!
March 19, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Do you mean, notice the cut in the first few seconds ?
March 19, 2008 at 3:54 pm
did but cant have the volume on in the office, so will view it at home. What’s wrong with it?
March 19, 2008 at 3:55 pm
i aint saying shit!
March 19, 2008 at 3:57 pm
that bad is it?!
March 19, 2008 at 3:58 pm
ok i am out of here, on taxi services to bring some peps to jean michel jarre.
remember spurs will win tonight it said so on the radio, something about chacras (energy)
March 19, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Oh, you mean my subscription to “UK fetish blonde” ? Ha, ha !!
March 19, 2008 at 3:58 pm
marginally bad, but funny,
March 19, 2008 at 4:00 pm
CORRECT!!!!!
CLASSIC !!!!
but its ok i still like you,
March 19, 2008 at 4:00 pm
New pic in the e-mail funnies to check out.
March 19, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Bloody hell!! Just noticed!! And there’s me thinking you’re a good old fashioned family man!
March 19, 2008 at 4:01 pm
It’s only a giggle - we’re not in Rooney granny shagging territory quite yet, thankfully.
March 19, 2008 at 4:01 pm
To be honest, I think there is a little too much ham slamming on here, with a few people giving it about how hardcore they are because they get booted out of grounds around the country and get pissed up with their mates and sing and hammering people who dare to be middle class…you sound like spuds fans. Look, I am proud that our club has got a cosmopolitan following, it is testament to not only our football but the culture and spirit of our club. Should this be to the detriment of those who have been going for years and suffered through the years of abuse and sneers that Arsenal and our brand of football endured? Of course not, but there is room for everybody. I think personally that so many fans going these days are embarrassed to sing, they are maybe new, or only go every so often and perhaps they do not know the latest songs, the exact words or whatever. These fans probably don’t check the forums, don’t drink in the arsenal pubs or whatever, but they should be encouraged and supported. I think song sheets should be included in the programme and the more un-PC ones in The Gooner. I also think we need to bring back clapping for an atmosphere….anyone who has been to the San Siro or the Mestalla or any ground in Germany, you will find the rhythmic clapping and stamping utterly enthralling and very intimidating. This is far easier to become involved in, you can even do it sitting down!!
Don’t just create a them and us atmosphere between our own fans, get the ones who don’t sing at the moment involved, make it fun for them, encourage them, don’t just turn round and tell them to fuck off because they asked you to sit down, try and make them a part of what you are trying to achieve.
March 19, 2008 at 4:06 pm
That sounded like another suggestion… the first time I have heard slow clapping. Its a good one.
I also just received this e-mail from a guy who runs a forum (or posts?)
Kelvin:
1. Get all the forums on board and representatives from each to co-ordinate action (don’t know how many there are)
2. A protest that gets publicity but doesn’t hurt the club financially (to begin with), we’ll be the ones to end up paying for it in the end and it will only annoy certain board members and we’ll get nowhere.
3. Protests could be along the lines of A) silence, though some may joke, how would they know. B) Boycott. We could ask everyone to stay on the concourse until 15 minutes into the game, or after 15 minutes to leave our seats and go to the concourse for 15 minutes. We’ll still be able to watch on the plasma screens. C) Stand, not signing but holding scarf above our heads. D) Red or Yellow cards similar to the Bond scheme protest.
4. Not so sure about Orange shirt, yellow would be better if doing that kind of thing, it stands out and is traditionally our colour.
What do you think of those ideas?
March 19, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Pedro, nos 3c & 4 seem more likely than the others.
March 19, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Odub - You should know, next time you need staff, come to me……… Arsenal Supporters Guarenteed !!!!!!!!
March 19, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Bud, you are shameless…
Where has your logo gone?
I liked 3 and 4 also.
March 19, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Noted Bud!
Should be included on app form really..’what team do you support’…. spuds
dont call us we’ll call you…now fuck off!
March 19, 2008 at 4:22 pm
In some grounds they turn their backs on the pitch to protest - that would register but it would have to be at a time where it’s clear it’s NOT directed at the players.
Mind you, I think a turkish team have fans who always have their backs to the pitch (not Galatasary).
March 19, 2008 at 4:32 pm
I like 3 and 4 too although staying in the concourse wouldn’t be too much of a problem for about 30% of the supporters at the Grove, the number of games I am standing up to let people get to there seats at about 60 mins is ridiculous. Then standing up again at 80 minutes to let the same sods out again. Unbelievable.
I think a slow building clap would be great,it pains me to say it, but the spuds ‘Yids” chant that is a slow clap with a low hard ‘yids’ at the end is actually a good chant. Racist and unarsenal in content but a good style. The clap clap/ clap clap clap clap/ clap clap clap clap ‘Arsenal’ is way to quick and gets mistimed so easily. Then fades out after two goes round.
March 19, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Its on my agency forms. Under interests, it clearly states in a mandatory field, “Do you follow a sporting team?” !
March 19, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Am at home on my laptop and too lazy to sign on word press !!!
March 19, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Business cards always at the ready aye Bud?!!!
March 19, 2008 at 4:40 pm
See, its simple things like a slow clap which could work.
There is an answer, its just about people who have a voice using it!
I am going to e-mail some of the guys who run other blogs to see if there is anything that can be done.
Arsenal read the blogs, so it is always worth getting other sites and forums on board.
March 19, 2008 at 4:42 pm
You’ve been too lazy to post recently… that was discussed in this mornings board meeting.
A must try harder is going on your quarterly Le Grove report card Bud.
March 19, 2008 at 4:46 pm
should we, as regular patrons of Le Grove not have updated minutes of said meeting Pedro?!
March 19, 2008 at 4:49 pm
haha! Damn… I forgot to take them!
That guy contacted me about this game they want to put on our site… he wants to go live at the end of april!
The season has finished then!
Oh dear…
March 19, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Off guys, vino and manure v trotters awaits. First day bak and it’s been a blinder!
Great work Geoff/Pedro.
Come on Bolton, and the team playing the chavs who’s name escapes me!
March 19, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Odub… don’t go giving it the regular bit……… you went missing when the Mrs said no more blogging !!!!!!
Been reading Le-Grove, but been out of the office an awful lot this last week or so and as you know Pedro/Geoff, my blackberry settings are obviously fucked as I cannot upload a post !!!!!!!
March 19, 2008 at 4:53 pm
All is forgiven bud… how can I stay mad at a grover?
Anyway! I am off as well!
Great day chaps, I’ve enjoyed your virtual company!
Till tomorrow…!
March 19, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Sorry, not good suggestions. How stupid will people look with a songsheet, it’s not rocket science is it!!
There’s only one solution to the atmosphere - Make the entire lower tier of the ‘north bank’ unallocated seating ie: you pays your moeny and sit where you like! The singers will congregate, as they always have at football stadiums - simple. It works in Europe, we should do it here.
Oh, and I think you’ll find we have 44,000 season tickets, nowhere near the 56000 you mentioned.
Cheers,
TC
March 19, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Love it…
ebay = dutch van persie top = im vocal!
March 19, 2008 at 6:09 pm
dnt b fooled by watchn the match on tv ESPECIALLY setanta…the sound on setanta is nt a fair refelection of wat it actualy sounds like……the sound is kind of diluted…..if that makes sense :S
March 19, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Top post mate get cracking on and get this atmosphere going
March 19, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Bring back the fffing Clock end and North bank. Unbelieveable there is no identity in the stands and no stands that likeminded fans can identify with.
The club is a loadof bollocks and is disgraceful that they don’t give a monkeys about the atmosphere or the fans who like to sing. Ultimately the players want atmosphere so why doesn’t the club get it? Stewards who tell you to sit down constantly, no flags no singing and no identity. How come other clubs allow flags like Liverpool- doesn’t the board want to encourage a intimidating atmosphere and singing to help the team? The board is PC gone overboard.
Solution 2 is the best solution you put forward but you really you need a 2 big groups Clock and NB like the old days. All it takes is a couple of signs NB this way clock end that way so signs and big fuck off clock -its hardly expensive!
Needs someone to organise a proper big protest- know this is being talked about on other sites. Protest outside before and after the game is only way to generate media interest and get the board thinking and it would only work if protest continues regularly and gather momentum. Unless we do this the club we love and know is sunk and current crap atmosphere will be considered the norm and acceptable in future.
We must protest!!! Rant over
March 19, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Guys I am a steward and I agree that we have to behave like coppers but instead of blaming us look at the rule makers. I and most of the stewards love Arsenal as much as any of you guys. I used to attend matches in the bad old dark old days of the 70s and 80s when I could afford to go. My old man used to take 5 of us to the G