[Albion] Away fans in home ends

[PascalGroß Tips]

Being a football 'fan/supporter' can be a very emotional thing. There's lots of things being mentioned on here by others that just don't bother me. That's not me saying these things shouldn't bother other posters - we are all different. I love football. I love watching football - especially going to games. I love going to away games and visiting stadiums I've not been to before.

The only thing that gets me angry or shaking my head at games (in terms of supporters - home and away) is when I see/hear homophobic gestures (fortunately I haven't experienced any racism for many years) and some of the pathetic goading that goes on at most games.

Before moving to Sussex, I lived in Bournemouth and had a season ticket at the old Dean Court. I supported my local team. Back in the 1989/90 season, I had two lads sat next to me that were from Leeds. It's such a long time ago now that I can't remember if they were down in Bournemouth working or if they were at Uni. They were Leeds fans... and loved watching live football. Hence they'd bought season tickets. They cheered Bournemouth on throughout the season - just like any other local fan - and we always had a good chat about football in general and Bournemouth's history.

But of course, the last game of that season was the infamous May Bank holiday game against Leeds. Bournemouth needed a win to avoid relegation and Leeds needed the win to ensure automatic promotion. I've never experienced anything like that day at a football match. The pitched battle in the big car park between thousands of Leeds fans - many having travelled down to the south coast without tickets - and the police in riot gear was pretty intimidating as I made my way to the ground. Many towns along the coast were smashed up that weekend by Leeds 'fans'.

The game itself was one of the most tense I've ever been to. Often difficult to follow what was going on on the pitch. My two Leeds 'friends' just sat there not knowing what to make of it. Lee Chapman scored the only goal with an assist from Chris Kamara. The two lads managed to control their emotions and didn't celebrate in any way that would identify them as being Leeds. They apologised at the end of the game for the behaviour of their fans and that was the last time I saw them as they were heading back to Leeds that summer.

So back to my original point. I don't understand why some get worked up and angry about relatively small things that they could just ignore. A lot of the suggestions on here about how to stop 'home' fans getting in our away end - or fans of other clubs that live local to Brighton and legitimately buy tickets to see their team at the Amex, just aren't going to work or make a difference (assuming those fans behave themselves, of course).

Life's too short to keep getting angry. It doesn't do anyone any good.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

But that dilutes the atmosphere. That must have been a lot of tickets to their friends and fam’. I would imagine alot of this is plastic liverpool fans from Brighton.

I have no idea which team they support, if any. But that photo of 'plastic' supporters is, I'm pretty sure, Veltman's missus. Others have said Gruda's dad was in the crowd. I also know that Liverpool is the most indemand game there is, a few seasons ago there was so much demand at the AMEX the club organised off-site hospitality for corporate tickets. I would not be suprised if most of these supporters having a finger pointed at them are using comps either from players or the myriad sponsors we have. We know for sure some are.

 

[BN9 BHA]

So in your opinion I`m not a proper Fan.
Supported Brighton for 60 years through thick and thin but also support Lewes.

Really? Not sure if you’re being serious
I’m sure you have seen the excellent non league thread on NSC, many of us also follow non league teams

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

She can do that to me…

Quite. It's not so bad after all is it

 

[dazzer6666]

To be honest, a 1901 member has to have the correct number of points to buy an away ticket. Yes as you correctly state they can then allocate to another person. I have done this before to a good friend who is a fan of 50 years plus, ex1901 and lives up north and goes to 75% of games home and away, but does not have enough points, sometimes for some games. Think maybe you have a point, but not every case, plus they have taken away a lot of perks they promised when purchasing the 1901 deal all those years ago like, free hot drinks, first call on other events, like rugby, concerts, internationals.

Does 75% of home and away games but doesn’t have enough points ? How ? I don’t do that many, am a JCL and still comfortably in T1 for Bournemouth away.

 

[Uh_huh_him]

Does 75% of home and away games but doesn’t have enough points ? How ? I don’t do that many, am a JCL and still comfortably in T1 for Bournemouth away.

If you don't have a season ticket, there is no chance.

 

[Talby]

I have no idea which team they support, if any. But that photo of 'plastic' supporters is, I'm pretty sure, Veltman's missus. Others have said Gruda's dad was in the crowd. I also know that Liverpool is the most indemand game there is, a few seasons ago there was so much demand at the AMEX the club organised off-site hospitality for corporate tickets. I would not be suprised if most of these supporters having a finger pointed at them are using comps either from players or the myriad sponsors we have. We know for sure some are.

We spoke to Gruda’s dad. And most of the players had friends and family there.

I get it and of course they’re entitled to them but it would be interesting to know the split of away ticket holders at Anfield - STHs, 1901 STH, BHAFC members, sponsors, players / agents and competition winners.

Sorry, but all this loyalty/fairness gibberish from The Club and application of Section 166 of CJPOA 1994 (touting/transfer of tickets) is very much at their discretion.

PBOBE - “We have a responsibility to ensure those attending away matches are entitled to receive tickets, and also that everyone in our loyalty point programme has a fair chance of attending games”

But other terms do apply.

 

[portlock seagull]

We spoke to Gruda’s dad. And most of the players had friends and family there.

I get it and of course they’re entitled to them but it would be interesting to know the split of away ticket holders at Anfield - STHs, 1901 STH, BHAFC members, sponsors, players / agents and competition winners.

Sorry, but all this loyalty/fairness gibberish from The Club and application of Section 166 of CJPOA 1994 (touting/transfer of tickets) is very much at their discretion.

PBOBE - “We have a responsibility to ensure those attending away matches are entitled to receive tickets, and also that everyone in our loyalty point programme has a fair chance of attending games”

But other terms do apply.

Look, just accept the principle “do as I say, not as I do” and you’ll be fine!

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

We spoke to Gruda’s dad. And most of the players had friends and family there.

I get it and of course they’re entitled to them but it would be interesting to know the split of away ticket holders at Anfield - STHs, 1901 STH, BHAFC members, sponsors, players / agents and competition winners.

Sorry, but all this loyalty/fairness gibberish from The Club and application of Section 166 of CJPOA 1994 (touting/transfer of tickets) is very much at their discretion.

PBOBE - “We have a responsibility to ensure those attending away matches are entitled to receive tickets, and also that everyone in our loyalty point programme has a fair chance of attending games”

But other terms do apply.

So it seems the shit atmosphere is down to Mrs Veltman, Herr Gruder et al not getting pissed up and singing songs.

Also, why the need for a split? all those people you have mentioned are entitled to tickets maybe except competition winners (if there were any). The issue is if anyone is using a ticket they shouldn’t be. The club have taken measures to prevent this.

 

[jackalbion]

Being a football 'fan/supporter' can be a very emotional thing. There's lots of things being mentioned on here by others that just don't bother me. That's not me saying these things shouldn't bother other posters - we are all different. I love football. I love watching football - especially going to games. I love going to away games and visiting stadiums I've not been to before.

The only thing that gets me angry or shaking my head at games (in terms of supporters - home and away) is when I see/hear homophobic gestures (fortunately I haven't experienced any racism for many years) and some of the pathetic goading that goes on at most games.

Before moving to Sussex, I lived in Bournemouth and had a season ticket at the old Dean Court. I supported my local team. Back in the 1989/90 season, I had two lads sat next to me that were from Leeds. It's such a long time ago now that I can't remember if they were down in Bournemouth working or if they were at Uni. They were Leeds fans... and loved watching live football. Hence they'd bought season tickets. They cheered Bournemouth on throughout the season - just like any other local fan - and we always had a good chat about football in general and Bournemouth's history.

But of course, the last game of that season was the infamous May Bank holiday game against Leeds. Bournemouth needed a win to avoid relegation and Leeds needed the win to ensure automatic promotion. I've never experienced anything like that day at a football match. The pitched battle in the big car park between thousands of Leeds fans - many having travelled down to the south coast without tickets - and the police in riot gear was pretty intimidating as I made my way to the ground. Many towns along the coast were smashed up that weekend by Leeds 'fans'.

The game itself was one of the most tense I've ever been to. Often difficult to follow what was going on on the pitch. My two Leeds 'friends' just sat there not knowing what to make of it. Lee Chapman scored the only goal with an assist from Chris Kamara. The two lads managed to control their emotions and didn't celebrate in any way that would identify them as being Leeds. They apologised at the end of the game for the behaviour of their fans and that was the last time I saw them as they were heading back to Leeds that summer.

So back to my original point. I don't understand why some get worked up and angry about relatively small things that they could just ignore. A lot of the suggestions on here about how to stop 'home' fans getting in our away end - or fans of other clubs that live local to Brighton and legitimately buy tickets to see their team at the Amex, just aren't going to work or make a difference (assuming those fans behave themselves, of course).

Life's too short to keep getting angry. It doesn't do anyone any good.

That's fine but the atmosphere was noticeably crap, away ends is where most of us go to have a good day out, probably let loose a little bit more, I'm slightly more tolerant in the home end at the Amex, but at the away when we have a limited capacity, is taking the piss. It's as simple as if I wanted a neutral end, I would sit in the neutral end, this isn't a neutral end. Two years in a row this has happened.

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

That's fine but the atmosphere was noticeably crap, away ends is where most of us go to have a good day out, probably let loose a little bit more, I'm slightly more tolerant in the home end at the Amex, but at the away when we have a limited capacity, is taking the piss. It's as simple as if I wanted a neutral end, I would sit in the neutral end, this isn't a neutral end. Two years in a row this has happened.

I get that Jack and understand what you and others look for in any away day. I've been to plenty of aways that didn't sell out to STHs but the atmosphere has still been superb. Not everyone sings. I join in most - although there are some chants I don't get involved in. I don't understand why those STHs that would have bought tickets over the first few days of sales weren't able to generate the usual atmosphere. I find it hard to believe that it was down to players' friends/family and 1901 guests etc that the vast majority couldn't get a few songs going. Other opinions are valid - obviously.

 

[Talby]

So it seems the shit atmosphere is down to Mrs Veltman, Herr Gruder et al not getting pissed up and singing songs.

Also, why the need for a split? all those people you have mentioned are entitled to tickets maybe except competition winners (if there were any). The issue is if anyone is using a ticket they shouldn’t be. The club have taken measures to prevent this.

So it seems the shit atmosphere is down to Mrs Veltman, Herr Gruder et al not getting pissed up and singing songs.

I don’t think you’ll find I said this. I may have said it was a flat atmosphere but I didn’t apportion this to anyone.

As for getting pissed up - I can only assume you’re making a a broad judgement on me and other fans.

There are times where you feel the need to launch an attack on others to to show what an ignorant, intolerant fool you are. Bravo.

 

[Uh_huh_him]

I get that Jack and understand what you and others look for in any away day. I've been to plenty of aways that didn't sell out to STHs but the atmosphere has still been superb. Not everyone sings. I join in most - although there are some chants I don't get involved in. I don't understand why those STHs that would have bought tickets over the first few days of sales weren't able to generate the usual atmosphere. I find it hard to believe that it was down to players' friends/family and 1901 guests etc that the vast majority couldn't get a few songs going. Other opinions are valid - obviously.

On the chants front, there seemed to be big gaps between the various singing sections, which was odd.
Most chants were out of synch, which pretty much killed them off.

It was definitely not a usual away atmosphere.

 

[tstanbur]

But that dilutes the atmosphere. That must have been a lot of tickets to their friends and fam’. I would imagine alot of this is plastic liverpool fans from Brighton.

From your multiple posts on this thread you seem to have strong opinions about what constitutes a bad/plastic fan.

Is that making you feel better after you admitted on the match day thread that you went to the gym at half time on Saturday?! (during our best performance this season, leading Liverpool at Anfield)

 

[jackalbion]

I get that Jack and understand what you and others look for in any away day. I've been to plenty of aways that didn't sell out to STHs but the atmosphere has still been superb. Not everyone sings. I join in most - although there are some chants I don't get involved in. I don't understand why those STHs that would have bought tickets over the first few days of sales weren't able to generate the usual atmosphere. I find it hard to believe that it was down to players' friends/family and 1901 guests etc that the vast majority couldn't get a few songs going. Other opinions are valid - obviously.

I do agree its not just players friends/family, theres lots of factors. I think the reason the atmosphere wasn't quite there, was because, definitely, other than the two people next to me and the family of 4 in front, there didn't seem any willingness to create any atmosphere, to the point were I was getting stared at for saying Trent Alexander Arnold wasn't very good. I think a lot didn't bother as a result of last year where it was the same with a few Liverpool fans near us, who even cheered a Liverpool goal. For example I usually go with a group of 10 or so, Saturday there was 2 of us, because the Liverpool fans have clogged up the trains to make it obstructively expensive, and that after last year couldn't be bothered with standing next to Liverpool supporters, who had the gall to argue back. The entitlement of some people (like the caller on 606), football has a bit of an edge, you don't go sitting in the away end supporting the home team. If it was any European side, or even most English sides, I don't think it would have gone down very well. Maybe its just me, but I think we should be a bit more ferocious with our support, the home support has already become quite passive, I'd like it not to go to the away support. I think it was most telling, in the last minute we had a corner, Gruda walks over geeing up the crowd, I felt like I was one of a few who actually responded, a lot of people just kind of shrugged. Two games that are a good comparison is Newcastle and Liverpool, Newcastle went right down to members, yet still had, personally I think the best away support of the season, similarly with Everton, the common denominator between those two is they aren't top 6 sides. Its a problem with Liverpool and I think there are a few reasons for that.

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

On the chants front, there seemed to be big gaps between the various singing sections, which was odd.
Most chants were out of synch, which pretty much killed them off.

It was definitely not a usual away atmosphere.

Yes, I noticed that. It did seem odd.

 

[Peacehaven Wild Kids]

I am making the assumption that many of the Liverpool fans in the away end managed to pick up tickets at Albion + level.
I guess if they've paid their money for this opportunity, the club can do little about it.

I was in the “club can do little about it” camp however would it be logistically possible for the club to invent a new tier below ‘all ST holders’ namely “Albion+ members that have been to ONE other away match”? Hopefully this wouldn’t inconvenience our northern based fans that can’t make every match.

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

I do agree its not just players friends/family, theres lots of factors. I think the reason the atmosphere wasn't quite there, was because, definitely, other than the two people next to me and the family of 4 in front, there didn't seem any willingness to create any atmosphere, to the point were I was getting stared at for saying Trent Alexander Arnold wasn't very good. I think a lot didn't bother as a result of last year where it was the same with a few Liverpool fans near us, who even cheered a Liverpool goal. For example I usually go with a group of 10 or so, Saturday there was 2 of us, because the Liverpool fans have clogged up the trains to make it obstructively expensive, and that after last year couldn't be bothered with standing next to Liverpool supporters, who had the gall to argue back. The entitlement of some people (like the caller on 606), football has a bit of an edge, you don't go sitting in the away end supporting the home team. If it was any European side, or even most English sides, I don't think it would have gone down very well. Maybe its just me, but I think we should be a bit more ferocious with our support, the home support has already become quite passive, I'd like it not to go to the away support. I think it was most telling, in the last minute we had a corner, Gruda walks over geeing up the crowd, I felt like I was one of a few who actually responded, a lot of people just kind of shrugged. Two games that are a good comparison is Newcastle and Liverpool, Newcastle went right down to members, yet still had, personally I think the best away support of the season, similarly with Everton, the common denominator between those two is they aren't top 6 sides. Its a problem with Liverpool and I think there are a few reasons for that.

Agree Everton was excellent. I didn't make Newcastle this time as I had a ticket to a gig bought before fixtures were announced.

I thought the atmosphere at Anfield last season was pretty good. You were in the row in front of me. You hobbled to your seat - still on crutches.

Just realised I took a photo ... I won't post it without your permission ... but if you're happy for me to do so

 

[NorthstandRacoon]

From your multiple posts on this thread you seem to have strong opinions about what constitutes a bad/plastic fan.

Is that making you feel better after you admitted on the match day thread that you went to the gym at half time on Saturday?! (during our best performance this season, leading Liverpool at Anfield)

I do have strong opinions on it, yes. I find it infuriating in all honesty.

Don’t know why you are bringing up my post from Saturday mind. I had a strict schedule which meant I couldn’t watch the whole match. Stop clutching at straws.

 

[jackalbion]

Agree Everton was excellent. I didn't make Newcastle this time as I had a ticket to a gig bought before fixtures were announced.

I thought the atmosphere at Anfield last season was pretty good. You were in the row in front of me. You hobbled to your seat - still on crutches.

Just realised I took a photo ... I won't post it without your permission ... but if you're happy for me to do so

Of course, no problem, I think there's thousands of pictures of me on the internet now