Falmer North Stand

[Wilko]

Talking to a few friends over some beers on Friday night and discussing the atmosphere at Falmer. I assume lots of the singers and noisy fans would like to sit together and more often than not the noisy lot are behind the goal (bit like the north stand at Goldstone).

Anyway, do you think we could make it into a stand of colour and noise? I am trying not to use the word ultras (often political or violent) but I think it would be brilliant if we could have a stand of flags, banners and a sea of blue and white really generating some atmosphere. I have been to a few German games and they do this brilliantly, the fans get there about an hour before kick off to set up the flags, scarves etc and it really does add to the atmosphere. Thoughts?

 

[Titanic]

It's not very big.

 

[Conkers]

I'm surprised anyone can see the pitch looking at the photo on the left

 

[Wilko]

It's not very big.

Well, ideally it would be like that in all the ground but I cannot see the Thermos flask costa crew joining in. 2500 noisy fans at one end could certianly generate some atmosphere.

 

[Foolg]

Entirely agree.
I've been looking at going to a few games in germany, luckily decided to go next season as i would have been going during the volcanic ash crisis. Generally as you say the idea of "ultras" has a bad reputation, but there are videos of york city and accrington stanley who have a similar thing. I think something should be done to make a bit of atmosphere, or it could be a bit quiet in such a large stadium.
York city Jorvik reds: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f1/Jorvik_Reds_York_City_v._AFC_Telford_United_1.png

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

Good idea.

Sadly though it'll be the H block goons singing "der der der der, Dick Knight" at the first match.

 

[Foolg]

Good idea.

Sadly though it'll be the H block goons singing "der der der der, Dick Knight" at the first match.

Wouldnt suprise me, but to be fair a large part of our away support arent 13 year olds on a coach, and if many of these people who tend to go to more away than home games started coming, it could work.

 

[Wilko]

Good idea.

Sadly though it'll be the H block goons singing "der der der der, Dick Knight" at the first match.

H block is only about 150 people and only a small minority are goons. Even they are trying to get an atmosphere with the inflatables etc which I like. If everyone knows that the North stand is going to be like that we can certainly generate the atmosphere needed. There often seems to be negativity about trying to do something like this but we have over a year to sort it and if everyone knows that the north stand is going to be a bit 'lively' then they can make the choice to sit there or not.

 

[Wilko]

Entirely agree.
I've been looking at going to a few games in germany, luckily decided to go next season as i would have been going during the volcanic ash crisis. Generally as you say the idea of "ultras" has a bad reputation, but there are videos of york city and accrington stanley who have a similar thing. I think something should be done to make a bit of atmosphere, or it could be a bit quiet in such a large stadium.
York city Jorvik reds: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f1/Jorvik_Reds_York_City_v._AFC_Telford_United_1.png

If they can do it then surely we can?

 

[Foolg]

If they can do it then surely we can?

Exactly.
I know its probably been asked many times, but what happened to the large flag we used to own? Surely something similar could be kept in the ground to save someone having the hassle of taking it home etc, which im sure was the reason we stopped taking it originally.
Look at the Portsmouth end behind the goal, the rest of the stadium isnt that loud, but the 3/4k (yes the north is only 2.5k) create a great atmosphere with the drum and all.

 

[lighthouse]

if the 2322 that were at Charlton all sit in the North Stand, then there will be no problem with creating an atmosphere!

 

[The Grockle]

Although I probably wouldn't be part of it myself an Ultras style folowing from the north stand would be immense.

Dare I say it we could learn a thing or two from Palace, their ultras although not huge in numbers are pretty impressive, especially with the flags going. there are plenty of videos on youtube.

I get the impression it takes a bit of organisation though, unless our fans are planning something now I can't see anything looking remotely like an ultra's section for quite some time.

 

[Wilko]

Exactly.
I know its probably been asked many times, but what happened to the large flag we used to own? Surely something similar could be kept in the ground to save someone having the hassle of taking it home etc, which im sure was the reason we stopped taking it originally.
Look at the Portsmouth end behind the goal, the rest of the stadium isnt that loud, but the 3/4k (yes the north is only 2.5k) create a great atmosphere with the drum and all.

Spot on. I used to live in Pompey and go and watch them regularly. All the noisy lot go in the KJC stand behind the goal. The family stand and OAPs sit in other parts of the ground. Lots of people moan about having a drummer etc but anyone who has been to Fratton Park will know that they certainly do add to the atmosphere.

 

[TrevorDove]

I'm sure there will be a family stand somewhere for all you kids to wave your banners and shake your rattles.

 

[Sergei Gotsmanov]

Well, ideally it would be like that in all the ground but I cannot see the Thermos flask costa crew joining in. 2500 noisy fans at one end could certianly generate some atmosphere.

What has taking a flask to football got to do with your ability to support the team?....I take a flask for my half time coffee (instant not costa) and I sing and jump around with the best of them.

 

[Wilko]

Although I probably wouldn't be part of it myself an Ultras style folowing from the north stand would be immense.

Dare I say it we could learn a thing or two from Palace, their ultras although not huge in numbers are pretty impressive, especially with the flags going. there are plenty of videos on youtube.

I get the impression it takes a bit of organisation though, unless our fans are planning something now I can't see anything looking remotely like an ultra's section for quite some time.

That was kind of another reason why I wanted to do it because Palace have done it with some success.

We have over a year to organise it. If many of us commit to getting tickets in the North stand then we can organise some really good flags, banners etc. I really hope this is possible, we have had to sit in that SHITHOLE shack for over a decade, we are going to have a fantastic new home and the least we can do is give it an atmosphere and identity.

 

[Foolg]

That was kind of another reason why I wanted to do it because Palace have done it with some success.

We have over a year to organise it. If many of us commit to getting tickets in the North stand then we can organise some really good flags, banners etc. I really hope this is possible, we have had to sit in that SHITHOLE shack for over a decade, we are going to have a fantastic new home and the least we can do is give it an atmosphere and identity.

I've been to pompey twice this year, when albion were'nt playing and the Chelsea game, simply because it was cheap for decent football. Behind the goal starts the singing, and creates a great amount of noise, and the rest of the ground when they want will join in. All it takes is the giant flag to come back, and a few more, im sure there's somewhere at the ground it can be stored.
At Huddersfield last year, their stadium looks very similar to ours, and i thought the atmosphere was poor, given what i recall about a 15k crowd, im worried it could end up a bit like that.

 

[jimmypbha]

If we had some proper organisation to it, it should work. We should give it a go next season as it is the last at withdean. Give withdean a proper send off.

 

[The Grockle]

That was kind of another reason why I wanted to do it because Palace have done it with some success.

We have over a year to organise it. If many of us commit to getting tickets in the North stand then we can organise some really good flags, banners etc. I really hope this is possible, we have had to sit in that SHITHOLE shack for over a decade, we are going to have a fantastic new home and the least we can do is give it an atmosphere and identity.

Definetly needs some thought or else we might end up with one of the best stadiums in the country with an atmosphere like at Colchester's.

I completely agree with filling the North stand with our more vocal supporters and encouraging flags and banners, With the low roof it should generate excellent noise.

So often new build stadiums are described as being souless and void of any atmosphere I'd hate to think after all these years, Falmer would be put in that same pigeon hole.

 

[Wilko]

What has taking a flask to football got to do with your ability to support the team?....I take a flask for my half time coffee (instant not costa) and I sing and jump around with the best of them.

Apologies, I did not mean it to come out as a dig. I just meant that there will be some supporters who do not want to get involved in that sort of thing which is fine because the ground can cater for all fans with a singing section, a fmaily stand etc.