[Football] PL atmosphere

[Normal Rob]

This struck a cord with me...

 

[Giraffe]

Totally agree (apart from the Palace bit which is nonsense). Hillsborough created much safer stadiums but sadly they killed much of the atmosphere at 90% of stadiums.

 

[Beanstalk]

Whilst I don't disagree that the atmosphere is obviously better in Germany (and always has been), I'd also argue that we're too dismissive of our own.

Went to see Fulham v Spurs last night as a neutral with a few mates, two of which were Aussies attending their first game in this country. They couldn't believe how good the experience was and thought the atmosphere and standard of football was great. Quite shocked when we said that was a cup game neither team would've been overly bothered with losing and the atmosphere can get much better than that.

Football crowds in this country really give a crap about what is going on on the pitch. Sometimes that means bad performances = bad atmosphere. That's the nature, and beauty of a British crowd.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

The atmosphere may well be electric for all the games that Harry plays in, but of course Bayern Munich is the big cheese in the Bundesliga.

Would the atmosphere be anything like as intense between two teams at the opposite end of the table? Probably not is my reply. Let's face it if any of the Manc clubs were in town, Liverpool, one of the London Giants perhaps, the Amex is normally rocking.

 

[WhingForPresident]

I was watching this video last night and was surprised how much better the atmosphere was in all three of these games in the J League than anywhere you'd get in the UK. Our Japanese friends must be a bit let down by the Amex experience if this is what they're used to. Maybe not 'limbs' but pretty impressive:

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

There’s a few contradictions in that article. For instance the grounds that are held up as great atmospheres aren’t venues for big European nights (as referred to by Kane). The atmosphere at Kenilworth Road or Selhurst Park isn’t what Kane was talking about. It also talks about not wanting to bring back the bad old days of the 70s and 80s but those bad old ways were only ended with the type of stewarding and policing the writer dislikes. Perhaps it felt like a big European night to him because well, it was a big night in Europe and not something he was familiar with on a weekly basis. He was also doing PR for the club which has been conveniently ignored in the article. Did he make these comments whilst wearing Lederhosen and eating local delicacies ?

 

[Commander]

The atmosphere may well be electric for all the games that Harry plays in, but of course Bayern Munich is the big cheese in the Bundesliga.

Would the atmosphere be anything like as intense between two teams at the opposite end of the table? Probably not is my reply. Let's face it if any of the Manc clubs were in town, Liverpool, one of the London Giants perhaps, the Amex is normally rocking.

That's where it is different to the UK though. The big cheese in Germany have a cracking atmosphere. Yet Man City, for example, against a mid table team at home will be crap.

 

[timbha]

the fans that crave the better atmosphere are those (like me) that reminisce on how brilliant it was in the 70s and 80s whilst conveniently forgetting how unpleasant the violence was inside and outside the stadiums, how run down the stadiums were, the muddy pitches, and the varying quality on the pitch.

Am I willing to join in the singing? Yes, sometimes and mainly at away matches. Atmosphere can also be used to intimidate the opposing players and fans.

I’d like to be part of a great atmosphere, but it’s conditional on me having a good seat and view in a top class stadium watching top class players and returning home safely.

 

[Jim in the West]

The atmosphere may well be electric for all the games that Harry plays in, but of course Bayern Munich is the big cheese in the Bundesliga.

Would the atmosphere be anything like as intense between two teams at the opposite end of the table? Probably not is my reply. Let's face it if any of the Manc clubs were in town, Liverpool, one of the London Giants perhaps, the Amex is normally rocking.

I've only seen a few live games in Germany, but all were in Bundesliga 2 (ie, Championship) and NOT top teams - Union Berlin (before they came good) and Alemannia Aachen (before they got promoted to the Bundesliga, and then went into free-fall). The atmosphere at those grounds was exceptional - especially Union Berlin.

 

[southstandandy]

Lots of football tourists now (more than ever before - which is good financially but not for atmosphere), and the cost of matches these days in the Prem is a major factor. I personally know of 8 friends who stopped within the last 3 years because they just couldn't afford it anymore. I appreciate that the clubs don't care about fans such as these as the 'corporate dollar' is king, but I for one definitely think this has a partial influence on the lack of atmosphere these days.

 

[timbha]

Lots of football tourists now (more than ever before - which is good financially but not for atmosphere), and the cost of matches these days in the Prem is a major factor. I personally know of 8 friends who stopped within the last 3 years because they just couldn't afford it anymore. I appreciate that the clubs don't care about fans such as these as the 'corporate dollar' is king, but I for one definitely think this has a partial influence on the lack of atmosphere these days.

Yep. Atmosphere went with Bovril and Pukka pies.

 

[Gazwag]

the fans that crave the better atmosphere are those (like me) that reminisce on how brilliant it was in the 70s and 80s whilst conveniently forgetting how unpleasant the violence was inside and outside the stadiums, how run down the stadiums were, the muddy pitches, and the varying quality on the pitch.

Am I willing to join in the singing? Yes, sometimes and mainly at away matches. Atmosphere can also be used to intimidate the opposing players and fans.

I’d like to be part of a great atmosphere, but it’s conditional on me having a good seat and view in a top class stadium watching top class players and returning home safely.

You see I don't really remember the atmosphere being all that great in the 80's, it was different, it could be intimidating but nothing that special. Yes if you were on the terraces you could end up miles away from where you started when a goal went in but I would not say it was any louder than it is today.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Lots of football tourists now (more than ever before - which is good financially but not for atmosphere), and the cost of matches these days in the Prem is a major factor. I personally know of 8 friends who stopped within the last 3 years because they just couldn't afford it anymore. I appreciate that the clubs don't care about fans such as these as the 'corporate dollar' is king, but I for one definitely think this has a partial influence on the lack of atmosphere these days.

I disagree. There are still sufficient numbers in grounds to create an atmosphere. For whatever reason, English fans only create a din for the odd game here and there.

 

[Icy Gull]

On the tv the atmosphere at the Amex before the WHU goal sounded awesome, was it?

 

[JonnyComeEarly]

Only way to get great atmosphere back in the UK is proper terraces. Not safe standing and def not seats

Terrace allows the singers to all stand (propery) and the people that prefer to sit can also do so in those areas of the ground

Way too sterile now

 

[timbha]

North Stand had some great atmospheres in the 1970s as we were climbing the leagues. Mainly evening matches.

As always the atmosphere improves when you have something to fight for….. even at Withdean, a derelict Goldstone in the late 90s and Gham (once or twice!)

 

[Beanstalk]

I was watching this video last night and was surprised how much better the atmosphere was in all three of these games in the J League than anywhere you'd get in the UK. Our Japanese friends must be a bit let down by the Amex experience if this is what they're used to. Maybe not 'limbs' but pretty impressive:

I went to an FC Tokyo game in 2019 (it was a big end of season match in fairness) and was completely blown away by how amazing the atmosphere was. 45,000 and absolutely bouncing. It was however, general admission for pretty much all the ground, at £12 a ticket. The football itself wasn't the best either.

I also went to see FC Seoul in Korea on that same trip and whilst everyone in the crowd sung in tune so it sounded almost like a choir, it was a half empty ground with a pretty poor atmosphere.

 

[Beanstalk]

Only way to get great atmosphere back in the UK is proper terraces. Not safe standing and def not seats

Terrace allows the singers to all stand (propery) and the people that prefer to sit can also do so in those areas of the ground

Way too sterile now

Or just make tickets cheaper and therefore more affordable to younger, more energetic crowds. Average age of a Premier League ticket holder is 41 in 2011, it's surely much worse now. Some clubs (West Ham) have had to raise their senior categorisation due to so many of their fans being over 65.

 

[Javeaseagull]

There have always been critics ready to put down the Premier League and praise other leagues saying that ii is all PR etc etc. The fact is the Premier League is the most watched and therefore most popular league in the world and this annoys various people. It seems very hipsterish to me when people put down our league and sneer in that superior way. The wonderful atmosphere at Palace, Everton etc. Really? To me they are run-down shit-holes but you crack on if that’s what you want. I suspect it isn’t and people just want to run down the Premier League. Beyond me.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

Yep. Atmosphere went with Bovril and Pukka pies.

I often have a Bovril in WSU, and Piglet’s Pantry are better than Pukka.