Home vs Away

[Alexander Litvinenko]

So would an awful lot of other people.

The irony is that amongst the main selling points of English football are the atmosphere and the vibrancy of the crowd - and these are precisely the factors being lost by the "new" demographic" of those attending matches. They want to be experience it, but they won't generally create it.

So perhaps the best long-term answer is a two-tier pricing structure - cheaper tickets and safe-standing for those who will create an atmosphere, and seated accommodation and higher prices for those who want to experience it as a backdrop but not be part of it?

[The Rouge]

^^^agreed. That is a similar pricing structure to Italy.

[Wimb]

Yeah can't argue with that.

I still maintain that it is possible to create a bit of an atmosphere at home games, I think that as much as they're looked down on by some, those in Y24-Y26 and generally most of the East Stand do a bit. The drummer also isn't well loved but he gives it a go and gets some of the family folk clapping away in the North.

The Madejski is one of the quieter grounds but I don't think it's quite as soulless as some people argue.

[Stuka]

All really good ideas. Sometimes we fans come up with things that are too good. Too sensible and logical.

[Alexander Litvinenko]

All really good ideas. Sometimes we fans come up with things that are too good. Too sensible and logical.

Because we think about the long-term good of the game and of our clubs. Most people in the game think of short-term profits or short-term achievements only.

[Stuka]

All really good ideas. Sometimes we fans come up with things that are too good. Too sensible and logical.

Because we think about the long-term good of the game and of our clubs. Most people in the game think of short-term profits or short-term achievements only.

BACK THE BOYS, AND MAKE SOME NOISE!

[Christof]

I haven't been to a home game in 7 years.
Long way to travel, no where to drink, pretty turgid atmosphere 90% of the time...
Make 4 or 5 away games a season, and it's just a better experience all round.
If I lived closer, it might be different...

Similar for me - it's not worth making a 160 mile round trip for the happy-clappy sterile atmosphere, when I can either go to away games (probably 12 or 15 a season, less so this year though) or watch non-league (much cheaper, more friendly).

The irony is that amongst the main selling points of English football are the atmosphere and the vibrancy of the crowd - and these are precisely the factors being lost by the "new" demographic" of those attending matches. They want to be experience it, but they won't generally create it.

So perhaps the best long-term answer is a two-tier pricing structure - cheaper tickets and safe-standing for those who will create an atmosphere, and seated accommodation and higher prices for those who want to experience it as a backdrop but not be part of it?

Nail on head, but how does that become reality? Not sure if there is the will at the moment while attendances are high, maybe it will only happen if/when crowds drop, and clubs can be persuaded that there is a return to be had for the investment.

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Over the years its def been Away days over Home games.

But last year i went to only 3 away games, my lowest tally in over 20 years. Probably a few reasons for this, but mainly:

My mates who I always went to away games with dont go away much anymore (must be an age thing that)
Ive been to so many grounds so many times it does just get a bit boring eventually.
Most grounds now all look the same and are just souless, characterless, out of town plastic bowls.
Its bloody expensive.

Still have my ST though and go to every Home game

Im sure a lot of people must feel the same because our Away Support, In comparison to our fan base, has plummeted over the last 10 years or so.

[Zammo]

My mates who I always went to away games with dont go away much anymore (must be an age thing that)

I think we all stopped going with you shortly after your first gear motorway shenanigans

[Ian Royal]

I enjoy the experience away more. But its far easier to get to more of the home games than the away. Both actually and in terms of preparation. And we also lose more away games, particularly if I'm there - just ask Floyd.

So I'd say if I go to an average of 10 games a season as an example... then I'd probably be at 7 home and 3 away.

Going to the Madstad when Reading are not playing well is misery - much more than so then going to Elm Park was.

This. And it's because of the seats. When the team isn't playing well you feel low, so you sink into your seat and slouch watching the inevitable. That physical position is just a feedback loop of negative emotion reinforcing negative physicality reinforcing negative emtion.

It's much harder to get into that cycle when you're standing up. It's also much easier to start voicing your frustrations and shouting and jumping up and down, which creates a bit of atmosphere out of disappointment and frustration. Which can lead to a team picking up.

When we're playing shit I want to stand up and encourage the team. But I'll be the only one doing it, I won't be able to sustain it or get others to stand up and join in, and ultimately, it's easier to just sit and sulk.

[Stuka]

An interesting point Ian, and one perhaps easily overlooked. When we suck, the physical restriction of shite plastic seats can only compound the misery and alienation. The confined space only heightens the despair. At least when you're stood up, miles away from home and surrounded by like minded folk, the pain of loss is mitigated by shared experience and less inhibited movement.

[KC Royal]

I don't really get the opportunity to go to away games, though I am possibly going to White Hart Lane in Jan.

The last away game I went to was probably Gillingham almost 8 years ago now...

[weybridgewanderer]

Had there been an internet 20 years ago we would have been having much the same conversation.

people grow up, your mates move on, get a partner who doesn't let them out the house all day every saturday and and so stop going every week. Course they put it down the the price and the lack of atmosphere. No chance they will say their partner won't let them go!

Our club is just like all the others at home. Who was at the chelsea game? No noise from the home support

Old trafford can be deadly quiet for 60000+ people for long periods in the game.

Their away supporters will enjoy the home games better than the away games.

The kids in the families at the home games today are the away dupporters of tomorrow

[reading_fan]

Living in Brum, home games are effectively away games for me given the travelling involved, but the home experience just doesn't get anywhere near the away day experience.

One of the reasons I used to enjoy going to Ninian Park was the fact it was perfect for the standing v seated argument. Those who wanted to sit or who were unable to stand could sit at the front, and those of us who wanted to stand could do so on the terrace behind, without impacting on the view of the seated fans. Perfect. This is the ideal combination.

Similarly at Walsall, with their big new stand you can see from the motorway. It has a terrace in the lower tier behind the goal, then seats in the upper tier. Again, no issue. I realise this is slightly different with them being outside of the top two divisions so not having to have an all seater ground, but still.

Safe standing areas are definitely the way forward. If the club were to take out the seats at the top of the East/North stands and create standing areas, it would be perfect, as it would create the Ninian Park seating/standing experience.