Evolving the atmosphere

[brendywendy]

Well done to dan etc. Had a great time. To be fair the language wasnt that bad,though it clearly upset at least one lady who asked for her family to be moved, which is regretable. That gay chant is the least offensive song ever, and i challenge anyone to find a gay person it actually offends. And lol at darren campbell with his notebook trying to take my card.

[Rex]

Brendy - you animal.

[chandog]

my mate is apparantly getting banned for life for using homophobic chants
"If you leave early youre gay" not really homophobic
luckily he was using someones member card who never goes anyway so the club will end up banning someone who doesnt care anymore

on the actual event. i thought it was fairly good. got drunk before hand had a great time - carried on chainting regardless of some dickhead stewards. disappointing that so many people decided that just becuase they were coming round telling us to sit down they saw that as a sign to stop singing as well

Was that the lad that got chucked out just after sheff utd scored?? Didn't seem to do a great deal wrong, mind you he didn't miss much!

no this all happened on the concourse after the game

[chandog]

Well done to dan etc. Had a great time. To be fair the language wasnt that bad,though it clearly upset at least one lady who asked for her family to be moved, which is regretable. That gay chant is the least offensive song ever, and i challenge anyone to find a gay person it actually offends. And lol at darren campbell with his notebook trying to take my card.

lol at the stewards thinking they were right in our small argument afterwards. THEY WERE CLEARLY WRONG

[tomrfcurz]

my mate is apparantly getting banned for life for using homophobic chants
"If you leave early youre gay" not really homophobic
luckily he was using someones member card who never goes anyway so the club will end up banning someone who doesnt care anymore

on the actual event. i thought it was fairly good. got drunk before hand had a great time - carried on chainting regardless of some dickhead stewards. disappointing that so many people decided that just becuase they were coming round telling us to sit down they saw that as a sign to stop singing as well

Was that the lad that got chucked out just after sheff utd scored?? Didn't seem to do a great deal wrong, mind you he didn't miss much!

That guy was in front of me, me and him were just making a few gestures to some n0b at the front of the sheff end and he got chucked out, his mate then asked the steward, "whens he back" and good old Darren Campbell said "he won't be back" oxf*rd tosser that steward and old big nose next to him

[Rev Algenon Stickleback H]

Please do not offend anyone next time

LOL at complaints of swearing in proximity to sensitive people.

I've got no problem with swearing, and I'd rather be in part of the ground full of people who are happy to let off a bit of steam, but the problem is that the upper west is full of people who probably sit there because they'd rather not be around people who swear all the time. Some people are just unable to accept that their preference isn't the only one that's valid.

It was a stupid place to try and get a singing section going, and given that it was such a total failure, it doesn't seem worth persevering with.

[Rex]

Who are these people. It's such a precious attutude towards life.
So it's ok to hear the chants coming across the pitch but never from close by. God the fear factor.

I understand it is an area of the stadium which is lofty in many ways, that the corporates and more 'refined' people sit in this area, but i'm sorry to break it to these people, certain sections of our support actually get involved in the passion and feelings involved in a game which mean so much. The result shattered a few dreams on friday and as such feelings will run high in general.

I understand passion does not mean that supporters have to swear all the time, i understand it can upset parents with young children but that is a risk factor that is built into viewing live football. It's heard in the TV / Radio when watching a match so why should the Mad Stad be a different experience.

[Sarah Star]

I was in GU1 on Friday with the family. We were several rows in front of the main singers, but we joined in with the chants when we could (have to admit I don't know all the words to "e-i-e-i-e-i-o, up the football league we go...") It was much easier to do when there were several of us singing. When I had a quick look at us on the tv, I was surprised that I could hear us considering it wasn't that large a group. Just goes to show that it doesn't take a lot. My son enjoyed it.

There were a few families around us and I don't remember any of them leaving. Mind you, if I'd had my money back every time I heard swearing at the football, I'd have been going for free for years.

[chandog]

it wasnt even constant swearing though so its not like we were repeatedly trying to make those around us feel uncomfortable or offended

literally 10-15 if us singing "...i cant hear a f***ing thing" a few times does not deserve the reaction of people refusing to be in the surroinding area and demanding the stewards to move them
the only other issue was with the stewards over the "if you leave early you're gay". no fans seemed to complain (probably cos they had already left) and the stewards only seemed interested with arguing with a few of us afterwards. sorry but is reading a club that is so naive to what happens at football grounds.

i bet if we took 2000+ fans to an away match and they behaved in the same way we all did on friday the club would be praised for having such well behaved and vocal fans. singing a few songs with the words F*** and gay during a match in nothing compared to what goes on at just about every other ground in the country

its just a shame to be supporting a club that clearly has no desire to properly get behind the team and act like the vast majority of other football fans around the country

[Bob Smith]

Don't get me wrong, I've done my time on the Southbank and the East Stand but now I have young kids I choose to shield them from the harsher realities of life. There is a world of difference between hearing "dirty northern b*stards" from across the pitch and having some beered up yoof shouting obscenities at the officials and opposition from immediately behind you.

This was just the wrong place to do it (though I accept there was probably nowhere else to try and was a worthy effort).I pay a fair premium to sit in the Upper West and away from the the more intimidating atmosphere generated by some of our supporters.

I wouldn't dream of going into the East Stand and complaining - that's just the way it is. Perhaps some of you lot should just accept the West Stand for what it is.

[Sarah Star]

...besides which you could clearly hear Y25/6 shouting "Ship" all round the ground every time the Sheffield Utd fans started up singing about their team. Have to admit I didn't join in with the swearing and told my son off for shouting "You'll never get a girlfriend" at the referee though.

[chandog]

Don't get me wrong, I've done my time on the Southbank and the East Stand but now I have young kids I choose to shield them from the harsher realities of life. There is a world of difference between hearing "dirty northern b*stards" from across the pitch and having some beered up yoof shouting obscenities at the officials and opposition from immediately behind you.

This was just the wrong place to do it (though I accept there was probably nowhere else to try and was a worthy effort).I pay a fair premium to sit in the Upper West and away from the the more intimidating atmosphere generated by some of our supporters.

I wouldn't dream of going into the East Stand and complaining - that's just the way it is. Perhaps some of you lot should just accept the West Stand for what it is.

sorry but not once did we use the "dirty northern b*astards" one although now you mention it i feel we should have
there was about 10 of us who continued to sing the moderate songs once the stewards came in

when the whole of the back 4 or 5 rows where taken up by us GU1 guinea pigs and the ones at the very back were the most vocal and not even going over the top no one should have been intimidated with as you say "beered up yoofs" behind you

[Rex]

Don't get me wrong, I've done my time on the Southbank and the East Stand but now I have young kids I choose to shield them from the harsher realities of life. There is a world of difference between hearing "dirty northern b*stards" from across the pitch and having some beered up yoof shouting obscenities at the officials and opposition from immediately behind you.

This was just the wrong place to do it (though I accept there was probably nowhere else to try and was a worthy effort).I pay a fair premium to sit in the Upper West and away from the the more intimidating atmosphere generated by some of our supporters.

I wouldn't dream of going into the East Stand and complaining - that's just the way it is. Perhaps some of you lot should just accept the West Stand for what it is.

So you have never swore at a match before. I do respect your parenting decisions but with all the best of intentions children will come into contact with their own peers who will swear. My daughter went through this as soon as she went to school. She knows that swearing is not the done thing but came into contact with the raucus elements of football at a very early age and after a lecture from myself choses not to join in.
I suppose it's a question of what each supporter wants out aof a match day experience and it's finding a balance and level where all are happy and enjoy the day without offending each other.

[chandog]

there are two levels of supporting the club

1. buying your ticket and lining the chairmans pocket and enjoying the view/ game without feeling the need to be vocal

2. turning up wanting to have a good time by making some noise and not relying on the teams performance to have a good time

We are just trying to get reading to be more of the second point which if successful will make reading a closer representation of most clubs around the country

[Rex]

there are two levels of supporting the club

1. buying your ticket and lining the chairmans pocket and enjoying the view/ game without feeling the need to be vocal

2. turning up wanting to have a good time by making some noise and not relying on the teams performance to have a good time

We are just trying to get reading to be more of the second point which if successful will make reading a closer representation of most clubs around the country

No criticism from this quarter Chandog.

[chandog]

there are two levels of supporting the club

1. buying your ticket and lining the chairmans pocket and enjoying the view/ game without feeling the need to be vocal

2. turning up wanting to have a good time by making some noise and not relying on the teams performance to have a good time

We are just trying to get reading to be more of the second point which if successful will make reading a closer representation of most clubs around the country

No criticism from this quarter Chandog.

FINALLY

it has taken 800+ posts but finally i have found someone who seems to agree with me!

[Sun Tzu]

there are two levels of supporting the club

1. buying your ticket and lining the chairmans pocket and enjoying the view/ game without feeling the need to be vocal

2. turning up wanting to have a good time by making some noise and not relying on the teams performance to have a good time

We are just trying to get reading to be more of the second point which if successful will make reading a closer representation of most clubs around the country

No criticism from this quarter Chandog.

It's not a very accurate statement though is it.

I don't fit into either of those categories.

And point 2 doesn't describe most fans at most clubs most of the time from what I've seen.

[working class hero]

Well done to dan etc. Had a great time. To be fair the language wasnt that bad,though it clearly upset at least one lady who asked for her family to be moved, which is regretable. That gay chant is the least offensive song ever, and i challenge anyone to find a gay person it actually offends. And lol at darren campbell with his notebook trying to take my card.

lol at the stewards thinking they were right in our small argument afterwards. THEY WERE CLEARLY WRONG

Or as the Rev Stickleback has it:

I've got no problem with swearing, and I'd rather be in part of the ground full of people who are happy to let off a bit of steam, but the problem is that the upper west is full of people who probably sit there because they'd rather not be around people who swear all the time. Some people are just unable to accept that their preference isn't the only one that's valid.

I don't mind the swearing these days - but I did when my kids were 5 years old. It doesn't make me wrong if I try to shield my kids from the fact that some people are so unable to make a coherent sentence without cussing.
I don't swear if there are kids within earshot - it is simply a courtesy matter.

I personally think that if the fans in the upper West object to interlopers coming in and swearing then it is reasonable. Having said that the language was fairly restrained.
Perhaps the chants of 'ship' were directed at some in GU1? There certainly seem to have been a couple of right selfish old anchors up there!

[brendywendy]

Brendy - you animal.

dragged me to one side, demanded my card, anbd started telling me off till i reminded them that no one had approached me for the whole game to sit down or shut up so i wasnt really sure why they had picked me out

was doing really well till i swore at him by accident, and then he was like AAhhhaaa!!! see, i told you so.....
even got his notebook out again

[brendywendy]

Who are these people. It's such a precious attutude towards life.
So it's ok to hear the chants coming across the pitch but never from close by. God the fear factor.

I understand it is an area of the stadium which is lofty in many ways, that the corporates and more 'refined' people sit in this area, but i'm sorry to break it to these people, certain sections of our support actually get involved in the passion and feelings involved in a game which mean so much. The result shattered a few dreams on friday and as such feelings will run high in general.

I understand passion does not mean that supporters have to swear all the time, i understand it can upset parents with young children but that is a risk factor that is built into viewing live football. It's heard in the TV / Radio when watching a match so why should the Mad Stad be a different experience.

would there even be a game worth watching if everyone in the stadium just sat there in silence?!

seriously though the lady i saw at half time was livid at the raucous nature of the crowd, and demanding a move, so if even one person was upset, its her right to be pissed off, and i feel bad that she felt bad
but really, her kids hear and say far worse at primary school at lunch time



personally, seeing grown men shouting and swearing was one of the magical and wonderful thing about football games as a child