This is not intended to start a discussion on racism. I have just read an article http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19263251 and I didn't agree with Hodgson. (Nothing to do with past crimes). It seems ridiculous that a man that has worked in football as long as Hodgson can be so out of touch. I'm sure he's right in that fans at the Olympic venues were very well behaved and I'm sure that the atmosphere at the Charity Sheild was very different. The reason for this is obviously passion. The behaviour of some football fans and indeed players needs to change both have a responsibility to their clubs and need to conduct themselves in the appropriate manner. What we also need to be aware of is that the reason football is so popular is the tribal rivalry between fans, there is an atmosphere that sometimes borders on hatred at grounds around the country on the weekend and whether the FA or other groups like it or not this is part of football and I for one love that atmosphere. When the behaviour crosses the imaginary line in officials heads then yes something needs to be done, no act of violence or racial abuse is acceptable, some now though are starting to look to take this further, is any kind of abuse acceptable? Most would say that the abuse thrown at players and between fans is banter and part of the game and I agree with this. Could you imagine going to a game and applauding a goal politely? As usual the FA and indeed their new figurehead will get this wrong and spout nonsense. Football is more than a game and when there are problems the appropriate bodies need to act in the correct way and punish appropriately, what they also need to remember is not to overreact.
That's exactly what they want though LG, tourist fans who spend lots in the club shop and sit down and clap politely. Anyone who's been to a game at Anfield lately will know that the atmosphere (weekends especially) is lifeless compared to how it used to be and its exactly the same across the country...with the exception of the few clubs who's support is still almost entirely local. That's not a criticism of non local fans its just that people who don't go regularly tend not to know the songs, feel reluctant to join in...essentially there isn't quite the tribal nature that there used to be (or like you experience as an away fan for instance). I realise the all-seater stadia came in for the right reasons (we all know only too well) but it has changed the face of supporting a team completely. As I've said before we aren't treated as fans anymore we are treated as customers. Many people prefer it this way and on many levels I can't blame them. Standing on The Kop used to be an experience like no other...but the nature of it wouldn't appeal to a massive section of people who go to games these days. Hodgsons statement is typical of how the game is viewed these days. The less physical the game is on the pitch the better these days and the "nicer" the experience for customers (fans to you and me) the easier it is to attract posh tarts with loads of dosh to the grounds. I still love going to the match don't get me wrong. There will however always be a part of me that yearns for the sway of the Kop and the unreal atmosphere and noise that used to roll around the ground from an hour before kick off and was still going as you were half a mile from the ground after a game
Good reply Billy, It seems as if there is no way back football has become a corporate machine where you may get a better atmosphere at your local pub or at home with friends. I'll still go to Anfield as often as I can afford it which is becoming less and less and like you I have noticed the difference in atmosphere from years ago.
Its not just at Anfield, I've been to a few grounds and the atmosphere at a game on a saturday at 3 p.m. is dreadful. However the atmosphere at a 7.45/ 8 p.m European game is far better.
That's the other thing mate is the cost. Now again I appreciate you do get a lot more in terms of facilities etc and the fact that I can go for a slash (in a toilet) at half time makes a refreshing change to the days of old . However for a lot of the old school boys it just became totally prohibitive as soon as all seaters came in. Used to cost about a tenner for an adult ticket on The Kop just before all seaters (only a fiver if you managed to get through the under 16s...turnstyle trying to look all youthful with 4 days stubble wasn't easy ) but that had doubled to twenty quid within a season or two and I know quite a few hardcore fans who felt betrayed by that. It is what it is I guess and I don't doubt it is a million times better for some people these days so I can't complain too much. I'd love to have just one more time standing on the old Kop though for old times sake.
Absolutely mate and in a way that makes it even more frustrating...the new stands can still produce that wave of sound (Chelsea 05 being the best example I guess) that makes the hair stand up but it is a rare thing these days rather than being the norm.
Thank god, thought this was a name and shame thread about some of our behavior. Had me going for a minute. #Businessasusual
quality post by the op, the thought of applauding the team that has just scored against you is ridiculous. Banter is one of the best things about football and you really can't beat the atmosphere of a derby game. Would be nice to see the players themselves be a bit more professional though!
This the same Roy Hodgson who hopes that Terry is cleared by the FA? Nice to know the man believes racism should go unpunished. That's what you want in your England manager.
One of things I like about watching a game is ''sarcastic clapping''...when the opposition balloons one over the bar.
An Old Man's Tale When we were in the 2nd Div my dad used to take me to the match in the old wooden Kemlyn Road stand. As I grew I wanted to go in the Kop but he always put me up against the wall and marked my height and said "another inch". Finally he took me to stand in the Paddock until one day he announced we could go and stand in THE KOP. What a right of passage - I'd changed from a boy to a lad and could now take my place in the Holy of Holies! He taught me how to survive in The Kop. I'd arrived!!!! Football is not like that any more. It's family entertainment. It's no longer a male preserve where you where in total unison with fellas you didn't know. The atmosphere was charged not with testosterone but with passion. You knew where the boundaries where but within them you were free to express your delight and frustration. There is no equivalent for it in today's society - more's the pity! Now you can't even swear without somebody telling you that there are kids present!!! Football supporters are in essence tribal. The spectators - for that is what they were - not fans, at the Olympics had no tribe to whom to give their loyalty. However, they aped behaviour with the booing which I note that neither the media or the FA made comment about - hypocrites!!
Good story Dave. I remember my first game (Kemlyn also...right next to The Kop) and I remember my Dad asking me why I wasn't watching the game half the time...it was because I couldn't take my eyes off the swaying mass of people. That was '82 and he took me and my bro for the next two years but he stopped going after Heysel feeling pretty disillusioned by how bad the game had become. The '86 season I went a few times with my Uncle who introduced me to the "joys" of Kop life. After that it just became what I did...and more importantly I guess...who I was. Once a Kopite always a Kopite....I remember almost getting nicked after we stayed behind after the last game before they demolished it...when the plod came up to clear us all off I ducked under a barrier but as I came back up I knocked a coppers helmet off (was an accident in fairness) spent that night with a whole load of us gettin plastered on St Georges Hall steps depressed and not wanting to go home...I think we all knew then things would never be quite the same again.
It's always good to hear the stories about going to the Anfield of old, I can only imagine what it was like. My dad isn't into football, even if he was I doubt he would be a Liverpool fan. As a kid, the only time I got to see Liverpool play was via my god father who isn't even blood related. By the way, is it inappropriate that I read your stories and imagine them in black and white?
I know that nostalgia puts a 'golden glow' over everything but in the 60s there was never any trouble at either Anfield or Goodison. I've laughed and cried but I'd never fight about or for football. To be fair, when working in London in the 70s I went to nearly every Liverpool away match either in the stands or side terraces. I was never abused at any ground other than West Ham. Watching the game is now a more comfortable experience but at Anfield I do miss the atmosphere that was created by 28,000 falling, swaying, singing fans. It will never come back. BTW knocking a copper's helmet off was a prank but now you'd get arrested for assault!!!
Silly Boy - it was only the tele that was in black and white At the end of the day, we are all REDMEN. How we got to be so will differ for all of us. Let's just glory in that.
I loved the first time I took my lad to Anfield he must have been about 9 years old and we were in the Kop in a great place to see Peter Crouch hit that overhead against Bolton. Magic moment for him, I wish I could afford to take him more.
