Morning all. Read this on OTIB. Great post so thought I'd steal it and share it. Its slightly outdated now as it comments on our interest in Wooton from Man Utd. Sorry to those that have read it already: "Orbital, on 07 Jan 2013 - 12:15, Any element of protest that would be to the detrement of the football team while playing would be/is nothing short of lunacy. How anyone thinks that the creation of a negative environment while those that have been selected are on the pitch is helpful are just plain wrong. Confidence is the thing most lacking at this football club at the moment, from top to bottom. There is an evident lack of confidence from the board. They seem ill at ease with stepping out from the shadows and stating their intentions, to reassure the uncertain masses. There is an evident lack of confidence from the manager. His constant tinkering suggests that he is unsure of his most effective eleven and his most effective formation. There is an evident lack of confidence from the players. They are clearly affected by our plight is so many ways. Elementary mistakes are frequent, they are reluctant to take chances fo fear of mistakes/criticism, they are less likely to play as a team. Finally, there is an evident lack of confidence from the fans. They are becoming overtly filled with a negative energy that will course through the veins of the clubs and poison it from within unless there is a radical shift in thinking. A culture of blame and negativity seems to be growing in momentum when one of passion, spirit and committment to the cause is needed now more than ever. It is fair to say that there is a lot to be critical of. However, if this current notion of anger, resentment and hostility remains the face of the fans then the club is doomed. I think it is like a virus permeating the forum and fans in general. The more cynicism and negative moaning that people spread the more that will follow. There are people working tirelessly for the good of the club that are being affected by this and it will only make their jobs harder. They may not be the best candidates in many people's eyes but they are there nonetheless and so they need to be supported with everything we can muster until they are replaced. No one knows if replacing the manager will work. Change is not always the right way to go. For every Mick McCarthy who has worked miracles with somones else's squad (disagree with you there Harry, some managers don't need to assemble their own squad to do well. they just need to be a good manager that can instil positivity and a change of ethos), there are countless others that fail to stop the slide. Del is trying deperately to find the right blend with what he has available and knows better than anyone what he needs to find in the window. He scraped us out of the mire last time, I say he is the best placed person to do it again. If we sign Wootton, as is purported to be a possibility, pick up two decent midfielders that can work in tangent with each other and enable us to play with two up top (i.e. Baldock and Davies) then all of a sudden things could seem a lot more rosy. There are many points to play for. For those that still wish to moan and complain, fine. But do it in such a way as to not impinge on our path to success. I missed a season last year due to living in Madrid. Rayo Vallecano were my side while I was there and their fans never gave up on them. Ever. For 90 minutes. Non Stop. Absolute belief and faith. This kind of attitude from the terraces was the reason why they survived and still survive. Because even though they are a tadpole in a big ocean, they fight and scrap as best they can, that was a joy to be a part of. When they had a gripe with the league for selling teams down the river with the tv rights the clubs terraced supporters created a giant banner which stretched from on end of the terraces to the other. They did not want to watch their team kick of at 11pm on a sunday night or one of the other random, numerous slots, so they let the authorities know by stretching out the banner and then walked off en masse for five minutes in the middle of the game, leaving the terraces bare but for the banner, which when translated said, 'Is this what you want?' They then came back and got behind their team so passionately that particular game they went on to win, even though the team had been playing poorly. That game reminded me to never underestimate the power of the support from the terraces. Having come back it is like there has been a fundamental shift in all being in it together to that lot and us lot. Until that is bridged, the club will remain divided."
Absolutely 200% SPOT ON. UNITED WE SUCCEED BUT divided we fall. Everyone who loves Bristol City as I have done for 63 years, must get behind the team every game. We will survive this season but should we not, it should not be for lack of passion on and off the pitch.
I also think Stoke are a good example. Horrible club in my opinion.. but the atmosphere its fans generate at home is a priceless asset.
Having been to Rayo Vallecano the comparison is a mite silly. Vallecano culture is influenced by a siege mentality v Athletico Madrid and Real Madrid. That "ultraish" culture barely exists in the UK, and nether will clubs and authorities in the main tolerate it. Fans in the Eastend have been pushing rocks up hills for half a decade. BCFC have quashed spirit and committment of fans here. The last sentence is apt. High ranking employees at Ashton Gate have even mocked supporters of the club this season via social media.
I agree the post is right on the mark and although I must confess I have been a critic of Derek I don't we have a viable option at this time in our struggle. His having to deal with the negative attitude from the terraces and players does not make his job any easier and until such time as it is so evident he's not up for the job then I will back off on my criticism. I now believe he inherited a negative environment and I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to see how the rot has been setting in at Ashton Gate for way too long. That is a situation that will take dedication and commitment to eliminate and all parties involved with BCFC need to step up and be counted as being in the positive camp. Our home is often referred to as the library and that also needs to change to bring us back to success so how about a rousing reception for the entire team vs Leicester. Would be a nice change and who knows we may even come up with a good result and the crowd could be the deciding factor. Good luck to them and Derek.
Invermeremike.. I wasnt suggesting we generate a 'Ultraish' culture at the gate.. I just think the current atmosphere at home games makes it harder for our boys than it does the visiting team. That needs to change.
Atmosphere at Ashton Gate is more than decent. It is suprisingly good given the now season upon season poor form of the team. The team need to earn it. Individuals around the board need to build a rapport with support, and make gestures beyond deciding in their insular cabal what Bristol City will be.
I agree - I keep saying that at the game we must get behind the team and stick with them no matter what
Ashton gate makes Barnsley, Birmingham, Notts Forest look like Cliff Richard. Noisiest part of Ashton Gate despie Briz U8's showing more battle is the one where fans have a clear lads culture. The very identity the BCFCC suits don't like.
If you ever read any of my school reports then you would have seen the widely used phrases: "needs to try harder" "needs to concentrate on the job" My god it's a wonder I can read or write -lol.
It's not only an identity the "suits" don't like. It's an identity that many Bristol City fans don't want to associate themselves with. I know quite a few City fans that don't go to games because they've had poor experiences there. A guy I used to work with stopped going after someone purposely poured most of a bottle of beer over his ten year old son for walking in his way. I've more than noticed some of the chav bellends that go to Ashton Gate, not because they love the team but because it's an excuse to drink during the day and act like twats. Finally, anyone that lives anywhere near Ashton Gate always has a story to tell about how fans have keyed their cars, pissed in their front garden or generally been a nuisance. There's a reason why Bristol City are so keen to reach out to the community, because in Bristol very few people have really got over the idea of football fans all being hooligans. Bristol City could go quite far in building up its attendance by cutting prices and enticing more casual fans to the ground, and by empowering those that are there for the love of the game, rather than those with the loudest voices.
Visited Athletico Real and Rayo. Liked Rayo Vallecano colourful fans and friendly but i dont think they can be compared to any club in the four divsions here. Fans groups just get tagged hooligan in the uk if they are not party of nornal official supporters clubs which is why there are so few of them because attempts at organising pro active support get choked by h&s stewards and a lt more. City are too often pulling in a different direction to fans and that has had an effect 100% this season added to the team very often not being up for it.
Rayo Vallecano have a politicised left wing support. They are a unusual club, although maybe not that preculiar for Spain when considering also Basque and Catalan clubs. However v England they are utterly alien, England's football culture has been gentrified, Bristol City are one of the more vocal supports. Fans generally only vocally support when the team is doing well. The relation between club and fans has changed, fans have become, and been made much more passive. Spectating is still a form of supporting and there are numerous fans who are truly fanatical about the club, but show that support without returning home hoarse. Ashton Gate was dead even when winning under Dany Wilson till fans actively lobbied the club, then later started petitions etc to regain vocal support traditional end in part with the backing of local pubs, ex players etc. That end is a bright spot in a jaded club. If City want to improve further the atmopshere around Ashton Gate it looks like a case of - A/ batter the opposition regularly B/ Find some heroes like Gow and Taylor or C/ Get radical and really listen to fans to create a we are all in this together ethos.
You are bang on about reaching out to the community. Bristol City FC could learn a thing or two from those lads who have got badges, fanzines, stickers, t shirts into local businesses. Same crew have painted that bird top of screen freely for the kids of City fans. Same crew give away things Angry Robin packs of items freely to kids to junior football clubs. Put on an event for fans kids. They also raised money for Cityâs community trust. And that makes them baddies!! Meanwhile on THAT forum fans were encouraging others to boycott bars and intimidate those around the red trouserville end of North Street â¦Some DID. See football is many things to many people chief. I don't lurve THIS team â¦Its is a bunch of blokes in the main here to trouser cash for playing football badly. I much prefer the communal culture around fans. The mates I have made who I may never met if it was not for that culture are more important than the Maynards.
Your definition of lad is very different to mine. Jumping to snobbish conclusion of chav . No mention of Ma Strum or classics. Finally, anyone that lives anywhere near Ashton Gate always has a story to tell about how fans have keyed their cars, pissed in their front garden or generally been a nuisance ... No they do not. I was one, and my friends still are. Those friends also play football for pubs and bars in the near vacinity of the ground. Their view is a positive one. A consensus easily found is that the club do nowhere near enough to increase its reach and that BCFC have lost their way. Amy Knighton running the community trust has quite a job to do there. Views like yours won't help.
I agree experiences like that don't help but people's views like Ender's are paramount and if Knighton and her ilk don't listen to them then they will continue to fail..
Chavs!!! Fans for years have been talking about a broader spread of prices and allying that to bigger picture for years. If City want to get all inclusive and they should look at not emasculating and gentrifying stands, but looking at each as having a differing role. That is empowering and inclusive. The national fans body points out how inclusive isn't hence its support of safe standing. Bin the Daily Mail mate. Off out now for a hard day drinking broken up by ninety minutes of ###### and I promise not to piss in anybodies garden.
Its paramount that the club dont go around insulting people. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5325/7099906669_8b430fd19d_z.jpg Kids at flag day.
