The good news is that not only will I be back in the UK for the game against Boro but a mate from University can get me a ticket. The bad news he is a Boro fan. Have any of you watched a game at CR with the away supporters?
Many years ago got marooned next to a bunch of Leicester fans who were extremely well oiled. They claimed it was the only way they could watch their team. They pleasant and fun and kept winding up Gary Lineker who for some strange reason was playing wide on the right. They also invited us out for a 'night out in Yarmouth' which had misadventure written all over it. Given that I am still here the decision remains a sound one!
I sat with Stoke fans at Carrow Road once. It was terrifying. Still worth it as you are seeing the game live and all the benefits that brings, but it's a very different experience!
I've never been in the away end at CR, but I've been in the home ends for a few away fixtures, sometimes its OK but the Holte end att Villa was pretty unpleasant, losing 3-0 meant we got out alive! Bah!
Sat with the West Ham fans at the Bolyne ground when Crouch scored a goal. I was petrified. Never again.
I was offered a free ticket in the away end for the Huddersfield game around December time. I declined and guess what happened ..... we won 5-0 I'd have enjoyed that, but don't suppose I'd have endeared myself to the travelling contingent much! Debatable whether I'd have got out in one piece!
Also remember Wolves fans at the River End singing 'It's chips, it's chips - we hope it's chips, it's chips'
Last season I sat with the palace fans at Selhurst as I had some friends who are palaces fans and we'd done New Years in London. I quite enjoyed it really palace fans create a great atmosphere and everyone was fairly friendly. Learned a lot about palace was actually very interesting. I'm not so sure about the away end at carrot road. Not sure many away contingents would be so accepting.
I sat in the home end when we played Colchester away in league 1. When Chrissy banged the second goal in I couldn't contain myself and stood up and let out the biggest scream ever. I was sitting with my Dad who is col u fan. Some knobhead behind me reported me to the stewards and tried to get me chucked out. ****er. He was efffing and jeffing away with his 2 young sons all game. Kids were only about 6 and 8 years old. That guy was a disgrace.
I was sitting with the home fans at Ninian Park right behind the goal when Ched Evans scored his lovely long-ranger back in 2008. I got a few nasty looks. Also, in the 04-05 season, my mum won tickets from the EDP to go to Highbury for our game there and we ended up with the home fans. I cheered Huckerby's goal but it was a 4-1 loss so the Gunners fans didn't seem to mind.
Being a more casual spectator these days it means mixing with the enemy and keeping a pretty low profile. My worst experience was at Leeds many years ago. There were groups of grown men walking round looking for opposition fans, not the youth element. These were probably miners or steelmen and not to be entertained at all. Very bloody scary I can tell you. Other than that the best has to be Notts County, not many of them and just ordinary decent folk.
Talking of 'any cost', a mate of mine is a Tottenham fan and fancied watching them vs Villa today. He just put this on facebook:
Having started the thread an update. Most miserable experience ever. Boro fans ripped the p*ss from Tettey's og onwards. No hostility but did put a strain on a longstanding friendship. Not used to experiencing the Barclay from the away supporters perspective - great support throughout.
Once went to the away end at York City to watch a dull 0-0 on a freezing January night. The one highlight was being able to be in crowd and hear the Devon accent sing 'your a bunch of ****errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrs'
Watched the Norwich Brentford game at Brentford in the home end, but awkward as a few fans knew I was s Norwich fan as I go to see Brentford if I can't get to the Norwich game on certain weekends. Particularly awkward when we score the second after they could/should have had a penalty. I'm very happy everyone else moaning. Managed to keep my emotions in check
