There's currently a debate going on on the Farnborough forum about the idea of a match-day experience and the role of entertainment at a football match and I just wanted to ask what people here felt. So the question is, when you go to a football match, is it purely about the football or is the football merely one part (albeit a large part) of an overall match-experience which may also include, for example, the pre-match and half-time entertainment? Personally, to me football is just one part of an overall match day experience, and as such certain things can enhance the overall experience even if they have very little to do with football. One thing in particular is the pre and half-time entertainment. Normally this takes the form of music played over the tannoy, and as such when I'm on my way to a match, I always wonder what songs they'll play, or what songs I want them to play or what songs I think would help add to the atmosphere. However, I would like to see more of different types of entertainment at football games as I think it all adds to the overall experience. So for examples cheerleaders, marching bands, dancing acts, singers, etc. Look at the NFL and how every game is a made to be an event. The match-day experience here is comparatively dull. Do others share my view, or is it just 90 minutes of football and nothing more?
I would put the match before most things but I do get annoyed with the poor facilities at st Mary's or is it just me? Having to que for most of the halftime break for the toliet and crap food. You don't really have the time to take in the halftime entertainment. :/
In the dim and distant past, Saints would have a marching band which I think added to the pre-match atmosphere!! Much missed by me and I dare say by many others!!
Probably in the minority, but the half-time relays to be boring, as well as half time in general. The person next to me always arrives late to games and everyone has to stand and at half time he gets food and comes back late again and the food smells disgusting.
I've never really bothered with all the ancillary stuff at the football. Mostly stay in my seat at HT. I don't want to stand around watching fat slobs stuffing their faces with disgusting pies and flat beer.
I dont even like the term "match day experience"-classic corporate bollocks imo. And i wish theyd use the PA system for important announcements only, & not to pump out music b4 the game. Maybe a bit of singing b4 kick off would give the ctowd a chance to warm up. Im quite an old git really.
Good post PL. I think the matchday experience is much, much more than the game and the half time break. After supporting Saints for more years than I care to mention, I wake on matchday with a bit of a buzz and then embark on the same ritual. Get my Saints shirt out of the wardrobe and iron it myself [which is the only ironing I ever do as I couldn't trust the wife with it properly], have a light meal, meet up with a few mates and set of to my place of worship. As we approach the ground my gut starts to turn with excitement as I know the day is soon to get a whole lot better, or deteriorate to the point where only large amounts of alcohol will lift my depression.
In my experience, both at the park and at away grounds, there does tend to be a bit of singing before the game (especially by the away fans), though it depends how big the game is I think, and the size of the away fan contingent. There was one Fratton Park game I went to when there wasn't any music for about 10 minutes before half time, but that didn't seem to make the crowds any more vocal. Also, a few well placed tunes can really add to the atmosphere. Just before the players came out of the tunnel at Doncaster Rovers for example, they played Two Tribes by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, which really got the atmosphere and the crowds going, it was electric! Last Pompey game at Fratton I went to, the player's came out of the tunnel to Blur's park life, which was a random but quite a good choice actually. And far less cliche than that violin one or Right Here Right Now.
Hm. I did quite like hearing the teams come out to Karl Orff's Carmina Burana. But on balance nah, leave the atmos to the crowd. And the teams of course.
Do I need cheerleaders, marching bands, dancing acts, singers, etc. to enhance my match day experience? Well, it all depends. If I was at a game watching, say for example, a struggling fourth division team I would probably be grateful for the distraction. In fact it would be better if it was all going on at the same time as the match (I'm only guessing here because I've never had to watch any struggling fourth division teams). As I watch truly exciting football every home game, I don't need anything else. But, I do actually need the half-time relay to calm me down before the second half starts.
It is about the football for me. The "experience" part comes from that feeling you get, making the familiar journey to and from the ground, talking to those same familiar faces around you and hopefully coming away with the right emotions bubblying away inside. For me the 'proof' of that is how much I enjoyed those away days in league 1
I've been to Twickenham recently plus athletics at the Olympic Park and I'm getting seriously annoyed that the organisers feel they have to put on a show for everything (i.e. dumb down). For me, the match/event is the thing; I don't need constant music and flame throwers. At one point at the athletics there was a genuine attempt at a world record in the high jump, cue hush you'd have thought. Instead the commentator was shouting about something completely unrelated. Then there was the "appear on screen and kiss the person next to you" moment accompanied by lots of whooping and hollering. Very depressing. Where is the Albion Silver Band when you need them!?
With you there. No meal falls between 3 and 5 pm. I don't need a mid-afternoon pie to keep me going until dinner.
We're very different, me and you. I wish stadia sold sandwiches, then I could have a sort of late lunch. The only stadium I've been to that sold sandwiches was the Ricoh Arena, but I think that's more because it was the Olympics rather than it being standard. We can learn a lot from Americans on how to put on a show!
This thread has just reminded me of something. I was once part of the half-time entertainment! I played at half-time at the Dell with a Windband. Can't remember what we played but it's a fair bet that it included the theme from the film "Dambusters". Yes, we were really good and nothing was thrown if I recall! Regarding the match day experience, I quite enjoy the relay and the 3 kids in our party insist that we pick "red or white?" to be the winner. They could make more use of the screens though.. They must have hours of recorded material to show which could be used.
Not really. The half time show in the Super Bowl drove me nuts. 5 minutes in and I was thinking, just get back to the ****ing match. I didn't stay up to watch Bruno ****ing Mars.
Was he doing it? Didn't realise he had that kind of superstar status. But I agree, half time in a football match is not the right time for a concert. The Yanks are indeed brilliant at putting on a show, but sometimes they could learn from us, and be a bit more understated. Some things speak for themselves and don't need fireworks and fanfares.
Americans don't do understated. They like and expect to be entertained. They even have competitions to be the best adverts. All their games and TV programmes are broken into little bits, so they have the attention spans of ******ed gold fish. However, it is their sport so they can do what they like. Rather glad that FIFA said no when they asked to play football (soccer) in four quarters.
