Us and Them. One club. Two factions. No. Not the WOB vs WKB. I’m talking about ‘us’ the fans and ‘them’ the Club. Once again the club enforced a double standard policy allowing the away support to do as they please whilst the home support was policed. Stewards were seen littered amongst the Block 19 section ensuring playful banter was not encouraged.
“If you continue to engage the away fans you will be arrested” a Tweet from @dandeamer as warned by a steward.
Another said a steward apologised for having to police him, don’t shoot the messenger is the phrase that comes to mind. And that steward is right. They’re only doing a job as directed from the powers that be to stop singing, sit down and shut up.
RedActionAFC have found the Club are unwilling to engage in constructive dialogue about ways of generating more atmosphere yet, other clubs seem more willing to adopt a singing section.
At the Crystal Palace game last weekend the Holmesdale Fanatics sang and banged their drums pretty much throughout the entire encounter. CPFC having realised the major success of the HF at Wembley agreed to it being a staple for home games throughout their PL campaign.
Alan Pardeaux recognised Newcastle’s Leazers End support in last season’s Europa League cup games (although Mike Ashley quickly dismantled it).
Man United experimented with their own new singing section for the UEFA Champions League game against Real Sociedad recently and was given a resounding thumbs-up by Manager David Moyes for helping to create the intimidating atmosphere experienced at away games in Europe.
If the Club feel it’s potentially troublesome to be near to the away section why not have it somewhere in the upper tier where it’s safe and affects no one else?
So why can’t we? Why should the theatre goers and corporates hold sway as to what kind of environment the majority of fans want to experience? If other clubs are toying with the idea why can we not as well? The design of the stadium which was trumpeted to the world as being at the forefront of capturing that ‘ambience’ is not being utilised to its full effect. It’s little wonder some of our following refer to it as a ‘soulless bowl’ (a term I think is overplayed somewhat)
Our ground could, given license be one of the great intimidating stadia in the world. But whilst the fans want more of Welcome to the TerrorDome, the Club seem content with more Welcome to the LatteDome…
Giles Anyiam
Follow @gzagee
what utter bollox. instead of engaging in ‘banter’, ie abuse and name calling, just chant and sign about the arsenal.
And that’s the point of the article. When folks did attempt chanting and singing they were told they couldn’t.
That, to me, is utter bollox.
There already is a section of singing fans directly opposite the away fans….
You mean the NB blocks 5/6?
Redaction have been trying to get the Club to consider ways to make the atmosphere far greater than what it is at present.
Would you object to us fans being allowed to stand and sing in another part of the stadium?
as an arsenal supporter I would like to see the club do well and win trophies. If the club is not treating fans with respect then the only answer is to not give their them your hard earned cash. Arsenal FC is a business and any business which treats its customers with disrespect deserves to lose those customers. What I say may be deemed heresy by some die hard gooners, but the only threat they know is less cash flow. Let some other mug be fleeced and disrespected and put your own money to better use.
Utter tosh, you go to the ground to support the team and the club. If a staff member says something crap to you, why have a tantrum and stop supporting the team, what has the words of an arsehole doing his duty have to do with whether you support the club or not. Policy makers and rule makers at the club are just members of staff too. I was pissed when Stapleton was sold and Merson, but I didn’t go, “Right, that’s it, not giving you my hard earnt cash anymore”. ffs
I’m really done with flouncy men who sulk when they don’t get their own way. If I go to Asda and use the trolly as a go-cart inside the store being pushed by a mate, crashing around and making a racket …. then get asked by the store to stop => am I supposed to not use Asda again and not give them my money?
The same thing.
we had the same issues in block 13, they destroyed our enjoyment of the match, so much so that many of us now only go away matches and prefer to watch the homes in the pubs. stewards are not solely to blame though. the police and some fans are just ridiculous. fans complaing about anti spurs songs, when playing spurs and police telling us that we had celebrated a goal for longer than the permitted 20 seconds just some examples.
Then there is the club themselves, making you feel like they are doing you a favour offering to sell your ticket to your friend, once they have sold all theirs and only charging you a small fee. WTF is all that about?
Isnt that worse that a tout? making money out of your own supporters, not once but twice!!!
At least a tout will give the supporter a profit in most cases and only rip off a fan that goes once or twice a year. The club doesn’t even lose out.