Dameerto wrote:ENIAM NAM wrote:The atmosphere last night was fantastic.....for one of our home matches.
The atmosphere last night compared to European fans was not even comparable. We are like a stadium full of geriatrics and middle class prawn sandwich eaters in comparison.
Maybne that's what happens if a lot of the grass roots fans are priced out of it.
Could be truth in what you both say.
I think for a truly great atmosphere you need a fanbase that has a large 18-30 year age group.
City may be missing out on a lot more of that age group than they could have had except for that other crowd down the road being successful for so long.
I don't know. I don't live in Manchester, so I could be talking shite. I was in the Colin Bell stand once and I felt out of place roaring and shouting.The crowd did seem older and reserved. Most other games I've been in the family stand and a lot of really young kids can be there.
This is the next generation. Future may be bright but, what you want is a load of lads that meet up at the same pub before the game. Then sit in the same spot together to start things off and get things going around them.
When there were terraces it was easier getting to stand beside friends.
I think the suggestions by some of rearranging the seating in the south stand so that the crowd isn't split by the away fans is sensible.
Then concentrate your noisiest most passionate age group into one solid bank behind the goal.
I do think it can be hard to evolve from a solid base with gallows humour into a crew that will become a twelfth man in a successful team, whether they are winning or losing.
Regarding the match the other night. I thought the atmosphere came across well on the Irish station I watched. But I do think teams in Europe that are probably more used to getting that far, create a wall of noise. You need 10 thousand or so in a bank that are willing to do that.