even tho it will never happen ,all thats needed is proper terracing with an adequate amount of barriers and proper control on how many are allowed into the area.
I might be looking at this through rose tinted glasses as far as atmosphere is concerned, but back when you could stand at oakwell, it meant you could rock up when you felt like it, pay a not too exorbitant price on the gate, then go find your mates and other like minded people to stand with. So the 'chanters' tended to congregate in larger groups, which increased the volume and got the rest of the ground going. It also helped that you had to rock up early to get a stanchion and/or a good view, so people used singing as something to pass the time, which built up the atmosphere prior to kick off. Although I'd never use it myself due to old tired legs, I actually think modern day standing is a cracking idea, especially if it was attractively priced to capture to the 'occassional' supporters
I’m all for safe standing but if it is brought in at Oakwell I hope that it’s introduced in the West Lower to the left hand side of the away dugout towards the away end so that those of us who enjoy sitting in the West Lower can continue to do so.
The standing at Burton was much safer, better atmosphere and all-round superior experience than a number of the seated games I've been at this season (eg fcukin ludicrous midget legroom and view at Bumhole Lane, constant stand-up v sit-down bickering at Wembley and the all-encompassing sh!tstack that is Swillsborough's away seating)
Exactly the reasons why the atmosphere would be better. The other alternative would be to have unreserved seating in the Ponty. It used to happen.
Would pick standing anyday of the week over seating at football games its my preference. It would also improve the experience for those who are seated as they would less likely have someone stood up in front of them for most of the game which happens in certain parts of the ponte. Looking at the ground the far end of the west stand would be best as its currently not used but i suppose the main issue is the exit is next to the only exit for the whole of the away end.
I doubt clubs would fork out money to remove seats and provide standing areas AND drop prices for those standing. Atmosphere wise, it's not as black and white as "it was loud when we had the old ponty end and brewery stand, and it's not now" . All depends on the way the game is going. "Sing when your winning" applies to home supporters of most clubs we visit. Attending home matches has become a bit habitual for lots of fans. We buy season tickets, arrange our lives around Saturdays and Tuesday nights and pop along. The away support is a totally different thing. It's a day out. An enjoyable effort. Lots of alcohol is consumed and it's just a better atmosphere, standing or sitting. Make the West stand south back into a terrace by all means if people want it, but if the reds aren't playing well and winning, it won't make a bit of difference to the whole atmosphere. It'll just be quicker to leave early and go back to the pub.
It was getting a bit silly at Norwich on Saturday. Stewards had to come in eventually. That's more of a problem at away games though to be fair.
Standing in mid 80's and Oakwell was a morgue, all seatin 96/97, 99/00 etc and it was bouncing. It's what happens on the pitch that sets it off.
Putting atmosphere to one side, would you say that the concept of an half full ground with fully allocated seating needs reviewing? If you look at the hoops that occasional fans now have to jump through to sit with a group of their mates (season ticket holders or otherwise) many think **** that I can't be arsed (regardless of the outrageous cost)
We're into the realms of common sense - if there's 7000 in the ground then does it matter where folk sit ? On Saturday though it could be carnage with occasional supporters trying to sit with mates etc - needs some sense on both parts - folks have to sit in allocated on Saturday imho, but v Morecambe in the League Cup ? Please yourself as far as I'm concerned.
Personally I think it puts a lot of 'occassionals' off and it needs a stand for unallocated seating. So if you choose to buy a season ticket for that stand, you buy it under that understanding that you won't have a regular seat. It would certainly get folks in the ground a lot earlier, if nowt else.