I hope this doesn't catch on with us........ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/8350858.stm You want rivalry and passion during the match without an old pals acts with supporters of the opponents.
Great idea It's one block of one stand, I'd be more than happy to see an entire stand shared in such a way. Some football supporters are actually capable of displaying 'rivalry and passion' without being physically separated - and it works fine for rugby. As for 'old plas acts,' well lots of people have friends who support other clubs, and who they'd rather sit with than fans of their own club who they don't know... you know, to discuss the game and whatnot. Don't see any reason not to afford them that opportunity. I wouldn't like it to become the majority but the idea is sound and I don't see why they shouldn't give it a go. Until the braindeads get in there and have a riot that is...
They are playing Donny... surely they will also exhibit the same "passion" as we do with regards to an industrial dispute?
You can have passion and rivalry without knocking seven bells out of each other. One of the most embarrasing moments I've seen at Oakwell was when we played Arsenal in the league cup (mid 90s) A family of Arsenal fans were sitting watching the match in the Family Stand when one of our 'finest' spotted them he toddled of to the steward 'please sir, please sir, there's some arsenal fans there and they're not allowed !!!' anyway the Steward told them to come with him and they did. Then a few more of our finest... remember they were with their kids as well.. gave vile abuse to this family who were then moved to the away end in the open to get drenched. What an impression the two little kids would have of Barnsley goodness knows. I asked the Steward why and he told me there'd been a complaint and rules were rules. I felt ashamed.</p> If clubs want to have a neutral zone particularly for families then provided everyone knows the rules abourt acceptable behaviour in that area then good luck to them. </p>
RE: They are playing Donny... It's for families. I don't think parents/kids combinations will be trading insults. I think Fulham do that as well in part of their away end. There always seems to be a mix in there.
As I said at the time . . . . . . I went to the West Ham cup match last year with my Uncle, who's a West Ham fan and who I only get to see once or twice a year. Where were we supposed to sit if we wanted to sit together (which obviously we did)? We ended up getting abuse in the Barnsley end but would have been the same in the West Ham end. Rivalry and passion are all well and good but there's also got to be a place for family and neutrality.
Fulham do it without any problem Don't see why it shouldn't be an option for families. I often go to games & meet up with friends from other teams. It's a shame we can't sit together and still be able to cheer for our own teams without fear of getting into aggro.
