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Post by John Lennon on Apr 26, 2013 14:17:48 GMT
After the Ultimate Support days, we have decided to try and improve things permanently, to help make the atmosphere at matches better. A number of ideas are being discussed, and we will be trying to make things happen over the summer to hopefully improve things.
While that is done, it would be helpful to see what the views of fans is when it comes to the match day experience, and how that can be improved, and what things people think would help with the atmosphere. We will listen to the thoughts of fans, and see if there is anything that can be done. We cant promise we can make a lot of things happen, but we are going to try.
Clearly things aren't good enough. We all want a better day out when watching Oxford United, and a better atmosphere that will benefit fans and players. Any ideas and thoughts are welcome, and we will try over the summer to make things better ahead of the new season.
The 2 main questions are -
What would help make the match day experience better from your point of view?
And
What would help make the atmosphere better at home matches?
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Post by Millman on Apr 26, 2013 14:28:59 GMT
Close the north stand to home fans and move the away support to the other end nearest the east stand.
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Post by Common Villager on Apr 26, 2013 14:31:04 GMT
- 'Safe standing' area in the East Stand. - Switch away fans from the left side of the North Stand to the right side.
Think these two changes would help create a better atmosphere. Not sure how possible they are, though.
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Post by ox4eva on Apr 26, 2013 14:31:05 GMT
Think a group singing section would be good if organised, it does not have to be that naff ultra pish but a group who always sit together and try and get a few songs going
Also we really need to work on a club song that everyone can sing along to, just see Stoke with their Tom Jones sing along to see it does work!
And some new songs too
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Post by Mark on Apr 26, 2013 14:34:13 GMT
1. scoring goals 2. scoring more goals than the other team
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Post by Lone Gunman on Apr 26, 2013 15:18:34 GMT
Unallocated seating would surely be a more attainable idea, allowing the singers to congregate freely in a chosen part of the stand.
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Post by manorofspeaking on Apr 26, 2013 15:36:28 GMT
1- A Highbury style Mural at the open end, the openness sucks any atmosphere out. Surely local Artists or school kids would love to paint this. 2 - As others have said,except for derby games , move the away fans closer to the east stand,
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Post by manorofspeaking on Apr 26, 2013 15:36:47 GMT
1- A Highbury style Mural at the open end, the openness sucks any atmosphere out. Surely local Artists or school kids would love to paint this. 2 - As others have said,except for derby games , move the away fans closer to the east stand,
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Post by oldschool on Apr 26, 2013 15:38:38 GMT
Unallocated seating would surely be a more attainable idea, allowing the singers to congregate freely in a chosen part of the stand. Very few if any, sit in allocated seat , not sat in my season ticket seat for 3 seasons now,
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Post by telforddave on Apr 26, 2013 15:45:09 GMT
Match day experience, I'd like to see a smoking pen outdoors instead of having to walk through a cloud of smoke in the toilets in the east stand.
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Post by 54-46 on Apr 26, 2013 15:49:39 GMT
We should have unallocated in the block directly behind the goal in the OM from first row to back, it would be a laugh, and loud (er)
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Post by yellowandblue on Apr 26, 2013 16:09:12 GMT
Really easy in my opinion!
1) CLOSE THE NORTH STAND 2) REMOVE ALL SEATS FROM OXFORD MAIL STAND AND REPLACE WITH TERRACING. LIKE EXETER CITYS. 3) MOVE THE AWAY FANS MORE CENTRALLY BUT RAISE PRICES FOR THEM
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2013 16:09:19 GMT
Definitely moving the away fans closer to the East Stand. Would be a huge improvement! Unallocated seating is also a great idea, and a specific singing section, top 4 or 5 rows at the centre of the east stand and no more than 15/20 seats across. Basically trying to replicate how all the singers congregate at away grounds! And another easy one for atmosphere/match day experience.... Better pre-match music! Songs that appeal to 90% of people in the stadium, which means no 1 Direction, none of The Wanted, no JLS etc etc. And upbeat songs/any songs that build up the atmosphere, I could write a long list of (clean) songs that would get the crowd going. Some of the pre-match music is embarrassing, especially when a slow ballad comes on making me want to nod off. Such a simple way to improve it. Rant over
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Post by moomooland on Apr 26, 2013 16:20:40 GMT
Perhaps we should have chanting played over the PA to make us sound loud.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2013 16:22:37 GMT
Perhaps we should have chanting played over the PA to make us sound loud. Rotherham style
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Post by scotchegg on Apr 26, 2013 16:32:41 GMT
Definitely moving the away fans closer to the East Stand. Would be a huge improvement! Unallocated seating is also a great idea, and a specific singing section, top 4 or 5 rows at the centre of the east stand and no more than 15/20 seats across. Basically trying to replicate how all the singers congregate at away grounds! And another easy one for atmosphere/match day experience.... Better pre-match music! Songs that appeal to 90% of people in the stadium, which means no 1 Direction, none of The Wanted, no JLS etc etc. And upbeat songs/any songs that build up the atmosphere, I could write a long list of (clean) songs that would get the crowd going. Some of the pre-match music is embarrassing, especially when a slow ballad comes on making me want to nod off. Such a simple way to improve it. Rant over Definitely need to look at improving the speakers and quality of music before a game!!! Songs like EMF - Unbelievable build an atmosphere where blaring out and should be part of 15 minutes build up to the game! 3 or 4 big songs followed by a bigger and better club song as the players come out!! It sounds cheesy but went to one Arsenal game when the announcer gave the first name of each player and the crowd responded with the surname! Had a surprisingly big effect and easily done!
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Post by oxfordharrier on Apr 26, 2013 16:35:56 GMT
1- A Highbury style Mural at the open end, the openness sucks any atmosphere out. Surely local Artists or school kids would love to paint this. I don't have a dog in this fight, but if you'd like the opinion of someone who works in brand/marketing, and goes to both the odd OUFC match and all LW's home matches.... I know the FA and RFU rules seem to be different for H&S, but the way LW have done the advertising/sponsorship within the ground, especially at the open end, is streets ahead of what it looks like on OUFC match days. Now that the rugby is almost certainly leaving, maybe it's worth looking rationally at what can be learned from what they did in terms of look and feel? I'm not for a minute suggesting you copy anything else from what is frankly a basket case set-up (and I say that as a fan), but the appearances were better. Most of this is more for the club than being in the fans' control, obviously, but the way Welsh do their hoardings is better in my opinion, and could probably be replicated reasonably easily. If this isn't shot down in flames, I'll try and take some pictures of what I mean at the last home match next weekend. I totally understand many of you didn't want the rugby there, but it doesn't look like it's going to be a problem in the future. However, I reckon that doesn't mean that everything they did was wrong, or worse than Oxford United, and quietly OUFC couldn't learn from it.....
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Post by moomooland on Apr 26, 2013 16:39:01 GMT
1- A Highbury style Mural at the open end, the openness sucks any atmosphere out. Surely local Artists or school kids would love to paint this. I don't have a dog in this fight, but if you'd like the opinion of someone who works in brand/marketing, and goes to both the odd OUFC match and all LW's home matches.... I know the FA and RFU rules seem to be different for H&S, but the way LW have done the advertising/sponsorship within the ground, especially at the open end, is streets ahead of what it looks like on OUFC match days. Now that the rugby is almost certainly leaving, maybe it's worth looking rationally at what can be learned from what they did in terms of look and feel? I'm not for a minute suggesting you copy anything else from what is frankly a basket case set-up (and I say that as a fan), but the appearances were better. Most of this is more for the club than being in the fans' control, obviously, but the way Welsh do their hoardings is better in my opinion, and could probably be replicated reasonably easily. If this isn't shot down in flames, I'll try and take some pictures of what I mean at the last home match next weekend. I totally understand many of you didn't want the rugby there, but it doesn't look like it's going to be a problem in the future. However, I reckon that doesn't mean that everything they did was wrong, or worse than Oxford United, and quietly OUFC couldn't learn from it..... How loud was the singing?
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Post by Lone Gunman on Apr 26, 2013 16:42:42 GMT
Unallocated seating would surely be a more attainable idea, allowing the singers to congregate freely in a chosen part of the stand. Very few if any, sit in allocated seat , not sat in my season ticket seat for 3 seasons now, Is that some sort of act of rebellion? I thought the point of having a ST was that you could pick the seat you wanted to sit in? Either way if nobody bothers with their allocations why do we have the system?
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Post by oldschool on Apr 26, 2013 16:56:14 GMT
[quote source="/post/301426/thread" timestamp="1366990718" author=" oldschool"]Very few if any, sit in allocated seat , not sat in my season ticket seat for 3 seasons now, Is that some sort of act of rebellion? I thought the point of having a ST was that you could pick the seat you wanted to sit in? Either way if nobody bothers with their allocations why do we have the system?[/quote] LG , was pointing out that fans sit were they like , nothing smart or rebelling agast anything/one. Mind you as you never go , you would not know 90% of supporters sit were they like.
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Post by mojofilter on Apr 26, 2013 17:29:49 GMT
And another easy one for atmosphere/match day experience.... Better pre-match music! Songs that appeal to 90% of people in the stadium, which means no 1 Direction, none of The Wanted, no JLS etc etc. And upbeat songs/any songs that build up the atmosphere, I could write a long list of (clean) songs that would get the crowd going. Some of the pre-match music is embarrassing, especially when a slow ballad comes on making me want to nod off. This is, I believe, key. upbeat songs with a bit of bite to them and maybe one we play every week (maybe have the fans vote on it before next season starts?)just before the match starts that can become 'our song' which we might start singing when the crowd gets restless (doesn't need to be related to Oxford either- Twist & Shout works for West Ham)
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Post by Lone Gunman on Apr 26, 2013 17:31:54 GMT
[quote source="/post/301426/thread" timestamp="1366990718" author=" oldschool"]Very few if any, sit in allocated seat , not sat in my season ticket seat for 3 seasons now, Is that some sort of act of rebellion? I thought the point of having a ST was that you could pick the seat you wanted to sit in? Either way if nobody bothers with their allocations why do we have the system? LG , was pointing out that fans sit were they like , nothing smart or rebelling agast anything/one. Mind you as you never go , you would not know 90% of supporters sit were they like. [/quote] You've missed the point. When you buy a season ticket do you not get to pick a seat? If so, why don't you sit in it? I appreciate people paying on the day might choose to sit where they like because the seat they get isn't where they want to sit, but if you are an ST holder and have an opportunity to choose a seat for the whole season why would you pick a seat in a position you don't want?
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Post by oldschool on Apr 26, 2013 18:18:36 GMT
Is that some sort of act of rebellion? I thought the point of having a ST was that you could pick the seat you wanted to sit in? Either way if nobody bothers with their allocations why do we have the system? LG , was pointing out that fans sit were they like , nothing smart or rebelling agast anything/one. Mind you as you never go , you would not know 90% of supporters sit were they like. You've missed the point. When you buy a season ticket do you not get to pick a seat? If so, why don't you sit in it? I appreciate people paying on the day might choose to sit where they like because the seat they get isn't where they want to sit, but if you are an ST holder and have an opportunity to choose a seat for the whole season why would you pick a seat in a position you don't want? [/quote] No not missed the point at all, As some off my mates I meet up with at games, are not season ticket holders, but we choose to sit together . so move to a area were we can , nice days, we sit in the sun, wet days, more to the back, Not tied to one seat good/bad . simple if you have a different number of mate each week, its easier to move our self's , or do you want us to go to the ticket office and say we want 20 seats together??. Its ok for you Billy sat at home alone.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2013 18:21:08 GMT
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Post by oxrox on Apr 26, 2013 19:06:30 GMT
Can we put a large screen at the end of the South stand . I can't stand looking at all the unwashed pikeys with their cheap clothes in the East stand. Throw them a bar of soap as well.
Or.....
Why not have some fair-ground rides outside the stadium for the kids? (dunno who would pay for it though)
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Post by londonroader on Apr 26, 2013 19:18:04 GMT
Here's an idea, close the east stand, split the North stand 70%-30% with Oxford fans, then those who dream about the London road can get the experience, those who have been there will relive the good times, the atmosphere always seems good at aldershot, and if we had a cup game or a large away following they can go in the east stand.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2013 19:18:26 GMT
Glad others agree with pre-match music, when I hear One Direction come on followed by The Wanted it really really gets on my nerves. Just lazy from the club. And when a slow sleepy love song comes on 15 minutes before kick-off I feel like banging my head against a brick wall. Irritating to say the least!!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2013 19:33:00 GMT
Best pre match music this season has to go to Rochdale!
I've said it before but is there any way we could remove the wall at the back of the east stand, put in railings and make that top 5/6 rows Terracing? Obviously its all down to Stadco but it would be mint!
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Post by mojofilter on Apr 26, 2013 21:49:01 GMT
God alive that's terrible Or..... Why not have some fair-ground rides outside the stadium for the kids? (dunno who would pay for it though) Who would need to pay? if there was a crowd most of the Showmen of the area wouldn't charge to bring a few rides as long as they were allowed to take money (of course, if you were meaning ride for nothing then obviously you'd need to give them a grand or so)
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Post by onlyoneunited on Apr 26, 2013 21:52:31 GMT
I still really like the Perkele song, but it never gets played loud enough to properly get anyone going.
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