|
Post by loveandpride on Sept 19, 2016 0:04:18 GMT
Not taking sides here, but isn't it against the ground regulations to stand?
|
|
|
Post by pottersrightboot on Sept 19, 2016 5:22:08 GMT
Without doubt one of the most splendid new stadiums built in last 25 years..
Reminded me of the Emirates.
Also without doubt one of the most docile, neutered bunch of home supporters I have ever experienced. Have been to rowdier classical music concerts.
As to the game, what you lose with one striker up front you gain in midfield solidity. Pleased with the point as, my view, MK are in a false position.
Impressed with Raglan, positionally very sound.
Mk/Bletchley all very other worldly. Had a weird lunch in a Forties themed pub 400 yards from Bletchley Park. Kept on expecting to see Cumberbatch and Knightley playing darts together.
COYY..,.
|
|
|
Post by ssu1965 on Sept 19, 2016 7:50:04 GMT
Without doubt one of the most splendid new stadiums built in last 25 years.. Reminded me of the Emirates. Also without doubt one of the most docile, neutered bunch of home supporters I have ever experienced. Have been to rowdier classical music concerts. As to the game, what you lose with one striker up front you gain in midfield solidity. Pleased with the point as, my view, MK are in a false position. Impressed with Raglan, positionally very sound. Mk/Bletchley all very other worldly. Had a weird lunch in a Forties themed pub 400 yards from Bletchley Park. Kept on expecting to see Cumberbatch and Knightley playing darts together. COYY..,. Bletchley's a bit of an enigma really
|
|
|
Post by botox on Sept 19, 2016 7:56:06 GMT
Without doubt one of the most splendid new stadiums built in last 25 years.. Reminded me of the Emirates. Also without doubt one of the most docile, neutered bunch of home supporters I have ever experienced. Have been to rowdier classical music concerts. As to the game, what you lose with one striker up front you gain in midfield solidity. Pleased with the point as, my view, MK are in a false position. Impressed with Raglan, positionally very sound. Mk/Bletchley all very other worldly. Had a weird lunch in a Forties themed pub 400 yards from Bletchley Park. Kept on expecting to see Cumberbatch and Knightley playing darts together. COYY..,. Bletchley's a bit of an enigma really Yeah, and it always puzzled me what the dress code is in there.
|
|
|
Post by essexyellows on Sept 19, 2016 8:49:26 GMT
Should have been un-reserved seating IMHO then it sorts itself out naturally. Sadly that would leave the Hi-Viz Nazi`s little to inflate their own ego`s.
|
|
|
Post by tbfuth14 on Sept 19, 2016 12:41:06 GMT
Remember, in the recent EFL survery, 80% of Oxford fans voted that the atmosphere is the most important part of the matchday experience. Unfortunately, if you do not allow like-minded fans to congregate (and stand!) together then the atmosphere will be reduced to the odd "yellows" chant every 30 minutes, and we'll be back to being like every other club in the football league again (complete pish). We're in the position now where the ultra scene is not only ramping up from (obviously) the ultras, but the rest of the fanbase as well. We're all starting to get onboard and the general consensus on social media and specific supporter forums is that Oxford fans are some of the best in the country. If we start moaning about people standing and grouping up, not going to their allocated seats etc, all this will dissipate and we'll end up all reclined in our chairs watching the games quietly. Now, clearly every club around the world has 2 different types of fan, and some would much prefer to sit quietly, watch the game and enjoy the atmosphere from afar, that's perfectly reasonable, but the two types clearly need to be organised and kept apart. In Germany, it's quite common to have 2 away ends, for both types of fan. As someone said before, terracing allows this and safe standing will be implemented one day, but thats a long term fix. Short term, unallocated seating solves this. OUFC would need to request reduced capacity for the tickets to be unallocated though OR 2 sections in the ground (like Germany). We can then choose which section our tickets are in when buying online etc (like choosing upper or lower tier, but call it singing and... well someone can think up a better term for each area). Although this is certainly a rare occurence for us, IF we ever got promoted, it would become the norm, so it's 100% worth discussing. Currently though, we seem to have a system where the Ultras (50 people sometimes double that, sometimes much less) try their best to congregate at the *front* of a block and the rest of the singers move in behind them. Impossible with allocated tickets when you consider that can be hundreds of people trying to situate themselves into 1 block. Saying that, it is just 1 block or one area in the away end, so if you are a "sitter" and see this congregation trying to take place with hundreds of people trying to gather together, it might be sensible to move to another empty seat elsewhere (there will always be some). As has been show from the survey, it's what people value as most important from their matchday experience, and is whats currently putting Oxford United fans up there with the best supporters in the country (as many many people from other clubs keep pointing out). From the images below, (typically) German organisation seems to be spot on. Ultras at the front, singers behind, sitters situated elsewhere. So maybe OUFC can look into this, as well as all of us being considerate of each other, and we can seriously start pushing ahead in terms of support in England. All images from this weekend just gone.
|
|
|
Post by lambchop on Sept 19, 2016 12:51:14 GMT
What if I sing for 50% of the match? Do I have to swap seat with someone behind who would sing for the other 50%? it could get a bit confusing if we took it in turns to sing songs. ;-)
|
|
|
Post by ttg17 on Sept 19, 2016 13:26:35 GMT
I understand this was an issue in this game but hasnt the standing / sitting thing been fine at literally every other away game there has been recently? not really an issue imo
|
|
|
Post by tbfuth14 on Sept 19, 2016 13:43:23 GMT
I understand this was an issue in this game but hasnt the standing / sitting thing been fine at literally every other away game there has been recently? not really an issue imo Like I said, in Leagues 1 and 2, it's rarely an issue. How many times do we even sell out? Very rare! But if we did ever get promoted, we'd be dealing with this every week. So worth looking into.
|
|
|
Post by bigronaldo on Sept 19, 2016 17:29:04 GMT
Agree totally. We need to find a solution that works for most fans (sadly, you can never please everyone).
|
|
|
Post by manorlounger on Sept 19, 2016 17:37:53 GMT
Now, clearly every club around the world has 2 different types of fan, and some would much prefer to sit quietly, watch the game and enjoy the atmosphere from afar, that's perfectly reasonable, but the two types clearly need to be organised and kept apart. In Germany, it's quite common to have 2 away ends, for both types of fan. Hang on a minute! Who said anything about sitting quietly? We jump to our feet at any near miss, goal or poor/good decision by the ref. We also take great delight in joining in with the chants and claps. Certainly not quietly sitting!
As someone said before, terracing allows this and safe standing will be implemented one day, but thats a long term fix. Short term, unallocated seating solves this. OUFC would need to request reduced capacity for the tickets to be unallocated though OR 2 sections in the ground (like Germany). We can then choose which section our tickets are in when buying online etc (like choosing upper or lower tier, but call it singing and... well someone can think up a better term for each area). Something that I advocated previously and am in full agreement.Currently though, we seem to have a system where the Ultras (50 people sometimes double that, sometimes much less) try their best to congregate at the *front* of a block and the rest of the singers move in behind them. Impossible with allocated tickets when you consider that can be hundreds of people trying to situate themselves into 1 block. Saying that, it is just 1 block or one area in the away end, so if you are a "sitter" and see this congregation trying to take place with hundreds of people trying to gather together, it might be sensible to move to another empty seat elsewhere (there will always be some). As has been show from the survey, it's what people value as most important from their matchday experience, and is whats currently putting Oxford United fans up there with the best supporters in the country (as many many people from other clubs keep pointing out). If we find ourselves blocked in then we will happily move if allowed to by the stewards and other folk who have also paid to watch. Sometimes it is not possible so we stand but, find this tiring and far less comfortable. We have huge respect for you Ultras and the work you put in and that's why we support you both financially and vocally but, I find this rather polarised view to be a little irritating. Much like the stereotypical description of anybody who takes a seat in the SSU. We don't all eat prawn sandwiches, moan all the time and never join in with singing etc. What we do enjoy is the excitement, jumping to our feet when we score (or nearly score) the stress release of a win and the knowledge that our boys have done us proud. We just want to be able to sit down in between, if that's alright?
|
|
|
Post by oufcyellows on Sept 19, 2016 18:31:12 GMT
Wasn't it the numbers that got all the press at the weekend rather than the ultras ? I think it also needs remembering that like u say the ultras are 50/100. Singers who stand on east stand 200/300. That leaves 4700 sitting season ticket holders 😉
|
|
|
Post by tbfuth14 on Sept 19, 2016 18:50:21 GMT
Now, clearly every club around the world has 2 different types of fan, and some would much prefer to sit quietly, watch the game and enjoy the atmosphere from afar, that's perfectly reasonable, but the two types clearly need to be organised and kept apart. In Germany, it's quite common to have 2 away ends, for both types of fan. Hang on a minute! Who said anything about sitting quietly? We jump to our feet at any near miss, goal or poor/good decision by the ref. We also take great delight in joining in with the chants and claps. Certainly not quietly sitting!
As someone said before, terracing allows this and safe standing will be implemented one day, but thats a long term fix. Short term, unallocated seating solves this. OUFC would need to request reduced capacity for the tickets to be unallocated though OR 2 sections in the ground (like Germany). We can then choose which section our tickets are in when buying online etc (like choosing upper or lower tier, but call it singing and... well someone can think up a better term for each area). Something that I advocated previously and am in full agreement.Currently though, we seem to have a system where the Ultras (50 people sometimes double that, sometimes much less) try their best to congregate at the *front* of a block and the rest of the singers move in behind them. Impossible with allocated tickets when you consider that can be hundreds of people trying to situate themselves into 1 block. Saying that, it is just 1 block or one area in the away end, so if you are a "sitter" and see this congregation trying to take place with hundreds of people trying to gather together, it might be sensible to move to another empty seat elsewhere (there will always be some). As has been show from the survey, it's what people value as most important from their matchday experience, and is whats currently putting Oxford United fans up there with the best supporters in the country (as many many people from other clubs keep pointing out). If we find ourselves blocked in then we will happily move if allowed to by the stewards and other folk who have also paid to watch. Sometimes it is not possible so we stand but, find this tiring and far less comfortable.
We have huge respect for you Ultras and the work you put in and that's why we support you both financially and vocally but, I find this rather polarised view to be a little irritating. Much like the stereotypical description of anybody who takes a seat in the SSU. We don't all eat prawn sandwiches, moan all the time and never join in with singing etc. What we do enjoy is the excitement, jumping to our feet when we score (or nearly score) the stress release of a win and the knowledge that our boys have done us proud. We just want to be able to sit down in between, if that's alright?Come on Manorlounger, that bold points are seriously nitpicking at just a general overview of the obvious 2 types of fan there are. Obviously you're gonna join in with singing and do the normal expressions when we score etc. I don't think nitpicking at my description is terribly helpful nor constructive. As the point about the sitters and standers still very much stands (if you pardon the pun). There's nothing better at home games than when the South and North Stands join in clapping and singing, the whole ground gets rocking. But even you must admit that in comparison to the East Stand they're both "quiet", hence my use of that word. It was just to clearly outline the two types of fans that have struck up pages worth of debate on here. We can leave it to just "sitters" and "standers" though, if you like. Although there are plenty of "standers" who prefer not to sing or congregate with the singers, hence why I tried focusing it down.
|
|
|
Post by tbfuth14 on Sept 19, 2016 18:58:20 GMT
Wasn't it the numbers that got all the press at the weekend rather than the ultras ? I think it also needs remembering that like u say the ultras are 50/100. Singers who stand on east stand 200/300. That leaves 4700 sitting season ticket holders 😉 Again I'm not entirely sure what your point is here. The thread is about having areas for singers/standers and those who want to sit for the majority of the game (or atleast have the option too). This is nothing to do with 4700 season ticket holders. Also, the Ultras can be "50/100", but the singers that group behind/around where the Ultras are means the numbers seriously swell, especially away from home in confined away ends. You always seem to bring up some "superiority complex" on here too which I find odd. All fans are just as valuable as one another, we all pay the same money, but surely you must see the difference between some fans? Just look at the pictures I posted above, some choose to support in different ways than others (some physically can't even if they'd like to). There ARE different types of fan whether you like it not, some DO want to stand for 90 mins and some want to sit for 90 minutes. Clearly they can't be in the same blocks, and it would be HUGELY beneficial atmosphere wise if they're seperated in away ends. That's what we're trying to accomplish here, nothing else. If that means handing out specific blocks to specific types of fans that doesn't mean they're better than anyone else, just different. We're all Oxford
|
|
|
Post by oufcyellows on Sept 19, 2016 19:01:36 GMT
So no more loyal supporters songs then ? 😉
Nothing to do with me liking it or not, I've said before I'm just as happy stood singing at an away game as I am sat watching from a comfy seat at home. Just pointing out that maybe it isn't the minority that want to sit, as it sometimes comes across. In big away capacity like sat then there is no reason to have seat numbers as we were unlikely to sell all 5k so could have take. A slight reduction in numbers. But like I've also said to u before there has been abuse of people who want to sit down or refuse to move from their seat. And in the same as calling fans who leave early unloyal I don't think that's on. Like u said were all there for the same reason
The superiority complex comment was because it comes across that that the people sat in their own seats are the one In The wrong. And u tend to only see singers moaning about them, rather than the other way round on here.
|
|
|
Post by Mark on Sept 19, 2016 19:06:49 GMT
Old timers can probably say this better, but at The Manor you had to earn the right for the most lively spots on the London Road. With allocated seats all you need is to pay your ticket fee and that's it. And then once someone has a season ticket you can't really force them to move next season without big planning. But you do see fans perhaps growing out of the East stand and 'graduating' to a more sedate location like North Stand or South Stand.
|
|
|
Post by tbfuth14 on Sept 19, 2016 19:18:28 GMT
So no more loyal supporters songs then ? 😉 Nothing to do with me liking it or not, I've said before I'm just as happy stood singing at an away game as I am sat watching from a comfy seat at home. Just pointing out that maybe it isn't the minority that want to sit, as it sometimes comes across. In big away capacity like sat then there is no reason to have seat numbers as we were unlikely to sell all 5k so could have take. A slight reduction in numbers. But like I've also said to u before there has been abuse of people who want to sit down or refuse to move from their seat. And in the same as calling fans who leave early unloyal I don't think that's on. Like u said were all there for the same reason The superiority complex comment was because it comes across that that the people sat in their own seats are the one In The wrong. And u tend to only see singers moaning about them, rather than the other way round on here. I'm not sure, it seems totally the opposite way round on here. The sitters moaning and complaining about people not going to their allocated seats etc. And you can't use isolated incidents like 1 bloke shouting at someone else to sing which you once saw, or a few chants of "loyal supporters" a few years back to try and divide the fanbase. People have their own opinions and you can't stop peoples actions. But it's a different fanbase now, we're all on the same side and whilst the club is on the up, and the Ultra scene is on the up, everything seems spot on. This is just some organisation problems, nothing more like you seem to be making out. I don't think trying to divide the fanbase into "abusive ones" "better ones" "loyal ones" is helpful whatsoever.
|
|
|
Post by oufcyellows on Sept 19, 2016 19:20:53 GMT
Uhh I'll think u will find I've been doing the exact opposite. Every post has been that were all the same, I've suggested ways it could be made to work, and not once criticised u or the ultras, in fact I think I've actually praised what ur doing on many occasions !
|
|
|
Post by tbfuth14 on Sept 19, 2016 19:24:18 GMT
Hopefully we're on the same page then. All fans appreciate one another just for supporting our local football club, obviously none of us are perfect so you do get some "incidents" from time to time. But in general I think we're in a great place to sort something and carry on impressing
|
|
|
Post by lambchop on Sept 20, 2016 6:23:13 GMT
Why don't you look into a ticket swap. Not 100% sure how it would be implemented, but maybe near to the kick off time for a match the ultras and the "singers" (sorry I find this term funny as what makes someone a singer? Is it the amount of songs they sing in a match? If so who counts and ejects those that don't reach the required number... Anyway back to the story) group together. Hand all their tickets to a representative who then swaps them with anyone who happens to have bought a ticket in the singer (sigh) area. It would take a bit of organising and a little while before those that aren't on this board get it. Or we could just stay with telling people to f*ck off and get a life if they want to sit in the seat they've paid for.
|
|
|
Post by essexyellows on Sept 20, 2016 6:58:52 GMT
Unreserved seating avoids categorising fans................natural selection sorts them out. As an "old timer" who likes to shout & holler a bit its easy to choose where the noisey folk will be, difference at MK was that buying via OUFC we weren`t given a choice. Hence I ended up next to a family who may have been offended/shocked by my verbal enthusiasm.Hey ho..thats football and their kid learnt some useful phrases.
Sadly its all corporate bollocks designed to nullify any atmosphere alongside painfully loud PA systems.
StadiumMK is everything that is wrong with the modern corporate game.
|
|
|
Post by Colin B on Sept 20, 2016 7:08:37 GMT
The difference has always been there, but it's rarely been an issue due to us being pretty crap for a number of years, and people being able to move around the ground(s) fairly easily and sit or stand where they liked. Now, as we get better, move up the leagues, and crowds increase, it is harder to move around freely and congregate with like minded people. This issue is not going to go away and does need discussing and organising somehow before it becomes a bigger issue.
OxVox have had a number of emails, texts, tweets etc since the weekend and we'll discuss it at our committee meeting this Friday and will probably be speaking with the club to see what can be done to satisfy EVERYONE. From the feedback I've seen so far, it's fair to say that the views on the OxVox committee are just as divided as on this thread and we'll do our best to try to represent everybody's views.
|
|
|
Post by oufcyellows on Sept 20, 2016 7:40:12 GMT
Unreserved seating avoids categorising fans................natural selection sorts them out. As an "old timer" who likes to shout & holler a bit its easy to choose where the noisey folk will be, difference at MK was that buying via OUFC we weren`t given a choice. Hence I ended up next to a family who may have been offended/shocked by my verbal enthusiasm.Hey ho..thats football and their kid learnt some useful phrases. Sadly its all corporate bollocks designed to nullify any atmosphere alongside painfully loud PA systems. StadiumMK is everything that is wrong with the modern corporate game. Even with unreserved seating you could get people turning up early and picking a nice seat behind the goal, only to be asked to move at 2.45 when the "singers" come in. Going take a bit of give and take from everyone.
|
|
|
Post by ryaniobirdio on Sept 20, 2016 10:23:22 GMT
What a weird outlook some people have on what is and isn't okay to do at a football match.
I hope it gets sorted once and for all.
|
|
|
Post by bigronaldo on Sept 20, 2016 11:48:57 GMT
The trouble is that tempers are getting frayed and this each way frustration does have an impact on everyones match experience. It may seem trivial but it really does need airing now. 3,800 u's fans at an away game is fantastic support and we should all be very proud of what we have collectively achieved, but, if we are to make it more than a one off, then we need to try to make it an experience to be cherished for as many as possible.
|
|
|
Post by swissyellow on Sept 20, 2016 11:55:36 GMT
This is a tough one, I love to sing and shout and swear and be rowdy. I like to stand, I like to buy my tickets early and get into the ground early.
My Wife is short, she likes to sit, she tells me off for telling the ref he's a f***ing w*nker and she struggles to see at away games when people stand up
At Grenoble road I'm in the East stand, She's making tea for the press and watching the game. Perfect
Away, its a right arse, I'm not going to ditch her for the game, she loves her football club just as much as I do and it's f*cking crap to think we can't enjoy the game together so we make concessions. I like to sing, she likes to sit but we solve it, whatever the situation.
I think, whats best is to try and solve the problem without the getting to the arsey bit. Respect each other. If the singers want to take over an area, why not offer the sitters a drink to move? Sitters, you know its inevitable, you wont enjoy the game surrounded by someone who's been aggresive so there needs to be a solution.
Singers, there's no reason to turn on a fellow fan and make their day a misery - ask politely, be smart and both sides should find a fix.
If I had my way we'd take 500 flag waving lunatics away and I'd go stand in the middle of that, but thats not us. We have a small group of fans that need to be applauded for their efforts just the same as the individuals who scream at people to sing need to vent their passions elsewhere.
|
|
|
Post by essexyellows on Sept 20, 2016 12:16:54 GMT
Unreserved seating avoids categorising fans................natural selection sorts them out. As an "old timer" who likes to shout & holler a bit its easy to choose where the noisey folk will be, difference at MK was that buying via OUFC we weren`t given a choice. Hence I ended up next to a family who may have been offended/shocked by my verbal enthusiasm.Hey ho..thats football and their kid learnt some useful phrases. Sadly its all corporate bollocks designed to nullify any atmosphere alongside painfully loud PA systems. StadiumMK is everything that is wrong with the modern corporate game. Even with unreserved seating you could get people turning up early and picking a nice seat behind the goal, only to be asked to move at 2.45 when the "singers" come in. Going take a bit of give and take from everyone. Nope because people who "pick a nice seat behind the goal" should expect to be in the hotspot for standing/noise/atmosphere/call it what you like. Much the same as terracing was, you want a "quiet life" you move out to the edges where the volatility diminishes. Thats how it should work at a football ground rightly or wrongly. However the sterilisation of the game is exactly what folk are accepting at the likes of MK....very sad indeed.
|
|
|
Post by manorlounger on Sept 20, 2016 14:02:39 GMT
Even with unreserved seating you could get people turning up early and picking a nice seat behind the goal, only to be asked to move at 2.45 when the "singers" come in. Going take a bit of give and take from everyone. Nope because people who "pick a nice seat behind the goal" should expect to be in the hotspot for standing/noise/atmosphere/call it what you like. Much the same as terracing was, you want a "quiet life" you move out to the edges where the volatility diminishes. Thats how it should work at a football ground rightly or wrongly. However the sterilisation of the game is exactly what folk are accepting at the likes of MK....very sad indeed. To be fair to all, I think that is what OUFCYellows, myself and a few more have been advocating. Those who like to be able to sit are most unlikely to take a seat behind the goal because we do know that the singers and standers (if that is a word!) will wish to be in just that area. However, when we are then sold a ticket which specifies that area we are put in a difficult position. We may not be allowed to move or become uneasy about taking someone else's seat whether by accident or not. Oxvox are going to look at how this can be resolved, it doesn't happen very often and could and should be easily settled but, it requires the willingness of clubs to accept the needs of all supporters. Bear in mind that what we are implying is that the clubs acknowledge that some fans will stand throughout and therefore are, in a manner, condoning the breaking of a legal statute. I have to say that normally the staff at OUFC have a reasonable idea where the seats are located and distribute accordingly, MK stadium was a whole new ball game and look what has happened! MK further complicated matters by releasing more tickets in more areas as sales increased which mixed things up even more. If only they had taken a lead from Wembley and allowed the purchase of tickets in specific areas. 30,000 there and no worries, 3800 at MK and all pear shaped!
|
|
|
Post by essexyellows on Sept 21, 2016 9:49:07 GMT
Bring back terracing....never had any problems then.
|
|
|
Post by The Bearded Oxonian on Sept 21, 2016 10:56:44 GMT
I'm a stander myself, always in the middle of it at home. Away I stand with anyone and everyone standing, never had an issue with it, never been asked to sit down. I think it comes down to picking and choosing an area carefully for standing. Totally agree that there should be some sort of options when buying away tickets for "standing" or "sitting" seats/areas.
I like Swissyellow's idea of just being respectful, maybe buying a cuppa to those who are sat down if we want them to move.
One thing I can't stand however is if you are asked to sit down by another fan or a steward, why start asking why another section of fans can stay standing and turn steward attention to others, just because you are not getting your own way.
Happy standing and sitting, coyy.
|
|