After reading Mojacas article, and following the link to the update on Saun Barkers unfortunate situation, I spent some time exploring the DCFC website.
I came across the free video section and a promotion for ST's for next season entitled "Be part of the family". Presumably it was a Fans eye view as they walk through PP stadium and come across various members of Staff. Craig Bryson polishing the trophy cabinet, as one example. The conclusion of which was Tom Glick, broom in hand, sweeping the Club Crest just beyond where the players step out onto the hallowed turf, in his suit! How apt. He explained that this was our home and encouraged Fans to be "part of the family".
Ok, so I have to accept that we live in a world where advertising is both intrusive and emotional, in a way that sends a message to varying types of customer. Thats a given. I just had to wonder, as someone who has not renewed his ST for the last two seasons (after years and years of doing so) based on false promises and an ever changing Mission Statement, what the message was for me.
Maybe I have this all wrong, but I couldnt help after watching this that I must now be considered a "Black Sheep" of the DCFC family. An outsider, looking in from the outside and pressing me grubby nose up against the living room window. So the question I have is, why do I NOT feel like that? Why do I still feel that my stance is a perfectly valid one and that rather than missing out I am actually doing myself a favour.
The Match Day experience is nothing short of shocking these days. Fans no longer able, nor willing it seems, to build an atmosphere prior to kick off. A good majority of the Fans populate the concourses staring at TV screens and finishing their expensive drinks even past the kick off. Very few seem to enjoy the anticipation of the teams entering the arena, and even if they wanted to they would be drowned out by a PA System that blares garbage right up to the Refs whistle to start proceedings. Some of you will say, well thats how every Club builds up to a game, but is that a reason to accept how its done? Have the Fans ever been consulted on how they would like to get involved in the 10-15 minutes before a match?
I havent written this article to find sympathy nor support for my position. I just want to know from my fellow Rams (because I still consider you all to be my Brothers and Sisters), is it merely "acceptance" that we have an average team and an average atmosphere at PP or "apathy"?
I know I will come in for some stick here, but believe me I can put up with any amount of averageness on the pitch if we are all in it together. Just seems to me that we no longer are. Im quite happy to be corrected if Im wrong and in a minority here, but that bond we once had on Matchday seems to be of little importance or buried in a sea of "better things to do".
My message for Mr Glick is, its alright to promote a "Family" of Derby County fans, but I say What Family, and if there is one, who's running it?
< ale >
Black Sheep! (Apathy or Acceptance)
posted on 24/3/12
A brilliant article. Very thought provoking. Living where I do and where I have for most of my life (i.e. not in Derby) I have not attended anything like the number of games that most of you have so I feel a bit of a fake for commenting.
But I have been a Rams fan since I was 7 and still remember my first game at the BBG (Brighton 3-0 in '78) and the times that I could get there once I could drive, I remember the walk through the streets winding my way to the ground and I remember the away games on wet and windy days (0-0 in Oxford) and the memories of BBG Popside etc., including those fences, are still there.
I also remember my first time at PP and my most recent (Leeds on Boxing Day) reminded me of what I love about being fan and seeing the game live. But times change (for good or bad) and I truly hope that those of you with kids who go never experience the fear and thuggery that also used to go with some of those games and I think the new stadia are contributing to that. If the lack of atmosphere is a price to pay then so be it but I also heard that is was electrifying for the Forest game recently so it's still possible.
I guess what I'm really saying is remember the past fondly (like VHS) but embrace the future (like MP3) and if turning the tannoy off helps then I'm all for it (I still can't believe that added time has a sponsor now!!)
posted on 24/3/12
pre match entertainment......
i would first get the lottery sellers wearing tutu's.
then as as you enter the ground, as you swipe your card, a voice says " hello big boy " , or for the ladies "hello sexy babe ".
on the screens in the concourse, the should show anything from tulisa's video collection. maybe show playboy tv.
cheerleaders in bikini's.
all stewards to wear shorts and tight fitting tops.
how about a over 20's gymnastic display.
how about a competition on the pitch for female fans.who can eat the largest hot dog sausage.
how about the hooters girls from nottingham pay us a promotional visit. handing out money off vouchers.
naked jelly wrestling .
and last, but no means least.........bubbles health spa staff hand out money off vouchers.
posted on 24/3/12
Dave - you've cracked it
posted on 24/3/12
Id nearly invest in a Season ticket just for that Dave.
posted on 24/3/12
Dave, I WAS a steward.... trust me... you do NOT want to see stewards in shorts and tight tops!
Not unless you have a "thing" for Daffydd off Little Britain!
posted on 24/3/12
"Dave, I WAS a steward.... trust me... you do NOT want to see stewards in shorts and tight tops! "
I'll second that!
posted on 25/3/12
i think mos has a point is
posted on 25/3/12
there's some lovely stewards in the east stand lower.
posted on 26/3/12
SDS I don't know if it can be laid exclusively at Glick's door , this one. I think it's more a sign of our times, which is perhaps even more depressing, and harder to counter.
posted on 26/3/12
A lot has changed. I suspect part of it has to do with the amount of beer consumed.
In the late 60's / early 70's the attitude to drink/driving was shamefully lax as compared to today.
Then also, compare the number of fans within reasonable walking distance of the BBG - far more than PP I'd guess.
I'd suspect far more would belt out the songs if they'd had a few more... but that's not really acceptable nowadays. Rightly so of course in the context of the wider society.
Then there's no doubt that the game has been 'gentrified'. What I mean is back in the day most of the crowd came along to be part of something.
Now I suspect most of the crowd comes along to be entertained, but don't see themselves as part of the entertainment. A lot would no sooner chant inside PP as they would in Derby Playhouse.
Then there's the modern stadium design - now its easy to hang around in the concorse until a few minutes before kick off.
Finally, there's the club itself. Far more interested in getting sponsor's messages broadcast than winding the atmosphere up.
No one thing is responsible, but I reckon the interaction of the things I've mentioned is going to keep things pretty much as they are.
If the club wanted to do something the only thing likely to have an effect would be to create a section of the ground (prob the North Stand) with a discounted ticket price for fans who'd commit to singing for a good part of the game. That may get the singing quotient above critical mass. At the moment (Forest aside) it never really breaks out of the SE corner.