I have just read an article on the BBC Football site regarding sitting and standing at football stadium which i thought was quite condascending towards those of us who like to stand. As a young boy i grew up until the age of 10 going to the old Molineux ground with its massive south bank. i remember 53,000 in that ground a few times and even 40,000 for a 2nd division night game against Huddersfield ! I can only remember it being a bit tight when Manchester Utd came when they first won the European Cup. What i do remember was tremendous atmosphere and never being cold. I moved to Burton and followed Albion at the old Eton Park. I have always stood at football,like to do so and intend to always do so. I have tried the seats but find it much colder and lacking in atmosphere. I like to be with friends at football and standing makes it so much easier as opposed to when you are in the seats and have to sit in your seat number. I fully respect that sitting is the option of many and i am happy for them to do so. I really dislike it when i manage an away game and have no option but to sit. Usually this means that if they can get away with it the majority of fans stand anyway !!! I occasionally go to the Britania to watch Stoke City and even though the ground is an all seater stadium find that the majority stand and did the same at Wembley !!! I fully understand my attitude could be seen as old fashioned but I'm just curious to know what other Albion supporters on here think regarding this issue.
posted on 22/11/11
Standing for me too and for many of the reasons you state terraceman.
I like to go to the games with friends and it is never easy with seating if someone comes along at the last minute and you've got pre-arranged seats. I also think the atmosphere just isn't the same when compared to terracing.
My main dislike towards seating is because at many grounds the seats are stuck onto what used to be terracing, so you have an unnatural incline and can find your knees almost under your chin (Luton Town away section). There's also in the majority of grounds poor clearance between rows, which means that you have no legroom and the seat backs seemed designed to fit right into the cartilage under your knee!
In saying that I did choose to sit at Edgar Street on Saturday, but the alternative was the shocking view from the terrace down there. As a consolation we did sit behind the Corbett family and I wasn't surprised to hear that their view of young Andy differed considerably to ours! I have to say though I thought he did have a half-decent game.
posted on 22/11/11
In a way it is difficult to make a comment without first making reference to Hillsborough and Heysel (terraces) and Bradford (seats) and the horrible realities of not getting the watching football facilities right.
For me, it has to be standing. I totally agree that sitting loses the atmosphere (somehow) and it is a lot colder too.
A few additional gripes about seats not mentioned yet is that;
a) You have to make quite an effort to let someone pass when they turn up late, leave early, go for something to eat (and return) thus missing some action.
b) When the ball goes near the goal everyone stands up and you can miss the action.
c) If you have a season ticket seat - you can quite easily discover that the fellow season ticket holder in front, behind or next to you is a major bore, is very foul mouthed, does not understand the game or know the rules, smells etc etc. That's it - you are stuck with them for your investment.
posted on 22/11/11
I have only ever sat down for the Bass varse and there was zero leg room for me. It has to be standing all day long for me, Now winter is here the best way to keep warm is to jump up and down, even more so on a midweek game.This helps when we get a goal so i can jump around even more.Standing is best also if the person next to you is doing your head in, you can just move away next half.
posted on 23/11/11
Some very good points raised there lads, the safety aspect is definately relevant but i think we are now wise enough to make the terraces safe.I like the point about being stuck sat next to someone who is annoying for the whole season,yes on the terraces you can just move elsewhere ! and yes it is much warmer !!! Also interesting that all the comments are in favour of standing. I wonder how some of the younger fans in the Premier league who have only ever known all seater stadia feel ?
posted on 23/11/11
Stand with some guys on the popside we all have
a great time . Its great to meet these guys at a game
and enjoy the banter.