Chapel Kop

[the saint in winchester]

I sit in the Chapel. We prefer to ponder the 'interesting possibilities' the game offers rather than sing songs about the parentage of residents of Portsmouth. And I like to listen to Solent commentary through my ear buds, and I cant hear a thing if sat the other end.

Please inform these leading players they have our heartfelt support, but i prefer not to be too vocal.

[Nordic Saint]

If the general consensus is that moving the Itchen North to the Northam, and putting the away fans in the corner, why doesn't someone start a petition to do so and see if the club takes notice?

 

At Leeds the players asked their club to move the away fans from behind the goal to the corner and they did. A petition would be a good idea especially if the players signed it. I guess it's difficult for the players to publicly criticise the atmosphere as it would sour their relationship with the fans but asking for the away section to be moved shouldn't be a problem. I remember being at the FA Youth Cup game when Pompey fans were put in the Kingsland and Blocks 43 & 44 in the Northam away section are often given to home fans when visiting teams don't take their full allocation so it shows away fans can be moved.

[100%Red&White]

Been said a few times before - they'll never move away fans in front of the Exec Boxes or next to the other Corps. Logistics with concourse, ticket office and access/exit gates would be problematic.

 

Now if they ever build another tier over the Kingsland they would put in new Corporate facilities over there so all the Prawn-Sarnie-types could relocate then we might get away with pushing the aways round into the Itchen. If it was down to me I then put the TV cameras over in the Itchen (the taller Kingsland would stop problems with the sun) then the visitors wouldn't even be seen on TV. There problem solved, anyone got £40m hanging around?

[SKD]

Fail to see how moving the away fans would have an impact on the noise at the other end of the stadium?

 

Having the Chapel as a 'kop' would help as you'd still have a section of fans who'd want to sit next to, and as current in block 1, taunt / sing at the away fans for the whole 90 minutes (I still can't get my head around this).

 

There would still be plenty of room in the Itchen or Kingsland for ST holders who wish to sit and watch the game.

[deadpanmatt]

I think if top level footballers are blaming the fans for their failure to play football well then we're doomed anyway.

[Saint 76er]

Why is this 'move the away fans' line trotted out time and again when the police are adamant that said fans must stay put for operational reasons? The club are well aware that moving them would make sense, but can't do a thing as the safety certificate would be withdrawn and the stadium closed if they defied the police directive.

[mrfahaji]

I sit in the Chapel. We prefer to ponder the 'interesting possibilities' the game offers rather than sing songs about the parentage of residents of Portsmouth. And I like to listen to Solent commentary through my ear buds, and I cant hear a thing if sat the other end.

Please inform these leading players they have our heartfelt support, but i prefer not to be too vocal.

 

While I totally understand a reluctance to sing inane or offensive songs, don't you ultimately go to support the team and ideally see them win? Cheering and singing helps the players. There's plenty of time to "ponder possibilities" - no-one is calling for non-stop singing - your response sounds a little bit high and mighty!

[nta786]

It isn't just our problem it's across the country. The combination of the removal of terracing, everything being offensive and soccer AM creating a new generation of fan that wants to engage in #banter and is more interested in trying to be crazy or a comedian that create an intimidation atmosphere is to blame. The atmosphere in the premier league barring a handful of grounds is in the main horrendous. You've only got to look at old footage to see the difference when a goal is scored for example. The terraces would explode, these days its just polite applause. We do seem to have more than our share of cretins only capable of singing songs that involve clapping like a coked up seal or wackiness like fancy dress or putting items of confectionary on peoples heads but it's a countrywide epidemic I'm afraid.

 

This and I'd also add the selfie culture these days.

When a goal is scored people seem more intent on taking pictures of the players celebrating rather then celebrating themselves.

 

Liverpool game back in the 2013/14 season at home- the number of phones filming a Gerrard corner... *facepalm*

 

There was a picture going round after Liverpool vs Utd- 20 years ago fans were shouting abuse to SAF, this time a lot of Liverpool fans were taking pictures of Mourinho

[St_Tel49]

While I totally understand a reluctance to sing inane or offensive songs, don't you ultimately go to support the team and ideally see them win? Cheering and singing helps the players. There's plenty of time to "ponder possibilities" - no-one is calling for non-stop singing - your response sounds a little bit high and mighty!

 

And a touch tongue in cheek too

[captainchris]

That's ridiculous. If you're going to get abuse, it shouldn't be for shouting at a football match, it should be for writing "would of" instead of "would have".

 

Congratulations on your pathetic contribution.

[mrfahaji]

And a touch tongue in cheek too

 

Ha, I guess I missed the sarcasm of his post - the "parentage of Portsmouth" bit sounded genuine and reasonable enough to convince me!

[mrfahaji]

Congratulations on your pathetic contribution.

 

No problem, happy to oblige Perhaps my post made you as irate as yours did me.

[Disco Stu]

I call BS but if true, the players need to understand that they are entertainers. If a comedian isn't funny, they get no laughs. If a play at the theatre is boring, they'll get no applause. If a football team isn't doing enough to spur on the fans, they won't get the cheering and singing they're after. I'm not saying we play poor football, but there's a hell of a lot of sideways passing and slow build-up which isn't the type of football that gets people going.

[USA SaintsFan]

I call BS but if true, the players need to understand that they are entertainers. If a comedian isn't funny, they get no laughs. If a play at the theatre is boring, they'll get no applause. If a football team isn't doing enough to spur on the fans, they won't get the cheering and singing they're after. I'm not saying we play poor football, but there's a hell of a lot of sideways passing and slow build-up which isn't the type of football that gets people going.

 

Sadly, it is true that the players have to motivate the fans, and that is why the atmospheres at many of the grounds around the PL are a but tame. However, I think it should be the reverse. The fans should pick the players up and spur them on, ideally chanting for most of the match. It is when the players are struggling, that the fans encouragement becomes the most vital.

[USA SaintsFan]

Why is this 'move the away fans' line trotted out time and again when the police are adamant that said fans must stay put for operational reasons? The club are well aware that moving them would make sense, but can't do a thing as the safety certificate would be withdrawn and the stadium closed if they defied the police directive.

 

Sorry if I am not informed on this, but what exactly is the issue with the away support going in the corner? Most clubs seem to do similar, and Leicester's almost identical ground houses the away fans in the corner.

[Wurzel]

I call BS but if true, the players need to understand that they are entertainers. If a comedian isn't funny, they get no laughs. If a play at the theatre is boring, they'll get no applause. If a football team isn't doing enough to spur on the fans, they won't get the cheering and singing they're after. I'm not saying we play poor football, but there's a hell of a lot of sideways passing and slow build-up which isn't the type of football that gets people going.

 

Time and time again we see posts claiming that football is not like any other business as we, the fans, are part of the club. As such we should be doing our best to influence results whether that be through encouragement of the team, influencing the referee or scaring the **** out of the opposition (preferably all 3). "Atmosphere" doesn't have to be by way of a song, several thousand people getting off their arses and roaring encouragement or derision in unison can be just as effective.

 

Your post above demotes the fans to the role of paying customers who will (might) react when given something to react to.

 

Customers or part of the club?. Can't have it both ways.

[ericb]

I call BS but if true, the players need to understand that they are entertainers. If a comedian isn't funny, they get no laughs. If a play at the theatre is boring, they'll get no applause. If a football team isn't doing enough to spur on the fans, they won't get the cheering and singing they're after. I'm not saying we play poor football, but there's a hell of a lot of sideways passing and slow build-up which isn't the type of football that gets people going.

 

So you don't believe that the players would notice that the chapel is a morgue? Or do you think they don't care? Because if it's the first then you must be assuming they're deaf since terrible doesn't even come close to describing what passes for atmosphere there. Also i don't buy into the "it's always been that way" argument. It wasn't in the Championship or League one, maybe it wasn't a constant cauldron of noise but it was definitely louder than it is now, which isn't exactly hard.

 

And if you think they don't care then why would players come out constantly mentioning it (see Hojbjerg's article on the club site today in reference to the Inter game).

 

On a totally personal perspective it annoys the hell out of me that people are willing to make so many excuses instead of just doing something about it. I mean why are you SO anti creating an atmosphere Chapel? Do you think you're above it? Are you embarrassed? Is that you don't want to be the only ones? Honestly why? I'd love to know what the reason is because it really confuses me.

[ashnats]

think it is just acoustics. I am in the kingsland nr the chapel end, and it is usually louder than the northam - and actually the away fans make more noise in the northam than the home fans do, usually.

 

for what it is worth, I don't get the singing thing myself, I've come to cheer the team on, not to go to church and sing hymns. I yell encouragement or frustration depending on what is happening on the pitch. it's not a sing-song.

 

I very much doubt the players even notice, they'll be hopefully paying attention to the game.

[SKD]

I don't understand why anyone would want to go to the game and not create an atmosphere. Isn't that the point of being there, rather than stream online or watch on TV?

 

Understand that not everyone wants/is able to stand for 90 minutes, but this doesn't affect ability to sing / urge the team on.

 

The clappers are one of the most annoying things I've seen in a football ground (other than a bell), but if it helps spur the players on, I would be open to it. Even better would be for the club to not have to do this....

 

And for those suggesting that it is for the players to entertain the fans, I understand your point, but surely when the team is up against it, this is the time to get behind them????

[bazza]

In fairness the atmosphere's usually terrible at St Marys. A couple of renditions of OWTS from the Northam and a small section of the Itchen doesn't exactly make it a cauldron of noise ffs.

[ALWAYS_SFC]

Everyone needs to be a supa dupa dupa dupa fan, then it would be fantastic...

[ericb]

Everyone needs to be a supa dupa dupa dupa fan, then it would be fantastic...

 

What's actually wrong with fans creating an atmosphere? I mean why would feel the need to belittle and mock? Are you somehow better than others? And do you not think that you are actually the one coming across as more superior than others, patronising and a bit rude?

[ALWAYS_SFC]

What's actually wrong with fans creating an atmosphere? I mean why would feel the need to belittle and mock? Are you somehow better than others? And do you not think that you are actually the one coming across as more superior than others, patronising and a bit rude?

 

 

Never said there was anything wrong with it, stop getting all prissy.

 

I am just having a joke about the fact that people are always judging and telling other fans how to behave... there are no rules of how to support are there?

 

Perhaps it should be in the t & c`s of a ticket purchase or a how to support instructions leaflet handed out

[ericb]

 

Never said there was anything wrong with it, stop getting all prissy.

 

I am just having a joke about the fact that people are always judging and telling other fans how to behave... there are no rules of how to support are there?

 

Perhaps it should be in the t & c`s of a ticket purchase or a how to support instructions leaflet handed out

 

Actually it wasn't prissy it was more that you seemed to be projecting, also i'd hazard a guess that the "there's no rules on how to support" brigade are probably the same that put off a lot who'd like to make noise. It's simple psychology really if a crowd is accepting of those around them they're more likely to participate in that behaviour, if those around them are snooty or "too cool for school" like you come across then it'll impact as well.

[ALWAYS_SFC]

Actually it wasn't prissy it was more that you seemed to be projecting, also i'd hazard a guess that the "there's no rules on how to support" brigade are probably the same that put off a lot who'd like to make noise. It's simple psychology really if a crowd is accepting of those around them they're more likely to participate in that behaviour, if those around them are snooty or "too cool for school" like you come across then it'll impact as well.

 

What is this "too cool" b ollxs... you are a funny one

 

Fans can, as far as i am concerned "support" in any way they chose, do you agree? or shoud they be scorned because the dont act like you want them to/

[100%Red&White]

think it is just acoustics.

 

I wouldn't say it's 'just' acoustics but they certainly don't help. The sound just doesn't travel that well around the stadium. As many have said, if you're in the Kingsland side of the Northam you can barely hear the away fans just as most visitors leave St Mary's thinking our only vocal support comes from a small group to the left in the Itchen North - almost totally unaware our 'noisiest' support is immediately to their right.

 

The Chapel are rarely going to join in as any chanting has generally died out before it spreads to that end and they don't seem capable of starting it themselves. They could do with a few extroverts in there to stand up and wave their arms around getting them to join in. I'd imagine some are 'singers' when we're all in together at away grounds.

 

As for the players getting the fans going, this is our club, they'll be gone in a couple of years, it should mean far more to us. And I'd say our best support has always come in the face of adversity, it got us out of a relegation battle many times. That wasn't the players lifting the fans, that was the fans lifting the players. How it should be imo.

[Saint 76er]

Sorry if I am not informed on this, but what exactly is the issue with the away support going in the corner? Most clubs seem to do similar, and Leicester's almost identical ground houses the away fans in the corner.

 

The major problem for the police is controlling away fans access to the stadium. They have determined the blocks allocated to away fans are best for the police to escort and shepherd fans into and out of the stadium and away from the area if necessary with the least interaction with home fans. Moving visiting fans to other areas would be to simply invite trouble as these fans would have to move through arriving home fans to get to these areas due to the footprint of the stadium with limited outside access on three sides. You can't compare this situation with other grounds which may be externally configured entirely differently. Furthermore the police observation post is set up to monitor away fans in their current location and the police really don't want any changes. From the clubs point of view they don't want away fans any closer to private boxes and corporate areas and also the away concourse areas would need reconfiguring if even a small move were made. Result of all this = no change... Answer = new stadium.

[Dangermouth]

 

Never said there was anything wrong with it, stop getting all prissy.

 

I am just having a joke about the fact that people are always judging and telling other fans how to behave... there are no rules of how to support are there?

 

Perhaps it should be in the t & c`s of a ticket purchase or a how to support instructions leaflet handed out[/QUOTE]

 

Bloody good idea. Suggest it to the club. And no, I'm not being facetious.

[Dangermouth]

I sit in the Chapel. We prefer to ponder the 'interesting possibilities' the game offers rather than sing songs about the parentage of residents of Portsmouth. And I like to listen to Solent commentary through my ear buds, and I cant hear a thing if sat the other end.

Please inform these leading players they have our heartfelt support, but i prefer not to be too vocal.

 

Why do you listen to the commentary when you're at a game? There's an Arsenal fan who can't see much who does but unless you're in a similar situation this strikes me as wholly bizarre. Honestly, why not just watch it at home if you don't want to fully participate in a live spectacle? You might as well go to see someone live and listen to their GH on your iphone.

[mrfahaji]

Why do you listen to the commentary when you're at a game? There's an Arsenal fan who can't see much who does but unless you're in a similar situation this strikes me as wholly bizarre. Honestly, why not just watch it at home if you don't want to fully participate in a live spectacle? You might as well go to see someone live and listen to their GH on your iphone.

 

I think his entire post was sarcastic. Don't worry, I fell for it too...

[Orange]

My take on it is a lot of the people who regularly used to follow us away in the league 1/champ days have stopped going so much. So groups who would get ****ed up, make noise etc have been replaced by people who are more interested in whether the coach will have Wifi, capri suns and on board entertainment. When you think back to some of those away games it's changed a lot IMO. That and our terrible song repertoire anyway i blame.

[Disco Stu]

Customers or part of the club?. Can't have it both ways.

 

Paying customers whether you like it or not. They are entertainers. We are spectators.

 

So you don't believe that the players would notice that the chapel is a morgue? Or do you think they don't care?

 

I don't believe they would go as far as to complain to their employers and actively try to get the club to change things.

Edited 3 November, 2016 by Disco Stu

[adrian lord]

My take on it is a lot of the people who regularly used to follow us away in the league 1/champ days have stopped going so much. So groups who would get ****ed up, make noise etc have been replaced by people who are more interested in whether the coach will have Wifi, capri suns and on board entertainment. When you think back to some of those away games it's changed a lot IMO. That and our terrible song repertoire anyway i blame.

 

Yep, not been to a single game since back in the Premier League. Preferred the ice-cold, hard terraces of Peterborough, the half-empty dome of the Ricoh and such like, to the ipads and half-and-half scarf brigade.

[Golden Balls]

My take on it is a lot of the people who regularly used to follow us away in the league 1/champ days have stopped going so much. So groups who would get ****ed up, make noise etc have been replaced by people who are more interested in whether the coach will have Wifi, capri suns and on board entertainment. When you think back to some of those away games it's changed a lot IMO. That and our terrible song repertoire anyway i blame.

 

True. There was a huge group of scallywags I used to drink with at home and away games. Pretty much all of them don't go anymore. A few reasons why.

Some don't like the atmosphere at games now. Some now have a family. Quite a lot have been priced out. Quite a lot just stream the games and have mates over. Some have managed to get banned.

Edited 2 November, 2016 by Golden Balls

[ericb]

I don't believe they would go as far as to complain to their employers and actively trying to get the club to change things.

 

Choose not to believe if you want but they are DEFINITELY complaining about it, and in particular calling out the Chapel.

 

Yep, not been to a single game since back in the Premier League. Preferred the ice-cold, hard terraces of Peterborough, the half-empty dome of the Ricoh and such like, to the ipads and half-and-half scarf brigade.

 

I'm sure you're taking the p*ss but you called out two of my favourite aways in the lower leagues there (ok Cov was empty but was a great p*ss up and the steeply banked Ricoh made for a great atmosphere). In fact in general i preferred the away days in the lower leagues to the prem. Way more atmosphere in the grounds, generally cheaper (though obviously now that's changed) and was fun taking over grounds in numbers too.

[View From The Top]

My take on it is a lot of the people who regularly used to follow us away in the league 1/champ days have stopped going so much. So groups who would get ****ed up, make noise etc have been replaced by people who are more interested in whether the coach will have Wifi, capri suns and on board entertainment. When you think back to some of those away games it's changed a lot IMO. That and our terrible song repertoire anyway i blame.

 

I certainly preferred it. We did every away game and have a great time and the support was usually loud and boisterous without every really being nasty. Now we go to a few away games a season as it's sh_it. Rarely bother with home games as we CBA with the 400mile round trip + cost of tickets + Sunday games + clashes with the sports we play.

[Tom & Gerry]

I'm not sure the Chapel should take all the blame. I was sat in the Itchen for the Sunderland game ( I know it wasn't a normal situation) and to me it seemed quieter than the Chapel. Isn't it that whole half of the ground that is quietish. I think the age of the spectatators has a lot to do with it. When you get over 60 singing songs about young men less than half your age does seem a bit weird. Older people may have the same passion for the game but they do not have the same exhuberence, thats just the way it is. As has been pointed out cheering can be as effective as singing but people only cheer when there is something to cheer about and that will never change. It is significant that these threads usually start after a defeat.

So at the end of the day, sorry Northam but it's all down to you.

[Disco Stu]

Choose not to believe if you want but they are DEFINITELY complaining about it, and in particular calling out the Chapel.

 

Prove it?

[Plastic]

Itchen is far quieter than Chapel.

[Nordic Saint]

Singing from the Chapel Kop last night:

 

[the saint in winchester]

Why do you listen to the commentary when you're at a game? There's an Arsenal fan who can't see much who does but unless you're in a similar situation this strikes me as wholly bizarre. Honestly, why not just watch it at home if you don't want to fully participate in a live spectacle? You might as well go to see someone live and listen to their GH on your iphone.

My whole post was tongue in cheek, based around Puels cliché interesting possibilities. He was animated last night, wasn't he, and so was I. You cant beat Adam and Dave on Solent and their commentary actually enhances the experience. Do you watch motd with the sound off?

[Turkish]

At it again last night, sucked the ball into net twice, terrified the full back into smashing it into his own net. The Chapel Kop is worth a goals head start.

[Mallagroth]

At it again last night, sucked the ball into net twice, terrified the full back into smashing it into his own net. The Chapel Kop is worth a goals head start.

 

Lol some truth to it. I'm seriously considering changing my seat of 7 years in Kingsland North Corner for a mid Itchen one just so i get a better look at at some of our bloody home goals. The atmosphere would be the trade off.

[LaptopSaint]

I usually stand in the Northam but for the first time ever I sat in the Chapel last night. It is a very different experience, but it was OK. A bit more stroking of beards, and a bit less effing and blinding. Got to see all the goals though...

[Nordic Saint]

Interesting post from the UI. Can anything be done to support the players?

 

The Chapel Kop 09:30 - Oct 31 with 168 views franniesTache

 

So I found out something interesting yesterday, apparently the players (led by two of our most senior players) are seriously ****ed off with the lack of noise from the Chapel and desperately want something done about it.

 

That's straight from the horses mouth's too, they feel it has an impact on the team and think it's embarrassing how silent it is, and have even made internal suggestions to the club about how they think it could be improved (including the club looking into Leicester style "clappers").

 

Have to say what i found most interesting about it is that at least one of these players (one of the most senior in our squad) said that the lack of atmosphere from the Chapel is a real cause for concern for a lot of the squad and something that actively annoys them.

 

Once again we saw today how having our singers hiding in the corners off the away end for big cup games makes them more like home games for visiting teams and that was as embarrassing as the performance on the pitch. Why can't the singers get behind the goal at the Chapel end at least for big cup games? There really are no excuses.