Improving Old Trafford Atmosphere - Fans Views
To,
Stretford End Flags
Reclaim United
Jonathan Rigby (Head of Manchester United Marketing)
A huge topic over the past few years is the idea of improving the match day atmosphere at Old Trafford. I have addressed all three of you as from Twitter I believe you are the most involved in sorting out events and are looking to change things on match days.
I understand you are all interested in improving the atmosphere at Manchester United and discussions are all currently ongoing with such things e.g. Singing Section etc. The purpose of this letter is for you to understand some fans' views on the current situation at Old Trafford and hopefully an insight on how it frustrates some of us.
I posed the question to my 3,885 (As of 8th March 2013) Twitter followers @UtdMancunian which is a MUFC Supporters page. 'How would you improve Old Trafford's atmosphere?' There was a huge response and some interesting ones on that. I'll leave the list of tweets unedited and who they are from below at the end; excuse the language if easily offended.
The points most addressed were of:
• A Singing Section
• Moving Away Fans
• Safe Standing
These are the 3 main points us fans believe is best to improve Old Trafford's atmosphere, we all know this, but it is how to try to get them in place which lies the difficulty. I understand you are trying your best to do this, so apologies if you are find this insulting. I hope you spend your time understanding how us the 'fans' feel about it.
A singing section and moving away fans from what I gather are linked. From what I understand the previous idea is to move the away fans and place a singing section where the away fans were. I could be completely incorrect, but surely this doesn't have to be the case? Some suggestions include moving the away fans to the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand Tier 3 and or the North-West Quardrant. I understand there are 'health and safety' issues with away fans moving to SAF Tier 3 due to celebrations and e.g. 'Poznan'. Personally I don't know if moving the away fans to the North-West Quadrant is a viable option due to it being next to the Stretford End; there would need to be a vast amount of policing and stewarding. If you believe this can work then I hope this option helps. We all understand that the acoustics in Old Trafford favour where the away fans sit, hence the reason of wanting to move there.
Safe standing is probably one of the most difficult methods of implementing at Old Trafford and in English football. The German example of this is a fantastic, easy and safe method. The idea of having a seat folded up which can be unfolded by a steward (by a type of key) etc and a bar in front to stand and hold/lean on.
All fans clearly understand this isn't an issue which can be sorted overnight and is a lengthy process which involves a working relation between the club and its fans.
The West Stand we all know as the 'Stretford End' is the best atmospheric stand in Old Trafford. The majority of Old Trafford's noise comes from this stand predominately from Tier 2. The most frustrating about Tier 1 of the Stretford End is the suite and family area in it. The Stretford End is the figure head of noise at Old Trafford and it shouldn't be like this, it is for the 'hardcore' fans who want to stand and sing for 90mins.
The East Stand is known for being loud on occasions and providing some noise to the Old Trafford atmosphere, correct me if I'm wrong but it is from East Stand Tier 1. From what I gather from people who sit there they think the atmosphere is 'ok'.
The North Stand would probably be known as the quietest of the stands for its size which is frustrating and it will be hard to fix this. I have seen some videos that the atmosphere from the Stretford End can simmer through to the seats close to the North Stand, but rarely escalates.
I think the whole of the South Stand should be for families and younger children who do not want to listen to swearing etc. Obviously we don't condone swearing at football matches, but we would be kidding ourselves if we think that it is possible to get rid of.
Final other factors:
• Cheaper Ticket Prices For Proper Fans
• Corporate Tickets
• Away Tickets
• Turning off PA 5mins Before Kick-off
Joshua Cain @Caino_
Stretford End fully standing like the Germans do.
Nigel Bretherton @nigelbretherton
Stand and Sing, job done!
Liam Mufc Chantler @LiamChantler
Standing section like in Germany or a Singing Section and PA off 5 minutes early every game.
Alex Stevens @alexmufc19
Upper is always standing. The away fans need to be moved to SAF Tier 3 and every fan needs to learn words to all songs #simple.
Joshua Bean @JoshuaBean2
Have a singing section or a standing section where all fans that sing can go.
Giggsy @redronzo
It would be interesting to know how many fans at OT each week are there for the first time. How many > 5 visits.
UNITED⚽4⚽LIFE @CaMjOb97
The simple way: Everyone who attends learns the songs! Then sing your hearts out! Not hard.
Giggsy @redronzo
Reduce prices and reduce the number of tickets that go to overseas visitors( not inc. Ireland).
Matt Austin @mattaustin7
Stretford end all stand if u don't wanna stand go to the south or north stand.
Ian Kenrick @IanKenrick97
Going often enough to know them! and standing up!
Tom Ward @TomW19_
A song to sing along to at the begging.
TheBestInTheWorld @Proccyy
Full standing stand, make the south stand family friendly (easier to buy children and adult tickets) mosaic flags at night..
TheBestInTheWorld @Proccyy
Big games and cup games.
Shane Murphy @Shane_Murphy_95
New songs that are more like proper songs and not just like every other chant.
Rory Smith @Rozza146
Stop all music ten mins before game & have big banners that are significant to the game or team we are playing.
Alex Stevens @alexmufc19
Tell Stewards to do one if they ask you to sit Oh and don't leave early to avoid traffic.
Jamie Wood @jaywood1
Safe standing.
Ron Waldman @RonWaldmanMSP
Remember the scarf , take it over Your head and sing!
Aku Vallenius @AkuVallenius
Too much day trippers and tourists. Safe standing. Family stand moved from Stretty.
Symmo @Des_86
Take the German example.
Adam Burgess @Budgecore7
Leaving before the end is fu**ed. Tos**rs.
Louis O'Halloran @bannanapankakes
Have a standing only area!
Jamie Wood @jaywood1
The German league is fantastic.
Liam Mufc Chantler @LiamChantler
Away fans in north west quadrant.
Niclas Svensson @NiclasUtd
Place some song books on the chairs. The people don't know the lyrics.
Louie Sweeney @ljas1108
Have designated singing areas.
Alex Stevens @alexmufc19
Glory glory man united should never be sung.
Tony @bigtonycoffey
It would help if fans could be in their seats about 10 mins before kick nothing more annoying then late comers.
Rory Smith @Rozza146
Have the Stretford end fully stood up and they should have the massive banner.
Shane Murphy @Shane_Murphy_95
More original songs about the club the players and our history would be more meaningful.
Nick Hunter @Nickhunter88
It's hard the people near my seat don't even like standing for Busby babes Only way to remove all the TV fans #OTatmosphere.
Patrick Lundberg @Pada_5
Drums and megaphones. Creates a good atmosphere but doesn't fit in at a footy ground.
Jamie Wood @jaywood1
A drum is just empty noise and I wouldn't think it would fit into a lot of r songs, also they use back of Stretty.
Symmo @Des_86
Went to a Dortmund game a few years back and the noise was unbelievable.
Alex @AlexMufc_
Standing area in Stretford End and near the away fans.
Patrick Lundberg @Pada_5
You can never get away from day trippers etc. I travel from Sweden about 10 times.
Alex Stevens @alexmufc19
Play away every week #bestawayfansintheleague.
Symmo @Des_86
Drums etc aren't really necessary. More about gathering together like minded fans.
Dano @89Owen
Move The Family Stand To SAF Tier 3! If you Don't Want To Hear Swearing Fu*k Off Up There.
Conor Corley @Conor_Corley1
It's going to sound mad, but imagine a smaller ground, 40,000 hardcore fans singing their hearts out! That will create it.
Jord Marshall @JordMarshall123
Should be a song where half is bottom Stretford other part of song tier2 and all join in at same time be amazing that.
Nelly6 @Neiljoeyhollick
I went to OT a few weeks back and there were people there that didn't even know what colour UTD played in. And when we started...
Nelly6 @Neiljoeyhollick
Singing people turned round and gave us dirty looks or told us to shut up. Could not believe what I saw or heard. I know people want...
Nelly6 @Neiljoeyhollick
To go and watch UTD but you can't sit there and just be quiet or give people dirty looks when fans start singing. I need to watch a...
Nelly6 @Neiljoeyhollick
Game from the Stretford end to see everyone act the same as me #mufc.
TheDFlood @d_flood111
Safe standing and/or singing section would help..nothing wrong with our songs but we do struggle because of day trippers.
Adam Burgess @Budgecore7
Play Real Madrid every week.
Dano @89Owen
East stand is ok improved but south and north are no go for me!
Benno Miller @Benno_LUHG
Remember a kid being behind us with his dad in the SE and just before kick off he said "don't worry son they'll sit down soon".
Chris Utd Fan @kennedyunited
Tell anyone who comes in to either sing or fu*k off!
Dano @89Owen
In Stretford End You Can Sing Classics, But In The Other Stands They Only Know The Generic Ones! Like GGMU.
Jamie Fairhead @gingerjamieMUFC
Stop ticket touts who sell over priced tickets to tourists who haven't a clue what colour Scholes' hair is!!
Benno Miller @Benno_LUHG
Champions' league group game, a young couple cuddled up kissing all game. Fu*k off!!!!
Keith @SAFismyGOD
I remember I came over for QPR and West Ham because they were only a few days apart. Bought someone's ST's for the two games..
Keith @SAFismyGOD
Was in the very top row of the Stretty, tier two. Loved all the fans around me so much. Standing and singing for 90 mins...
Keith @SAFismyGOD
Straight. To my left though for QPR was 3 Chinese lads, all with 3 cameras each with them. Didn't know a single song...
Keith @SAFismyGOD
I know it suited me but ST holders shouldn't be able to sell their ST's every week and only go to "big games"...
Keith @SAFismyGOD
Should only be able to pass on your ticket to a close friend/family member if you genuinely can't attend yourself.
Stephen Toner @TONERtheBONER
A fella got threw out the other night because he was standing + singing!! #joke north west quad.
Daniel Bardsley @danbards
We should expand the Stretford end like Dortmund's stand behind the goal to create a better atmosphere.
Gary @garyr179
Saw a lad at OT with a girl last week and she was dolled up to the max! pathetic, she sat on her phone for most of the game #tit.
William Luke Brown @williamlukeee
Tier 2 of the Stretford End is without a doubt the best place to sit, bouncing and singing for 90 minutes plus! #MUFC.
Jack Tring @ToxicJT
It will never change and forever fu*ks me off! Can't stand, sing, swear or breathe! #Pi*sTake.
Ben Richards @bengoon10
I've had a lad ask me which is man united best is when he learnt the Tevez song with like 10 min to go shouting on his own ha!
Dano @89Owen
#HalfAndHalfT*ats #IPadCu*ts Say No More!
Patrick Lundberg @Pada_5
The problem is that the noise from Stretty doesn't go down to the pitch. Need a singing section near the pitch. Away fans ex.
Support Nani !!! @lauren_jenks96
Phone/ipad users etc! Half scarfers! People who don't sing! Get rid of the lot of 'em!
Dano @89Owen
If Only We Could Fill The Ground With Lads We Find At Pubs Around The Ground! We Won't Go Far Wrong!
Totty @totty134
Cheaper tickets for actual fans so they can afford. Get rid of corporate tickets fans old stadium would still sell out every..
Totty @totty134
Game reclaim OT for the fans make its a fan club as is used to be years ago.
John Thompson @JT_MUFC
When we get safe standing back, the atmosphere will fix itself. Why do you think Tuesday was so good? We were all standing.
Manchester Is RED @MancIs_RED
Have the Stretford end a full standing section and reduce ticket prices so proper fans can get tickets..
Manchester Is RED @MancIs_RED
Only have to look at Germany to see how well it works.
Manchester Is RED @MancIs_RED
Also turn the PA off five minutes before every game. Let the fans create the noise #ReclaimUnited.
Very poorly written and edited. Would you seriously expect the club to take this seriously? Have you even tried to read it back to yourself? Is English your first language (not that this should be a barrier to your communication but you must surely understand the need to match the expectations of your intended recipient)?
ReplyDeleteIs this just a piece of self-publicity?
Regardless, I suggest that the fan's forum might be a better first port of call. You might also consider more established and creditable campaigns such as those organised by Dale Haslam through redsaway.com
Bogside
Self-publicity? The clear point was to get the fans views across to the people who have been involved in trying to improve United's atmosphere, hence the vast amount of the letter fans tweets. There's always people like you being critical to people who are trying to sort out the atmosphere at Old Trafford. Your probably the same person who were critical at the paper flags before the Madrid match, until you actually saw it and realised it actually looked good. How about you start working with us, instead of against us to improve the atmosphere.
ReplyDelete