Topic: Our fantastic away support

[John C]

Are you still skinning them up?

  I understand your point about the away atmosphere (in more sense than one), but I understand peoples concerns mate.


I haven't a strong opinion either way except I understand if people that are engulfed feel pissed off by it.

[macca888]

people don't get banned just for having a different opinion (apart from tories, racists, homophobes etc.)

Fucking spoilsports. That's why I have to divide my time between here and the "Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson Is Boss" website.

[Jake]

I'm asthmatic, had to have a blast on the old blue wonder when the smoke bomb went off in the Kop vs Everton. If I didn't have that with me, I'd have had an attack and missed the match.

But that was probably worsened by the fact theres a big fuck off roof on the Kop. Should be open topped stands only imo.

[monkeyharris]

First of all I want to say that I do think that the affect of the smoke bombs looks great.  I can remember standing on the kop back in the early 80s on a European night, I think we were playing Panathinaikos (it was a long time ago).  I can remember being in awe of their fans down the other end with their flares etc - it looked fantastic.

Good memory there mate..was indeed Panathanaikos. Semi final first leg 85. Was a cracking display. Turned the entire Annie Road end green. Brought more fans to Anfield than I'd ever seen at a euro game. Swapped a half and half bobble hat for a scarf with one of their fans after the game walking down Utting Avenue.

Shows how boss pyro is that I can remember that distinctly 28 years later

I personally love it
We're not going to be able to keep it up much longer though as the authorities are going to clamp down on it...and not idle threats like at Newcastle and Fulham. A shame IMO but can see a few lads getting busted for carrying them in

On the dangers...a smell of cordite in the air (if that's what it is) soon passes and Id be intrigued to see the genuine medical proof that it causes asthma attacks when used in open air..kinda like going to a big council fireworks display and the smoke drifts over is what I liken it to and don't see them getting banned

Did see a young lad (8 or 9)at Reading in buckets of tears but think that was because of the bangs and the general mayhem going on at that game in particular...would hate to have that lad discouraged as genuine fan for years to come but as mean as this may sound that's football..I loved that noise and mayhem when I started going around his age and I'm still hear all these years later

Flares look cooler but there are a couple of dangers with them. Obviously avoid touching or being touched by the flame...again as others have pointed out they  are designed to be held at sea or in other places you need to make yourself known so held at the right end not pointed at anyone no worries..they do drip a touch around the edge so need to be held at the right angle to not drip onto others clothing...that alone doesn't set clothing alight..more likely to cause a blimhole like burn

[Harinder]

Been to 3 aways this season, took my 7 year old lad to all 3,........... he loved them so much.......he bought the tee shirt

Forget the t-shirt... look at the cup he's won!!!

[Alistairlfc]

the smoke bombs are great, theyre pretty harmless and they make a great atmosphere, its got to a point at home games where you wonder why you even bother going £50 and the atmosphere is no better than watching it in the pub.

[Alistairlfc]

They do look boss especially within a fantastic atmosphere but it will only take one jail term conviction/a child hospitalised for it to all stop. I'm sure the Police will have identified the lads setting them off yesterday and hopefully anyone caught will only get a slap on the wrist. Allocation wise could be cut but it depends on how other clubs are viewing them. Someone mentioned at Reading that the stewards weren't fussed at all but one club can vary from another. It seems to be a trend catching on though - Everton and also Watford yesterday when Deeney scored the winner someone let of a flare.

yeah they wernt assed at all at reading, someone had one of them proper flares during half time and the stewards just left it.

[Alistairlfc]

This will be the problem and why it'll get stamped out.

When it first started it was two or three during the whole game. Now it's 10+.

Once more clubs start, and they will, and once they all try to out do each other with bigger, longer or more, or worst yet start with flares, etc. the police will get tougher on it.

probably more to do with it being last game of the season so they were all getting rid of the ones they have left why so many went off at Fulham

[Millie]

Good memory there mate..was indeed Panathanaikos. Semi final first leg 85. Was a cracking display. Turned the entire Annie Road end green. Brought more fans to Anfield than I'd ever seen at a euro game. Swapped a half and half bobble hat for a scarf with one of their fans after the game walking down Utting Avenue.

Shows how boss pyro is that I can remember that distinctly 28 years later

I personally love it

Thanks for that, it was  the semi final - it amazing how things stick in your mind years later

[JTK]

I think its brilliant. Fulham more was used than usual, last away though so fair enough.

As long as we don't get our allocation cut or anything stupid like that, the people bringing them in are the only ones at risk of getting punished - they are willing to take that risk for a good party so fair enough

[the 92A]

Got to be honest and say I love them. The young lads bringing a bit of excitement back to the match, saw the Fulham end and wished I was there. In the old days I got banged on the head from one of those dangerous toilet rolls thrown from the Kop as a kid. lost a tooth after getting hit in the face by a rattle, and tripped over a silk scarf  soaked in piss, so I'm ready for these dangerous pyro's.

[CHOPPER]

I can't see the game, they smell of smell, I can never find the parachutist and we're meant to smoke green, not red.

Other than that, I'd still ban them.

[JimmyGrunt]

No smoke, no singing and sitting down?

Watch it at home must sounds more appealing to some.

[guest]

The young lads are great. Long may it continue.

[iAnfieldRoad]

purple smoke bombs seen in the amsterdam arena tonight i wonder if thats mentioned on the telly or in the media.

[macca888]

purple smoke bombs seen in the amsterdam arena tonight i wonder if thats mentioned on the telly or in the media.

Surpised they didn't have silly string bought for them by the club, the fucking plastic twats.

[Andy @ Allerton!]

Totally against flares and smokebombs. You just have to see how some people react to them to know they aren't safe. Plus I heard a couple of Reds got hurt at the match by one of my mates that went and I've seen people burnt before off flares.

Dangerous. Stupid. Don't care what they look like. Our away support is good enough as it is - passion, songs, humour and joy. That's what it should be. Not shit that can hurt our own fans or anyone else.

[vivabobbygraham]

purple smoke bombs seen in the amsterdam arena tonight i wonder if thats mentioned on the telly or in the media.

Both blue shite had over with the colour.

[StrikingMidfield]

No smoke, no singing and sitting down?

Watch it at home must sounds more appealing to some.

Exactly my thoughts.
People don't want to stand, don't want to sing and don't want to use smoke to make an atmosphere... so why in the hell are they there then? 

[Millie]

Exactly my thoughts.
People don't want to stand, don't want to sing and don't want to use smoke to make an atmosphere... so why in the hell are they there then? 

erm - to watch the match

[Rome-77]

erm - to watch the match

  TV mate

[Millie]

  TV mate

look - I dont mind the smoke bombs - see my post earlier in thread about a game at Anfield in the 80s.  But people have the right to go and watch the match - end of.

[LfcMonty]

In all honesty Im a regular away match goer an Season ticket holder aswell Im 24 years old an been travelling with the reds since i was 17 and I love the smoke bombs and the pyro's they have increased an already brilliant away following to a monumentous one! By having them they are creating nationwide news when we play away "Oh here is the Liverpool lads with the smoke bombs" and anyone who goes the away's will know that it gives everyone a boost and sense of togetherness just from a bit of red smoke, they are fantastic and aswell 100% harmless. Bring on next season

NO PYRO NO PARTY!

[YorkieRed9]

In all honesty Im a regular away match goer an Season ticket holder aswell Im 24 years old an been travelling with the reds since i was 17 and I love the smoke bombs and the pyro's they have increased an already brilliant away following to a monumentous one! By having them they are creating nationwide news when we play away "Oh here is the Liverpool lads with the smoke bombs" and anyone who goes the away's will know that it gives everyone a boost and sense of togetherness just from a bit of red smoke, they are fantastic and aswell 100% harmless. Bring on next season

NO PYRO NO PARTY!

Unfortunately that is not the case. Opinion will always be divided and IMO anything that carries warnings about safe use or needs ignition, unless necessary should not be in a crowded football stand (as much as I do think it looks good)

[LfcMonty]

Unfortunately that is not the case. Opinion will always be divided and IMO anything that carries warnings about safe use or needs ignition, unless necessary should not be in a crowded football stand (as much as I do think it looks good)

Well lets all use Chelsea plastic flags instead then shall we?

[YorkieRed9]

Well lets all use Chelsea plastic flags instead then shall we?

Not what I suggested at all, what does that have to do with anything?

[LfcMonty]

Not what I suggested at all, what does that have to do with anything?

The red smoke canisters that get used are totally and utterly harmless and safe for anyone to use. So really dont see what certain people have an issue with to be honest

[YorkieRed9]

The red smoke canisters that get used are totally and utterly harmless and safe for anyone to use. So really dont see what certain people have an issue with to be honest

I take the point with the actual use of the canisters. I think it is the affect that the smoke has on people that is causing the concern. Flares are a totally different issue too with obvious burn concerns.
Whichever way you look at it the club have stated (adhering to law) that they should not be used. The continued use of both smoke and flares will only result in authorities making life hard down the line.

[Floydy]

pyro- phobes the fuckin lot of ya

[KopiteWD]

I take the point with the actual use of the canisters. I think it is the affect that the smoke has on people that is causing the concern. Flares are a totally different issue too with obvious burn concerns.
Whichever way you look at it the club have stated (adhering to law) that they should not be used. The continued use of both smoke and flares will only result in authorities making life hard down the line.

Best enjoy it while we can then

[fizzyp]

Unfortunately that is not the case. Opinion will always be divided and IMO anything that carries warnings about safe use or needs ignition, unless necessary should not be in a crowded football stand (as much as I do think it looks good)

Everyone has opinion but what facts are there about smoke bombs being dangerous if used in an open stadium ?

Please let me know as you seem to know something but dont say in your post

Have you seen some of the things that go on in europe ?

[Chivasino]

We seem to be going round in circles here between those that think the pyro is boss, to those who think they're boss but dangerous, and those who think they are shite, dangerous and need to be stopped.

[YorkieRed9]

Everyone has opinion but what facts are there about smoke bombs being dangerous if used in an open stadium ?

Please let me know as you seem to know something but dont say in your post

Have you seen some of the things that go on in europe ?

I have seen some of the things in Europe yes but I dont think that that quantifies them as being safe. I do not recall claiming to know any facts about the danger of smoke in a stadium, I just gave my opinion.

[The Crimson Pirate]

First smoke bomb I saw Liverpool use was in the 3-1 win over Arsenal at Wembley in 79. Just after Terry McDermott scored. Big red one came out of our end onto the running track.

It looked boss.

[the 92A]

Guy fawkes was a Scouser.

[Stanno06]

Guy fawkes was a Scouser.

That explains the governments completely over the top reaction to his slight misdemeanor 

[Butter Keks]

I genuinely asked if these "pyros" were dangerous and I didn't mention anybodies age, the lad who answered gave me some abuse. I have been a Liverpool supporter for 63 years and the only places I had seen this "pyros" were in South America and Eastern Europe. I wasn't worried about you or your friends being called yobs, I was worried about all the supporters being called yobs. In the days when Liverpool supporters made their name as the finest and fairest supporters, we created atmosphere with songs, great humour, shouting, cheering our team on. Granted this was in the days before Sky stole the game from under our very noses but I doubt that you and your friends will get it back setting off "pyros"

and that's me finished on this subject.

I'm arsed even reading back one page, but I don't recall anyone criticising the fans?

It was more to do with this post. Fair enough everybody has their own opinion on pyros but it seems a bit arsey saying our away lads can't create an atmosphere without some bombs and flares.

It seems we are getting a group of fans who call themselves "The Ultras" who can't make a good atmosphere by singing and shouting and a large dose of humour, they need smoke bombs and flares, apparently smoke bombs are boss, it wont be long before we are all called yobs, the media will be pissing themselves with the excitement of being able to jump on our case and slate us.

[Yorkykopite]

Guy fawkes was a Scouser.

"The only man ever to enter the Houses of Parliament with honest intentions".

George Bernard Shaw.

[firing squad]

I believe they are also worried they can obscure the exit signs and cause a panic.

Is this a serious response?  I find it very hard to believe that you're being serious here.

The smoke can obscure the exit signs and cause a panic?  Do you really think that 30-40 000 side characters from early video games attend football matches?

[Alan_X]

I have seen some of the things in Europe yes but I dont think that that quantifies them as being safe. I do not recall claiming to know any facts about the danger of smoke in a stadium, I just gave my opinion.

I think the point he's making, is that if they were harmful there would surely be some information somewhere that explains what the risk is, what causes the risk and what the short term and long term effects would be. I searched all over the place and couldn't find anything.

What we seem to have is people looking at the smoke and assuming it must be dangerous because smoke from fires is dangerous.

Whether or not smoke bombs are dangerous is not a matter of opinion. The fact that they are sold for use by the public and are designed to be used in paint-balling etc for people to conceal themselves and walk through, suggests there is no risk, or at least no significant risk. Therefore it's up to you to demonstrate what the risks are.

And the fact that they are banned does not prove they are dangerous. All liquids in bottles over 100ml are banned on flights - not because all liquids are dangerous, but as a catch-all to deal with those that are.

In some ways, banning them is a greater risk to safety than allowing 'stadium-safe' smoke bombs into the grounds, as it increases the risk that some muppet will smuggle a firework in.