Be interesting to get Ciara's view of things once she's out on bail.
Ha! I've been on holiday, which we ended up cutting short to make the Watford game... :/
It was absolutely appalling in there on Saturday. Just really strange. It didn't feel like a football match.
The first couple of games there seemed good, atmosphere-wise, it felt like the genuine fans felt proud and wanted to make it their home but not now. Even at 2-0 on Saturday, the atmosphere was weird. Most of the songs and chanting was about standing up, a dig at the stewards and the board. The board got a fair bit of stick too and Brady booed when she appeared on the big screen at one stage before half time.
There is a standing issue amongst the old heads and they have clashed with the stewards/security firm over it. That spilled over to people being thrown out and then fighting amongst themselves.
I do have a touch of the guilts over getting a season ticket. Someone in this thread a couple of pages back had a dig about why anyone would go and watch another team for a season, but it's not about going to watch West Ham. It's about getting to see Premier League football every other week. I'd much rather watch a live game than be sat at home watching Jeff Stelling. It just so happens that it's West Ham's ground where I was able to do this - it's convenient, I could get a ST and I know the area. If it was Leyton Orient in the PL, or another PL Club I would do the same (except for the teams I dislike).
But now, being in the ground on Saturday, I saw so much that is wrong with it and what will inevitably kill any atmosphere there that they hope to create IMO.
The seats infront, a man, woman (wearing a West Ham top - old kit), and two young boys (about 4/5) arrived 16 minutes into the game with Next bags. Whenever there was a bit of noise the two little kids covered their ears and buried their heads into their parents. I counted that they watched 22 minutes of the first half, as they left just before the 40 minute mark to go into the concourse. They came back some minutes into the second half and left before 90 minutes. What's the fucking point? Why take children who have absolutely no interest in the game? A family day out? Cheap tickets? I don't understand it - it shouldn't be allowed. I'm all for parents wanting to start their kids somewhere, but surely they have to have an interest? There is a man directly infront of us with two girls about 9/10/11 range, and the girls are on their feet, singing every song - great! It adds to the atmosphere. But there just seems to be so many uninterested people there. I saw a dad and his little son leave after the 4th goal went in with their half eaten box of popcorn.
Watford scored a 5th, which was disallowed, but as soon as the ball hit the net about 30 people around us got up and left and got into the aisles before realising it was disallowed. It was a bizarre moment - some just stood for a second, some tried to make their way back to their seats but they were greeted with abuse from a young guy (maybe in his 20s), slating them for leaving early, 'Thanks for your support!' 'Yeah, fuck off - we don't need support like you!' etc... I totally get where he was coming from and don't blame him in a way but I just wonder if there are hardcore elements who will start to turn on those types of fans. I don't in any way mean violence, but just venting their frustrations.
I kind of justified getting a ST to myself based on how much I love football. And in a way, if I ever have a child who likes football, I'd like them to grow up supporting their local side and go to games. I'm not a WHU fan, my Husband is from the area and has been a ST holder in the 90s/00s for many years, so naturally I'd like to see them do well for him and for my own ease of life, but I don't contribute to the atmosphere or get involved in any singing. I clap when they score and when there are substitutions and when they come out at the start of the game but that's about it. They need people in that stadium who want to be there because they love WHU. They have undoubtedly done a brilliant job of filling the stadium, but perhaps just not with the right people.
I don't think it helps that performances and results have been shite to date. They look so far off the pace.
