Now first of all let me begin by saying to everyone, "Hi, and welcome to my first blog" It could well be the first of many, although i highly doubt it as I am a chronic procrastinator. It may well though offer a welcome alternative to revision! On the subject of GCSEs I am beginning to believe that I have more exam than everyone else. People are saying "6 more to go" "4 more to go" I still have 10 more exams to go after the 11 that I have done!
However whatever is needed to be said about my GCSEs will wait for another day as their is a topic of more importance I wish to discuss and get off my chest.
You may be wondering: "What's with the title?".......welll...If you are not familiar to the phrase it is often used to describe something that is wrong or out of order. Commonly used in Cricket......
In the case of my blog though it has two meanings. Firstly I do wish to discuss something which is bang out of order. Also though the topic I wish to discuss is Football...not cricket. Bit of a double-entendre if you'll excuse my French!
If you are not a fan of football do not be put off as future blogs will not contain it ;)
Recently many friends have been talking to me about the possible re-introduction of terracing at football grounds. They are fed up with all-seater stadiums that lack the great atmosphere of years ago. When it comes to this subject itself I am rather indifferent as I am obviously sceptical about the problems caused by it, (being a Liverpool fan) but do enjoy standing at non-league. Maybe it is because I am slightly claustrophobic and do not like the idea of being completely wedged in amongst a vast number of fans, not able to move. I also believe that their will be more violence as a result, (although there will be no seats for Millwall fans to throw about).
It seems to me though that standing areas should be atleast tested, maybe just have one area of the ground in which you allocate a certain amount so people can stand.
This brings me onto another point. The FA, FIFA, whoever is controlling football is getting wrong basically. They have no interest in fans, only money. They are all a load of boring old farts that probably have no interest in the real side of football. The passionate world of supporters.
Football clubs are no different. The very club that we dedicate ourselves to, they are just as guilty of abusing and mistreating fans. Ridiculous money for tickets. I find myself having to spend over £100 just to go with my Mum and brother to watch West Ham. What is the world coming to? Even at this point though the club persist in picking you up from your ankles and shaking you until every penny is claimed, so they can buy the "next pele or maradonna"
I do honestly feel sorry for the people that never, get to go and see their team, and are shamefully critisiced for it. This, however is just a truth of life, some people will be lucky and go to every home game, these people may not deserve it, but its just tough! What can 1 person do in a footballing world that seems happy to stick two fingers up to the people with no money, and keep ushering in the suits and the money.
It seems strange to me that stadiums are designed these days without consulting the fans. At the end of the day, the fans are the ones that will use it so you'd think its important they like it. Well a staggering number of Arsenal fans are becoming frustrated and disappointed with the stadium. I have a theory that when Arsenal made the move from their humble 38,000 Highbury to the corporate 60,000 Emirates, they did not make more room for fans, but allowed more tourists in. This means a great number of people in the ground have no experience of an Arsenal game, do not know the songs and result in a scattered, speratic atmosphere. I also blame the fact that the stadium is a bowl. I believe that this type of stadium design is just not the way to go. The only ground that ever pulled it off for me was the Old Wembley. Now that has been destroyed into an appalling stadium, designed to suit corporates not fans. The fact that there is a massive ring at the bottom under the ground for them to have their lunch before the game...speaks for itself!
Annoyingly for me though, these "bowls" are beginning to pop up all other the place in England, the Emirates, The new "yiddy" Emirates just down the road, City of Manchester, Riverside..etc. It just begs belief that stadium designers do not learn from previous examples, the right mould they need is already there. They can surely look at stadiums such as, Anfield, Britannia Stadium and Arsenal's Old Highbury and experience the great atmosphere created at all these grounds and know they will be the best templates for new grounds.
This is probably best described as my post season dissilussionment with the game of football. As there is no loyalty based opinions at this point I am almost able to see clearly and see the real problems with the game. Fans are leaving early, maybe due to a lack of commitment to a cause, but i bet they don't enjoy coughing up £40+ to see no commitment from any player on that pitch.
Also I may have also discovered that Non-League football is the way forward. Cheap tickets, terracing, lots of singing and just a general good laugh. This is what football should be about. Maybe if that kind of spirit can be balanced with fanatical support at the top level then maybe terracing will be allowed. Until then though the honest football fan can do nothing and see all of the above reasons slowly tearing the soul away from the beautiful game we once had.
Urrghh tired now, bed is calling to me, good lie in tomorrow for the first time in agessss!
Goodnight, hope this blog made you think and hopefully you can relate to it! All the best!
