Fans' Forum - Lansdowne atmosphere
Just wondering if it would be possible (or worthwhile) getting a couple of representatives from the eL section to liaise with the FAI on ideas for improving the atmosphere at Lansdowne Road? The Sunday Times to-day devoted a couple of paragraphs in its match analysis to ripping the p!ss out of the FAI's attempts at turning the game into a party, so it seems there are more than a few who find matchdays very tacky. A few ideas we could put to the FAI (which are all my personal views, but I'm sure there are others who'll feel the same way about some of these) -
1) Stop playing music after we score a goal - really tacky!
2) Stop patronisingly pointing out the great job the eL fans are doing in the North Terrace - this has come up here before with mixed reaction, but I get the feeling of being exhibits for the curious proper English football fans to gaze at in wonder.
3) Stop badgering the crowd into the Mexican wave at half-time. I think yesterday was the first time they tried it, but better to nip it in the bud before it takes hold!
4) I missed the pre-match and the half-time stuff, but the Sunday Times at least (the only paper I've read to-day, which is why I have to keep referring to it) was calling for an end to the nonsense the FAI have at the start (You're A Star rejects apparently?), and I heard a lot of booing at half-time, though I don't know what at. I do know that the FAI have tried ridiculous ideas like Brush Shields singing before the match which went down like a rock.
5) Announce the weekend's eL games over the PA at half-time and full-time. They did call out Shels' game with Lille, so fair dues there, but why not just run through the upcoming fixtures for free advertising? Would only take a minute.
6) There were green cards which had songs written on the back of them before, but this was abandoned after one game, I think. Should this be brought back? We need to get a bit of variety rather than "Come on you boys in green" and "Ireland" all the time. I'm aware that it's going to be hard to get the entire North Terrace, or even a sizeable portion, singing the same new song together, but it's something which has to be tried surely?
7) The standing issue has to be looked at, I think. Now I know my "F**k UEFA" stance won't go down well with the FAI, who will probably get fined sooner rather than later for the entire terrace standing up, but there were times when one section was being told to sit down while the section in front of them was left alone, which meant they could hardly see, had to stand up and were being told to sit down again. It seems most eL fans feel that standing up gets a better atmosphere - otherwise they wouldn't be standing up - and we're supposed to be there to improve the atmosphere. I think an unofficial blind eye should be turned to this, though I know that's going to be much easier said than done.
8) How many drums were at the game yesterday? Only two or three I reckon. Maybe each Supporters' Club should be encouraged to bring drums, etc along, as it's much easier to start a chant when you start off with the drum.
I'm sure there are more ideas people may have. Apologies if this has the sound of a rant, but when you see things like "It was nearly a perfect afternoon, but not quite. The FAI's heavily-flagged attempts to turn the occasion into a party were well-meaning but ultimately irritating. The pre-match entertainment was cheesy at best, sentimental slush at worst", and so on for another two paragraphs, you have to try do something!
Anyway, feel free to ridicule any of the above points, or suggest more, or suggest ways to get the FAI to listen to the people they've specially brought in to improve the atmosphere (Superiority complex? Me?! :) ). Maybe yer man who organises the tickets (Soccerc?) would be able to set us on the way to a forum? Or does such a thing already exist?
