I've heard things about the prawn sandwich brigade and the price of tickets causing stadiums to be quieter than usual. Anyone who lives in England can attest to this? I ask because I am going to be in London on business and am making a trip to Craven Cottage and Stamford Bridge (Gotta support my team of course). Thanks in advance!
Yes this is true. Basically the clubs want fans to be seen and not heard. We cant stand anymore (the single biggest reason the atmosphere has gone down hill) and the ordinary working man (who are the ones who chant) are being slowly but surely priced out of the game due to obscene season ticket prices. Also with the advent of all seater stadiums, like-minded fans cannot congregate together to sing with each other. Its a sad but true state of affairs.
Clubs in England have purposely priced out the working class fan and tryed to replace them with middle class people so their is no crowd trouble, the rough one cannot afford to get in the ground
Yes, unfortunately, it tends to be at the top club grounds where the atmosphere is lacking. Old Trafford, The Emirates Stadium and Stamford Bridge all lack atmosphere because of all the corporates in the ground.
Can't compare it to the past, but I am just back from a trip to England and went to 3 games - two premiership and 1 league cup. Atmosphere was fun, and the grounds and fans are great, but its not like EVERYONE is always singing and chanting. I loved Craven Cottage, I sat on the old and charming side, but the Fulham fans were by far the most quiet. the visiting fans from middlesborough were louder.
For most Americans, the atmosphere is still going to be pretty impressive and somewhat different compared to your average American professional sporting event.
Away fans are nearly always louder. You have the most enthusiastic fans all in one place, and they're all up for it having travelled to get there. Plus there's no fear of the stewards as you don't have a season ticket there they can confiscate. At home games, you're generally in your comfort zone, surrounded by families and the flat-cap brigade.
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