I agree I don't have season tix, but I have been to every home game but one, which means I have to sit wherever I can get a tix, and being near a capo changes a lot. This may be something to Do next season. Plus even if i don't agree with the whole ysa and mental chants I am going to respect the elders, and it makes it easier if someone is there leading different chants to drown out the old ones
Steve, good post and I'll try to keep it in mind at the NY game. Last night I let the people below us get under my skin and it really ruined my night.
Although it was a lose, we can ALL be proud of this. I am not a fan of the wanker, but he does know soccer... http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20101008_Beckham_enjoys_boos_as_he_helps_beat_Union.html
It doesn't matter what it is. I said my piece at the game last night to those that I felt needed to hear it. I don't need to blast people in a forum when really what it comes down to is a difference of opinion about how a team should be supported and how a supporters club should be. It's my problem, not the group's.
I was just wondering because I'm one of the people in the lower part of 137. I thought I was supporting the entire match and didn't notice anything going wrong (other than in 136). Maybe it was something on the other side?
To be fair, that post wasn't directed at you in any way. I agree with just about all of your sentiments.
The way I see it we have a couple problems in general, and 136 is just an example of them at work. But before I go into them, let me just say that 136 and three quarters of 137 are the engine that drives the River End. 136 and 137 need a tune up. From my perspective it is the rest of the River End that needs an overhaul. But back to the problems: Frat Boys And Tourists Looking For Cheap Seats I was in 137 N 30 last night. 137 has a group of Frat boys in the back row that joined the SoBs just to get cheap season tickets. Throughout the game they pull out the 700 Level playbook and curse out our players. They use us as cover for their behavior. The other type are what I call "tourists". They want to go to a match and they want the cheapest seats so they figure out how to get tickets in our section. I know that it may be too late to do anything for next season, but perhaps we should suggest to the FO that they have at least 1 section outside of the River End with the same price for tickets. Communication & Coordination I love the idea of the addition of a PA system, but I could not hear it at the back of 137. I am sure the bugs can be worked out and that will help during a match. About communicating our song selection. The song sheet from yesterday was a step in the right direction, but the only people that got them were the folks at the tailgate. In addition the song was long and complex. A group as large as ours is not going to be able to pick it up the same day we get the lyrics. Some clubs generate their songs for a specific game several games in advance. I would suggest that the Elders consider getting some volunteers to focus on improving and expanding our songs and chants. I would also suggest that we come up with a better way to communicate them to the River End. Maybe we need to include them in the update emails.
I agree with your overall message, but I don't like hearing this when 135 busted their asses last night and had, in my opinion, our best game of the season. I think part of the issues that someone previously mentioned is that stuff is getting lost in its transition to the outer sections and rather than getting help for the reasons the stuff isn't spreading, we're getting criticized and being told we're not as 'important' as 136 and 137. If anything, being on the fringe, it is we have to work a shitload harder to make it sound like we're doing half as much.
The way I choose to take it isn't so much that your efforts aren't appreciated, as that there needs to be an overhaul so it's not that hard for you guys to keep up. We need capos in every section, so everyone can see them. We need ways to make it so that one wall of silent people can't keep a chant from spreading outwards because all the chants need to spread out from one place.
That won't solve the problem, as the same people that won't click a link to visit the website and read through the already documented chants won't bother to read emails, either. It just goes back to the problem you mentioned previously: tourists and---as I put it---"bros that like sports". Trying to get these groups in sync will be painful (if even possible), leaving you with the options of just putting up with them or taking steps to cull them from the RE (the overhaul you speak of).
If I may add some clarification as I stand next to him. It was the left side as viewed from above. I don't think it was you. Regardless it was heat of the moment stuff.
Guys, if you notice you need a capo, step up and do it yourself. Over in 138/39/40 we started the season with nothing, so I stepped up, people seemed to appreciate it, so I kept doing it. Then Brody came down and lended a hand when my voice would go. Then one or two guys in 138 started doing the same thing to pass stuff over to us from the middle.
I'm right next to 135 and everyone seemed to be getting into it and having a great time. Don't know what all the pullaver is about. Our row in 136 has been pretty vacant (as in no shows) for most of the season but last night was full.
I feel that section 136 brings some energy. I also feel that they can get out of hand after awhile. I like how loud they can be and that they are thinking of new ways do things. The Shirt guy was hilarious and was a spur of the moment thing. After awhile it got old. You do the shirt thing maybe once or twice but don't keep doing it when you are there to cheer on the union. The Chugging a beer thing is not something that should become a chant, you guys talk about being more original. What is more tired and old then cheering someone chugging a beer. The YSA and 136 aint nuttin to F with has to stop. It makes the whole river end look bad. Security came by and just told us not to throw anymore shirts after one had ended up on the field. I understand they saw it as possibly getting out of control and handled it, which is fine. That is their job to make sure a situation does not get out of hand, and the bit was done and the T-shirt guy was gone by that time. You chant 85 shirts maybe once or twice to let people know how many shirts but don't keep doing it. The union is the focus here not a guy that put on 85 shirts. I like the intensity but remember that your actions reflect on us all and affect the whole river end. The actions of one can affect a whole section, which isn't always fair but it is the way things are.
Erin walked around the RE before the game passing out song sheets. She offered one to me in 136 but I already had one from the tailgate.
So, I guess there are things happening in 136 that some of us in 136 aren't even aware of. And I'm guessing it's all on the 137 side of 136 then, cos I see nothing like that on the 135 side of us.
So I'm going to through this out there so you guys have a response from one of the Elders: Personally, I think last night was the most disorganized we've been in a while. Were we loud? Yes. I just don't think we were the unified voice we've been previously. What's the issue? It's a combination of things really and some of them have been touched on here: Capos: We are VERY aware that it's hard to hear the chants/songs when you get further away from the center of TRE. This is why we asked the team to put in the speaker system. It was the first night we had it and it worked with limited success. We need more speakers and they need to be louder. We're going to work with the team on that. 136: I'm no getting into a who did what thing here and I'm sure there is more to the issues in the section than what's been said in the thread so far but I'll leave it with this: I'd love to see some of the chants you have cascade through TRE but if we're going to come across with a loud, unified voice we have to have some degree of coordination. Bear, keep doing what you're doing! I love the energy you're putting out! This leads me to..... Chants/Songs: I don't think any of us have an issue with adding new songs and chants. I believe the issue is we don't have a way to effectively coordinate and teach everyone the new songs or chants by the upcoming game day. Plus, with the home schedule being so compressed it's difficult to really try to focus on anything significantly new that takes us out of our routine. I'm sure we can work this all out in the offseason and I would love to have people, responsible people, would help with this. Conduct: Personally, I loved the T-Shirt thing last night but knew as started the shirts started to be thrown it would be an issue that we would have to address with the FO. I love the viral stuff like this but, just like the language thing, we need to be cognizant of the environment and the scrutiny we're under. I know some of you are going to say "F that" which is fine and I get it. Again, I'm just giving you the perspective of what we as Elders have to deal with when stuff like this occurs. Harassment: The thing that turned me off last night completely was Corey getting majorly ripped b/c he got Becks to sign an old Galaxy jersey he had. So what? I don't know who the guy was that started it with Corey but it was uncalled for. Everyone knows that Corey lives and breathes this team and gives his heart every game. The situation aside, we all have to remember that we're in this together. If you have a specific issue with someone in your section then let us or security know. It's the only way we'll be able to keep the experience postitive for everyone and stop us from fighting with one another after every game. Offseason: We, and I mean all of us, not just the Elders, have a lot to work on over the course of the offseason. I would encourage you to send in ideas, complaints, suggestions, etc. to us via the website. Yes, things do slip though that go unaddressed. We're human. But we do try and respond to each email we receive. If that doesn't work you guys can email or PM me directly. I'm sure there's more I could cover here and will later but those are just the general thoughts. Matt
It is interesting to hear different perspectives even coming form the same section. What was loud to you was barely a peep at the bottom. We have a major dead zone in the first couple rows of 135. Hell the only good thing about section 134 is the corner creeps (Love the doucher chant btw). Don't get me wrong when we are on it is great, but for portions of the match it was sub par. I'm trying to stay positive but last night I felt it was the worst game I have been a part of. Maybe it was all the plastic fans who decided to show up because of goldenballs. I'm hoping the RBNY match will be a different experience.