Segregation in football stadiums

[Billy Mays]

In light of the thread about Albion fans who bought tickets in the home areas of Villa Park and had their apps cancelled does anyone think we will ever see a time when fans of opposing teams will be able to sit (or even more of a longshot) stand together inside grounds without problems? Pretty sure must people on here would be able to withstand sitting next to , for instance , a Hartlepool fan at Withdean without feeling the need to punch him for supporting a different team. Not meaning to sound holier than thou I'm just interested to hear people's opinions on whether abuse of other fans will one day be deemed as unacceptable as racial abuse etc is now. On the other hand is there something unique to football that will inevitably throw up flashpoints in games where tempers will flare?

 

[Notters]

I thought there was going to be a ruck when everton score last night, so no.

 

[Simster]

In light of the thread about Albion fans who bought tickets in the home areas of Villa Park and had their apps cancelled does anyone think we will ever see a time when fans of opposing teams will be able to sit (or even more of a longshot) stand together inside grounds without problems? Pretty sure must people on here would be able to withstand sitting next to , for instance , a Hartlepool fan at Withdean without feeling the need to punch him for supporting a different team. Not meaning to sound holier than thou I'm just interested to hear people's opinions on whether abuse of other fans will one day be deemed as unacceptable as racial abuse etc is now. On the other hand is there something unique to football that will inevitably throw up flashpoints in games where tempers will flare?

I nearly posted this question myself last week. I don't think we'll ever see a complete lack of segregation everywhere, but I do think it'll become partly possible in the low risk matches up and down the country.

Everyone loves the tribal mentaility of football and for that reason alone I'd actually be genuinely sad to see the end of areas designated purely for opposing supporters. That said, sometimes there are times when you want to watch a match with a mate and not worry that one of your heads are going to get stoved in. I went to Southampton away in the home end a few years back with my fairly large family (we're split down the middle between the two clubs and hadn't played each other for 20 years) and it would have been nice to actually properly cheer when Kerry Mayo hit our equaliser, without offending anybody elses sensibilities.

So I think Fulham have it right. i.e. For low risk games, open up neutral areas. These areas are off limits for anyone who fancies a scuffle - in the same way that if you go in the home end as an away fan right now, you keep your trap firmly shut.

 

[The Mole]

So I think Fulham have it right. i.e. For low risk games, open up neutral areas. These areas are off limits for anyone who fancies a scuffle - in the same way that if you go in the home end as an away fan right now, you keep your trap firmly shut.

I agree with this idea. Football has moved on from the 70s and 80s where it wasn't safe to walk in the opposing team's towns wearing your club's colours. Now fans mix happily before the match in pubs beforehand and there's no being kept behind in the ground to be escorted to the train station.
So if you want to sit exclusively with your own team - then you can have separate areas.
But, if you want to sit with friends who support the opposition there should be areas where you can do this without fear. It happens in other sports - where people are just as passionate as in football (e.g. rugby league). I always enjoy the conversation with the opposition supporters at cricket and rugby union and feel we miss out at football. It's time to grow up - how can we tolerate violence just because someone supports a different team? (It defies logis as if everyone did support the same team it would make sport pointless)

 

[Lord Bracknell]

When Lewes FC had their nightmare season in the Blue Square Premier league, they were required to configure the Dripping Pan so that it was capable of hosting games where rival fans were segregated. The interesting thing, of course, was that this was never really needed and almost every game was, in fact, unsegregated.

I've attended Serie A games (including a game where Milan were the visitors) with unsegregated crowds in a full stadium.

 

[Brovion]

I was at the recent Southampton game as, like Simster, we have scummers in the family - although I'm pleased to say they're not blood relatives. My brother-in-law got us the tickets from Southampton and we had a great afternoon (well, the Brighton fans did!) Even though we were in with the Southampton fans we DID celebrate the goals - but with restraint. We said "YES!" and clapped and laughed but we didn't take the piss, we didn't stand up and shout "YYEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH f***ing GET IN THERE!" (unlike the Brighton-born Everton fan with learning difficulties last night). Consequently there was no problem with our neighbouring fans or the stewards.

 

[Simster]

I was at the recent Southampton game as, like Simster, we have scummers in the family - although I'm pleased to say they're not blood relatives. My brother-in-law got us the tickets from Southampton and we had a great afternoon (well, the Brighton fans did!) Even though we were in with the Southampton fans we DID celebrate the goals - but with restraint. We said "YES!" and clapped and laughed but we didn't take the piss, we didn't stand up and shout "YYEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH f***ing GET IN THERE!" (unlike the Brighton-born Everton fan with learning difficulties last night). Consequently there was no problem with our neighbouring fans or the stewards.

Yeah that's what I did. When Mayo equalised, I leapt out of my seat, punched the air, shouted "YES" and then quietly sat down again. And to be honest, it is to the credit of the locals that they really didn't seem to mind, which is more than can be said of the FUSS I've seen made at Withdean when a few Rotherham fans were spotted in the home end.


Nevertheless, I still acted with restraint for fear of being kicked out. In the sort of neutral area I'm proposing, I'd have leapt out of my seat, punched the air, shouted "YYEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH f***ing GET IN THERE!" and probably called my brother a wanker.

 

[¤DãŃn¥ §êãGüLL¤]

I can't see it working myself. I'd get the knock if some opposing fan starting muttering to themselves about how well their team was playing and how shit X Brighton player looks. Don't forget most people in stadiums have a drink or two inside them as well.

That and I think only my closest friends should sit next to me cos I have crotch rot and it stinks.

 

[Simster]

I can't see it working myself. I'd get the knock if some opposing fan starting muttering to themselves about how well their team was playing and how shit X Brighton player looks. Don't forget most people in stadiums have a drink or two inside them as well.

In that case, perhaps a neutral area is not for you. But the point is, we're not catering for those who really would rather have the chance to sit next to mates who support the oppo.

P.S. We had all been in the pub for two hours before the game I'm referring to.

 

[Gritt23]

Surely, the reality is that whenever you segregate fans you build up a barrier that isn't really there. Sit next to another fan in a pub, and you'll find that they suffer largely the same peaks and troughs that the rest of us feel. You'll have a conversation that has fewer fall-outs than we have on this board.

Personally, I'm more likely to want to get into a row with the guy next to me if he's effing and blinding at our manager, than if he was a supporter of the other team cheering a goal of theirs.

 

[Dr. Notthenineo'clocknews]

went to AFC Wimbledon v Fc United pre season,passionate crowd in excess of 2000, many had had a skinful, there was no segregation as such although the respective fans stood behind a goal each, after the final whistle a lot of wimbledon fans found it more convenient to exit through the Fc utd 'end'. what could have been a riot was prevented by the grown men supporting both clubs bizzarely deciding it would be better to go and have a few beers in the local pubs than to punch and kick someone they've never met before.

 

[Billy the Fish]

Football is by it's nature a ridiculously emotional game, and for that reason it won't work across the board. The 10 second highs and lows are what make it so popular, I'm quite laid back in real life and don't ever experience the feeling of anger I get when watching the Albion, it's all part of the buzz that you can't get anywhere else.

If a team scored a winner in the last minute a someone started going mental next to me I'd definitley have a word in their ear at the very least, and that is how fights start.

Fulham have proved that it can work, but for me it would just be another step down the road of sanitising football and making the experience akin to watching a film at the cinema.

 

[seven stands]

I feel although I would have no problem with it, you need fans segregated for a decent atmosphere. imagine 500 brighton fans spread all around an away ground

 

[Yoda]

I can't see it working myself. I'd get the knock if some opposing fan starting muttering to themselves about how well their team was playing and how shit X Brighton player looks. Don't forget most people in stadiums have a drink or two inside them as well.

You have the same scenario in rugby and they're drinking during the game too.

 

[dingobruce]

Now fans mix happily before the match in pubs beforehand and there's no being kept behind in the ground to be escorted to the train station.

Not how it works at Milwall!

 

[Simster]

Fulham have proved that it can work, but for me it would just be another step down the road of sanitising football and making the experience akin to watching a film at the cinema.

I was waiting for this and I really have to say that it simply isn't true. It's simply a step down the road to normality; since the Fulham solution (and the one I am advocating) is not one where segregation is entirely removed. It is simply a way of dealing with the sad problem that you can't choose to sit next to friends or family who support the opposing team.

I fell although I would have no problem with it, you need fans segregated for a decent atmosphere. imagine 500 brighton fans spread all around an away ground

But that's never going to be the case. It's far more likely that 350 of those would choose to be in the away end (at the very least) because ultimately in normal cases it is more fun to do so.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

grown men supporting both clubs bizzarely deciding it would be better to go and have a few beers in the local pubs than to punch and kick someone they've never met before.

Very bizarre. You mean like going to Ibiza for a HOLIDAY?

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

it works at fulham doesn't it? don't see why other teams can't do it for most matches (obviously high profile/local derby/millwall games would be silly to mix)

 

[¤DãŃn¥ §êãGüLL¤]

You have the same scenario in rugby and they're drinking during the game too.

What about the crotch fungus?

 

[Gwylan]

Football is by it's nature a ridiculously emotional game, and for that reason it won't work across the board.

And rugby isn't?

I suggest you try watching a match with some Kiwis or Saffers

I remember a Wales v SA game about 10 years ago and it was an amazingly intense match, SA just winning after the line was under siege for the last five minutes. I was in a block that was about 60% SA and 40% Wales, the noise was tremendous, there were plenty of people getting emotional but at the end, not a punch was thrown, there was no abuse, the supporters all shook hands and went off to have another beer.

You shouldn't confuse emotion and passion with violence, they're not the same thing.