Perhaps it's becasue my seat at SJP is right under the away supporters, but I feel embarassed about the lack of vocal support. We used to be known as Fortress St James', nit only I believe because of the results, but also because of the atmosphere.

Now that we have one of the best stadia in the country, we are (IMHO) becomming just one of the pack, and nobody seems to feer coming to SJP now - indeed I think they rather look forward to it. I can't see the idea of a "singing section" taking on. I mean, there was enough of a battle when we asked "supporters" to move their seats recently.

One suggestion I heard this weekend would be to get a band. Well, judging by the (still) empty gaps at each end of the Milburn, I reckon we could get the Northern Synfonia at one end and the Crofton Miners' Welfare Brass Band in the other. Would a band help, or would we be reduced to The Great Escape (dedicated to YBR)?

What about a scoreboard, or a video replay screen like they have at Highbury, Villa Park etc? Would that generate atmosphere? They could put the words of the songs up on there.

Or is all we need a good win. Thrashing the Mackenms would certainly make a bit of noise.

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2000

Answers

A good win. There is no substitute for that.

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2000

Furthermore, if everybody who has moaned about atmosphere actually made a noise themselves, it would noisier than anything. Atmospheres don't make themselves, you know. Incidentally, Screach, that isn't directed at you: I know you're a noisy get.

-- Anonymous, October 24, 2000

Thank you for the compliment Dougal. I expect you heard me from your seat - I'm only a quarter of a mile away from where you sit. It's just that we used to be awesome, but now the accoustics and general make up of the ground have changed, nee bugga seems to want to sing - or is it aal the newbies? There's a family of 4 in front of me. The kids made more noise at halftime clammering for their drinks. I think it must be the wimmin's influence. Duck, exit stage left, rapidly.

-- Anonymous, October 24, 2000

Have to say, what mortified me was the DJ trying to gee us up by saying "The players are in the tunnel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!". How very Watford. We'll be having some sad club anthem after goAls next. The thing is, the passion of the debate in the pub plus people kicking the Newky Brown boards in the Gallowgate shouting "Yiz are shite, man" showed that the SJP passion is still there: a good win plus the Filthy Makems will do the bizz.

-- Anonymous, October 24, 2000

Undoubtedly what is needed is a "rally team". A dozen or so nubile wenches dancing their soft porn - as US College (American) football teams have. For the pro teams try http://www.usasportsnetwork.com/cheerldr.shtml

-- Anonymous, October 24, 2000

I think that some of the stewards should be given the job of starting off the singing. They could be co ordinated using those little earpieces that they wear . It just takes a few to start and I'm sure plenty would follow.

-- Anonymous, October 24, 2000

Sounder, probably just me but that link that I was getting so excited thinking about, just comes up with an advertising scroller

-- Anonymous, October 24, 2000

After a quiet start to the season I think the atmosphere is beginning too pick-up, if results had gone better I think it will tell in the stands.

-- Anonymous, October 24, 2000

>>>>I think that some of the stewards should be given the job of starting off the singing.

Novel idea Rik. Mind there would be a conflict of interest if they led us in a chorus of "You're gonna get your f******g heads kicked in" (-;

Singing and chanting were always such a spontaneous thing. Any kind of organised method, even a "singing section" don't seem right somehow. Something needs to be done though - if my own idea of hoying the non-singers out by physical force is to be rejected. (-;

-- Anonymous, October 24, 2000