Listening on the radio we had the national anthem before the game which reverberated around the stadium in the way anthems do at big stadiums, it sounded great. Should we have it every week.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002

Answers

Not the National Anthem, but after hearing the atmosphere on TV I think someone definately needs to start some atmosphere!

In fact when I return to England to live I'm starting a campaign so season ticket holders that dont sing or encourage have their tickets taken from them and another fan can be given the chance!

I always preferred it when we were crap (crowd wise that is) because the only people in the ground were people who loved NUFC. Now the fact that football is in fashion has spoiled the crowd.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002

I only got my season ticket when the extension was built, but got seated near the pitch in the Leazes end, where the football knowledge was generally a lot better than up in Level 7, where a lot of people haven't got a clue what they're talking about.

In terms of the view, it's superb, you can see where balls should be played and where runs should be made, but a lot of people talk utter rubbish match after match.

However, the atmosphere up there is a lot better, which sort of contradicts what you've said Alan. I don't know whether the people around me who sing the most are long term fans that have moved up to L7 or whether they are entusiastic "new" supporters though.

The atmosphere has been p*ss poor in recent matches though, the first half against Everton being the worst I can remember.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002

Paul I only get to see games on TV or listen to webcasts due to never being at home, so obviously I dont have first hand knowledge of the crowd nowadays. However when I left the country 3years ago I can remember more and more people in the crowd used to look at my mate and me because we were shouting and singing. Unfortunately its these people who wouldnt join in that IMO make other fans feel daft if they want to sing but are the only ones in the immediate area getting vocal. As Clarky (I think) pointed out a few weeks ago it looks like the days of fans lifting the team are over, now the team have to lift the fans otherwise the atmosphere dies. As we have all been aware this season the team wont always play well and this is when the fans have to try to lift them and support them but it no longer happens from what I hear.

By the way I'd much rather watch Dyer and Solano than Hodges and Fereday but in those dark days the crowd used to have a laugh, maybe because we rarely expected to win!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002

Lads, check the thread above this one...

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002