SHOULD WE MOVE THE AWAY END?

[Green]

:D Hearing Federici being taunted by the home fans behind the goal at the Ipswich game for being pink, made me think again about where fans should be seated in grounds, particularly away fans. Obviously, Feds is used to being Oxforded by the home fans sitting behind him. He can take it, and all that. But are we missing a trick at the Mad Stad by not seating home fans behind the goalies at BOTH ends?

When we played Derby in the cup, it was very noticeable that we Reading fans had been shoved away in a corner, while the two ends behind the two goals were occupied by home fans. Just like the Ipswich fans yesterday, the Derby home fans were getting at Feds for this and that - and they were doing it at BOTH ends! To me it looked like a small but real advantage to have home fans behind the visiting goalie, putting them off all game.

I say that because IMHO, the Leeds fans who turned up in such impressive and noisy numbers for the game at that Mad Stad that we lost, were creating so much noise behind Feds in the second half that it must surely have affected him. That long shot from Murphy he let in, which seemed to come out of nowhere, was let in by a Feds who appeared distracted. I'm not saying it was only the Leeds fans making all that noise that caused the goal - but it can't have helped. Imagine having that lot baying down you neck.

So shouldn't we do what Derby have done, and move the away fans to a corner at the Mad Stad, leaving the actual goal-ends exclusively for home supporters? Then we can get at the visiting goalies in both halves! Simples.

No we should not, end of discussion

Sounds like you're not willing to even enter a discussion Martin.

You must be new around here.

[Nameless]

Thanks for reminding why I spend so little time here these days. Increasingly, I just can't be arsed.....

You've reminded us why your lack of activity isn't really missed.

Take another long break.....

What an utter pr*ck

Should we introduce segregation on HNA ?

Seems to be some on here who aren't too clear on how to behave in polite company.

But once again I would suggest that this little 'conversation' has run it's course.

[Woodcote Royal]

One has to wonder why you bothered to take your head out of your arse for long enough to take part but, on your last point, I heartily agree.

As ever, both Nameless & utterly irrelevant.

[Green]

Everything ok, Woodcote?

[SCIAG]

Should we introduce segregation on HNA ?

Seems to be some on here who aren't too clear on how to behave in polite company.

But once again I would suggest that this little 'conversation' has run it's course.

Pfft. Segregation. They tried that in the movies and it didn't work. I predict this is the last we'll be hearing about segregation.

[bcubed]

Everything ok, Woodcote?

It is now - I think he always feels better after he's told someone to take their head out of their arse!

[Nameless]

In that case if I have helped him in some small way my day has not been entirely wasted.....

[Norfolk Royal]

Isn't the East Stand being the 'popular' side a bit of a hangover from the old South Bank, you know, a bit of tradition.

If it were scuppered we would be losing the last vestiges of the past, which is probably a bad thing really. Our fans wouldn't know how to react if they were behind a goal. Being on a 'side' is in the DNA of Reading fans.

[Harpers So Solid Crew]

Prior to the fencing at EP the singing section was sometimes behind the goal. It may have been for a laugh, but I do recall singing under the roof, only for a mass group starting behind a goal. Usually singing come and join us.

[Norfolk Royal]

Prior to the fencing at EP the singing section was sometimes behind the goal. It may have been for a laugh, but I do recall singing under the roof, only for a mass group starting behind a goal. Usually singing come and join us.

Don't remember that ever happening unless the South Bank was full of away fans and the singing lot were shoved out onto the town end or summat.

[Harpers So Solid Crew]

I may be older than.you, Mr carrot man.

Def happened though, usually night games.

After the fencing was.Out in there was a small group that insisted in going.in the town end, also inviting the SB to come and join them

[Norfolk Royal]

I may be older than.you, Mr carrot man.

Def happened though, usually night games.

After the fencing was.Out in there was a small group that insisted in going.in the town end, also inviting the SB to come and join them

It probably depended whether it was raining or not. Can't see the point really as any singing would just drift away on the wind from the open ends. Those people who did it may have been a bit thick probably.

[handbags_harris]

You would need to handle cup games, so your away end would need to be configurable for 15%. Not sure how that would work in terms of adequate entry points, toilets etc for each part of the East Stand or exactly where the line would come on the stand.
You would also have no back up for the turnstiles as all gate 8 would be away fans and there is no where to add extra turnstiles.
It's obviously easy to do, until you actually start looking at the practicalities.
If it's all about you getting home earlier it would probably be quicker and easier for you to move closer to the ground.....

Fair points. WRT the last point re journey times home, it was a bit of a tongue in cheek comment. I can't actually move much closer to the ground as I'm a mere 30 minute walk away.

Segregation is theoretically easily accommodated using stewarded netting like almost every other club in the same circumstances, and a sterile area should it be required. Not only does netting give you flexibility in terms of where you place it to accommodate away ticket sales, you then have the possibility of selling certain "unclaimed" areas to home fans should they be required. Down on the concourse, semi-permanent segregation could be installed at suitable points to cater for specific away fan allocations.

Additionally, with regards entry points, two sets of 1 disabled and 8 standard turnstiles is deemed adequate for a stand that holds 7k, so that would presumably be adequate for an away end that accommodates between 2.5k and 3.5k. Whilst this impacts on the home fan's turnstiles (presumably they would need to add more to accommodate the extra average footfall through Gate 7), ISTR there are areas that could feasibly be used to accommodate additional turnstiles between the centre and Gate 7 refreshment outlets (happy to accept I may be wrong though). Not only that, why not use some of the space taken by redundant ticket selling windows under the Jazz (providing the refreshment outlet allows...)?

WRT toilet facilities, that could be problematic as IIRC one gents are under Y25/26 and a ladies beneath Y23/24. Not sure how that would work. Refreshment outlet doesn't need to change, just serve food and alcohol at the same place.

It would mean a not insignificant level of investment in the concourse areas under the stand to make it happen, but I think the Thai's would be willing to shell out should they deem it necessary as I understand they want to do all they can to increase the atmosphere from home fans. It wouldn't impact on FFP as it would go down under infrastructure payments. It's not actually as easy as I suggested, but is it impossible? I don't think it is really...

[SPARTA]

I used to think this was bit petty towards the away fans. However as more and more clubs are doing it it does seem to improve the atmosphere.

I think we are not alone in having lost a bit of a connection or link with the team. Despite having a lot of local academy players, I think the increased expectations from the premier league days, the increased desperation to be in the media limelight that is the PL, the massive wages and the increasing number of foreign imports has all dampened the tribal atmosphere across the league.

I think the South "bank?" stand that replaces the away end should have cheaper tickets in an effort to attract people. Perhaps additional 16-21 discounts or even just no child discounts in this area, in order to make it an intimidating bank of noise. The logical place for the away end would then be the southeast corner below the score board. This is actually a large area and could have course be expanded on either side for a big away support.

Nail on head! IN!

[parky]

When this was brought up the last time I said that the away fans should be moved to Y25 to R28 using the entrance point underneath as a concourse as it is at Cardiff and giving the away fans gate 8 and gate 9. Personally I only ever see this being implemented should safe standing be introduced, as you could then make the entirety of the south stand safe standing allowing its use for both home and away fans should they so wish.

[bobby1413]

you could then make the entirety of the south stand safe standing

If they made the whole south stand safe standing that would be amazing, I think you'd have a far better atmosphere that way.

I read with interest that the club via their statement appear in support of this campaign which surprised me. I always just guessed RFC would be too "down the line" and "family friendly" to see the view of the standard football fan

[West Stand Man]

you could then make the entirety of the south stand safe standing

If they made the whole south stand safe standing that would be amazing, I think you'd have a far better atmosphere that way.

I read with interest that the club via their statement appear in support of this campaign which surprised me. I always just guessed RFC would be too "down the line" and "family friendly" to see the view of the standard football fan

And that would be because the standard Football fan isn't part of a family, or friendly?

[SPARTA]

I agree we should move the away fans to a corner and not behind the goal, but they need to stay close to where the atmposphere is. It would only get worse at our place if they were one end and our paltry noise was at the other. You've got to have the closeness for banter that we already have and had at Elm Park with the South Bank. Away fans in the SE corner works for me, and Y24/25 and south stand hopefully adding to our intimidating family atmosphere.

[bobby1413]

you could then make the entirety of the south stand safe standing

If they made the whole south stand safe standing that would be amazing, I think you'd have a far better atmosphere that way.

I read with interest that the club via their statement appear in support of this campaign which surprised me. I always just guessed RFC would be too "down the line" and "family friendly" to see the view of the standard football fan

And that would be because the standard Football fan isn't part of a family, or friendly?

No, my original statement was poorly worded but I think you get what I was saying.

That they would play it safe and just lecture on language and behaviour. Not appreciate that in general terms you do hear swearing, songs with certain words and certain behaviour.

[genome]

Off topic but gr8 username, OP.