The Shame Your Block Thread

199 posts
Royal Tezza
Member
Posts: 301
Joined: 03 Dec 2006 12:47
Location: Winchester

Re: The Shame Your Block Thread

by Royal Tezza » 30 May 2017 11:31

Lifted from my post in BTFG:

Was exiled up in 520 as didn't get tickets in time to get lower tier. oxf*rd me. Never seen such a disinterested group of people. Yes I know the game was crap but why even bother coming.

Firstly, I'm not some teenage "ultra" so I don't particularly mind or expect to be able to stand up during the game, particularly up there in the gods. However today marks the first time I've ever been asked to sit down WHILE THE oxf*rd TEAMS COME OUT. Three older people, who actually seemed very nice (and apologies if it's anyone on here) saying they couldn't see bla bla... this was when we were trying to do the mosaic too. If you can't stand for the five or ten minutes before kickoff, please either find disabled friendly seats or don't bother coming. An absolute farce and I'm glad it was me that was in front of them rather than some oik because they definitely would have been told to oxf*rd off. How did they manage to get to Wembley if standing is such an issue?

In front of me were four lads who looked like they were on day release who were all on their phones throughout. I suspect one of them was a fan and he'd brought along four mates. To my left, two gentleman who looked like they'd decided to come on the way home from golf. Another first for me - they left 125 minutes into ET. Yep, they left five minutes before the penalty shootout began. No idea. One of them left his wallet on the floor behind him :) got handed in but he was probably halfway home by that point.

Finally, shoutout to the RFC kids having a wobbly at some HTAFC lot at Waterloo. "Enjoy next season" 8) met with "oxf*rd off you oxf*rd :| :cry: :cry: " I'm only late 20s but the younger generation have so much to learn about the disappointments of supporting a club like Reading and how to lose with dignity :D :D

User avatar
LoyalRoyal22
Hob Nob Regular
Posts: 2608
Joined: 18 Jan 2005 20:06
Location: Derbyshire

Re: The Shame Your Block Thread

by LoyalRoyal22 » 30 May 2017 11:32

I was asked to sit down 30minutes BEFORE the game started :lol:

I cant help but think that a big percentage of our fan base got what they deserved yesterday. Club really has not been `together` this season.

Awful day out all round, didn't enjoy any of it.

User avatar
Sutekh
Hob Nob Super-Addict
Posts: 18395
Joined: 12 Feb 2014 14:05
Location: Undiscovered pyramid somewhere in Egypt

Re: The Shame Your Block Thread

by Sutekh » 30 May 2017 11:34

Jagermesiter1871 Shocking atmosphere all round. Not sure why.


Because it's all seater and because the occasion brings out all the part time glory boys and girls who only turn up for such occasions and are more used to watching tv games armed with their cup of tea/glass of Budweiser etc.

The sooner safe standing returns the better. Nice safe terraces with places for the young'uns at the front and decent acoustics for the proper supporters to create a proper atmosphere. Of course I don't understand why they can't ear mark sections of all seaters for those that want to sing together and generate the chants for the rest of the stadium anyway - or is that just too sensible a thing to do?
Last edited by Sutekh on 30 May 2017 11:36, edited 1 time in total.

BR2
Hob Nob Regular
Posts: 2138
Joined: 06 Oct 2006 13:53
Location: Bournemouth & Ringwood

Re: The Shame Your Block Thread

by BR2 » 30 May 2017 11:36

notloyalenuffroyal I was down right miffed with my fellow fans today.

I sang, my boy joined in, even my 8 year old daughter wearing 2 Kingsley stickers on her cheeks started a UUUURRRRZZZZ at some point....

And yet..... I was glared at, and surrounded by a small amount of rhythmic clapping.....

I backed the boys..... I made some noise..... and all I got was stony silence and glares......

Shame on you Block 221. I don't care that you paid more to sit on the padded seats.... I don't care that you wanted more leg room..... I don't care that you were p*ssed off having to queue in a weird snakey theme park ride manner...... I don't care if you couldn't afford the champagne bar and the pick and mix...... YOU BACK THE BOYS AND MAKE SOME NOISE.....

Danny Williams deserved to hear you sing his song. Chrissy Gunter Baby looked up and pleaded you to sing. John Swift....... well..... John Swift deserved to hear you give him some stick when he gave the ball away cheaply again.....

But nothing....

I alone sang "Oh Ali Al-Habsi" before every penalty and I don't give a monkey's ball crackers if you hated me!!!!!

I was loud..... I was proud.....

But block 221..... you let us down..... you missed the penalty...... you should go and have a good hard look at yourself in the mirror.... and tomorrow, when you read the Daily Mail and see those Huddersfield faces on the back pages..... know this.... you are not welcome!


I'm not sure what you expect.
When we have 40,000 or so at the game that means roughly 26,000 or so who are not regulars and it was a day out.
Football followers come in the form of all shapes and sizes (mainly fat) and the only way that it works to support the finances even of a club like Reading is to grab the money from any of us mug punters who either go every week or spend a fortune for big games like this one so we need these fans.

If you expect massive singing from all these others and from the West standers then you need to rethink the whole thing or if it is the only thing that matters to you then book your holiday at Butlins.

Yesterday it was fairly quiet but IMHO that made no difference to the side that were out for a Monday afternoon stroll when , like Yann and Williams, they should have been busting a gut to get into the Premier League.
I'm sure that your singing made you feel better but I don't see that it would make much difference to our players on the day-they were lethargic from the off when the noise was at its greatest so if they were not affected then why would they be affected as the game went on?.

Forbury Lion
Hob Nob Subscriber
Hob Nob Subscriber
Posts: 8640
Joined: 14 Apr 2004 08:37
Location: https://youtu.be/c4sX57ZUhzc

Re: The Shame Your Block Thread

by Forbury Lion » 30 May 2017 11:41

I nearly forgot, block 114 there were people leaving with about 10 minutes to go before the FT whistle in normal time - I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they were not going home but instead casually walking out to go to the loo/buy a pizza but even so, the last 10 minutes where one goal would decide it? - really?

I've been at cup games at the Mad Stad where people have left not realising it was extra time/penalties, Could those same people have left early at Wembley to beat the queues for trains/car park?

Also, Huddersfield fans - there were a fair few who left the same time as all the Reading fans - I don't get it, why not stay and see your team celebrate? - especially the ones chanting "your not singing anymore".


User avatar
bobby1413
Hob Nob Addict
Posts: 6986
Joined: 07 Apr 2005 10:55
Location: Reading

Re: The Shame Your Block Thread

by bobby1413 » 30 May 2017 11:44

:!:
Last edited by bobby1413 on 30 May 2017 12:07, edited 1 time in total.

El Diablo
Member
Posts: 244
Joined: 03 Oct 2012 13:20

Re: The Shame Your Block Thread

by El Diablo » 30 May 2017 11:45

Block 114 -

Sat at the back - with some Y26 ers , but mostly kids / day trippers / families / west standers.

Noise was there at times - but took ages to get going and unfortunately most of them around us couldn't be arsed / didn't know any chants/ was very short-lived.

Standard fare for RFC at Wembley unfortunately - and it didn't help that the Team didn't really get going .

User avatar
Gav
Hob Nob Subscriber
Hob Nob Subscriber
Posts: 694
Joined: 15 Apr 2004 14:26

Re: The Shame Your Block Thread

by Gav » 30 May 2017 11:46

It's not even about singing (although arriving from the Huddersfield side of the ground and walking around to the Reading side was like chalk and cheese in terms of hype, anticipation, enthusiasm and general enjoyment from the sets of fans).

For me, it was bloomin' annoying to see people _constantly_ walking, nay strolling, up and down the stairs with their hands in their pockets from the first whistle to go and get pick 'n' mix. It was a steady stream. I'm not trying to be the fan police here, but they were really distracting and it was just incredibly frustrating to see such widespread levels of disinterest from the very first whistle throughout.

If you're not interested, don't come.

Huddersfield came, they made a proper day out of it and they got the win. Most of the people in my block didn't deserve to see a win, and wouldn't have even cared if they had, frankly.

User avatar
paultheroyal
Hob Nob Subscriber
Hob Nob Subscriber
Posts: 12757
Joined: 04 Mar 2005 12:59
Location: Hob Nob Reality TV Champ 2010/2011

Re: The Shame Your Block Thread

by paultheroyal » 30 May 2017 11:51

Block 111 - all standing, no issues, heard no gripes. Understood situation considering my 5 year old with me. He either stood on seat or in my arms....

Section sang when they needed to ... that's about all I can say really.

Ps minute silence brilliantly observed and fortunate 22nd min was when injury going on.


User avatar
bobby1413
Hob Nob Addict
Posts: 6986
Joined: 07 Apr 2005 10:55
Location: Reading

Re: The Shame Your Block Thread

by bobby1413 » 30 May 2017 11:57

Gav It's not even about singing (although arriving from the Huddersfield side of the ground and walking around to the Reading side was like chalk and cheese in terms of hype, anticipation, enthusiasm and general enjoyment from the sets of fans).

For me, it was bloomin' annoying to see people _constantly_ walking, nay strolling, up and down the stairs with their hands in their pockets from the first whistle to go and get pick 'n' mix. It was a steady stream. I'm not trying to be the fan police here, but they were really distracting and it was just incredibly frustrating to see such widespread levels of disinterest from the very first whistle throughout.

If you're not interested, don't come.


+1

It even icnluded my m8 who disappeared from the 70th minute till the 85th minute. He came back with pop corn and said he was eating a hot dog.

User avatar
dashdash
New Member
Posts: 2
Joined: 30 May 2017 11:55
Location: Somewhere on the Kennet and Avon Canal

Re: The Shame Your Block Thread

by dashdash » 30 May 2017 12:05

paultheroyal Block 111 - all standing, no issues, heard no gripes. Understood situation considering my 5 year old with me. He either stood on seat or in my arms....

Section sang when they needed to ... that's about all I can say really.

Ps minute silence brilliantly observed and fortunate 22nd min was when injury going on.


In 111 also. Sat down at half time and that was about it; voice was shot until this morning.

We were row 12 I think. About 5 or 6 rows from the front were a family, young kids etc. I'm in two minds about things; one one hand they really ought to expect to be part of it when they're in a block like that, but on the flipside having an aggressive drunk guy yell at you, your wife and your middle-class 8 year olds to "stand the f*ck up and support" seems a little too much. Still, they moved on at half time, hopefully to a place where they were happier. Our empty seats up to the left of the pitch were blatant, so putting people off supporting us seems pretty counterproductive.

A family of fairweathers, but surely having local bums on seats is better than empty seats?

User avatar
Gav
Hob Nob Subscriber
Hob Nob Subscriber
Posts: 694
Joined: 15 Apr 2004 14:26

Re: The Shame Your Block Thread

by Gav » 30 May 2017 12:14

bobby1413
Gav It's not even about singing (although arriving from the Huddersfield side of the ground and walking around to the Reading side was like chalk and cheese in terms of hype, anticipation, enthusiasm and general enjoyment from the sets of fans).

For me, it was bloomin' annoying to see people _constantly_ walking, nay strolling, up and down the stairs with their hands in their pockets from the first whistle to go and get pick 'n' mix. It was a steady stream. I'm not trying to be the fan police here, but they were really distracting and it was just incredibly frustrating to see such widespread levels of disinterest from the very first whistle throughout.

If you're not interested, don't come.


+1

It even icnluded my m8 who disappeared from the 70th minute till the 85th minute. He came back with pop corn and said he was eating a hot dog.


Never again am I splashing out on tier two tickets to get a better view of the pitch. I don't mind a lack of "atmosphere" (I always knew that would be a trade off) as long as the people around me are emotionally invested, or at least vaguely engaged in the game. But bloody hell, this sparsely populated block (103) might as well have had Terriers in it; it would have been far more enjoyable. People will sit in a cinema and jiggle around waiting 2 hours until it finishes to have a p!ss, but this lot couldn't wait ten minutes (sober, I might add) into the match before ambling off up the stairs. I honestly thought the properly disinterested day trippers would be up in the seats in the sky.

I would maybe be less hacked off about this if there were at least queues of any description for food prior to the match, but there weren't. I sailed to the front of the beer queue unobstructed. There was plenty of opportunity to get all that stuff sorted before kick off - it just demonstrated how little they cared before, during and after the match.

User avatar
Brum Royal
Hob Nob Regular
Posts: 3561
Joined: 12 Sep 2013 09:06
Location: Birmingham

Re: The Shame Your Block Thread

by Brum Royal » 30 May 2017 12:21

Block 502.

Sitting where we were (just inside the halfway line) it was a good vantage point to note the difference between the two sets of fans. As alluded to a couple of posts up, Huddersfield had the energy, the excitement, the drive that comes from the excitement of potential promotion to the big league for the first time (in it's new format) and also having succeeded in the playoffs before (that was their 4th promotion in 6 attempts if I remember the stats from the programme correctly). Compare that to us and there was a much more cautious and nervy, almost resigned to the inevitable kind of feel to it, that comes from a lesser excitement regarding the Prem and also having lost three times (prior to yesterday) in finals before. There was much more of a buzz coming from the Huddersfield fans.

In terms of noise, allied to the above point, it was more consistent and more well spread from Huddersfield. Our noise was much more concentrated in the lower section behind the goal. From where we were sat we could hear you lot behind the goal trying to get something going, but there wasn't much uptake from the higher reaches of the stadium. Myself and few people around me joined in but it either died out fairly quickly or was overwhelmed by a drummer. I'm not sure I managed a full rendition of a song the entire game. It was anticipated to an extent, the dilution of people who normally sing and/or go to away games in amongst a much larger percentage of day trippers/less regulars/non singers was always going to be the case.


User avatar
RoyalBlue
Hob Nob Subscriber
Hob Nob Subscriber
Posts: 11676
Joined: 13 Apr 2004 22:39
Location: Developed a pathological hatred of snakes on 14/10/19

Re: The Shame Your Block Thread

by RoyalBlue » 30 May 2017 12:30

TBM What happened to the "singing section" the club told us about


They were infiltrated by thousands of Trappist Monks! :twisted:

We were in 110 and seemed to be in the minority when it came to loud and reasonably continuous vocal support (However, 109 seemed even quieter) . It was the quietest I've ever seen our Playoff Final fans.

In trying to make up for the Trappists I came close to losing my voice on several occasions and have a sore throat and croaky voice today to show for it. There were some other guys near us also giving it their all but far too few of us in total.

As for the team not giving us cause to support, yes, in an ideal world that is what happens but there are occasions when they need the supporters to spark them. There are some clubs where the supporters realise that and are great at doing it when required. We need to up our game and become one of them.

Cureton's Volley
Hob Nob Regular
Posts: 1629
Joined: 08 Jan 2013 23:58

Re: The Shame Your Block Thread

by Cureton's Volley » 30 May 2017 12:48

RoyalBlue In trying to make up for the Trappists I came close to losing my voice on several occasions and have a sore throat and croaky voice today to show for it.


+1

I have no voice whatsoever & I'm still in bed too 8)

User avatar
Reading4eva
Hob Nob Regular
Posts: 2112
Joined: 20 Sep 2005 23:16

Re: The Shame Your Block Thread

by Reading4eva » 30 May 2017 12:53

I was in 109. Thought they were pretty good to be fair. Great atmosphere in the pub beforehand and at the Stadium along with the walk.

My videos are here: Reading v Huddersfield Town PlayOff Final: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL ... TpX3WBqJnY

Dick Habbin's hairdo
Hob Nob Regular
Posts: 1319
Joined: 22 Jan 2008 18:33
Location: Riyadh, The Magic Kingdom

Re: The Shame Your Block Thread

by Dick Habbin's hairdo » 30 May 2017 12:56

Block 122 - populated by Jemimas and Charlies from Nettlebed and Henley and Sonning. General B would have been in his element.

Thoroughly enjoyed the pre-match beverages in Marylebone - although it was very subdued there, too - but, good grief, it was a mausoleum at Wembley.

Being sat very near the half way line, tbh I never heard a squeak from the East End while the Spazz Clappers from 'Uddersfield did create a certain intensity at time.

I seem to be the only one who actually enjoyed the match, too - a tactical chess game between two well matched teams.

Completely lost it at Joey vdB when, after about 3-4 mins of good, controlled, confident possession - making the Terriers be, well, terriers - he doesn't even lump it forward with pace to the edge of the box (and Swift!) - it's a slow curler.... I can only imagine what Voldemort was thinking.

Highlight was taking my daughter (who was born in RBH and is now at uni in UK) to her first ever 'proper' RFC game. When going up the escalators at the station around 1000 the first "URZzzzz" went up.... "Hark," she says, "the mating call of the Berkshire male...." Indeed. She loved it and finished the day with: "I can see why you love away days so much now. Can I come with you in future?" My job is done.

User avatar
RG7Fan
Member
Posts: 852
Joined: 29 Dec 2013 19:04

Re: The Shame Your Block Thread

by RG7Fan » 30 May 2017 13:00

108 - fairly noisy but there were also times when it was quiet (maybe the lack of decent gameplay).

Had to stand all game to see round the guy in front of me, who was stood because the 2-3 rows in from of him were standing. This almost caused a punch up involving another (I assume fairly lubricated) guy getting the arse about it. Odd as he was sat 10 ft to the right of them and in no way had his view impeded.

User avatar
bobby1413
Hob Nob Addict
Posts: 6986
Joined: 07 Apr 2005 10:55
Location: Reading

Re: The Shame Your Block Thread

by bobby1413 » 30 May 2017 13:16

RG7Fan 108 - fairly noisy but there were also times when it was quiet (maybe the lack of decent gameplay).

Had to stand all game to see round the guy in front of me, who was stood because the 2-3 rows in from of him were standing. This almost caused a punch up involving another (I assume fairly lubricated) guy getting the arse about it. Odd as he was sat 10 ft to the right of them and in no way had his view impeded.


Wasn't 108 part of "The singing section"... aka the "people likely to stand" area?

East Grinstead Royal
Member
Posts: 367
Joined: 20 May 2008 17:24

Re: The Shame Your Block Thread

by East Grinstead Royal » 30 May 2017 13:20

Block 108. Stood the entire game. Several to my left tried to get some songs and chants going and a good many of us joined in, but when they started shouting, "Come on, you w*****s, start f****** singing," they really lost the goodwill of those around them. Also, they had no concept of the difference between a song and a chant (e.g., "Jaap Stam had a dream..." isn't supposed to be chanted in a monotone!).
My 15yo son was shouting so hard and loud that he thought he was going to pass out at one point and was convinced his throat was bleeding.
This morning I'm absolutely gutted, but not as much as I was after Swansea, Walsall or Bolton.

199 posts

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: ankeny, Four Of Clubs, Horsham Royal, Jammy Dodger, st george, Sutekh and 522 guests

It is currently 29 Mar 2024 15:04