Planet Swans ArchivesMany people have commented time and time again that the stadium does not lend itself to atmosphere, that the fact that there is no unreserved seating will never create an atmosphere, that the stadium rules regards standing will not allow an atmosphere. However, let’s guarantee one thing, the stadium makes a noise when things are going well but all too often it is most definitely a case of “only sing when we’re winning”
I am sure there are people reading this who have taken offence at the last statement. There are those people who think “I make the effort but the bloke next to me doesn’t” but that bloke next to you is the one who only gets up when we score or when we are winning. Many managers of the present and past have made reference to “12th men” and the like, the people that they want to drive their side forward. Players have commented at times that the noise of the crowd was driving them onto success and that is the way that we should look to make the Liberty Stadium.
By all means use the stewarding as an excuse, but trust me the stewards are not there to make you sit down if you want to stand up and have a sing. The stewards are not there to kill the atmosphere. It may feel like that to you at times but it is not the case and many of them are actually fans of the club at the same time. They will ask you to sit down if you are standing for no reason because that is what the stadium rules lend themselves to but if 2000 people in the East Stand were standing for a resounding chorus of “Swansea till I die” then they would not force you to sit down. Although no doubt people will say they are and bang, excuse number one is trotted out.
As supporters we need to be behind the team. Not just when they score or just before kick off but for the ninety minutes of the game. What is more likely to lift the team’s performance? A firm rendition of “take me to the Vetch Field” or a few shouts of “you’re useless you &&%^”^” (” I suspect it will be the former.
I have no issues that we have many new supporters and some of those demand instant success. They are in the minority and those that have been here for many years and through the bad times know that you have to stand firm. Hell, I’ve seen some really rubbish teams in my time as a supporter but always the support was there and the will to drive them on and make them succeed. You can say what you want after the game, type what you want on the internet forums, but whilst the game is in motion then let’s be behind the team.
Let’s make the Liberty Stadium an intimidating place to be. A place where the opposition players think they are up against an extra man and a place where you can’t hear the away fans. It’s embarrassing to be outsung by 300 away fans, it really is. Make no mistake Leeds fans were loud on Saturday, it was difficult to hear from the away end because we were loud ourselves but they made some noise and that is a noise that we should look to emulate. Don’t believe they only sung when they were winning, you could just hear that more because we were stunned into silence for a while.
Maybe it’s time for the older generation to bring back some of the songs of the past and make some noise started. Maybe it’s time to just dust off the classics and bring them into play or maybe it’s just time to bring in the newer songs but sing them louder and longer than we do normally. I remember the days when songs were sung for 20 minutes at a time, not just for 20 seconds. Falling in Love, take me to the Vetch Field, Come On City could all last for some time if people had the will to do it. And the will has to come from all of us to get behind the lads and make some noise.
Before the game at Leeds on Saturday more than one person commented to me that they now prefer away games because the atmosphere is so much better and that saddens me. We need to recreate that at home because home games benefit the club financially and the circle of life becomes complete. Better atmosphere = better games = better results = better crowds = better players = better success = better games = better atmosphere and so on. Rocket science it aint.
So lets start this on Saturday. Let’s be loud, let’s be proud, let’s be Swansea and let’s be behind the team. A conscious effort to be louder and create an atmosphere that Swansea City can be proud of. Whether you sit East, West or South let’s do it like we know we can.
Remember the days when you got home after the match and your throat was sore through the singing? That is how it should be. This is one article, on one website, viewed by around 5000 people per day.
The “Swansea City – Loud and Proud” campaign starts here. Spread the word.
