Well.
Wakey was spot on ! The matchday ticket did indeed cover the cost of any public transport, to & From the game.
Hi guys, for those of you interested, below is a breakdarn of the nights experience.
All those who are of the mindset, 'Can't be arghzed' or 'Couldn't give a sheet'
this threads not for you.
I'll just tell it how it was for us on the night, Then compare it with a home game of your choice.
40 kms was the distance from our Hotel (right by Central Station) to the Pirtek stadium in Parramatta. So akin to traveling from Manchester cc, or the far side of Leeds to watch a HuddsFax game !
Bus or train (or ferry if applicable-say from Manley) All free.
Our journey would have cost $19:90 return each, if made under normal conditions !
(our ticket for the game cost $35 about 21 quid-
Season membership for the 'Bloc' is $195, then $2:05 cents per game after that...Yes, Two Dollars !!!)
Once in Parramatta, It was about a 15 minute walk to the ground, very similar to the walk to the Old Leeds Road ground from Town...about a mile.
The route took us right through 'darn tarn Parra' as it were, Were all the many Bars, Cafe's & restaurants were doing a roaring trade with nigh on all the customers being Red & Black clad Wanderers fans.
Lots of 'drinking' going on too, but we didn't come across any ruely behaviour..Which I have to say, Is unusual when mixing Ale 'n' Aussies.
But like the world over, The traveling Victory fans were chaperoned & 'kettled' off darn a side street, Lots of jeering, But nothing untoward.
Once at the stadium, There was what can only be described as a carnival atmosphere. The club had many 'Official merchandise' outlets scattered around, for both Food/drink & paraphernalia, All seemed to be well patronized too.
Also a good few stalls for kids to 'beat the keeper', or 'who has the hottest shot'. plenty going on.
Lots of Police, But no interaction.
usual 'gripes' it would seem the world over. Buy a ticket from 'an office' then trudge round to the appropriate turnstile, (for those without). It would seem fans have a universal annoyance at this practice.
I have to mention colour at this point, Even Town at Wembley... I have never seen such vast numbers of the home support in the team colours ! Young and old alike, it made no difference, they literally were 'as One'.
Inside, and during the 'build up' to kick-off. The announcer encouraged all the kids to get up on their seat & 'do the dance' !!! The music was LOUD. (too loud for me - grumpy Yorkshire git ) & off they went.. This is filmed & shown on the big screen behind the goal, They are looking for the most 'out there' wild performance, The crowd join in with encouraging backup, the winner gets to meet the team afterwards or something on those lines..
i couldn't help but laugh my head off, the thing is.....
It Works. It gets the crowd going.
Even reading out the names of the players ...'he' only manages to mention the christian name, then the whole crowd cry out the surname. And I mean The WHOLE crowd...that's the difference ! They take part, they get involved.
The 'Bloc' were amazing..(& mentioned more than a few times by the TV panel when we watched the game the day after) I can't say this enough.
They never stop...ever...from 15 minutes BEFORE kick off, right to the end.
I've never experienced anything like that before.
On 30 minutes they do the 'Who do you sing for' routine. where they involve both sets of fans darn the entire length of the touchline sides, (see You-tube for that one !) & on 80 minutes..even the commentator was ready for it.. another mass communal action that lasts a minute exactly.
The fan I befriended for the game was up ready, I wondered what the hell was going on, when I turned round & saw everyone all around the ground doing the same, I realized as a Town fan(s) we don't compare.
Every man Woman & child 'do it'.
My 'new mate' was miffed ! because he had a season ticket for the Red & Black Bloc last season, but 'missed out this time..once they are sold, That's it ! It has created a waiting list situation, and it would appear many more would be in 'that end' if they could.
Did I mention the matchday programme is also 'free' ... They are stacked on trestle tables as you go in. You just take one - or as many as you like .
In the Chairman's notes, he paid tribute to the fantastic support they get.
They are clearly doing things very different to the way 'we' operate. The evidence suggests they are doing it right
By comparison ..The local (Yorkshire) outlook is draconian & apathetic.
There is no issue or problem with standing whatso ever. It is encouraged in the 'bloc' area in the programme with 'enthusiastic participation is expected'
The Victory fans, though small in numbers were equally parochial & stood throughout the game.. I imagine a home game 'experience' at their place would be much the same
Even the torrential rain through out didn't dampen the spirits, And at the end, The Players, after they had clapped the home support then went darn to the 'Bloc'..who had all stayed behind, where they did the Bundesliga thing waving to the fans in unison, who replicate the gesture.
Then the players all do the "Who do you sing for" to which the 'Bloc' reply...
(& by Christ was it loud) "We sing for Wanderers".. repeated.. then players & fans alike do the 'jig'..on & on it goes.
A thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Very different. An........
Alternative Reality.
Alternative Reality.
posted on 19/11/13
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 19/11/13
Sounds like a mellow version of South American football Darn,,,,,, I say mellow version,, as in you didnt get the shootings and stabbings before or after the game, Just a raucous atmosphere,,,,,,
posted on 19/11/13
Wakey - I dont believe it,,,, You used to stick your neck over the parapet to defend all things Town not so long ago,,,,, Are the current hierarchy now alienating even the most loyal of fans ?
posted on 19/11/13
They annoy me something rotten, they don't listen to what the fans say and hide behind lame excuses.
They are only bothered about raking as much cash out of us as possible. Take the BWF for instance, £104/year, not happy with that they say as a added benefit you can use the Stripes Bar in the FM stand for £4/game(anyone would think it was a nightclub!!) it's not a benefit if you have to pay extra for it.
Moving on now to the 1908 Loyalty scheme, this nothing more than a shameless attempt to drive membership up at Canalside Gym because the entry level prize is 1 months free membership. Obviously designed so most qualify for it with hope that they take out a paid membership afterwards, and just how do they reward 'loyalty' well 30points if you give them your email address and 5points if you travel to the backwaters of Ipswich to watch Town....it's plain stupid if you ask me.
Ticket prices, I understand it's a fine line but it's ridiculous that by the time we play Reading 4 out 10 games will have special offers on them to get in with games 8,9 and 10 all having offers. Having so many offers so close together riles the season card holder and can have a negative effect on SC sales the following season.
By the way just 700 took the £5 offer up against Birmingham that's £3500 the club took of which we have to pay KSDL £2100 as part of the rental deal...is really worth annoying the hardcore support for £1400 extra in the coffers. Having said all that the club did it's very best to try and make it a failure by not announcing the deal until the Thursday before the game but they have previous with that when announcing the South Stand for home games knowing full well the take up will be low before gleefully announcing that the fans don't want it.
posted on 19/11/13
Evening chaps, the Sheffield Wednesday thread will be up tomorrow.
posted on 19/11/13
Good morning fellas
What makes attending this game all the more remarkable, The 'fans' I spoke to, & I tried to get as many opinions as possible regarding all things.. In the main, they are well aware the quality of the football isn't the best ! But that doesn't dampen their spirits, far from it.
An example of this, & how they remain positive & give all the encouragement they can is when they get a 'corner'.
As the player who decides to take it walks over to the flag, & is sometimes accompanied by a team mate for a 'quick short one'....The crowd stand, cheer & Best described in a sense equivalent at Town to, Andy Booth being 'subbed' at the death after scoring a hat-trick.
And that's every corner ! of course 'Booo's' & verbal abuse are given to the opposition when it's the other way round.
And so it is with the fans 'Attitude'. It's all about encouraging 'their' team.
There was a very poor attempt on goal in the 2nd half,
It was 0-0 at the time, & the effort was neither a cross, or a shot on goal..
Now.
This would have been met with the biggest "Uuuuurgh" at the JSS. along with derogatory individual comments....how about -
'He's 4 king usless'
'get him off'
'W Anchor' etc etc etc...
That's what I was expecting ! But even though the crowd were annoyed, The encouragement was still there !!
Their whole outlook is different to ours.
Doesn't make a difference ?.........
They are top, with one defeat in 20 !!!
The replica shirts.
as displayed in a popular high street store, (Pitt st mall)
Sydney FC = $120
WSW FC = $99
All I can take from that, is they are dedicated beyond my comprehension, or buying direct from the club is way cheaper ?
My 'new mate' reckoned the price hike for the Sydney shirts was to compensate Del Piaro's salary !?
Brycey, Re- Oil & dragging him along. I think I've mentioned a few times 'A delegation from Town to Dortmund' to see how they do things. It ALL falls on deaf ears mate.
They.
The ones who can & SHOULD be making these changes aren't bothered.
If the atmosphere at Town was like what I witnessed last Saturday night, The 'Pharm' would be a sell out every home game.
Those fans will be 'buzzing' by mid week waiting for the next game, The players will be looking forward to praise heaped on them, And the club will have a definite positive 'vibe'....as will The Melbourne clubs, Sydney FC...and all the rest.
The mindset is way way different.
The best thing Oil could do is get rid of the present staff. Set me & Jacko on...I'd work for a good deal less than the present jokers too.. And watch the changes HAPPEN.
Champers is the only one who has mentioned the 'mix' at Fulham, which I have quoted numerous times, And wether it be Clibbins or Jarvis, We all know neither of them will have even picked up a phone & looked into it.
never mind actually do something.
They are incompetent.
As a Town fan.. I'm Gone.
Only for now.. untill this 'htfc-inc' mob are on their way.
It's not the club it was.
And it doesn't have to be this way.
next 'experience'...
I'd like a look at Boca or River Plate....
posted on 20/11/13
The Aussie League games are shown on BT sports over here so I might have to watch one on a Saturday morning.
I like the idea of local transport being included in the ticket price, Brighton have a similar deal in place, and I see no reason why we couldn't strike a deal with the local train and bus company's to do something along those lines.
Replica Shirts- £40 in the club shop....that's a lot of profit especially when you see Wolves who buy off the same supplier knocking shirts out for just £25! I'd like to see a deal done where the season card holder is rewarded for loyalty by getting discount off the shirt, let's say they get a voucher for £5 or £10 off
posted on 20/11/13
There seems to be a massive amount of negativity on here and I dont get it personally. I agree things could be better but I dont believe it has ever been any different, people just let nostalgia affect their views.
I agree that there are good examples out there we should look at but the reference points people are using here are near the top of their leagues in their countrie's top division. When you go watch Man Utd its a lot more "active" in many ways as people always think there is something to achieve that season. The trouble we have is we are now at a decent level but look likely to stay mid table here for a while and that will involve less excitement then a "great escape" or promotion push. You just have to look at the Barnsley game and the enormous release of nerves when the play stopped and that Yorkshire chanting started. It was a buzz but if we were safely mid table Im certain we would have lost and would have been a quiet afternoon.
Playing devils advocate what is the atmosphere like in the second tier stadia, mid table teams, in Germany or Australia? Are they as fantastic as those higher up?
I watched some of the England game last night and there was no atmosphere and that was packed to the rafters, so Im not sure if its a cultural thing or what. Maybe its we sing when were winning as it were, I just dont know.
I just dont get why, when nothing has fundementally changed, now is the tipping point when people have had enough. I would have understood it when Wadsworth was propping up the duggout and we were hopeless but we are in a league playing teams with some fantastic players. For me I would rather stay and have my SC year after year (even though I cant make every game anyway) and be part of it good or bad, maybe Im just an idiot but I just cant get the passion to care about another team.
posted on 21/11/13
I have to take issue with your opinion eMBee,
But thanks for the input all the same.
The thread is about an experience at a game very different to a home game at the JSS. That's all.
I only explained how it was from my perspective, although I would like to think I have a decent insight to such things, I have been to 'a few'.
I accept I have attended the equivalent of a Arsenal v Man U type game albeit in the Aussie Hyundai league,
(The attendance was a little over 15 thou by the way...
& as for a better atmosphere at Man U. NO.
I attended Man U v Brum when the 1st quadrant was opened making for a 70 thou plus capacity, & it felt dead compared to the game I attended in the Western suburbs !! seriously)
The thing is, & you could only possible accept, maybe even agree, by looking on 'You Tube' yourself...
That Final I have used as an example of this magnificent support, The Wanderers actually lost !
Well beaten in fact.
The startling thing was the level of enthusiasm displayed by those very supporters in that situation.
I would again refer a comparison to 'our' support shown at Old Trafford upon suffering a heavy defeat against Peterborough ! & the dismal turn out & laughable support we gave 'our' team at Wembley v the Blades.
Come on Mate, It was woefull.
One things for sure.
We ALL want better for Town,
It's just that under the present 'regime' , Myself and others can't see any positives forth coming.
Fingers crossed eh !
posted on 4/12/13
Either of you fellas near Geraldton?