Newsletter

Get your daily update and weekly newsletter by signing up today!

News

Safe Standing At The Cathedral Of St.James’ Park?

11 years ago
Share

On arriving at the match last night (Wigan), the talk was of the ‘PERSISTENT STANDING’ threatening notes.  There wasn’t one attached to my seat but a few lying on the floor.  Possibly in response to the increased standing that has occurred at the Europa League games with infiltrators from the unused top tier.  That’s been welcome by me as the atmosphere in terms of more singing and standing is a vast improvement on the poor attempts in the Premier League games.

That’s not for a want of trying on people in that section for league games mind.  Possibly more the apathy of those who don’t want to join in around us.

Anyway, as the game was progressing a friendly steward came to talk to one of the lads who ‘sits’ a few rows behind me, THE BACK ROW.  Before the steward could say anything he was asked if the notes on the floor were for everyone?   He then asked if his standing in the back row was such an issue as he’s only blocking the concrete wall’s view.  The steward said he didn’t really mind if he was standing in the back row.  The next line from said fellow foot soldier was, “What about the lad in front, can he stand if the person behind him stands and isn’t bothered?”.  The reply was something along the lines of, “I’d prefer if he didn’t”.  So not a definite no then?

The stewards were obviously on a mission driven by their superiors.  Notably 2 standing at the top of the stairs in the middle of the corner for some reason, surely forcing people behind to stand in order to see!!!  Ironic surely?

I want to get the club to acknowledge some support for the safe standing campaign with a view to embracing it.   Maybe I’ve developed the same apathy that just makes me thin,k “What’s the point, they don’t care”.

It’s an ongoing argument and as the kid next to me said, “We should all just stand then it wouldn’t be an issue”.  I agreed but the reality is as soon as a goal has been celebrated the majority are reverting to the seated position as soon as is feasibly possible.  No wonder the atmosphere is crap and the empty seats are beginning to appear.  Poor performances coupled with a lack of options to enjoy the match, if it gets boring or frustrating, manifests in arguments and conflict.

In a perverse kind of way, a return to the Championship might be the only way to recapture that bond among the fans and get rid of those who just want to moan and whine then bugger off at the first sign of a problem, rather than show some proper support when it’s needed most.

All the more annoying when Pardew and several players keep asking via the media for, “the fans to get behind us”, because we’re in the clarts.  We know Alan, many of us want to sing and shout – win, lose or draw.  We’re not arsed if it’s Europe or Championship.  We are prevented from doing so with intimidating behaviour from the club, whether that be the stewards or bits of paper telling us we’ll be ejected or banned.

For all those who are spitting feathers at me and shaking your heads in annoyance I give you this example before you judge me.

Even my mam stands at church to sing and she’s 80!!!  I don’t hear God telling her to sit down and shut up!!

Send in your letters/articles to contribute@themag.co.uk

Buy a copy of the new issue of our magazine for only £3 online HERE, it includes interviews with Ryan Taylor and Supermac as well as all the usual features and columnists. You can also buy Subscriptions online HERE, prices starting from £23, the perfect Christmas present, or why not get somebody to buy you ten months of the top NUFC magazine with a Gift Subscription.

[latest_issue]

Share

If you would like to feature on The Mag, submit your article to contribute@themag.co.uk

Have your say

© 2024 The Mag. All Rights Reserved. Design & Build by Mediaworks