Singing section announced

[jayffc]

There are clubs around the world with "ultra" sections and have had them for decades. It's not just Fulham in the regard of having sections of more vocal fans

And in fact we're not even the first in the league to do it. Aston villa have also already trialed such a section this year

Ultimately there may well be a number of people who would sing more if they were surrounded by like minded fans who enjoy that sort of thing and maybe don't jump about and sing for fear of looking silly when people around them don't join in, and so encouraging them to convene in a single area means they'll be more vocal than they might have otherwise, despite wanting to make more noise.

For an American comparison the la clippers created an entire section at their new stadium called "the wall" where you have to apply for to be a part of which consists of the most vocal fans, and for all some might mock, it's been super effective and many players and fans have commented how impressed they've been with it as it has created a much better atmosphere than previously experienced with the same team.

I say absolutely go for it. These aren't some random fans shipped in to make a "fake" atmosphere, they are, presumably, fans who already attend who just want to coordinate and arrange themselves into one area to improve atmosphere in the stadium. And Good for them. The fact it's actually a fan who has helped instigate this means it literally IS an organic movement by fans in itself, just with help organising from the club. So mocking them so harshly says more about the people doing so than the club, or ones wanting to try and improve the atmosphere imo. Don't like it? Don't join in.

With respect, the proposal to implant 50 home fans wearing anoraks with a Fulham scarf tied around their necks into a section of the ground where tourists and neutrals frequent, is absolutely NOTHING like an ULTRA section on the continent. The Ultras are usually made of violent criminal gangs who congregate in these sections because they are like-minded. It has NOTHING to do with singing! I know because as a senior journalist, I have stood with them and reported on them. Much like the 'razor gangs' at Ibrox and Celtic Park in Scotland, including Hampden Park. The football leagues, especially in Eastern Europe, including Italy, have Ultra sections full of Nazi-loving racist thugs and violence, NOT singing, is at the top of the 'to do list' so that they can earn 'points' for their actions on a typical match-day. So, forget your Ultras comparison. You don't know what you are saying. I think you are an American living in America with no idea of football stadia in the UK or the social make-up of football fans in general? I am not talking about just Fulham supporters. Critics of this idea are traditional football fans used to traditions. And we don't have 'singing sections' in grounds because you would be ridiculed if you did for obvious reasons. No self-respecting football fan wants to be ridiculed by the opposition. It's just how we are. It's just a totally ridiculous idea and will only make FFC a laughing stock and attract negative publicity. Why don't you come over and stand with the 50 and sing songs?? Then tell us how it went.

Anoraks?

I'm a Londoner, life long fulham fan of many decades, born and bred, who's travelled plenty and been in these stadiums around the world also. Regular at Roma for one period working abroad so know plenty first hand about Serie A thanks. Also yes, have spent plenty time in US and not a lover of their fanbases but can give credit where something worked well and created an improved atmosphere. So please leave me out with all this belittling insulting twaddle you always throw around.

No one was suggesting Fulham ultras either for gods sake, was just suggesting that there are many clubs that have similar fangroups made up of hardcore fanatics that get together or organise around certain parts of their stadium...many of which you seemingly will be suprised to hear, call themselves ultras - without being racist hooligans.
Despite your 'career journalism', most Ultra sections around the world aren't mafia-based nazis these days. For sure many were born that way, some remain so, and certainly it has a history with attracting  the types you mention... but these days, many aren't, so the point remains. St. Pauli's ultras are self professed antifascist strongly left wing for a start, pro LGBT etc. same for Celtics Green brigade, Rayo Vallecano's Bukaneros etc.As with "Hooligans" the ultra scene is very different now from 10/20 years ago in alot of europe. Amongst any group of fanatics ya are of course likely to find people that are there for the wrong reason, but mostly not these days.

But all this is a giant distraction from the point that such vocal fan sections exist and have existed around the world in multiple sports, if you wanna get hung up on the use of the term ultra, fine, live ya life, but the point is many clubs have sections like this these days and have done for a while before a fulham fan decided to try something to improve atmoshphere.
We aren't the only ones trying something in this manner and not even the first to do so in the prem. It's fine, if you dont like it you can sit and grumble about traditions and how getting together with other like minded vocal fans is stupid or embarrassing...go for it.

As for worrying so much about what other clubs fans think, as I say, personally think getting worked up or concerning oneself aboutsuch stuff says more about peoples fragile egos than it says about those people you suggest are embarrassing, for simply being willing to organise sitting together and having a laugh and enjoying themselves with like minded fans with a view to supporting their club and improving atmosphere. Not something worth worrying about or mocking imo. Opposition fans will find anything to take the piss out of, seriously who cares. I absolutely love football, it's the one place I join in with the silly tribalism of it all for 90minutes, but outside of that, it's a waste of energy to worry about what some random thinks of a singing section.

Is it good for the atmosphere...do people wanna do it, if so....let em I say.

[C Block]

Hi all, I helped push for this. Appreciate a lot aren't keen but the atmosphere is flat every game at CC so the thought behind it was this could encourage noise in "quieter" areas of the ground. Negative comments understood but the thought behind it came from a good place in trying to improve things 

With the greatest respect....the idea/proposal is an embarrassment or to be more accurate, a damning indictment of where the club finds itself if FFC is having to establish a so called 'singing section.' First the 'neutral end' and now this?? Will there be a 'hamper and champagne' section for the Henry's and Jocasta-Farlington-Marlington's and their chums so they can enjoy the super spectacle of watching 22 players kick a ball around, but not sure which team is which or who are the players?? Real clubs have Kop's....where all the noise, chants and yes, songs, come from or at least emanate and then the rest of the crowd pick it up and join in as one. That's what happens at 'normal' clubs.
Fulham supporters have never been loud but this just leaves the club open to sheer ridicule by the rest of the PL clubs and their fans. A singing section? The Kop would be a better name, for starters but that's never going to happen in this politically correct/woke world we now live in.
Will the 50 people wear distinct clothing and name badges?? Will they have 'song sheets?' Will there be an adjudicator present to bleep out any potential bad language?? And who are these 50 people and what will they be told to sing?? 
Only at Fulham.

You are greatly misunderstanding what this is. You mention the Kop as an example, our equivalent is the Hammersmith end. No other areas of the ground sing normally.

This is an attempt to put a few like minded fans in a quieter area of the ground. Nothing will be fabricated in terms of what to sing, what to wear, when to sing etc. It's simply 50 fans that would have made a racket anyway moving to another area of the stadium

So it's 50 fans that would have been singing anyway now moving to the Putney End to sing , so what happens to the section they would have been in ?

[JoeS]

Hi all, I helped push for this. Appreciate a lot aren't keen but the atmosphere is flat every game at CC so the thought behind it was this could encourage noise in "quieter" areas of the ground. Negative comments understood but the thought behind it came from a good place in trying to improve things 

With the greatest respect....the idea/proposal is an embarrassment or to be more accurate, a damning indictment of where the club finds itself if FFC is having to establish a so called 'singing section.' First the 'neutral end' and now this?? Will there be a 'hamper and champagne' section for the Henry's and Jocasta-Farlington-Marlington's and their chums so they can enjoy the super spectacle of watching 22 players kick a ball around, but not sure which team is which or who are the players?? Real clubs have Kop's....where all the noise, chants and yes, songs, come from or at least emanate and then the rest of the crowd pick it up and join in as one. That's what happens at 'normal' clubs.
Fulham supporters have never been loud but this just leaves the club open to sheer ridicule by the rest of the PL clubs and their fans. A singing section? The Kop would be a better name, for starters but that's never going to happen in this politically correct/woke world we now live in.
Will the 50 people wear distinct clothing and name badges?? Will they have 'song sheets?' Will there be an adjudicator present to bleep out any potential bad language?? And who are these 50 people and what will they be told to sing?? 
Only at Fulham.

You are greatly misunderstanding what this is. You mention the Kop as an example, our equivalent is the Hammersmith end. No other areas of the ground sing normally.

This is an attempt to put a few like minded fans in a quieter area of the ground. Nothing will be fabricated in terms of what to sing, what to wear, when to sing etc. It's simply 50 fans that would have made a racket anyway moving to another area of the stadium

So it's 50 fans that would have been singing anyway now moving to the Putney End to sing , so what happens to the section they would have been in ?

Lets hypothetically say 50 people left block H5 (just an example), the rest of H5 would continue to lead the atmosphere in the Hammersmith end, and even then the remaining tickets could be re-filled for one game by being put up for sale.

If we have circa 1,000 "loud" fans at the back of the Hammersmith end, removing 50 leaves the majority but allows a new area of the ground to be given a nudge atmosphere wise. I used to sit in the JH stand where it was silent (including myself!) because nobody was starting chants, but every now and again a chant from the Hammy End would catch on. This is the same premise, a lot of people are nervous to be the one to start chants and therefore nobody does and we can encounter silent stands

[Cambridge Away]

Despite it not working 15 years ago (for whatever reason), i think it could be a good idea IF the people there make it work. As someone mentioned, we already have a proper 'tribal' singing section, at the back of the Hammersmith End which could be built up more instead; but, there's no reason a singing area has to be so exclusive. I've been reminded for years by family that the Putney End actually used to be the home end and would actually make a better home end (for when the players come out etc). Shy of changing ends, perhaps a singing section there is the best option.

I actually look at the Palace Ultras and (withouth much knowledge of how they set up) think they look like they've organised that online (and yes, i do personally think they look a bit lame as a copy cat of some kind of European fanatics). I went in the home end at Selhurst Park around the late noughties when they were stuck in the Championship and don't remember any Ultras then (not as they are now anyway). It was a pretty dead atmosphere. And people comment on them as though Palace have always had some sort of amazing support. As long as our singing section doesn't all have scarves and flags (and even clappers), they will look pretty organic to everyone.

I think people maybe need to let go of the traditional ways in which football supporters might form (Manchester United did stuff like this 30 years ago to get a better atmosphere at the expanding Old Trafford, and it didn't do their trophy cabinet any harm). Not only has the modern game (and London living) priced a lot of hardcore fans out, we are also at a disadvantage because 30 years ago we only had an average of 4500 fans per home game. We should all be happy that we even have youngsters supporting the club nowadays who might want to get some songs going.

[bill taylors apprentice]

A debate on how to raise the noise levels of support in the ground would appear to be a good thing but I think most would agree it's more involved than coming up with a few basic ideas.

There are times in games (even this season) when the synergy between fans and the team combine to good effect  but I accept there will be times fans need to raise the roof to drive the team on.

But this idea is too simplistic and the idea of putting a few keen and probably well meaning people together to encourage loader support is not well thought out.

This idea (from what we know so far) not only lacks any credibility to anyone who understands how the English football fan acts but risks humiliation for the fans and the club.
,
Is this some kind of idea to replicate, for example Palaces Homesdale Fanatics or even a type of "last night of the Proms" robust sing along?
Sounds more like an embarrassing childish idea trying to encourage those around them to do something that does not come naturally!

[KJS]

The club have agreed to trial a singing section in block P4 of the Putney end against Newcastle with 50 tickets put aside .
Good idea or do we become a laughing stock

Totally pathetic idea

[HV71]

Cambridge said
" I've been reminded for years by family that the Putney End actually used to be the home end and would actually make a better home end (for when the players come out etc). "


This may well sound like heresy but I genuinely believe that the Hammersmith end fans would be heard far more if they were at the Putney end.At present away fans can always be heard -  loud and clear even where I sit in the Riverside on the 18 yd line towards the Hammy end. The Hammy end always sounds a bit muffled . Contrary to what people think the people around me in the Riverside always join in with the chanting and singing ( when they can hear it ) but obviously no one can hear us either.

Another benefit of changing ends would be that our visitors would have the joy of our award winning toilets !

[Southcoastffc]

Well done Joe for having the guts to go forward with this.  It's always easy to stay on the sidelines and throw rocks so bravo to you for taking the initiative and actually doing something. 👏 👏👏

[Willham]

I remember watching a brainac segment as a child about how many people is needed to start a Mexican wave.

10 people sat in a line together can start a Mexican wave.

With that in mind, 50 people sat together should be able to start people singing.

A bit of concern how this will be implemented but I feel its a good idea ^_^

[Nero]

Got to love the Singing Corner, Swing Your Pants, Can we get Trevor and Simmon to lead the singing

[Andrew]

Personally I hate the idea.

The atmosphere has to be organic otherwise it is just noise and there is too much pointless noise as it is. I love a top atmosphere when the game is thrilling but to try and force an atmosphere is just another backward step to making football a tourist attraction like a theme park.

That's my opinion

[Woolly Mammoth]

A debate on how to raise the noise levels of support in the ground would appear to be a good thing but I think most would agree it's more involved than coming up with a few basic ideas.

There are times in games (even this season) when the synergy between fans and the team combine to good effect  but I accept there will be times fans need to raise the roof to drive the team on.

But this idea is too simplistic and the idea of putting a few keen and probably well meaning people together to encourage loader support is not well thought out.

This idea (from what we know so far) not only lacks any credibility to anyone who understands how the English football fan acts but risks humiliation for the fans and the club.
,
Is this some kind of idea to replicate, for example Palaces Homesdale Fanatics or even a type of "last night of the Proms" robust sing along?
Sounds more like an embarrassing childish idea trying to encourage those around them to do something that does not come naturally!

You have described the reason why it is a bad idea and will not work at the Cottage.
In the following sentence.

Quote :-

"trying to encourage those around them to do something that does not come naturally! "

 I emphasise does not come naturally.

That is unfortunately why it will never work.

[RaySmith]

Hi all, I helped push for this. Appreciate a lot aren't keen but the atmosphere is flat every game at CC so the thought behind it was this could encourage noise in "quieter" areas of the ground. Negative comments understood but the thought behind it came from a good place in trying to improve things 

Appreciate your efforts to do something to improve the atmosphere mate, but it doesn't really fit with me - someone from the old days, who was used to fans cheering  for the team, and fans singing impromptu. I'm not sure this would work either.
But I do think you highlight something about the way football has become, with its huge ticket prices in the Prem, that many traditional fans can't afford. As does the 'Ultras' some fans have.

There seems to have become a split between the old traditional fans, always  emotionally supporting their team, singing and shouting - as I have always done since I first began going to Fulham with my loud rattle, and 'fans' who often seem ultra critical of the team, rather than supportive, and any mistake, players may make, or poor performance - more like critics than fans.

Do we now have to become part of an organised group to fully support our team?
But well done for trying to make positive contribution.

[Conor at The Cottage]

I find it hilarious how worked up some people are getting over this. As one of the 'noisy' fans in H5 it initially seemed like a bit of a weird concept, however, the extreme, shortsighted view of a couple of you is laughable. Would I find it embarrassing if 50 random people in the JH or Riverside stands happened to pick up some of the chants started by the Hammy End and sang along? Absolutely not. That would only be a good thing. Do some of you, really only a couple of you, think these fans will be so obviously highlighted as to be picked out by away fans or TV cameras?! My assumption would be that this group will pick up and echo the chants started in the Hammy End, meaning it will be organic and natural. There won't be outfits, there won't be songbooks, all this sounds like is an attempt to get the Hammersmith End atmosphere to spread around the ground better than it currently does.

[FinlayWolf]

Not sure how it would be implemented, but as a young STH in the Hammy End, I'd be happy to move to the Putney End with my mates and start some chants. I don't know why there's so much negativity around this - I feel like it's a positive attempt to improve the atmosphere.

[akf]

Not sure how it would be implemented, but as a young STH in the Hammy End, I'd be happy to move to the Putney End with my mates and start some chants. I don't know why there's so much negativity around this - I feel like it's a positive attempt to improve the atmosphere.

Nice positive sentiment on your first post! Welcome to the forum.

[_Putney_]

If it's rubbish, it will die out naturally. If it's good then it will stay . Let's see what happens.

[Twig]

It probably won't work but anything is worth a try. I notice none of the naysayers have come up with any practical wlternatives!

[Woolly Mammoth]

The club have agreed to trial a singing section in block P4 of the Putney end against Newcastle with 50 tickets put aside .

Good idea or do we become a laughing stock

Totally pathetic idea

When it comes to vocal support at home.
We are already a laughing stock, due to the general lack of noise at home games.
Perhaps if the club hires a rent a mob of about a thousand Robotoids and the wind is blowing in a certain direction you might just catch a few notes.
Apart from that you will hear more sound in a mortuary.
Anyway with the walking football on display I would like to doze off in peace, rather than be woken out of my
slumber by inconsiderate supporters.

[sunburywhite]

Will they be allowed to sing "you dont know what you are doing " and " the referee is a W@@@@@"