Reading plastics

[juddie]

Great comment piece from Man Yoo fanzine, red issue:

Welcome to Reading. Welcome to plod city where not a single penny of council tax payers' expense is spared in our efforts to put as many old bill on the streets as there are fans. Welcome to to our plastic industrial estate, and soulless new ground miles away from anywhere. Sample our plastic pies and washing up liquid beer at exorbitant prices. Gaze in our at our plastic new-age fans, clad to a man in their plastic replica shirts and singing their oh-so predictable songs. Marvel at their wonderful judgement in being able to pack the ground out for a big game while mustering just 10,000 for a League Cup game earlier in the week. Stand in amazement at at our stunning plastic PA announcer, surely the biggest knob on the mic in the league, and laugh in bemused wonderment as he presents 15 pizzas to the loudest row in the ground at half-time (what the fuck?!). Welcome to what masqueardes as "footie" in the 21st century. Beam me up Scotty, I've seen enough.

[RobertT]

The irony is it comes from a Man Utd fanzine.  I've been to Old Trafford during a not so full Uefa Cup game a few years back when you could have heard a pin drop for most of the game.  Even back in the days of the Stretford End it was never a hotbed for atmosphere (I used to follow them as a kid before I gained a brain of my own and determined there wa no place for a second team).

If it had been a Portsmouth fan, then it might have had an edge to it.

[juddie]

Harsh Rob, United's away fans are unquestionably impressive (in terms of numbers, noise and array of songs and songs realting to local culture) - and for big games the atmosphere at OT is pretty special. Champs league especially, Liverpool - and even for the wank games they get a full house. This misconception that OT is full of people from London or elsewhere is bullsh*t - the problem is you know loads of United fans that aren't from Manchester, which is hardly the club's fault - more a reflection of how their success in the 90s appealed to people not prepared to follow their local club.

I still come and watch town most saturdays despite working for United, but the atmosphere and passion at OT for the Liverpool game two weeks ago was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. Sent shivers up my sprine, and I don't even support them.

[mattboyslim]

Frankly Man Yoo should have the best away support, generally away support is made up from the hardcore of home fans and by having the biggest home crowd united should have the largest hardcore away fanbase.

The notion of plastics is bizarre, vritually every club will be most popular when sucessful and less so when doing poorly.  I find it most odd that teams like Newcastle who had a 30000 long season ticket waiting list not so long ago can't sell out (or close to sell out) cup games.  I assumed it would be seen as a good chance  to see a game for those who couldn't get season tickets?

That said Reading have certainly become very popular of late, far too many Reading shirts appearing of late in Swindon in what is undeniably a place where football has never been hugely popular.

[Spud]

Great comment piece from Man Yoo fanzine, red issue:

Welcome to Reading. Welcome to plod city where not a single penny of council tax payers' expense is spared in our efforts to put as many old bill on the streets as there are fans. Welcome to to our plastic industrial estate, and soulless new ground miles away from anywhere. Sample our plastic pies and washing up liquid beer at exorbitant prices. Gaze in our at our plastic new-age fans, clad to a man in their plastic replica shirts and singing their oh-so predictable songs. Marvel at their wonderful judgement in being able to pack the ground out for a big game while mustering just 10,000 for a League Cup game earlier in the week. Stand in amazement at at our stunning plastic PA announcer, surely the biggest knob on the mic in the league, and laugh in bemused wonderment as he presents 15 pizzas to the loudest row in the ground at half-time (what the fuck?!). Welcome to what masqueardes as "footie" in the 21st century. Beam me up Scotty, I've seen enough.

ha ha ha thats ace especially the Pizza give away at Half Time.  

[Bushey Boy]

I play footy with a reading fan on sundays, absolute cocks, they actually think we are jealous of them.  I have no reason to be, yes we were in the premiership but our clubs like no other, always ups and downs and nothing is brand new and plastic like them.

Id rather watch no footy than watch them

[OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR]

It's a good piece. It's a damming indictment not just on Reading but on, as the writer says, 21st Century football, particularly at 'Premiership' level which, as far as I am concerned you can shove up your arse!

[yeo]

Im going to Reading on Sunday for Reading v Spurs.Not going to game just on the piss.

[OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR]

Im going to Reading on Sunday for Reading v Spurs.Not going to game just on the piss.

What an odd thing to do :?

[juddie]

which boozers Yeovil?

[RobertT]

Juddie, I agree that their away support is pretty damned good, but I've never been that impressed by the atmosphere at Old TRafford, especially given the number of fans you can pack in.

Of the big teams, The Kop at Anfield can make some noise and before it went all modern St James' Park deafened me.

I find the Prem quite sterile now though, not suprising given the ticket prices for most clubs.  It's all gone a bit shit througout the leagues though, since standing was vanquished from most grounds.

[janaage]

The lack of atmosphere is down to the sheer size though.

If you want to sing at Swindon you go to the TE, or upper corner of Nationwide or by away fans in the Arkells.  If you don't get a ticket exactly in the right area no problem as it';s never a sell out (nowadays)

At OT it's different teh Stretford End is huge so you may not be in the right area.  And as for the other areas you could be sat by a relatively quiet set of fans, with no where to go as all the other seats are full.

So the atmosphere suffers.  Not saying that cg is better for atmosphere that Old T but you know what I mean.

[yeo]

Im going to Reading on Sunday for Reading v Spurs.Not going to game just on the piss.

What an odd thing to do :?

whys that?