Topic about passionate support:

[Spencer_White]

I quite like how Italians take megaphones in.

We should do that.

Theyve always had leaders of their fans groups in Italy.

We dont tend to have that here. English football supporters tend to be more anarchic.

[pauld]

I quite like how Italians take megaphones in.

We should do that.

We don't need megaphones. We've got Fred

[Panda Paws]

Marseille tonight should be special

[THE FLASH]

Town End in the 70sand 80s was great....like all that shit above but boiled down ....i fucking loved match day then...win or lose....

[Stegenfreud]

I've thought about our support alot recently. It is a shame that we aren't more vocal at home, it sounded quality when the town end started singing along to 'falling in love with you' at the start of Carlisle. That should be our song as the teams walk out, every time loud as fuck. I've always been a bit jealous of teams that have their own distinctive song/chant or quirk. Don't get me wrong when in full voice our support is good, just wish it was like that every game. While I'm on it, would be good to see more red flags/scarfs about too... ... and a winning team

[DV]

This might sound a bit stupid but I think the way the teams come out is partly to blame.

Teams used to come out the tunnel then sprint across the pitch, all the fans cheering them on - it just gets the crowd going from the start.

Now the teams walk out, line up, shake hands, then jog round the corner. Seems some fans welcome them onto the pitch when they come out the tunnel, other when they come round the corner from the handshake - just seems to make us flat from the start.

Its not the main reason far from it...but...

[Stegenfreud]

This might sound a bit stupid but I think the way the teams come out is partly to blame.

Teams used to come out the tunnel then sprint across the pitch, all the fans cheering them on - it just gets the crowd going from the start.

Now the teams walk out, line up, shake hands, then jog round the corner. Seems some fans welcome them onto the pitch when they come out the tunnel, other when they come round the corner from the handshake - just seems to make us flat from the start.

Its not the main reason far from it...but...

yea I see your point DV.... I used love it when players charged across the pitch... Would be good to just get loud from when they appear right up to kick off. I'm a firm believer that as fans we should set the tone from the off.

[leefer]

This might sound a bit stupid but I think the way the teams come out is partly to blame.

Teams used to come out the tunnel then sprint across the pitch, all the fans cheering them on - it just gets the crowd going from the start.

Now the teams walk out, line up, shake hands, then jog round the corner. Seems some fans welcome them onto the pitch when they come out the tunnel, other when they come round the corner from the handshake - just seems to make us flat from the start.

Its not the main reason far from it...but...

Its a good point DV.

Fact is in the old days players were paid on Win,lose or draw.....for many players winning meant doubling there wages.........players are financially sound now before a ball is kicked in the season in most cases....not saying players are not hungry for success......but they are not hungry for food on the table and a the mortgage to be paid.

[Ardiles]

You need a song.  Something that's instantly recognised as Swindon; something rousing and even tuneful that you can welly out (think Sunshine on Leith, Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer etc.)  Unfortunately, you can't really manufacture this.  It either happens or it doesn't.

Once you've got your song, everything else will flow from that.

[Saxondale]

Senses working overtime by XTC

[Ardiles]

Good song.  Like the Swindon connection as well.  But I'm worried it could fall victim to 'fast clapping' disease when aired in the Town End.

[Saxondale]

Not really conducive to terrace chanting either.  You start it Ill join in.

[leefer]

1-2-3-4-5.....Lucas working overtime

[Crispy]

How times have changed from the start of the season.. The "Wise Men Say" at 3:00 still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stick up..

[Jean-Francois is God]

Last Sunday I attended the Bundesliga 2 game between Fortuna Dusseldorf v FC Ingolstadt 04.  Our match tickets cost 11 Euros which also covered the cost of using public transport from the city centre to the Espirit Arena.  The train took us straight to the Stadium on time and we took our places to watch the game.  It was a pretty entertaining game, Fortuna coming out 3-1 winners however I noticed numerous things that were different to watching a game in England...

-11 Euros to watch the second tier of German football is excellent value.  Added to this, the transport to the ground was effectively free of charge was a total bonus.
-You were able to drink beer on the terraces whilst watching the game and there was no trouble.
- Safe standing was in place and once again, there was no trouble.
-The Fortuna Ultras were located in a couple of blocks towards the corner flag.  These fans were led by a chap with a microphone and loud speaker leading the chanting which pretty much continued non stop for the 90 minutes + half time.  It was a pleasure to see and hear.
- Although there were only 20,000 there (in a stadium which can hold 50,000) it was a cracking atmosphere.
- The Fortuna players had a lap of honour at the end thanking the supporters which resulted in the Man of the Match taking a microphone and thanking the fans direct.  He then embarked on leading a singalong between himself and the Ultras, something I would love to see Jonathan Douglas do after we win a game.

Overall my experience of watching football in Germany has been excellent and has led me to believe that this country could learn a great deal from our European neighbours.  If only games at Swindon could be more like that!