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Post by bomber on Apr 18, 2018 6:46:04 GMT
How utterly embarrassing. We're completely devoid of any vocal support, never has the ditty "You're supposed to be at home" been so apt.
We've turned into a club of moaning old farts with no young vocal fanbase worth speaking of.
The club need to get to grips with this and sort it out because no kids are coming to games in groups and getting together to create some noise.
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Post by Bruce Forbes on Apr 18, 2018 8:01:38 GMT
Agreed, Bomber. But how will you attract them when the stewards are scared of them, and restrict them in where they can go in the ground. I know that if I was that age, and being harassed by these people, whether it was a football match or nightclub, I'd think twice about going back. The issue is with the stewards. We need staff who are confident in doing their job, and not to get scared if half a dozen or so young chaps get together. I once had a doorman (who lasted one session), say in all sincerity, that it would be easier for them if we just let in women. He would have been a candidate for an Eastleigh Steward.
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Post by bomber on Apr 18, 2018 8:08:27 GMT
100%.
We had our chance to get a good atmosphere going two years ago, and instead of sensibly handling the flare situation, by picking off one or two bad apples, the club decided to rip up the orchard.
Hopefully we pick up and the teenagers come back in their droves again.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2018 8:57:15 GMT
Think the problem is there is no one to speak for the kids, they're not coming so until someone tells the club why, then nothing can or will get done about it. No question they clearly have issues with the stewards - but are the stewards conducting themselves in accordance with club wishes? Why are they being restricted in where they can go in the ground? Are they banned from the South Stand because of the fear a flare might go off? Are they fed up being body search/bag search at every home game, tarnishing all of them with the same brush?
I think I am right in saying that at the start of the season SD was to take charge of "The Young Supporters Club" or something on a similar line where he would meet with them regularly and discuss ways of moving forward as regards educating them on why there are ground rules and so forth, but more important if they had SD speaking for them he would build up trust for them and they'd likely respond to that.
That they've disappeared from EFC should be a concern, they are the long term future of the club after all us olden's kick the bucket in due course. I think another good voice for them would be Tracy (TSSC) so maybe first TSSC could find some of these youngsters and invite them to come in for a chat with her and SD if it could be arranged somewhere down the line.
Problems can't be resolved unless their views are put across and then something hopefully can be sorted out. The South Stand is going to be the new Eastleigh End and we need to generate the atmosphere in there, the kids would do that. SD has said many many times that the players appreciate the atmosphere and support given, it helps lift their game and probably explains why home form has been poor this season. Away support is more vocal, are the kids travelling to away games then? If this is so, then clearly they must feel picked on by the home stewards and they've had enough of it.
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Post by RapidDecline on Apr 18, 2018 9:01:40 GMT
I agree totally - absolutely no 'football' atmosphere last night or recent home games, no singing, no identity - I bet Ebbsfleet couldn't believe what they weren't hearing - I think they even gave up taking the mock out of us
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Post by bomber on Apr 18, 2018 9:22:46 GMT
Think the problem is there is no one to speak for the kids, they're not coming so until someone tells the club why, then nothing can or will get done about it. No question they clearly have issues with the stewards - but are the stewards conducting themselves in accordance with club wishes? Why are they being restricted in where they can go in the ground? Are they banned from the South Stand because of the fear a flare might go off? Are they fed up being body search/bag search at every home game, tarnishing all of them with the same brush? I think I am right in saying that at the start of the season SD was to take charge of "The Young Supporters Club" or something on a similar line where he would meet with them regularly and discuss ways of moving forward as regards educating them on why there are ground rules and so forth, but more important if they had SD speaking for them he would build up trust for them and they'd likely respond to that. That they've disappeared from EFC should be a concern, they are the long term future of the club after all us olden's kick the bucket in due course. I think another good voice for them would be Tracy (TSSC) so maybe first TSSC could find some of these youngsters and invite them to come in for a chat with her and SD if it could be arranged somewhere down the line. Problems can't be resolved unless their views are put across and then something hopefully can be sorted out. The South Stand is going to be the new Eastleigh End and we need to generate the atmosphere in there, the kids would do that. SD has said many many times that the players appreciate the atmosphere and support given, it helps lift their game and probably explains why home form has been poor this season. Away support is more vocal, are the kids travelling to away games then? If this is so, then clearly they must feel picked on by the home stewards and they've had enough of it. To be honest, the lads they kicked out of the ground, in my opinion anyway, wouldn't really want anything to do with a 'Young supporters club' or anything like that, if I may use that term. Its really deflating that the lads were at the ground every week, well dressed in the best designer gear they could afford, and were really making their mark until Elton John and his band of idiots decided realised that they had no stewarding skills whatsoever and having to work for their afternoons employment was just too much. Shame on the club.
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Post by slewmcg on Apr 18, 2018 9:47:14 GMT
Oddly the best vocal atmosphere I've been to this season from Eastleigh fans was probably he away trip to aldershot. But I also feel like the lack of atmosphere is largely down to the uninspiring performances from the team in the last two seasons, so it's a vicious circle really team don't perform because of lack of vocal support and there's a lack of vocal support because the team don't perform. I have no doubt people will be back in their droves if we were competing at the other end of the table
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Post by nobadspitfire on Apr 18, 2018 9:59:12 GMT
Good thread to start, bomber. There really was no support at all last night. I wonder how much the team's indifferent form has contributed to the drop off in the singers, for want of a better term. They need the team to perform as much as the team need them. My knowledge of stewards' actions is only hearsay & what I read on here, but clearly something needs to be sorted. The Mackoy stand with youngsters desire to stand in a seated area, is far from fit for purpose. Ideally the singers would be much closer to the pitch but they're forced to the rear to allow people who want to sit in front of them.
The rake of the terrace there is also far from ideal. IMHO, Maidstone Utd have got it completely right with their new covered terrace behind one goal. Steep and with barriers at every 2 steps. They only have,perhaps a 5 mtr gap between both sets of fans, so not sure what happens when things get heated against local opposition. I wonder how practical CCTV would be in controlling that part of the ground?
Anyway, a Fans Forum is being held soon. This is just the sort of subject to be raised at that meeting and those on here who have strong opinions on the matter really should attend. Listen to what SD has to say on it and hold him accountable for what he says & does.
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Post by bomber on Apr 18, 2018 10:31:18 GMT
A fans forum holds no interest for me, neither does it for most of our support, or what's left of it! From last season.
National League 2016-17 Top Average Crowds - so far!! 5069 Tranmere Rovers 4202 Lincoln City 3923 Wrexham 2359 York City 2216 Eastleigh.
The club needs to find out why noisy youngsters are coming any more, get to the local pubs on a Friday and Saturday night, give a few free tickets out. We're at least 300 down on last year and it needs sorting out.
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Post by hantslondoner on Apr 18, 2018 10:36:56 GMT
The Mackoy Stand has by far the best accoustics in the ground. Ebbsfleet outnumbered us there last night, so their support (which was good) was more noticeable. Having said that, yes, it was quiet!
The (now fairly accurate, IMO) attendance figure was down on previous games, that is probably due to the 'nothing to play for' situation as much as the uninspiring performances, although I thought yesterday's game was reasonable entertainment, and the Wrexham game was good entertainment. And the team put up a decent effort in both.
Is it only youngsters who make noise? We do a lot for young people: free games, youth team promotions.... families coming along provide a good atmosphere too.
It will be interesting to see how it goes on Saturday - BT Sport, an opposition who could clinch the title and promotion to the FL, a good weather forecast... should be a good crowd and a good atmosphere. Free song sheets and flags for all home supporters? ;-)
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Post by bomber on Apr 18, 2018 13:38:33 GMT
Free song sheets and flags for all home supporters? ;-)
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Post by durkiboy on Apr 18, 2018 15:44:34 GMT
Last night the Ebbsfleet fans were stood at the back of the Mackoy Stand making as much noise as possible, now, when our "younger fans" did this at the back of the stand, they were told in no uncertain terms that they couldn't stand there and had to move a couple of rows down. Now, I've had my fair moan about the kids, but if this is they way they're treated it's hardly surprising that they stay away, the stewarding situation is antiquated, and I'm sure that half of the stewards are only there to watch the game for free, it seems like one set of rules for our fans, and another set for the away fans.....
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Post by fw on Apr 18, 2018 16:09:09 GMT
I used to work on the doors in nightclubs and life was easy if you just treated people on there level, don’t try and be a dictator when in the teal world you would get thumping off those people ,be a mate to them and let them know the boundaries without trying to be plastic policeman , it’s as easy as that when they come back and hopefully they will think about asking some of the regular supporters who have been there and done it if they would engage with the more rowdy young ones , that may work and you will probably find out they are good lads really
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Post by bomber on Apr 18, 2018 16:13:59 GMT
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Post by loudnproud on Apr 18, 2018 17:48:40 GMT
I don't write on here much anymore, but had to reply. At last nights game myself and a few others in the coin stand. Noticed not 1 steward at the back in the Ebbsfleet fans. As it should be. Only two to the left bottom of the area they were sat in. At the Macoy end At the start of the 2nd half. About 10ish Eastleigh fans went to the top of The Macoy. Straight away 3 stewards went up and stood right next to them. Moving them a couple of rows down. So you can see double standards. Same as we have seen this season in the Coin stand. When I went and stood on hatched area. Was told to move. Refusing till the opposition fans were moved. To be meet with "Your be out 'if you carry on".
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