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Why do Portsmouth Football Club not do this?

The debate surrounding Johnny Westwood and his 'band' has raged on for ages now, but this season has really seen it come to a head...

Him, his bugle - even if he might not play it very well, sorry John but you know its true - and the rest of his band had been a regular thing and feature with Pompey over the years, but this season we have seen a massive change.

After moving towards the back of the Fratton End, maybe more due to his 'seating habits' he and his crew were then forced to move to that bloody ridiculous and basically humiliating 'Punch and Judy' style so-called 'Band Stand' after complaints of them being 'too noisy!'

Too noisy?

Football is meant to be noisy, and if you ask me if anyone does not like this then they should not be at football and it is they that should be forced to move, or leave, and not those that have been around for donkies years!

I could be very wrong, but I suggest those complaining about the noise most likely have not been watching Pompey for very long, and are most probably, how shall I put it a more 'upper class' clientele, or to be blunt the prawn sarnie brigade...

Ok, as I do not have to sit next to this noise week-in-week-out, due to the fact that I am a North Stand fan, it is easy for me to say 'let them get on with it', but surely we should just let them get on with it as it benefits the atmosphere and this often benefits the on-field performance.

I have gone back and forth on the issue, but in all honesty, as I say, the atmosphere is not the same without the drums and other instruments is it?

Well, this morning I came across something on the official Sheffield Wednesday site which fascinated me...

I do not know if this is because they have had 'complains' or they are just looking at different ways to use the band but their own famous band, and the Wednesday band is something that most of us have surely known of for years, are being made the focus of attention over the last few weeks of the season. It would appear that it is a 'play' or 'not play' option, so maybe some do not like the band? However rather than say 'no you cannot play' and letting a 'minority rule' they have opened the debate to all season ticket holders to decide so the 'majority' will rule.

This is what they have run with...

Season ticket holders to vote on Kop Band

Sheffield Wednesday will welcome the Kop Band back for the last time this season when Southampton come to town on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Following feedback from supporters on The Kop, the band will be drumming at a reduced volume at this match. The band will not be playing at the Owls' final match of the season, against Cardiff City on May 3.

This experiment will have given fans the opportunity to judge whether the band helps the atmosphere in the stadium or not and also gives the opportunity to determine what we are looking for from the band.

There will be an online vote for season ticket holders during the close season, which will decide on how to "play" the 2009/10 campaign.

Club chairman Lee Strafford said "welcoming the band back was important from a club perspective and despite my personal preferences regarding the band I think they have improved the atmosphere. Not everyone agrees though and the fans will this summer decide the long term strategy regarding the band."

To visit this link click here.

So, I say - and to be honest I have personally put forward this suggestion to Portsmouth Football Club - why can we not do the same thing at Pompey?

Lets let the majority rule.

If they want Westwood and his band to play again next season lets let them if they win the vote - surely the majority, and not the minority should rule and with Pompey experiencing 'difficulties' at the moment surely encouraging people to want to go to the games and offer full backing and support is the way to go, whereas it almost seems like we are pushing people away at times...

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Writer: pompeyrug Mail feedback, articles or suggestions

Date:Friday April 17 2009

Time: 10:49AM

Your Comments

ive already has a response on this, this is what it said:


'This is not an area that I usually deal with. I got involved last time to try and help resolve the situation. My understanding at the moment is that Johnny himself has chosen not to bring the drums and bell etc but I will get an update or get someone to come back to you.'


i will let you know if i find out anything else...
pompeyrug
ive already has a response on this, this is what it said:


'This is not an area that I usually deal with. I got involved last time to try and help resolve the situation. My understanding at the moment is that Johnny himself has chosen not to bring the drums and bell etc but I will get an update or get someone to come back to you.'


i will let you know if i find out anything else...
pompeyrug
How strange - I can't see Johnny himself choosing not to bring the drums.... The whole thing STINKS of conspiracy if you ask me....
PFCGino
How strange - I can't see Johnny himself choosing not to bring the drums.... The whole thing STINKS of conspiracy if you ask me....
PFCGino
i couldnt say as ive not asked him personally, or asked anyone else that might have tbh Gino...
pompeyrug
i couldnt say as ive not asked him personally, or asked anyone else that might have tbh Gino...
pompeyrug
ive had another update, which said:


I have since got an update and with the bell it was in fact stopped by us last, as Johnnie would not just ring the bell, he went to the back of the stand and kept smashing it against the back causing some £3,500 of damage. I have given him the chance of bringing it on Saturday if he just rang the bell and did not cause any damage. Up to him now, if he lets me down then he leaves me little choice. On the drums it is more complex as we have lots of complaints from fans and indeed many of whom were going to sue the club under the noise act etc, so that is more complicated and we will look into this again in the summer.


so, there you have it - still think fans complaining about 'noise' are bang - pardon the drum pun - out of order, football is about making noise, its not meant to be quiet is it... hopefully something can be sorted out with the drums, as for me, they are more important to the atmosphere than anything else.
pompeyrug
ive had another update, which said:


I have since got an update and with the bell it was in fact stopped by us last, as Johnnie would not just ring the bell, he went to the back of the stand and kept smashing it against the back causing some £3,500 of damage. I have given him the chance of bringing it on Saturday if he just rang the bell and did not cause any damage. Up to him now, if he lets me down then he leaves me little choice. On the drums it is more complex as we have lots of complaints from fans and indeed many of whom were going to sue the club under the noise act etc, so that is more complicated and we will look into this again in the summer.


so, there you have it - still think fans complaining about 'noise' are bang - pardon the drum pun - out of order, football is about making noise, its not meant to be quiet is it... hopefully something can be sorted out with the drums, as for me, they are more important to the atmosphere than anything else.
pompeyrug
I agree with you there - complaining about the Noise Act etc! Pathetic...I'm a lawyer so I'm going to look into this in one of my various books when I get home from work!! Something to do i suppose....
PFCGino
I agree with you there - complaining about the Noise Act etc! Pathetic...I'm a lawyer so I'm going to look into this in one of my various books when I get home from work!! Something to do i suppose....
PFCGino
For crying out loud , since when have we become too big for our boots? John Westwood has been bugling and drumming at FP for years , building a reputation as a leading Pompey fan all over the country . He has Pompey in his veins and I am appalled that a minority are depriving him , as a person , to support the club he loves as he enjoys and secondly we are being deprived of having the usual intimidating support that opposing teams normally are afraid of. Say what you like , but without Westwwod the Pompey Support is not the same and most away supporters have outsung Pompey fans on many occasions.
maltesepomp
For crying out loud , since when have we become too big for our boots? John Westwood has been bugling and drumming at FP for years , building a reputation as a leading Pompey fan all over the country . He has Pompey in his veins and I am appalled that a minority are depriving him , as a person , to support the club he loves as he enjoys and secondly we are being deprived of having the usual intimidating support that opposing teams normally are afraid of. Say what you like , but without Westwwod the Pompey Support is not the same and most away supporters have outsung Pompey fans on many occasions.
maltesepomp
If fans want some piece and quiet why don't they go to the Beddow Library (in Milton Park just outside the ground) rather than the Park.

Complaints about noise are always tricky especially as they are on private property and I don't think the Control of Pollution Act 1974 or the Noise Act 1996 apply.
eastneydave
If fans want some piece and quiet why don't they go to the Beddow Library (in Milton Park just outside the ground) rather than the Park.

Complaints about noise are always tricky especially as they are on private property and I don't think the Control of Pollution Act 1974 or the Noise Act 1996 apply.
eastneydave
Complaints about noise from a drum...in a ground with 20K shouting and singing people in it...what a pile of cack!
hammersmithblue
Complaints about noise from a drum...in a ground with 20K shouting and singing people in it...what a pile of cack!
hammersmithblue
This is just terrible. What is football coming to when you can't make a bit of noise? I cannot believe that anyone who has paid to come inside the ground can complain about noise pollution if they are told beforehand what to expect. Its like going to a Pop Concert and then suing cos you didn't like the noise. Ridiculous! I would imagine the only people who could complain are the residents who live in the houses surrounding the stadium and as its only once a fortnight for an hour and a half, winter months only, they don't bother. Society is going mad!
Gandor1
This is just terrible. What is football coming to when you can't make a bit of noise? I cannot believe that anyone who has paid to come inside the ground can complain about noise pollution if they are told beforehand what to expect. Its like going to a Pop Concert and then suing cos you didn't like the noise. Ridiculous! I would imagine the only people who could complain are the residents who live in the houses surrounding the stadium and as its only once a fortnight for an hour and a half, winter months only, they don't bother. Society is going mad!
Gandor1
Have to admit, Fratton Park without Westwood et al, is ordinary, nothing special and certainly not intimidating for the opposition! If you don't like noise then F*%K off elsewhere at a week end, some where like St Mary's or Bognor
pentonpompey
Have to admit, Fratton Park without Westwood et al, is ordinary, nothing special and certainly not intimidating for the opposition! If you don't like noise then F*%K off elsewhere at a week end, some where like St Mary's or Bognor
pentonpompey
Penton - SPOT ON!
PFCGino
Penton - SPOT ON!
PFCGino
And look how the season's gone since this kicked off and Westwood has quietened down. I bought my season ticket in the Fratton end because I like the noise and atmosphere. Of course the complaints all started mid-season, perhaps next season when you buy a season ticket or match ticket in the Fratton End you'll get a warning that it might be noisy, and then they'll be covered, so it can all carry on. But it drives me mad about the complaints they've been - don't come to football if you want to kill the passion, and Pompey fans in particular have always been about making noise and getting behind our team. Penton is absolutely right.
tracyc
And look how the season's gone since this kicked off and Westwood has quietened down. I bought my season ticket in the Fratton end because I like the noise and atmosphere. Of course the complaints all started mid-season, perhaps next season when you buy a season ticket or match ticket in the Fratton End you'll get a warning that it might be noisy, and then they'll be covered, so it can all carry on. But it drives me mad about the complaints they've been - don't come to football if you want to kill the passion, and Pompey fans in particular have always been about making noise and getting behind our team. Penton is absolutely right.
tracyc
Load of old Bolox in my opinion, Westwood can't play a note, true, but when the drums start up they get the fans going, I miss it myself, but when he was moved to the milton end it was a pathetic sight, those who sit in the fratton end and complained should be reseated not the noise merchants
paultsmouth
Load of old Bolox in my opinion, Westwood can't play a note, true, but when the drums start up they get the fans going, I miss it myself, but when he was moved to the milton end it was a pathetic sight, those who sit in the fratton end and complained should be reseated not the noise merchants
paultsmouth
i games like tommorrow when we need a win & JW cant bring the band along . PFC must be stupid the person who complaina-ed about the noise should have been removed the fratton end long ago. typical one persons complaint has spoilt the season atmospere for the the other 4000 fratton enders . if JW isnt back with his drums etc by next season perhaps we should take action saying we only purchased our season ticket in the fratton End cos we wanted it noisy
sea-juicer
i games like tommorrow when we need a win & JW cant bring the band along . PFC must be stupid the person who complaina-ed about the noise should have been removed the fratton end long ago. typical one persons complaint has spoilt the season atmospere for the the other 4000 fratton enders . if JW isnt back with his drums etc by next season perhaps we should take action saying we only purchased our season ticket in the fratton End cos we wanted it noisy
sea-juicer
You all know my feelings on this. It's criminal that PFC have shot ourselves in the foot by banning the drums and bells. I dont care what anybody says, it's not the same, the atmosphere has gone and we are no longer the 12th man. These people that are complaining, did they complain after the Milan game, as that was as loud a place as I've ever ben....I think not! All you complainers, DO ONE!
pompey4me
You all know my feelings on this. It's criminal that PFC have shot ourselves in the foot by banning the drums and bells. I dont care what anybody says, it's not the same, the atmosphere has gone and we are no longer the 12th man. These people that are complaining, did they complain after the Milan game, as that was as loud a place as I've ever ben....I think not! All you complainers, DO ONE!
pompey4me
The f'king Noise Act Has anybody who works in Fratton Park been to a match.... It's about time we as supporters Reclaimed OUR ground
Chix
The f'king Noise Act Has anybody who works in Fratton Park been to a match.... It's about time we as supporters Reclaimed OUR ground
Chix
westy doesnt do himself any favours at times, using the bell to cause £3500 worth of damage to the fratton end just gives people ammo to use against him, but allowing a small minority, and it 'must' be a small minority surely that are complaining, to rule the roost as far as the drums and that go is wrong - i thought we lived in a time when 'majority ruled?'
surely it is best to let the few 'threatening to sue' to go, or move, than kill off the atmosphere at fratton, something that we have always been so famous for and so feared for!
pompeyrug
westy doesnt do himself any favours at times, using the bell to cause £3500 worth of damage to the fratton end just gives people ammo to use against him, but allowing a small minority, and it 'must' be a small minority surely that are complaining, to rule the roost as far as the drums and that go is wrong - i thought we lived in a time when 'majority ruled?'
surely it is best to let the few 'threatening to sue' to go, or move, than kill off the atmosphere at fratton, something that we have always been so famous for and so feared for!
pompeyrug
How different the readers comments are on this site compared to those on a certain new-ish Pompey fan site who's identity I'm sure you can guess. Some fan on there is even threatening to make an offical complaint against Westie next time he see's him in a refreshed state at the ground. It makes me most proud to be' Vital' member!
Squee
How different the readers comments are on this site compared to those on a certain new-ish Pompey fan site who's identity I'm sure you can guess. Some fan on there is even threatening to make an offical complaint against Westie next time he see's him in a refreshed state at the ground. It makes me most proud to be' Vital' member!
Squee
 

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