Portsmouth News 24/7Writer: pompeyrug 
Date:Wednesday November 14 2007
Time: 8:00AM
UK time is: 14:51:03
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Is the Fratton atmosphere going?
There has been quite a lot of talk in the forum about the atmosphere not being as it once was at Fortress Fratton and all this has got me thinking about various things on this level, although in truth my cousin first got me thinking about this several weeks ago with something that he said to me during a recent visit to see some family.
The atmosphere, in my own opinion - as much as my visits to the Fortress are few and far between these days, so it is hard to comment too much - might not quite seem what it was. Its not the same not being there week in week out but you still hear this on the TV and radio too, and as good as it has been - as usual - at times this season I do not think it has quite been the same - reasons?
Pompey4me, in his thread in the forum - here - shared some opinions, I would agree with most but my main thoughts on this are:
New songs - You cannot beat the old classics, these will never die but maybe it is time that some new songs came about, there are so many to be had that could be adapted to suit us they just need to catch on, so I feel we could maybe do with some fresh meat?
Milton End - Having the roof put on the away end now gives the away fans the added lift too - and having sat in this end, clearly with the home fans but along side the away lot when we played Reading, I heard this first hand. Sitting in the North Stand when we faced Blackburn also gave a good indication and they were good - but then again both these sets of fans usually are.
So having a roof on the away end boosts them and maybe does not make us sound 'as vocal' as we were, even though we still are...
Do not get me wrong I quite like hearing the away fans too and the roof has helped them so it could just be as I say deceptive to be honest, with this just aiding them thus making us not sound like we always have been and still are?
'Anti scum songs' - Probably my biggest gripe are the 'anti scum songs' I feel that many people are fed up with these - I know that I am as to be honest, although you cannot forget your rivalry why worry about them?
Let them worry about themselves, they should be singing about us now, they should worry not us as they are a million miles away from us now - in footballing terms anyway. Why not focus on what we are doing and where we are going, we have no need to worry about them...
So really in summary although I initially thought that maybe the atmosphere had dropped off a little, which I might have a bit, I do not actually think it has on reflection and would probably say that having a roof on the away end has contributed mostly to the thinking it had, it is just a case of being able to hear the away fans more so it seems we are not as vocal as we were - but lets drop the scum songs, or at least reduce them!
Other theories, including some of the above have been shared in that forum thread so check it out - here.
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Your Comments
Still the best atmosphere in the country, no matter who you talk to everyone agrees that Fratton is still special amongst the grounds.
The passion that comes from us is the best in the league, and i reckon it is worth a point or two to the team.
The songs will never change, and the anti-scum songs are replicated in rivals all over the world, and rivalry is what makes football special.
Although i agree with everyone that one day we will move to a new purpose built stadium!! but until that day never underestimate the great tradition that is Fratton Park and its fans.
Owenspompey
couldnt agree more - i still fully believe that we are the best fans in the world, as i say the thoughts that the atmosphere is dying off might have appeared that way but its deceptive really the away end and the noise that comes from it due to the new roof might make it seem like we arent as good but we are...
pompeyrug
When a club becomes successful the atmosphere does drop a bit. I've been a season ticket holder for 10 years and have only missed a handful of home games in that time and have definately observed a reduction in the intensity of the atmosphere, songs are sung for shorter duration and the number of songs has reduced such as the anti scum songs. For a number of years we've had relegation battles and I think the fans became the force behind the survival battles. The away support during my 10 years has also been incredible, the best in the country by far. I think some fans are becoming complacent and over expecting of our position in the league. Against Man City we were trying to start songs off (We sit in the fratton end in roww kk) but at times it was like pulling teeth. My concern is we become another club that loses touch of its working club roots and circumbs to the corporate side. Talk to some Chelsea fans and they will tell you the atmosphere at time is dire. It's an interesting point to debate.
spencepompey
Na...I think were still ok!!! :) I cant see us loosing our passion!
CharlieChimes
its a difficult areas isnt it - the more successful we become the more prices will rise, the more they rise maybe the more of the 'working man' types will not be able to afford to go... i sincerely hope that we are not lost to the 'corporate types' and would hope that the club do remember us and dont forget us and use as merely as a business venture... granted football is a business now but we cannot be forgotten - the vast majority of us have been there all along, through the struggles so we shouldnt be left behind and i hope we wont be - but this is kind of going off at another angle really...
pompeyrug
i think taht noone has left! mabye a bit more sophisticated with better expectations. and perhaps dont need to lift the team as much, but when there are needing lifts, we are still amazing, i am agreeing with anti scum songs, although I hate them, im not that bothered, when i hear ''stnad up if you hate the scum'', guess wat, i sit down! new songs are great, but what new songs could we include which dont go to the orignal tunes and rythm?
PompeyGleamer
We are the best supporters in the country, we prove it every season, i feel we are the most loyal and fiercely patriotic in the league.
As for the scum songs they are our rivals and we detest them so we are bound to sing about them and revel in their current plight, just like they did to us for so many seasons.
Lets not be naive, if the situation was reversed they would be doing the same.
Owenspompey
pompey do quite a bit to keep prices down - the free coach trips, and the plabs for a new, bigger stadium are examples. whilst we are still at fratton,there is little danger of the corperates taking over, but the move to the new stadium will hopefully see ticket prices drop, and hopefully not too many sold to corperates.
pompeycarpet
its is a worry, but a worry which shouldnt get intertwined with the football, hopefully..
PompeyGleamer
prices aimed at the fans, not the football. unfortunatly, the football costs money, and we wont get it by charging £10 for tickets, with only 20 000 for sale.
pompeycarpet
i think the prices are pretty much at the max which they can get - i know its costs money to attract stars but if we start charging much more than £41 to watch pompey it really will price even more people out... fortunately for me - all being well - i might be coming into a new job down the line so i shouldnt have a problem looking after myself financially and others, also getting a season ticket next year shouldnt be a problem at all... but not everyone can say this can they. its worth it, but 41 quid for a ticket is a hell of alot of money isnt it...
pompeyrug
Some good posts fellas but there is somewhat of a contradiction in what some of you say... You say that you think the atmosphere shouldn't change but you also want to change things (i.e. no anti-scum songs) My view for what it is worth is that there is too much reliance on a certain Mr Westwood to lead the proceedings and with that goes the opportunity for some brave soul to stand up and get a new song going - I've been singing my head off at the back of the Fratton End for thirty odd years and will continue to do so whether it be an anti-scum song or another song which most of you dislike 'we are staying up' perhaps !! What's being sung is somewhat irrelevant it is the noise it makes that counts ... Remember the noise & the passion of the Fraton End was there long before any of us were born and although it's a healthy debate to discuss whether or not its waneing it is up to us to ensure it doesn't. So I say sing the 'traditional' songs they are what our fathers and grandfathers sung and therefore we should be proud to sing them - Stand up if you hate the scum.... I'm the first on my feet.
Chix
...and another thing... I agree that we could perhaps do with another couple of songs so if Spence is up for it with his comments about starting new song (i sit a few rows in front of him) lets have a thread to 'write' a new song something simple and I will get it sung at one end of the the Fratton End and spence can start it at the other andit will take off - virtually gauranteed - (has to be good though) ... Now there's a challenge .... atmosphere I'll give you atmosphere ;) ..no drums or bugles though...
Chix
It would be good to start a miny campaigne to start certain songs. Next home game is Everton at home on the 1st Dec. Some how use sites like this to get the message out to the fans.
spencepompey
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