REDaction Mailout

[marcengels]

Good, well structured reply.

The problem for me is that the things that you can do, the club will allow, will not change whether you have a dozen or a hundred people. The club will only let things go to a certain level.

For me, yet certainly not for all, some of these things are tinkering around the edges, or are even negative for certain reasons. So please, can I ask that if one makes a complaint, then it is not replied to with a "ok, so what do you suggest instead?". You can't just say that at least we are doing something - so therefore, it should be accepted.

My position is that the club has what they want and for various reasons, things will just not change a significant amount - regardless of what you try to do. Some of the things that you do will please people, and I accept that. But the problems go much deeper than things that you can solve.

[goonerben.n5]

Good, well structured reply.

The problem for me is that the things that you can do, the club will allow, will not change whether you have a dozen or a hundred people. The club will only let things go to a certain level.

For me, yet certainly not for all, some of these things are tinkering around the edges, or are even negative for certain reasons. So please, can I ask that if one makes a complaint, then it is not replied to with a "ok, so what do you suggest instead?". You can't just say that at least we are doing something - so therefore, it should be accepted.

My position is that the club has what they want and for various reasons, things will just not change a significant amount - regardless of what you try to do. Some of the things that you do will please people, and I accept that. But the problems go much deeper than things that you can solve.

Thanks for the reply, and I agree with you to a large extent.

One thing I guess I only half agree on is that numbers wouldn't change much. For the Porto game, I am currently in an email conversation with some of the other REDaction "organisers", about what to do to generate a great atmosphere at kick off. Some of the suggested things will happen, but those that don't will generally be ruled out because of time, money, or lack of manpower to actually carry it out. But mostly the latter.

What may end up happening with the resources we have, is an email campaign for people to get into the ground early, plus a couple of big flags coming out before kickoff. Anything more ambitious (and more impactful) like a card display, tickertape, lots of flags/banners etc, starts to need more people than we have available. So the possible effect of doing anything is hugely reduced.

Even having a couple of dozen people in different parts of the ground, that we could reliably call on to distribute whatever it may be in their areas, would change what we can do enormously. Or, a couple of active reps in each of the main pubs near the ground, that could spend an hour before each game "circulating" in the pub - would make a huge difference.

[digger]

You do tend to get a rush a fans on a kick-off as most are leaving nearby pubs. CL night are just riddiculous trying to get in but I don't know how that can be fixed given UEFA's no drink policy. If the Club drink prices were competitve and the drinks weren't watered down I could see more going to the staduim early. Especially if there's another game on the screens.

2) I vaguely remembered the band but then I was at the CE. Block 5 itself did have a drummer. What happened to her as I've not seen her? She was once asked to stop and escorted out during a game but within minutes and mass backing was re-instated alonmg with the drum. However, she was a bit shit! lol
So the club don't shouldn't have an issue with a band as they allow the drum.

Re: point one. There are loads of catering outlets around the ground (particularly in the North end of the ground) but never seem to be open. Are they licenced, and if they are, can they sell booze on a CL night (they're "outside" the ground so I'd be pretty surprised if they were tied to the same legislation). They have a similar setup outside the San Siro and you can freely buy a beer before or after the game. The outside concourses seem big enough to host a few thousand people who want to stand around and have a beer.

Re: point two. I stood behind the drummer once. If I wasn't a metre away from her, I wouldn't have known she was there. Hardly any sound being generated by the drum, and (being picky) it was out of time with almost every chant. Typical Arsenal, even our drummer is a half-arsed effort.

[Boomer]

You do tend to get a rush a fans on a kick-off as most are leaving nearby pubs. CL night are just riddiculous trying to get in but I don't know how that can be fixed given UEFA's no drink policy. If the Club drink prices were competitve and the drinks weren't watered down I could see more going to the staduim early. Especially if there's another game on the screens.

2) I vaguely remembered the band but then I was at the CE. Block 5 itself did have a drummer. What happened to her as I've not seen her? She was once asked to stop and escorted out during a game but within minutes and mass backing was re-instated alonmg with the drum. However, she was a bit shit! lol
So the club don't shouldn't have an issue with a band as they allow the drum.

Re: point one. There are loads of catering outlets around the ground (particularly in the North end of the ground) but never seem to be open. Are they licenced, and if they are, can they sell booze on a CL night (they're "outside" the ground so I'd be pretty surprised if they were tied to the same legislation). They have a similar setup outside the San Siro and you can freely buy a beer before or after the game. The outside concourses seem big enough to host a few thousand people who want to stand around and have a beer.

Re: point two. I stood behind the drummer once. If I wasn't a metre away from her, I wouldn't have known she was there. Hardly any sound being generated by the drum, and (being picky) it was out of time with almost every chant. Typical Arsenal, even our drummer is a half-arsed effort.

You know her well!

Good info to know regarding the outlets.
Even if you're drinking outside the ground. It's effectively drinking on the streets. (albeit on the concourse outside the ground) *separate point see below! Might as well by a can but that's not the point. Most of the games are in late winter evenings which will either be cold, dark and wet. Normally all three!
Still fans will wait until 7:40 before getting to the gates by which point it take several minutes to get in.

* I believe your not meant to drink on the streets around the ground. I don't know the details but there's a zone or something??
The one time I did it (L'pool in the CC) I was with friends taking pictures by the round about. Didn't realise but a copper was right next to us. He politely (in a jobs worth your scum type of manner) asked us to 'walk on' because of the zone.
However, get onto the concourse outside the gates and everyones drinking.

[digger]

I think most of N5/N7 are controlled alcohol zones now, but the concourse around the ground (everywhere from the bridges to the steps) are owned by Arsenal and not a public Right of way (I guess it's like having a beer outside a pub, legally?). I've drank bottles of beer outside the ground on CL nights with no aggro from the old bill.

[marcengels]

Good, well structured reply.

The problem for me is that the things that you can do, the club will allow, will not change whether you have a dozen or a hundred people. The club will only let things go to a certain level.

For me, yet certainly not for all, some of these things are tinkering around the edges, or are even negative for certain reasons. So please, can I ask that if one makes a complaint, then it is not replied to with a "ok, so what do you suggest instead?". You can't just say that at least we are doing something - so therefore, it should be accepted.

My position is that the club has what they want and for various reasons, things will just not change a significant amount - regardless of what you try to do. Some of the things that you do will please people, and I accept that. But the problems go much deeper than things that you can solve.

Thanks for the reply, and I agree with you to a large extent.

One thing I guess I only half agree on is that numbers wouldn't change much. For the Porto game, I am currently in an email conversation with some of the other REDaction "organisers", about what to do to generate a great atmosphere at kick off. Some of the suggested things will happen, but those that don't will generally be ruled out because of time, money, or lack of manpower to actually carry it out. But mostly the latter.

What may end up happening with the resources we have, is an email campaign for people to get into the ground early, plus a couple of big flags coming out before kickoff. Anything more ambitious (and more impactful) like a card display, tickertape, lots of flags/banners etc, starts to need more people than we have available. So the possible effect of doing anything is hugely reduced.

Even having a couple of dozen people in different parts of the ground, that we could reliably call on to distribute whatever it may be in their areas, would change what we can do enormously. Or, a couple of active reps in each of the main pubs near the ground, that could spend an hour before each game "circulating" in the pub - would make a huge difference.

goonerben.n5

I understand. I should probably leave it at that, because I am quite negative on this issue and I do feel that you guys are making an effort, in your own time, for the benefit of others. So, well done and keep trying to push harder all the time.

[Boomer]

I think most of N5/N7 are controlled alcohol zones now, but the concourse around the ground (everywhere from the bridges to the steps) are owned by Arsenal and not a public Right of way (I guess it's like having a beer outside a pub, legally?). I've drank bottles of beer outside the ground on CL nights with no aggro from the old bill.

It was just my luck the only time I was doing it was infront of the blod!

If I need to do it next time I did think all I need to do it get outside the staduim. It's like a safe zone.

[edit] So why don't they just say 'if you head up the steps lad(s) you can carry-on drinking. But not on the streets okay ' rather than send you on your way!

[augie]

I know I am probably in the minority here but I still believe that having a fan with a megaphone starting the chants (like parma used to have) would be a huse help to getting the crowd and atmosphere going. When I talk about a fan with a megaphone I am talking about a proper fan and not some dick employed by the club

What I know I am not in the minority about is the criticism of whoever it is in charge of the tannoy/music pre game. This *word censored* absolutely ruins any possibility of getting the crowd going by playing fcuking pop songs and playing them too loud as well (though that might be my age talking ). If we want the likes of redaction and other fans who actually want to sing and chant then we have to have a platform for them "to perform" instead of being drowned out by some clown who thinks he is the next fatboy slim

[mike]

The tannoy guy is hideous. The whole crowd shouting the 2nd name bollocks is one of the cringiest things I've ever heard in a football stadium. He's the same guy we had at Highbury isn't he and he never done any of that nonsense there. He's being told to do it i guess but can't he be un-told?! It's sooooo embarassing.

[tel]

I know I am probably in the minority here but I still believe that having a fan with a megaphone starting the chants (like parma used to have) would be a huse help to getting the crowd and atmosphere going. When I talk about a fan with a megaphone I am talking about a proper fan and not some dick employed by the club

What I know I am not in the minority about is the criticism of whoever it is in charge of the tannoy/music pre game. This c**t absolutely ruins any possibility of getting the crowd going by playing fcuking pop songs and playing them too loud as well (though that might be my age talking ). If we want the likes of redaction and other fans who actually want to sing and chant then we have to have a platform for them "to perform" instead of being drowned out by some clown who thinks he is the next fatboy slim

Good point re the megaphone. I was watching Stuttgart v Barca the other night and a Stuttgart fan or fans(??) had them to start chants and seemed to have most of the crowd with him. As long as it's someone who knows some of our older songs and not just we've by far the greatest team, stand up, oh Ashley Cole, WHo are ya etc then it would be very welcome as I think it would spread around the ground quicker.

Couldn't agree more about the Tannoy idiot, he along with TWOY are the reasons why I don't go to my seat until the teams are walking out. I have nothing in common with this muppet who along with that song just embarasses me.

[digger]

Couldn't agree more about the Tannoy idiot, he along with TWOY are the reasons why I don't go to my seat until the teams are walking out. I have nothing in common with this muppet who along with that song just embarasses me.

+1

I normally get in my seat just as the game kicks off. The pre-match "entertainment" is rubbish. I just remember it being so much better at Highbury... I was usually there 30/40 mins before ko.

[Dan_85]

Good point re the megaphone. I was watching Stuttgart v Barca the other night and a Stuttgart fan or fans(??) had them to start chants and seemed to have most of the crowd with him. As long as it's someone who knows some of our older songs and not just we've by far the greatest team, stand up, oh Ashley Cole, WHo are ya etc then it would be very welcome as I think it would spread around the ground quicker.

A couple of big, noisy bastards around the bottom of the lower tier leading everything like this would be good....



Of course elf & safety would prevent him standing on the railing and he might just ruin someone's matchday experience

[digger]

And obviously if they were standing at the front, they'd be ruining the enjoyment of the game for everyone behind them

[Its Up 4 Grabs Now]

The megaphone idea could be good, but equally it could just as easily turn into a bit of a joke. As someone else said it would come down to what songs the guy was trying to get going - if it was just the same selection as we get now the whole megaphone thing would just highlight the shiteness & limited range of our songs. And if it was newer ones most people haven’t heard yet and/or some of the older classics that a lot of newer fans wont know that well, then all you’re gonna get is some guy starting a song off on the megaphone & a muffled response before the song dies out cos 80% of people in the ground don’t know how the rest it goes. And seeing as we’d be the first club over here to try the megaphone thing (I think?) if it went tits up we’d be a bit of a laughing stock, especially with the reputation we already have - deserved or not.

For it to work properly it would probably have to be done in conjunction with some kind of effort to educate people about more songs (new & old) than just the 3 or 4 that get repeated as things stand.

I still reckon one way would be to get some recordings done & play them in the concourses before the game & especially during half-time. Or failing that, different groups of fans (from RA or whoever) organising to spend HT spread out around the concourses trying to kick start specific songs that a lot of fans might not know - obviously that's where the extra man-power issue comes in. In the confined space where the noise would reverberate off the walls, & without have-a-go-heroes in orange jackets telling everyone to sit down etc it should be easier to get a sing-song going than in the stands.

As naff as it sounds it only has to be a relatively short-term measure & at least more people would get to know the songs so that when the megaphone guy starts them off during the game there’s more chance of everyone else joining in. Obviously there’s no way the club would play any songs with any big bad swear words or ripping the piss out of rivals etc, but then they’re hardly gonna let anyone sing those songs through a megaphone anyway. Can you imagine how PHW & friends would shit themselves if live on TV some guy with a loudspeaker started blaring out “Eyes right, skin back tight…â€

[afchackney]

fair play to alansunderland he comes on and answers peoples criticism
but why is alan sunderland the only person who talks to the fans
when red action are supposed to represent the fans?????

why don t they get a stickied topic on the main boards??
the email they send round, yh u can email them back but its not like everyone ggets to see what someone has said

regarding the atmosphere, ive said this alot of times
the only way to improve it is to expand the red action block on the lower teir
so the singin section goes right behind the goal ideally next to away fans
but i doubt this will ever happen
the main problem is u have people who want to sing jump up mixed in woth people who want to sit down in silence
seperate the 2 and the problem is solved
more blocks where like minded people can sit is a must

plus if red action insist on there rocket thing
they have a bar and a micropphone a good couple hundred singers
surely they can get some new songs going??
whenever ive seen the march they sing the same 5 songs
that is shit basically