Who wants to join me in W01?

[1SimonGarner]

MILLWALL HOME

Attendance : 12,164
Away following : 400 - % of home average 3%
Home support rating : 3/10
Away support rating : 2/10

Home support : Not a brilliant performance on the pitch but a win is a win. What can I say about the home support that I haven't said before? In short it continues to be a blight on our proud club. A crowd of just over 12,000 with 400 making the trip from London isn't great but I'm afraid it's probably our level at the moment. The noise from the BBE - if that's not an oxymoron - was poor to say the least, even worse than it was for the Watford game and I don't really know what to say as I don't think it will get better any time soon.

Again our little clan in W01 sang for most of the game and again did the club proud even with so few numbers. When you get among a good group like this,it can make the day a good one even if the footy is shite, it's nice to have both but I'm really enjoying going down Ewood now I've found my "home". Some brill lads in there, just wish we could get a few hundred, it really would make the world of difference to matchdays at Ewood.

Away support : Similar numbers to Watford and very poor like them too. I know there's a rail strike on and they're not really tearing things up, but I'd expect them to be pushing a 1000 for a Saturday 3pm KO. They were poor on the pitch and that never helps and kudos for any fan following their team for long distance away games but Millwall's reputation as having passionate fans was certainly not in evidence today.

Anything Funny? : Nothing funny but something I think is worth mentioning. There's a young lad that goes in W01, always has his home shirt on with his name on the back "JACKSON", he's a bit of a celebrity if you look at some VLOGS from away fans as he's a bit chunky shall we say and loves taking his top off, showing his tits and winding up the away fans.

When I got on the ground today, a regular came up to me and told me Jackson's dad had passed away since the last home game and he was upset. I watched him and he was more subdued than usual but as the game went on he warmed up and was on form at the end. He's got his own little family in there, he got loads of pat's on the back and love and hopefully cheered him up at a very sad time for him. Good lad, went on and supported his team even in the toughest of times, he'll be a model fan for years to come and we need more like him.

Summary : Obviously not a good game but it shouldn't need the team performing on the pitch to ALWAYS get the crowd going but it seems like that's the way of it at modern Ewood. As I said above I'm enjoying going more than I have for ages and that's with just 15 or 20 like minded people around me, imagine if we had 500! Maybe soon, fingers crossed.

Although I haven't been sat in W01 for every home game this season, I've been to them all and will list an updated away fans league table after every home match.

COYB

POS TEAM FOLLOWING RATING
1. STOKE CITY 1,800 Approx 6/10
2. WEST BROM 2,300 Approx 5/10
3. Q.P.R 1,270 5/10
4. BRISTOL CITY 800 Approx 4/10
5. WATFORD 592 2/10
6. MILLWALL 400 2/10

 

[Old Darwen Blue]

Great report pal. I sit in the Riverside about half way down the BBE half of the pitch and could hear your lot clearly. I concur the BBE were poor today, as I’ve said before there are too many fans in there and not enough supporters. I do miss the Darren End.

 

[Barmitzvah Boy]

Thanks for the report. I would estimate 300 Millwall fans at the very most.

I could hear you lot but nothing of the BBE who are far closer. Well done and great stuff

WELL DONE JACKSON. We need another 500 like you.


Edit: Attendance: 12,164 (400 away)

 

[steve w]

Were the Millwall fans not having a pop at Rowett?
Got to be worth an extra point or two?
Think their away support needs a bit of slack today - London to here with no trains is a tough ask

 

[Drog]

Away support : Similar numbers to Watford and very poor like them too. I know there's a rail strike on and they're not really tearing things up, but I'd expect them to be pushing a 1000 for a Saturday 3pm KO. They were poor on the pitch and that never helps and kudos for any fan following their team for long distance away games but Millwall's reputation as having passionate fans was certainly not in evidence today.

Have you factored in the meteroic increase in dodgy boxes SG? Look at the options.... a long expensive awayday trip involving an early start and back which virtually wipes out a traditional Sat night at home v a few quid on a dodgy box which will last the entire season.

 

[1SimonGarner]

It's factored into the ratings in so much as the situation is the same for everyone. You could get more and more intricate and say that the ticket price of 25 quid today is more affordable to the average London fan than it is to say a Middlesborough fan so more should come but then you're getting a bit silly.

By the looks of it, Boro took well over 2000 to Coventry today, similar distance, same rail strikes, same amount of dodgy boxes etc. I know some clubs have bigger catchment areas and I try to take everything into account and be fair. Rovers for example have a massive gap between their home and away support, both in terms of the percentage of home crowds they take away and the noise they make, probably the biggest gap in the league. Millwall fans have got their raputation from their trouble making in the 70s and 80s, their modern day support is poor imo even for a smallish club.

 

[1SimonGarner]

You can see the legend that is Jackson here at about 4.19

 

[Old Darwen Blue]

02:26 “There’s about ten Blackburn fans with a drum singing, it sounds so annoying.”

 

[1SimonGarner]

We're aiming for 11 on Saturday ODB!

I know I said it'd be nice to have 500 in that section, but if 10 or 15 can be heard and wind the away fans up a bit, just think what even 50 or a 100 could do, literally every one voice does count. I know it probably sounds very trivial to most but I'll say it again, it's a bad reflection on the club and if it bothers you, like it does me, then do something about it.

COYB

 

[Old Darwen Blue]

We're aiming for 11 on Saturday ODB!

I know I said it'd be nice to have 500 in that section, but if 10 or 15 can be heard and wind the away fans up a bit, just think what even 50 or a 100 could do, literally every one voice does count. I know it probably sounds very trivial to most but I'll say it again, it's a bad reflection on the club and if it bothers you, like it does me, then do something about it.

COYB

I would but I’m a bit old now.

 

[blueandwhitehalves]

Sorry about my lack of attendance so far 1SG, having a bloody mare so far.
Watford - work
Millwall - stag do
Rotherham - funeral!

I'll be adding my big gob to proceedings at some point. Least Rovers are getting my money in the meantime

 

[1SimonGarner]

No worries BAWH, make sure you're there for the Sunderland game, we're gonna have to try and out sing about 5000 pissed up away fans.

 

[Barmitzvah Boy]

No worries BAWH, make sure you're there for the Sunderland game, we're gonna have to try and out sing about 5000 pissed up away fans.

I recall in 1991, or thereabouts, they only brought about 80 for an evening game.

 

[1SimonGarner]

ROTHERHAM HOME

Attendance : 12,233
Away following : 919 - % of home average 9%
Home support rating : 3/10
Away support rating : 3/10

Home support : A lovely mild autumn day in picturesque Blackburn with a chance of getting back into the play off places and we muster just over 11000 home fans. The sooner people start looking at supporting our club as a labour of love and not as some sort of customer that's buying a service the better. I won't be holding my breath. I'm just going to sound like a parrot I'm afraid for 90% of the home games as there's little chance of anything changing, the BE were woeful again, even watching a very good if not brilliant performance and a convincing 3 nil win. I genuinely don't know what it takes to get people going and making a bit of noise, it's almost as if most see it as doing something wrong or feeling self conscious about it.

In all honesty, if it weren't for our little section again singing for most of the 90 mins, I'd have given the home support 2/10. There were definitely a few more in the W01 at the back today, but still no where near the numbers we need, Another 50 or 100 this season would be great and hopefully more next season when people aren't tied to this season's season tickets. EDIT people leaving before the end is another thing that infuriates me, stay to the end and clap the players off for gods sake.

Away support : I was a bit disappointed with them today TBH. I've always thought that most Yorkshire clubs have pretty vociferous support and would have put Rotherham in with that with what I've seen in the past, but even allowing for the result, they really made little noise even at 0-0. Numbers weren't bad, nearly a thousand for a small club is pretty good but from a noise point of view 3/10 was being generous. Half of their support was sat down as well which will lose you points, BEWARE

Anything Funny/Of Interest? : There was a good bit of banter today as you'd expect when we're playing a team from Yarkshire. There was a bloke in the away end that had a slight resemblance to Jimmy Saville, he got some stick and there were a few chants of "he's gonna cry in a minute" when a few of the Rotherham fans started getting a bit upset after the 3rd went in.

One thing I found out today which I feel is worth mentioning. At half time I spoke to the girl who brings the drum in and asked her if she'd bought it or whether the club provide it as it has the Rovers badge on it. She said she'd bought it but Steve Waggot had reimbursed her to the tune of about 75 quid. He takes a lot of stick, some no doubt justified, but I thought this was something he should be applauded for.

Summary : As I've said above, a lot of these reports, certainly in regards to the home support is going to sound repetitive, but there's no harm in doing them, it doesn't take too much time and some of the away support will be worth mentioning no doubt at some stage this season. I can't say anything I haven't before, our home support really is poor, not just the numbers but the noise, or lack of it, made by the ones who do turn up. Could do better is a massive understatement. I'm going to Wigan on Tuesday so I'll do a report after that and hopefully we'll be breaking the WLW sequence.

COYB.

POS	TEAM	DISTANCE	DAY/NIGHT	FOLLOWING	% HOME AVGE	RESULT	RATING
1	STOKE CITY	70 Miles	DAY	1,800 (A)	8.72	WON	6/10
2	WEST BROM	107 Miles	DAY	2,300 (A)	10.35	LOST	5/10
3	QPR	240 Miles	DAY	1270	9.06	LOST	5/10
4	BRISTOL CITY	192 Miles	DAY	800 (A)	4.02	WON	4/10
5	ROTHERHAM	68 Miles	DAY	919	9.21	LOST	3/10
6	WATFORD	227 Miles	NIGHT	592	3.07	LOST	2/10
7	MILLWALL	240 Miles	NIGHT	400	2.88	LOST	2/10

 

[steve w]

ROTHERHAM HOME

Attendance : 12,233
Away following :919
Home support rating : 3/10
Away support rating : 3/10

Home support : A lovely mild autumn day in picturesque Blackburn with a chance of getting back into the play off places and we muster just over 11000 home fans. The sooner people start looking at supporting our club as a labour of love and not as some sort of customer that's buying a service the better. I won't be holding my breath. I'm just going to sound like a parrot I'm afraid for 90% of the home games as there's little chance of anything changing, the BE were woeful again, even watching a very good if not brilliant performance and a convincing 3 nil win. I genuinely don't know what it takes to get people going and making a bit of noise, it's almost as if most see it as doing something wrong or feeling self conscious about it.

In all honesty, if it weren't for our little section again singing for most of the 90 mins, I'd have given the home support 2/10. There were definitely a few more in the W01 at the back today, but still no where near the numbers we need, Another 50 or 100 this season would be great and hopefully more next season when people aren't tied to this season's season tickets.

Away support : I was a bit disappointed with them today TBH. I've always thought that most Yorkshire clubs have pretty vociferous support and would have put Rotherham in with that with what I've seen in the past, but even allowing for the result, they really made little noise even at 0-0. Numbers weren't bad, nearly a thousand for a small club is pretty good but from a noise point of view 3/10 was being generous.

Anything Funny/Of Interest? : There was a good bit of banter today as you'd expect when we're playing a team from Yarkshire. There was a bloke in the away end that had a slight resemblance to Jimmy Saville, he got some stick and there were a few chants of "he's gonna cry in a minute" when a few of the Rotherham fans started getting a bit upset after the 3rd went in.

One thing I found out today which I feel is worth mentioning. At half time I spoke to the girl who brings the drum in and asked her if she'd bought it or whether the club provide it as it has the Rovers badge on it. She said she'd bought it but Steve Waggot had reimbursed her to the tune of about 75 quid. He takes a lot of stick, some no doubt justified, but I thought this was something he should be applauded for.

Summary : As I've said above, a lot of these reports, certainly in regards to the home support is going to sound repetitive, but there's no harm in doing them, it doesn't take too much time and some of the away support will be worth mentioning no doubt at some stage this season. I can't say anything I haven't before, our home support really is poor, not just the numbers but the noise, or lack of it, made by the ones who do turn up. Could do better is a massive understatement. I'm going to Wigan on Tuesday so I'll do a report after that and hopefully we'll be breaking the WLW sequence.

COYB.


POS TEAM FOLLOWING RATING
1. STOKE CITY 1,800 Approx 6/10
2. WEST BROM 2,300 Approx 5/10
3. Q.P.R 1,270 5/10
4. BRISTOL CITY 800 Approx 4/10
5. ROTHERHAM 919 3/10
6. WATFORD 592 2/10
7. MILLWALL 400 2/10

Love these reports - It is a bit different and as a regular home and away supporter for many years it is enlightening looking at other teams support -- as well as ours.
I love the view from the JWU but will maybe join you guys for a cup game

 

[Barmitzvah Boy]

Personally I have always found Steve Waggott to be a decent guy.

 

[Drog]

I thought the BBurn end were pretty noisy today.

 

[1SimonGarner]

Judging an atmosphere at a football ground can sometimes be tricky depending on A) where you're sat and B) how much noise there is in the immediate area you're in.

I remember well, in our earlier Premiership days, a discussion on a Man Utd forum were they asked if the Rovers were the quietest home fans they'd come across in the Prem. I always made the excuse that if you're slap bang in the middle of 8,000 noisy away fans ( and Utd's away support has always been top class) then of course you're going to struggle to hear the home support, especially when the main singing section is 120 yards away. Being sat in the Blackburn End for those Man Utd home games, the atmosphere in there was electric, certainly in comparison to the one we have in there nowadays.

I've made loads of excuses like this in the past and there's certainly some validity in some of them. The section I was in today is almost certainly the loudest little section in the home areas at the moment, with the drum going, people banging on the boards at the back of the stand and 25/30 loud singers, so that will certainly have a bit of an effect on how often I can hear the Blackburn End.

Having said all that, if it was truly bouncing, I'd hear them no problem. There were a couple of times in the home game against Watford where the noise was slightly respectable but nothing special. As I've said before and not wishing to sound big headed, but if we had 8,000 of me in there, people would be talking about our home support for the right reasons.

Anyway onwards and upwards, we played well today, if we could get 4pts from these two away games It'd be a good platform to build on.

COYB

 

[1SimonGarner]

WIGAN AWAY

Attendance : 13,611
Away following : 3427 - % of home average 26%
Home support rating : 6/10
Away support rating : 2/10

Away support : Where do I start with this? I could spend the whole day writing paragraphs and paragraphs on how fucking shite it was (pardon my french) but what's the point?

If I was disappointed with the teams performance on the pitch, and I was, it was nothing compared to how furious I was with the embarrassing support from the stands. If we go back to 7.45 pm last night, all the 3427 Rovers fans that turned up would have been aware that a win would have taken us JOINT TOP OF THE TABLE, who would have thought that at the beginning of the season? Not me and not any sensible Rovers fans. So you'd think that with this incentive, the stand would've been bouncing at the start at least, for the first 10 minutes at least, for the first 20 minutes at least.......

NO it was like a morgue, flatter than my ex's chest, nothing, nada. If it wasn't so annoying it'd be funny but the only chant we really got at any time in the first half was "blue and white army" and EVERY time it was started by the bloody Wigan fans who have the same chant and we're 10 x louder than the Rovers fans! It's an absolute joke and for the first time in my entire life watching the Rovers, at half time, I wanted to come off I was that pissed off with how ridiculously poor our support was.

I didn't of course, we got our chorus of boos at half and full time, as always mostly from the people who are mute when it comes to actually voicing anything encouraging during the match, no singing but I'll have a bloody good moan. As I've said elsewhere I'm seriously starting to think that there is actually something added to the water in Blackburn that turns people, not into flesh eating zombies, but a miserable, negative, boring more benign variant!

I've been pretty positive about our away support in the past and if I'd have done a report after the Blackpool game, we'd have got a 7/10 BUT we won that game, went in front early and played well. The 2/10 rating last night was purely based on decent numbers, 3 1/2 thousand for a night match live on Sky is respectable, for the actual support and encouragement it would be 0/10. There's undoubtedly a lack of steel in the team at the moment, but before we start slagging off the team maybe we should take accountability for our role as fans of the club and be honest and say there's a total lack of steel in the stands too.

Home support : I was more impressed with the Wigan fans than I thought I'd be, despite the ground being half empty, their singing section near the away fans (where have we heard that concept before?) was pretty noisy all night. Despite the other 2 sides of the ground offering little or nothing in terms of the atmosphere, it felt like decent home support just with that one section banging away all night. It just shows what difference a few hundred situated in the right place in the ground can make to the atmosphere - even in a half empty stadium.

I would also add that the steep sides of a ground like the DW are also more conducive to noise than the gentler slopes at Ewood, but all in all the Wigan fans showed the Rovers fans up last night.


Anything Funny/Of Interest? : Certainly nothing funny, I was as mad as I can ever remember being at a Rovers game. One thing that really struck me last night about the support, apart from how shite it was, was how many kids there were there. I was stood near the front and it felt like I'd bought tickets to the family stand by mistake. Countless Dads with kids, Mums with kids, Mums and Dads with kids!!

Some might say that's good for the future of the club but in my experience you'd be lucky if 10 or 20% of these kids actually grow up to be hardcore Rovers fans. Over the years I've had loads of young relatives that have had fads of supporting the Rovers when they're young but almost always grow out of it when they get older, unless the adult they're going with is hardcore, those parent that sat near me last night were anything but hardcore fans.

After the kids we get a black hole and then loads of older fans (I'm not being ageist, I'm 50 myself next year), where are all the "lads". the 18-40 age group, it's like we're missing a whole generation of fan. When you take this into account, and the dodgy toxins that are in our water, it's no wonder the support was as bobbins as it was. Really sad.

The one positive on the night was getting to meat (sic) crusty the pie, without doubt the best Mascot in the whole league, the woman walking him round the ground caught my eye and KNEW I wanted to meet him, I was like a big kid

Summary : I'm not beyond the understanding that events on the pitch have a big influence on the support from the stands, but the Rovers fans seem to be totally incapable of pro active support, good if we're winning and playing well, but absolutely nothing otherwise.

I could sum last night up in one sentence. No steel in the side, no steel in the stands. There's only one of those things that we as fans can realistically change. As always, I won't be holding my breath.

EMBARRASSING SUPPORT

COYB

 

[Barmitzvah Boy]

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