Last theatre of English Fotball?

[Rattea]

I've been to a fair few football grounds over the years. Somewhere around 200. I experienced the atmosphere in te 70s and 80s and the jostling, having to not see half the game and the near most zones of the terraces.

But since the 90s I have seen the money flood into the game, the fan base change, the stadiums change and the traditions lost. Even none league football is very different today and clubs can rise from the conference to championship with very little having to be done.

But I have to say about the only place to retain some of this was West Ham. ****nal sold it years ago, manure is just a commodity and Liverpool has no real soul in the ground anymore. Everton have the old ground but not really the noise to qualify. We took two steps forward and two and a half back IMO when we moved.

So did last night see the end of what made the game so different in this country for so long? I agree times have to I've on but at what cost? - [url=http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/

[roger_ramjet]

Theres still Hillsbrough, Villa Park, St James Park, Elland Road but all of those are likely to host championship matches next season..... coincidence?

[Rattea]

It takes the club, the ground and the tradition. None of those meet that criteria. Villa park is modern and silent. Hillsborough is a dump and half empty. Bellend road half empty old and dead, Newcastle is to big on two sides and a modern football stadium.

We are not talking just stadia it takes a complete package of things. The east end of London is a back water mostly still in areas too. It was still a big family thing.

[roger_ramjet]

Hmmm. Im guessing youve not had the **** kicked out of you on the Chicken Run or even sat on the Manure team bus to justify the tag of "Family Club"

[roger_ramjet]

But I suppose even the Krays were kind to their family and their Mum. Clear lack of comprehension of London football being shown here Rats

[AnagRam]

Not sure you've chosen the right example there Rats. West Ham have had their best season for years...hence last night's enthusiasm perhaps, but their fans are, imo and experience, amongst the worst in the league and have been since the late sixties-seventies. 'Family thing'? Must be a problem family after the way they behaved before last night's match.

[Andy_Faber]

One thing for sure, the Baseball Ground was unique for atmosphere even back in the day. Actually, The City ground is still a throwback type ground, albeit I've only even been in it when it was packed (ie for a Derby Game) - hotchpotch of different stands, that crap old stand with pillars in the way, and if any of you have ever had the 'pleasure' of Forest's corporate 'hospitality', conditions are almost medieval - imagine being 'wined and dined' in a canteen with Kenny Burns constantly in the way, then having to run across a yard in pouring rain and given the delight of sitting in the old stand in a limited viz seat with 5000 Forest fans. Gross

[ManxRam]

What about Selhurst Park, old ground, brilliant atmosphere?

[AnagRam]

Isn't it just the case that success and 'occasions' breed 'atmosphere'?
Villa Park, Anfield, St. James, the Stadium of Light and Old Trafford all have fantastic atmospheres when things are going well... it's just that they haven't been for a while.
The BBG could be brilliant when we were winning or the situation really mattered, but that was far from always the case and it could be completely 'dead' and full of moaners too. Selhurst Park may have 'rocked' in recent seasons but not when Palace were struggling.
Everywhere from the Pirelli to Stamford Bridge turns into a 'theatre of dreams' given something to dream about.

[Ramfantastic]

Its good that all the old decrepid grounds are being replaced with shiny new ones, Watching football at most new grounds is far better than at the grounds they replaced.
The BBG didn't have a great atmosphere all the time, certainly not in front of seven thousand against Shrewsbury on a freezing cold winters evening and I think it ended 0 -0.
May I ask for those wishing for the return of old grounds take off their rose tinted glasses!
Hillsborough dump
Elland Road should be closed down
City Ground not much better
etc etc.
West Ham Utd a family club (wouldn't like to take my family there v Millwall)!!!
The atmosphere is created by the occasion and excitement of the game!
Hey if DCFC V Real Madrid in the semi final of the champions league was happening tonight the Ipro's roof would come off!