Northampton Town v Sutton united-match thread

[terrier]

I’ve been to Northampton Town several times in the past to see my first team, Huddersfield Town. We’ve always had the south stand, which has traditionally been where away fans were put, and we’d usually sell out. However, I’d noticed on Quest that this season away fans were sometimes being put in the last section of the east stand where Sutton fans were, unless they took a larger support when they’d be in the stand behind the goal.

The story behind the current east stand is well explained on the Gandermonium report. It replaced a perfectly adequate stand which was basically a full-length version of the stands behind both goals which would have afforded better cover.

I’ve seen lots of comments on here about fans standing up in seated areas. I’m not saying it’s right, but I’m afraid you need to get used to it. More often than not, particularly given Sutton’s modest away support, there will be more than enough room to move about so you can stand or sit without any inconvenience. For example, I think Sutton fans going to Rochdale soon will be very pleasantly surprised. Away fans there get at least half of a good-sized, full-length and fully enclosed stand, and it has a famous and superb fish and chip shop immediately behind it as well.

[sallycat]

Oct 5, 2021 5:57:38 GMT markf said:

Oh, ridiculous behaviour. I was four rows from the back and I stood throughout. In fact, I stood at Scunthorpe too and in previous seasons at Wrexham etc, all seated areas.

It is why the Prem League is bringing in safe standing because so many do stand.

Usually if considered a problem, stewards will instruct people to sit. They didn't on Saturday as were more interested in keeping the aisles clear. The home fans opposite didn't appear to be given the same though.

The problem was we were squeezed into an area that included a good portion that was exposed to the weather and a fair number of seats were unusable as a result.

Not sure where Northampton got their numbers from but had they put us behind the goal none of the problems would have occurred. But they didn't have enough stewards or more likely saw a way of not having to hire anymore to save a few bob
.

I note that a couple of people who have mentioned this on here usually stand at home games so why complain when they had to last Saturday?

As was obvious at Exeter, given the choice, the vast majority will stand rather than sit.

Sadly this is the way away fans sometimes get treated and if asked, perhaps our club needs to over estimate the numbers likely to travel, especially for those venues that are comparatively close to Sutton as was Saturday. We might then get a bit more room.

I wouldn't really expect stewards to intervene on behaviour that's just a bit selfish if it isn't a safety issue or likely to lead to crowd trouble.

I do prefer to stand at football, Mark. I'm not complaining that I had to stand. I'm complaining that because of the actions of people a few rows in front of me (who absolutely did have the choice, as it wasn't busy when they arrived and started standing, meaning anyone who arrived close to KO and went behind them also had to stand) I was unable to see large parts of the match I had travelled 100 miles to watch. By that point I couldn't move because I was completely crammed in, squashed uncomfortably up against a concrete block because there were more people than seats in my row. And besides, why should I have to choose between the comfortable, sheltered seat with an excellent view of the pitch that I'd paid for, or having to sit/stand on my own in the pouring rain away from my friends, because some people simply prefer to stand and decide to do so in an area that isn't designed for standing? It's not an issue on terraces that are made for standing because it's then easier to hop up a row or two and move around until you find a place where you can see. Having to stand isn't a problem but having to stand where I can't easily see OR move is not very nice. I'm not saying you don't have a point that we could have done with being given more space (although the designated home areas weren't exactly sitting empty) but I'm talking about people who could have easily sat exactly where they were standing without getting wet or not being able to see. I don't have a problem with them preferring to stand, I have a problem with them choosing the very front seats where any of us could've sat without getting soaked. Can't you guys go nearer the back next time if you want to stay standing?

[markf]

Your reference to being crammed in against a concrete block because there was too many people in that row, hits the nail on the head with regards to the main point of my post.

The home club treated us appallingly by squeezing us into a space not fit for purpose when there was one available. This could be because of the info they received re numbers or just that's what they do irrespective of the weather, when the numbers are lower than a certain figure. Probably about saving money and all clubs are looking to do that where they can.

When I pointed certain aspects of this out to a steward, in particular, the wet seats, she replied that she was getting wet too. I observed to her that she was getting paid for being there while we paid to be so. She had no comeback.

I would point out if those behind me wanted me to sit they could have asked me and the couple of others to. No one did and when I arrived they were mostly standing so I just went with the flow. In my section, we appeared to be the last row standing, all in front were seated.

I expect certain people who attended aren't used to being in a seated area and therefore what is acceptable when in it. The only way is to communicate that to them either by yourself or via a steward.

[Andy K]

It's pretty simple.

If someone in a row of seating chooses to stand, it makes all of the rows behind them obliged to stand. If that/those people are 6 feet+ tall then those shorter people will have a restricted view totally not out of choice. Because of the seats, and flexibility in movement is incomparable to a terrace.

Maybe it's just me, but if I'm in seats and no one is standing in front of me, I won't stand and if I am forced to I try and make sure the row behind me doesn't have its view ruined by my stupidly big head. I won't make any apologies for considering the experience of others as well as my own.

[superus1898]

But Andy you sat right at the back, if you wanted to sit why didn't you sit closer to the front? Or ask politely in person if it was that big of a problem? I had a great time standing from before KO and I'm sure there were plenty seats spare if you asked people to move out of the way.

Great performance and result, well done again to Matt Gray against a side who were apparently after him last season.

[sallycat]

If we wanted to sit...in an all-seater stadium...then WE should be the ones making allowances for others who feel like standing in said all-seated area? Why?

I was with Andy and we picked seats we thought would give us a good view. At that point the rows in front of us weren't full of standing people. But some people several rows in front then decided to stand meaning the rows behind them also had to. By then it was too crowded to move without inconveniencing a lot of people. And besides, where to?

Oct 5, 2021 9:32:32 GMT markf said:

Your reference to being crammed in against a concrete block because there was too many people in that row, hits the nail on the head with regards to the main point of my post.

The home club treated us appallingly by squeezing us into a space not fit for purpose when there was one available. This could be because of the info they received re numbers or just that's what they do irrespective of the weather, when the numbers are lower than a certain figure. Probably about saving money and all clubs are looking to do that where they can.

When I pointed certain aspects of this out to a steward, in particular, the wet seats, she replied that she was getting wet too. I observed to her that she was getting paid for being there while we paid to be so. She had no comeback.

I would point out if those behind me wanted me to sit they could have asked me and the couple of others to. No one did and when I arrived they were mostly standing so I just went with the flow. In my section, we appeared to be the last row standing, all in front were seated.

I expect certain people who attended aren't used to being in a seated area and therefore what is acceptable when in it. The only way is to communicate that to them either by yourself or via a steward.

I accept all the points you're making; I don't disagree with you at all. Except that it would have been useless speaking to the people in front of me. They were standing because the people in front of them were standing, because the people in front of them were standing......by the time it became an issue I didn't really have a way of communicating with the people 4 or 5 rows in front of me, which is why I ask that people please consider the impact they might have on those behind them and maybe don't choose seats near the front of the usable area if you want to stand. I don't think that's asking too much.

[Andy K]

Oct 5, 2021 10:16:18 GMT superus1898 said:

But Andy you sat right at the back, if you wanted to sit why didn't you sit closer to the front? Or ask politely in person if it was that big of a problem? I had a great time standing from before KO and I'm sure there were plenty seats spare if you asked people to move out of the way.

Great performance and result, well done again to Matt Gray against a side who were apparently after him last season.

I picked the driest seats (and not right at the back). It isn't practical to ask the 5 rows in front of me to politely sit down really.

I'm not especially short, so for me, it wasn't as bigger issue as it is for others. My only point is that a bit of consideration for others isn't beyond the realms of possibility for Sutton supporters.

[kpinwp]

Oct 5, 2021 8:53:20 GMT sallycat said:

Oct 5, 2021 5:57:38 GMT markf said:

Oh, ridiculous behaviour. I was four rows from the back and I stood throughout. In fact, I stood at Scunthorpe too and in previous seasons at Wrexham etc, all seated areas.

It is why the Prem League is bringing in safe standing because so many do stand.

Usually if considered a problem, stewards will instruct people to sit. They didn't on Saturday as were more interested in keeping the aisles clear. The home fans opposite didn't appear to be given the same though.

The problem was we were squeezed into an area that included a good portion that was exposed to the weather and a fair number of seats were unusable as a result.

Not sure where Northampton got their numbers from but had they put us behind the goal none of the problems would have occurred. But they didn't have enough stewards or more likely saw a way of not having to hire anymore to save a few bob
.

I note that a couple of people who have mentioned this on here usually stand at home games so why complain when they had to last Saturday?

As was obvious at Exeter, given the choice, the vast majority will stand rather than sit.

Sadly this is the way away fans sometimes get treated and if asked, perhaps our club needs to over estimate the numbers likely to travel, especially for those venues that are comparatively close to Sutton as was Saturday. We might then get a bit more room.

I wouldn't really expect stewards to intervene on behaviour that's just a bit selfish if it isn't a safety issue or likely to lead to crowd trouble.

I do prefer to stand at football, Mark. I'm not complaining that I had to stand. I'm complaining that because of the actions of people a few rows in front of me (who absolutely did have the choice, as it wasn't busy when they arrived and started standing, meaning anyone who arrived close to KO and went behind them also had to stand) I was unable to see large parts of the match I had travelled 100 miles to watch. By that point I couldn't move because I was completely crammed in, squashed uncomfortably up against a concrete block because there were more people than seats in my row. And besides, why should I have to choose between the comfortable, sheltered seat with an excellent view of the pitch that I'd paid for, or having to sit/stand on my own in the pouring rain away from my friends, because some people simply prefer to stand and decide to do so in an area that isn't designed for standing? It's not an issue on terraces that are made for standing because it's then easier to hop up a row or two and move around until you find a place where you can see. Having to stand isn't a problem but having to stand where I can't easily see OR move is not very nice. I'm not saying you don't have a point that we could have done with being given more space (although the designated home areas weren't exactly sitting empty) but I'm talking about people who could have easily sat exactly where they were standing without getting wet or not being able to see. I don't have a problem with them preferring to stand, I have a problem with them choosing the very front seats where any of us could've sat without getting soaked. Can't you guys go nearer the back next time if you want to stay standing?

Exactly this. My position, too. As to anyone telling me what I will and won't have to get used to, as regards a ticketed seat that I've paid for, I think that will be my decision.