atmosphere

[ROADRUNNER]

dont think we will get the old days back like when the mini stand was rocking, its a shame as our vocal support away from home is so good, as i have said on here before most people on the popside just give you a strange look when you try to get the singing going, for christ sake im 54 so if i can try and get behind the team surely we all can, i dont know the answer to this, as for the low crowds i just think its torbay, again we have said this before, to many arm chair chelsea, and man utd fans, but i also believe the club could do more, surely they need to get into the schools and into the town more and that includes newton abbot, give cheap tickets out for a game and see if that gets them along to a game,i think if we could get the kids in for a game or two they may just like a live game.

[Colorado Gull]

It wasn't much variety, but it was 100% better yesterday in the second half. 'Come on you Yellows' was rampantly roaring round Plainmoor like old times and was very loud. 'Come on Torquay' and 'Yellow Army' were also chants that could be heard far and away yesterday afternoon.

[PlainmoorRoar]

Aye 1st half was a bit flat, surprising after the start and also Deadman being a knob

2nd half was much louder, got to love the come on you yellows when it's a corner

[FavGull]

As I said on the match thread, this was the worst atmosphere I have experienced at Plainmoor. I don't think we really sang a song in the first half. And although better in the second half, with a few short 'yellow army's' and 'come on you yellows', I'm sure helped along by many like myself who wanted to get some kind of an atmosphere going, it was unfortunately still lacking. I admit I didn't get any songs started, as I am a little older now and was with a friend I hadn't seen for a good while so it didn't seem appropriate. However, I did consider it, but on the end limited myself to joining in where I could and thinking of possible solutions to this difficult conundrum.

The solution has to be organisation. The people who stand, or stood, where the fanatics banner is had some semblance of organisation to get chanting going in the past, they must have had. So what has happened? Do they not go any more? Have the younger members of this group not taken on the mantle? Did it all revolve around the missing drum? It seems strange that the chanting resonating from his area has pretty much gone completely, and there must be a fundamental reason for that which can be addressed.

I'm no longer a Plainmoor regular. So I am limited in what I can do. I'd like to think the club would have some interest in fostering a vocal support, but don't imagine that much, if any, resource will be allocated to this, which is unfortunately understandable. So it comes to unofficial factions of the support to organise themselves into a group who chant. This is how it appears to work at larger clubs in various sports anyhow.

In all honesty, we only need one such faction. Somebody mentioned a facebook group, which is great. But why not utilise this forum. If there are like minded, home, (probably) young, supporters who want to make a difference, then a platform like this isan ideal place to organise something. I don't know how these things work, but surely it's just a case of some people who want to start chants meeting before a game and standing together, possibly with the well wishes of others for morale support, simple no?

Mentioned on another thread was that perhaps we are mostly exiles who post on this thread. I can see truth in that, but there are also usually a high number of guests, are these home fans perhaps (as well as fans of our rivals no doubt)? If so, in the words of a highly average chant, come join us over here.

Sorry as this has probably been seen as a mini rant and not that constructive at all. Just hope that something happens to improve the atmosphere by the time I'm down next. It does go some way to making a more enjoyable day out, which will help entice return customers through the door.

[chunkygull]

the area where the fanatics banner is, in my time as a tufc supporter that has always been where the singers congregated and at times has got rowdy. i know some on here are saying about the mini stand, i have heard the tales and reminiscing of those days. when i was growing up the mini stand was like a training area for us, who would later graduate to the spot just before the half way line on the popside.

we had many a game where the pop would start the songs and all us youngsters at the back of the mini or behind the goal would join in. it did seem to kill that when the family stand was built. the kids do join in sometimes now, but there doesnt seem to be as many as there used to be.

in the last few games i have been to i have been quite surprised at the lack of noise and singing, also when there is singing, its usually only a couple of songs.

i was at the barnet game at the end of last season and read comments from a few saying that night was one of, if not, the best atmospheres in years. i couldnt believe it, yes it was good, yes they were up for it, but that was because of what was at stake and to be fair it used to be like that or better quite often. to me, i didnt think it was that exceptional. that just highlights really that a regular decent atmosphere is missing.

i know the better the team play, the more the crowd will support and sing, however we were winning most of the game on saturday and we scored 4, yet there were a few song attempts and that was it. but the crowd need to be doing there bit first really, rallying the team, urging them on, giving them a lift, being the 12th man.

i dont know what to suggest to improve things, there must be some ideas, maybe prompts or song sheets/lyrics on the big screen. maybe gilbert can stand in front of the pop with cardboard signs wth song prompts or lyrics on them before a game. we could do with more than the usual 2 songs thats for sure.

speaking of gilbert i made the suggestion of him doing his party piece/dance at the cheltenham game with the thought of it possibly whipping up a bit of atmosphere and it being a bit of fun, which is what a mascot should do. a few seem to have liked it, some didnt quite get it but i know there were a few in the family stand where i was who enjoyed it. if he does it more often it might take off (hopefully).

ive copied this from the vs cheltenham thread -

TeenageGull wrote:Am I the only one who wasn't so keen on Gilbert appearance, seemed a bit tacky, silly and I think my view is shared by others. However if others like it, keep it going just my opinion

by chunkygull

gilbert usually doesnt do a lot and i just thought this would give him something to do.

i have seen the family guy episode loads of times and i just thought with the irony of the song and the silly dance it would be a bit of fun and it would give gilbert a bit of a party piece. although there might not have been many torquay supporters who have seen family guy, i thought they still might get it and appreciate gilbert having fun.

i am well chuffed there is somebody at the club who listens to us supporters and is willing to try such things, a few clicks of a keyboard made it happen. thankyou again mr candy.

a lot of mascots jump around, leap about and make prats of themselves as a bit of fun to get some atmosphere going, especially at american sports where this sort of thing started, they go mental, it is a bit tacky and silly, thats the point.

god forbid anybody tries to get some atmosphere going at plainmoor, or are we in agreement that we should be trying different things to get the crowd lifted and have a bit of fun.

surely gilbert doing things like this is better than him just plodding about aimlessly and not really doing anything. quite a few supporters mention that he doesnt really do much so i just thought this could be a good thing, what would you rather he did.

the football league show picked up on it and showed clips of gilbert with a little comment, sky goals also showed him, and so did spotlight who made a bit of a thing of it.

click on 20 minutes 49 seconds -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0 ... 3_09_2013/

http://www1.skysports.com/watch/video/s ... cheltenham

1 hour, 8 minutes, yes i know, last again.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0 ... 1_09_2013/

maybe if he does it regularly and a bit closer to kick off with the ground being a bit more full, supporters might buy into it a bit more. it is only the fact also that i knew about it, that i realised what was going on, because i couldnt really hear the guy speaking over the tannoy or barely hear the song.

its just typical though with some torquay supporters, the club try something different, and some scoff at or scorn it, what is it that gets said on here a lot - APATHY towards everything to do with the club.

[chunkygull]

and just to show there is a bit of support for gilberts dance -

by taxilady

"Mr Candy rules ok ! Many thanks for the Gilbert dance !"

"took my 6 year old granddaughter today for her first game. She loved it ! Definitely wants to come again. I think she'd have liked Gilbert's dance, but he was right over at The Pop & she couldn't really see him too well from The Bench.At the end, Ricey came over to talk to her when I told him it..."

by wivelgull

"Another pleasing feature was the new Gilbert. YES!! A new one! Smaller and podgier than the previous incumbent, this one had the temerity to attempt the 'Bird's the Word' dance. Of course, no-one took the slightest bit of notice - but keep on keepin' on, Gilbert! You did ok."

"I agree with Mr. Chunkygull. It's a new GILBERT, more pudgier and smaller than the previous incumbent, but already far, far better. Although no-one took the slightest notice of his 'Bird's the Word' dance (apart from myself and Mr. Chunkygull) I thought he did well. This Gilbert should be taken on, Mr. Candy (while we are at it please apply to the University of Wivelgulldom for your M. A. in Persuasion).
There is definite potential in the present GILBERT, although he really should attend the mascot training school to pick up some new ideas, but keep on keepin' on old bird, you're doing allright."

"I agree with Mr. Chunkygull. This is the first time that GILBERT has been seen nationally, and he didn't let us down. But, Mr. Candy, THIS GILBERT MUST BE RETAINED; he knows how to rock'n'roll, which is a vital characteristic in a GILBERT.
The 'Bird's the Word' dance will catch on IF it is performed regularly (that is, at very home match), after all, millions have seen it and the supporters of TUFC are now aware of it.
So, Mr. Candy, keep this GILBERT on"

.

by favgull

"And thanks again Gilbert for your pre-game antics, most entertaining!"

by dutchgull

"Keep it going Gilbert"

[Steve83tufc]

It's a shame really this is still happening and in a way YES it is because the younger ones 15/16 haven't carried it on as I know a few off the older lads personally 18/22 and a lot work a few have gone uni a few have moved a way and a few have got banned.
These were the lads that started the chants and the fanatics but just don't come anymore because of where they are or because there working.
Most turn up for big games but it's a real shame they don't come week in week out now.
As for the drummer well with the people we have to choose from in the ground there's no point even bringing it as they will just put it on the floor, it either has to be Callum or Paul playing it (if this don't happen we've got no chance of someone playing the damn thing in tune)