Viking Supporters Co-operative

Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: Usher wide. on February 01, 2025, 11:00:00 pm

Title: The Black Bank.
Post by: Usher wide. on February 01, 2025, 11:00:00 pm
From a supporter who once stood on the ‘Popside’ at Belle Vue to sing & chant the Rovers on & now sits near to the away end of the West Stand (so’s I can shake my stick at ‘em), the noise from that South Stand from before kick off until the 96th was fantastic from where I stood.

And again, because of perceptions, the South Stand looked nigh on full, brilliant. Dare I ask what perception you get of the West Stand support from where you look along the length of the stadium? It’s a ‘mixed bag’ in there I’ll grant you & yet….some who once stood on that ‘Popside’ are still shouting at ref’s, clapping along to your songs (no good me & our kid singing alone. It’d be like the saddest karaoke you’d ever witnessed!) but loving that vibrancy that spreads from that section throughout the supporters & more importantly transmits itself to the players which let’s face it, is why in the main we all in our own way we turn up to do.



And you know what else was very obvious in the stadium, the big flag being waved at the back near where the drummer stands, it made a ‘statement’ of support.

So, you don’t need me to tell you that it is that area of the stadium that galvanise’s the support throughout the rest of the Keepmoat (Eco Power Stadium still doesn’t sit well with this dinosaur!) even in my section of the stadium where most wear thick gloves to stave off the arthritis & woolly hats that only go to impair the already hard of hearing amongst us.

You were heard loud & strong my Rovers ‘brothers & sisters’.
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: Dagenham Rover on February 01, 2025, 11:04:31 pm
They have been brilliant the last few games   Keep it up
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: RoversInSpain on February 01, 2025, 11:20:52 pm
Came across on Rovers+, camera panned across on quite a few occasions today.
Great work BBank.
It’s incredibly powerful when players hear songs about them, keep it up singers
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: Pancho Regan on February 01, 2025, 11:32:37 pm
The South Stand were absolutely loud and proud today, even better than the last home game in which they were also impressive.

A huge credit to those lads on the Black Bank. You did us proud and I have no doubt you lifted the players.

No “football in a library” chants from the North Stand today!
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: Owl in peace on February 01, 2025, 11:33:01 pm
They were brilliant all game, hats off to em
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: Bentley Bullet on February 01, 2025, 11:35:24 pm
Yep, credit where it is due, they were fantastic today.

They reminded me of me, 20 years ago!
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: Padge_DRFC on February 02, 2025, 04:34:34 am
Players deserve it. They also deserve more than 6500 home fans turning up. East stand has gone empty again. We were getting more in a few months ago. Well done to all those there yesterday though
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: GazLaz on February 02, 2025, 07:17:59 am
Players deserve it. They also deserve more than 6500 home fans turning up. East stand has gone empty again. We were getting more in a few months ago. Well done to all those there yesterday though

Agreed poor attendance. The South Stand has been much louder this season as well.
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: Chris Black come back on February 02, 2025, 07:35:50 am
It wasn't great although the attendance yesterday was exactly give or take about 50 people bang on our home average this season across all competitions.

If you exclude the EFL Trophy home games, then only the Cheltenham Town, Barrow and Bromley home league gates were lower than yesterday. The two standout gates this season by a long way are Chesterfield (10790) and Notts County (10988). Lowest is Barrow (5632).
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: GazLaz on February 02, 2025, 07:58:17 am
It wasn't great although the attendance yesterday was exactly give or take about 50 people bang on our home average this season across all competitions.

If you exclude the EFL Trophy home games, then only the Cheltenham Town, Barrow and Bromley home league gates were lower than yesterday. The two standout gates this season by a long way are Chesterfield (10790) and Notts County (10988). Lowest is Barrow (5632).

They brought fewer people than I expected. Felt like a biggish game though, I expected a few more in our end.
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: Nudga on February 02, 2025, 08:35:41 am
I was surprised at the lowish attendance,  I wonder why that was?

Hopefully after recent results and approaching business end of the season they will pick up again.


Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: drfchound on February 02, 2025, 08:47:53 am
It wasn't great although the attendance yesterday was exactly give or take about 50 people bang on our home average this season across all competitions.

If you exclude the EFL Trophy home games, then only the Cheltenham Town, Barrow and Bromley home league gates were lower than yesterday. The two standout gates this season by a long way are Chesterfield (10790) and Notts County (10988). Lowest is Barrow (5632).

Those quoted attendance figures though aren’t surprising are they.
The two high numbers against two of our closest neighbours and the lowest against a team from a footballing outpost with very low home “gates”.
However i had expected a bigger turnout yesterday and from my spot in the south stand could see the low numbers in the East and West ones.
As Nudga has said, hopefully more people will turn up following the upturn in results and undoubtedly the upcoming Grimsby game will see big numbers in, aided by the away fans probably filling the North Stand.
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: roversontheup on February 02, 2025, 09:45:10 am
Agree with all that has been said. From my seat in the East Stand I thought the South Stand looked and sounded fantastic yesterday. Looked fuller than normal too. Loved the big flag at the back.
Keep it going
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: TilehurstViking on February 02, 2025, 09:58:15 am
Allez Alllez Allez got the place going. I find the atmosphere gets going when the South Stand sing songs the west and east stand can clap along to. ( I'm not advocating Leicester style clappers) but could see quite a few in the west stand clapping yesterday. Big Flag looked great.  I genuinely think we should use the humble scarf more, I'm sure most people have got one knocking around somewhere. Scarfs up for Rovers til I die, or waved around the head continental stylee. It would look great  vs Palace and be alot easier and cheaper than a TIFO.
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: Lesonthewest on February 02, 2025, 10:10:36 am
You could sense the vocal support in the South even before kick off, brilliant yesterday all game, well done everyone.
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: Spud on February 02, 2025, 10:15:21 am
Agree with the OP & others, great effort yesterday. I'll always prefer the side views from the west stand at home games but I kind of wished I was in there yesterday, felt more like the support we give at away games, long may it continue.
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: Silkscarf on February 02, 2025, 10:28:34 am
Yes, great noise yesterday.

I also agree on bringing scarves. I often wave one around but few others do these days. In the 70s we’d have one tied round each wrist and another round the neck like a school tie!
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: Filo on February 02, 2025, 10:37:34 am
Yes, great noise yesterday.

I also agree on bringing scarves. I often wave one around but few others do these days. In the 70s we’d have one tied round each wrist and another round the neck like a school tie!

Mine around the neck was a silk rovers scarf

And not to forget the Donkey Jacket lol!
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: drfchound on February 02, 2025, 10:38:41 am
I had my scarf with me yesterday but kept it on to keep,warm.
It would be a good idea to hold the scarves high though along with “Rovers til I die” as suggested.   :scarf:
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: IDM on February 02, 2025, 10:57:01 am
Some of us can’t get to as many games as we would like to.

Also it’s the time of year where folks have less spare money to spend, and for some it’s still too cold.

Whilst it would be great to have fuller stands, it’s what happens on the pitch which is more important?
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: selby on February 02, 2025, 10:58:43 am
  The West stand is populated mainly by the older supporters some in the same seats as when the stadium was first opened, and more savvy realising the winter sun got in the eyes of the supporters opposite.
  And as far as yesterdays lower attendance in the West, Even the labour party recognise this is the time of the year the older are viewed as fair game to freeze to death and get ill. And on the bright side are also the ones with the ability time and money to go to warmer climes or cruise and leave the workers to put into their pension pots, who might get a little relief watching a football game in the cold February weather on a Saturday afternoon.
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: roversdude on February 02, 2025, 11:02:33 am
I’m a West stander (also like Usher former Pop sider) agree BB were excellent yesterday - great to see a big flag being passed around too
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: Iberian Red on February 02, 2025, 11:05:46 am
  The West stand is populated mainly by the older supporters some in the same seats as when the stadium was first opened, and more savvy realising the winter sun got in the eyes of the supporters opposite.
  And as far as yesterdays lower attendance in the West, Even the labour party recognise this is the time of the year the older are viewed as fair game to freeze to death and get ill. And on the bright side are also the ones with the ability time and money to go to warmer climes or cruise and leave the workers to put into their pension pots, who might get a little relief watching a football game in the cold February weather on a Saturday afternoon.

Then by your perverse logic pensioners would be better sitting on the other side in the sun. Then the Labour Party won't freeze them to death in the west.
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: Copps is Magic on February 02, 2025, 04:12:41 pm
The atmosphere at top-flight English clubs is terrible these days, far better the lower down you go.
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: graingrover on February 02, 2025, 04:20:06 pm
As an overseas viewer of every match I am overjoyed to see and hear the South Stsnders  at home and all our fans away .The cameras are always situated in West so the vower  sees the East stand and it is pleasing g to see less and less vacant seats there and more animation  among fans .there too .Ot was once know for its sandwiches but now more for family .
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: roversdude on February 02, 2025, 06:00:23 pm
Are we still giving tickets to schools, got to get the next generation onboard
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: Ian Nimmo on February 02, 2025, 07:17:47 pm
I did notice a few more in the west stand were clapping along yesterday, although not much sound, so perhaps only a couple took their gloves off!
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: scawsby steve on February 02, 2025, 07:39:10 pm
I wouldn't swap the South Stand for any other part of the ground. It's pandemonium when we score, getting hugged by total strangers.

Mind you, that might have something to do with my Tom Cruise type looks.
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: les@donr on February 02, 2025, 07:46:28 pm
Hope the lads and lassies are in good voice on Thursday and get behind the lads.
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: Bentley Bullet on February 02, 2025, 07:47:52 pm
I wouldn't swap the South Stand for any other part of the ground. It's pandemonium when we score, getting hugged by total strangers.

Mind you, that might have something to do with my Tom Cruise type looks.
I thought you looked more like Brad Pitt's brother, Cess.
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: Goldthorperover on February 02, 2025, 08:39:42 pm
Or maybe Brad Pitts Barnsley cousin, their Clam.
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: scawsby steve on February 02, 2025, 09:18:55 pm
I wouldn't swap the South Stand for any other part of the ground. It's pandemonium when we score, getting hugged by total strangers.

Mind you, that might have something to do with my Tom Cruise type looks.
I thought you looked more like Brad Pitt's brother, Cess.

Didn't they have a brother called Broddy?
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: hoolahoop on February 03, 2025, 08:03:56 am
I wouldn't swap the South Stand for any other part of the ground. It's pandemonium when we score, getting hugged by total strangers.

Mind you, that might have something to do with my Tom Cruise type looks.
I thought you looked more like Brad Pitt's brother, Cess.

Didn't they have a brother called Broddy?

No you are thinking of their Italian cousin .....ROSSO
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: glosterred on February 03, 2025, 11:54:28 am
It good to see the BB singing and cheering whilst we are doing well, but it can be a bit quiet, as we’ve seen, when things don’t go so well.


COYR
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: pib on February 03, 2025, 04:05:45 pm
Players deserve it. They also deserve more than 6500 home fans turning up. East stand has gone empty again. We were getting more in a few months ago. Well done to all those there yesterday though

Agreed poor attendance. The South Stand has been much louder this season as well.

It was our second lowest home gate for a Saturday league game this season. Only Cheltenham in December was lower.

Average has been touching almost 7k home fans this season, so that was a disappointment on Saturday.
Title: Re: The Black Bank.
Post by: Bailey Vickerage on February 05, 2025, 03:28:49 pm
I stand near the drum and the last few home games has been brilliant in the BB, has been helped by having 2 drummers who are swapping constantly whereas it used to be one who would get bored or tired etc and have a break which causes a bit of a lull, a lot don’t like the drum but it does help a lot at home games (not so much away).

The West and East stand have been getting involved a lot more aswell recently with some chants clapping along and it’s really good to see. The “Grant McCanns red and white army” chant is one that always spreads across the ground well.

Our away atmosphere is excellent and has been for years but it’s getting much better at home aswell and hopefully continues as it will only help the 11 out on the pitch.

Hopefully the same again on Monday for what will hopefully be a night to remember.