Why are Away days fashionable?

[DRFC95]

Been to quite a number of away games this season as well as home and continue to wonder why we sing for 90 mins at away games with 600 and can’t make the same noise at home with 7000?

Songs sung away always seem To be what I would expect at home.

At home we seem to resort to s**te, taking the p**s out of the away team. What ever happened to singing the names of our own players and about our club?

Even players without a song were sung about (Greeeeenyyyyyy!)

Just seem to be disappointed year on year with how football is becoming a fashion statement and away matches seem to be the only place the atmosphere is now.

[Filo]

Alcohol

[the vicar]

Because at home most of the away crowd sit in different parts of the stadium where as away we all sit together and get carried away with the moment, it's the same with all clubs when they come here

[Draytonian III]

It’s always been the same at away games,even a Tuesday night at Torquay on Mayfield tours

[drfchound]

Usually the away end is the best place to be if you are following your team.

[Lincoln Rover]

Remember watching a documentary on this several years ago.
In short it was down to the old tribal thing, going into the lions den and heavily outnumbered.
The pack gets together and makes themselves sound large as a group.
That’s how I recall it in the simplest recollection.

[the vicar]

Not if we are playing Millwall, then I wouldn't like to be on the away end

[Herbert Anchovy]

It’s been like that as far as I can remember. I’ve just took it as the way it is and not given it too much thought. When I was a regular away traveller in the 80’s and 90’s we used to take fewer away than we do now I think. Plus, it could sometimes get a little hairy at away grounds back then, so you’d naturally stick together on the terraces which added to the atmosphere.

One away game in the 80’s at Bristol City comes to mind where we took only 1 coach and a few cars. For some reason we weren’t segregated from the home fans so were stood on a large terraced area surrounded by Bristol’s finest. However, in between avoiding stuff being thrown at us, that group of about 100 Rovers fans created a belting atmosphere that I still remember to this day!

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I wouldn't call it fashionable. Away days provide an adventure and a lot of fun, if you have the time, the company, the finance and the enthusiasm. As said above the tribal instinct is more prevalent as you venture into foreign territory.
 

[redandwhitearmy]

Booze!

[Draytonian III]

The Bristol City match was at the start of season,Sept 81 , 2-2 draw. It was quite hairy at times,police horses and dogs being in attendance to keep the locals in check

[MEGA1879]

I was at that Bristol City game!!! Only  time I've seen a police horse on the terrace 😆 got a bit scary that day 😣

[Barmby Rover]

Because at home most of the away crowd sit in different parts of the stadium where as away we all sit together and get carried away with the moment, it's the same with all clubs when they come here

Sorry, that doesn't wash, the whole point of making the South stand unallocated was because the "singers" couldn't get together.

[Herbert Anchovy]

The Bristol City match was at the start of season,Sept 81 , 2-2 draw. It was quite hairy at times,police horses and dogs being in attendance to keep the locals in check

1981? Wow, I didn’t realise it was that long ago! I do remember the police horse on the terrace though. It was just one of a number of hairy moments following the Rovers in them days!

[RedRover45]

Would love to write a book one day on the hairy moments following Rovers on away days. Days at Reading's Elm Park, Eastville at Bristol, Ninian Park, Ashton Gate, Sincil Bank. I could go on forever.

[Donnywolf]

Would love to write a book one day on the hairy moments following Rovers on away days. Days at Reading's Elm Park, Eastville at Bristol, Ninian Park, Ashton Gate, Sincil Bank. I could go on forever.

Yes Eastville AND Memorial Ground were "challenging" and Sincil Bank was a nightmare especially when we took their Kop as they were not yet in the Ground !

Also Prenton Park was no picnic as they had planted "sleepers" in amongst us and at a given signal they just started punching and kickind the nearest Rovers fan(s) to them till the Cops / Stewards hooked them out

Thankfully I was lucky at Tranmere BUT aggro was stupid then and stupid now

[Donnywolf]

For me they are fashionable for one reason

I began to give them up because I find driving is a pain in the a** especially if I had to think of driving to say Colchester BUT now I have started using the Supporters Club Coaches my "mojo" is back

I can sit back , relax and get driven to (say) Gillingham in relative style. Paul M does a great job in organising the Coaches along with Len and Ian as well and there are all sorts of diversions to make the Trip fly by

I have been given Chocs - entered Quizzes - Guessed the Gate (won it once at Notts County) - you can buy Snacks - go to the Loo - Order Progs on the Coach and Vote for MOTM on way back !

Whats not to like - and all at a reasonable rate and if the Match gets rearranged for say TV the Coach varies its time and you dont get the Train problem having to pay top dollar when you bought cheap Months ago

Big thanks to all !

[RoversAlias]

Great post Donnywolf. The coaches are really good and Paul and co do a wonderful job running it.

[leedshayter]

Unfortunately for me the supporters buses dont quite tick all the boxes as youre uanble to have  a Sherry,Why?I am sure when you stop on route its in a pub .And when destination is reached its off to the pub . I know its down to the constabulary , but its ok if youre attending other events say the races .But because were football fans were ALL treated like criminals. Arr Well the train it is then!

[Draytonian III]

I thought you weren’t allowed to any official bus of any kind not just football buses, even service buses. Before you mention going to the races they are very unlikely to be “ official” buses

[silent majority]

I thought you weren’t allowed to any official bus of any kind not just football buses, even service buses. Before you mention going to the races they are very unlikely to be “ official” buses

There is specific legislation called Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol) Act 1985 which spells out what you can and can't do with regard to travelling to a 'designated sporting event'.

However the definition of 'a designated sporting event' only relates to football, therefore making this legislation wholly aimed at football supporters.

[Draytonian III]

You can’t drink alcohol on a service bus

[leedshayter]

Who would want to ?

[sheffield exile1]

The Bristol City match was at the start of season,Sept 81 , 2-2 draw. It was quite hairy at times,police horses and dogs being in attendance to keep the locals in check

1981? Wow, I didn’t realise it was that long ago! I do remember the police horse on the terrace though. It was just one of a number of hairy moments following the Rovers in them days!

It was baking hot, first match of the season wasn't it. They had just come down we had just gone up. I thought one of their idiots punched a horse with an inspector on it, or something similar, anyone else remember summat like that?

[andysly]

I’m another who was at that 2-2. I don’t remember it as particularly concerning mind, though going away in 80’s most games were so it may be just consigned to being one of many 😬