So the NSW Police are going to let the Red and Black Bloc do their thing at Bankwest Stadium? That’s excellent news for everyone in the A-League.
Full credit to assistant commissioner Mark Jones for admitting to Tom Smithies of The Daily Telegraph that “it took us a while as police to adapt and understand” the nuances of policing A-League games.
“Football is very different to rugby league or union or AFL. The actual game is very different and the spectator involvement is very different,” he said.
And Jones, who’s a self-declared fan of the round-ball game, had some more positive things to say after meeting with the RBB ahead of the new campaign.
“They bring a spectacular atmosphere which is absolutely special,” Jones said of Western Sydney Wanderers’ passionate home end.
(AAP Image/Paul Miller)
That should be music to the ears of not just Western Sydney fans but supporters of teams across the league.
Because if one has thing has noticeably diminished over the past couple of seasons, it’s the atmosphere inside A-League grounds.
A big part of the reason for that has been Football Federation Australia’s administration of the league.
Who knew that blowing raspberries at active supporters and turning a blind eye to fans unfairly handed stadium bans might lead many to simply stop coming?
And the dwindling atmosphere behind the goals has had a knock-on effect, with fewer casual fans buying tickets to sit elsewhere inside A-League stadiums.
But if the FFA and police have both played their roles in discouraging fans from attending, it should also be acknowledged that some fans seemed to jump at the first opportunity to turn their backs on the game.
Trawl through the not-so-hidden recesses of the world wide web and it sometimes feels like for every A-League fan you find, you come across about a hundred others bashing away at the keyboard about how much they dislike the competition.
One vocal variety are the supporters who used to attend A-League games, but for one reason or another simply made the choice to stop coming.
That’s entirely their right – at the end of the day, the A-League is essentially just another form of entertainment – but you’d think they’d eventually grow tired of bagging a competition they no longer attend in person or seem to watch on TV.
And if there’s one thing all of us arguably need to do this season, it’s re-evaluate our commitment to the cause and relationship with the A-League.
Because it’s not the police or the powers-that-be in charge of the game who can transform the atmosphere in the stands – it’s literally us fans.
So the Red and Black Bloc need to return en masse this season if they want the A-League to be more like the games from Europe we all seem to covet so dearly.
And the same goes for the Den and the Cove and every other supporter group out there.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
With the first Sydney derby of the season taking place at Bankwest Stadium on a Saturday evening in Round 3, there’s no reason to think the full house sign won’t be going up at the new venue.
But all of that is contingent on fans turning over a new leaf and accepting that without them, there’s not much of a competition to support in the first place.
Or at least not one as vibrant and colourful as we all seem to think it should be.
Assistant commissioner Mark Jones’ comments this week were a step in the right direction.
More thoughtful policing can help build relationships with fans, and hopefully in turn improve the atmosphere inside A-League stadiums.
Because it’s passion in the stands – not the standard of football, or marquee players or anything else – that remains the A-League’s unique selling point.
Get that right this season and the league is back in business.
josh
Guest
Can't even buy a fan in Western Sydney, now taking over the world...
chris
Guest
You're not your.
chris
Guest
A photon has no (electrical) charge! Its never ending.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
????
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
And the no #%@$ award goes to?....
oldpsyco
Guest
They refer to us as a bunch of criminals because of our convict past. Learn your history!
oldpsyco
Guest
We definitely need policing at our games. We need to ensure mums & dads can bring their children to the games without harrassment. But we need BETTER Policing, not STRONGER Policing. This article seems to suggest we are on the right track. Congrats to those involved!
Sam
Guest
Haha ... your so funny....not. :silly:
The Ball Bobbled
Roar Rookie
Trashing seats and hurling them onto the park is all part of the "atmosphere" for those who go to the games to party before, during the match and afterwards.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I have no issue with people like you, Rodger.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
Not sure what you are on about here Dr. I assume you are referring to the RBB and the use, by certain individuals who choose to break the law and use 'flares' to create [in their opinion] atmosphere. I try in my own way, to create atmosphere, and in some peoples eyes, maybe yours, I too am a criminal. I stand, when I should be seated, I shout, swear, chant, scream and abuse whoever we are playing. I, like many people believe that if I just go to a game to sit and not say a word, then I might as well stay home and let the game atmosphere die, which I think is what you would prefer. If safe smoke devices are available and are allowed to be used, then I will be one of the first to use them. Fingers crossed Dr, you are not in control of match days at Hindmarsh, and who would send in the 'black shirts' to hustle me out of the ground.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
They are the only people i haven't asked. lets see what they say.
Punter
Roar Rookie
AFL big in Melbourne, never would have guessed. Next thing Sam will tell me the Chinese likes rice.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Not as poor as a bunch of criminals ruining it for the majority.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Yeah, you need to work on your England mate ... it’s pretty poor
Jimmy
Roar Guru
From the few interactions I witnessed between fans and Security I saw at the Leeds game at BankWest was positive, same with what I have witnessed at a few Eels games I’ve been to. I personally won’t go the A-League anymore as I had a bad experience for wearing a NSW Blues jersey to a Sydney Game (with eventually being threatened) but I know it isn’t like that for Everyone, andfrom the few scenes I’ve witnessed at BankWest I think it will be better, the Stadium wants its relationship with WSW to go so it’s a 12 month venue.
chris
Guest
LH Sam is a typical insecure AFL fan. Just has to come on to a football tab to say...not much. That AFL is big in Melbourne. Stop the presses!
Redondo
Roar Rookie
The bellhop replies, “No charge for you then”.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
bites? no – I simply replied to your comment, normal procedure here. but I must ask, if that was your intention, why?
Griffo
Roar Guru
Where’s the survey on foreign visa quota number by players? No cap means more pay for players but some of those would be replaced with visa signings imo ????