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Joined May 2015
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Hawthorn FC, Liverpool FC. Live in London
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This weekend, as we sit down on our ‘comfortable' plastic tip-up seats, with a retractable roof protecting us from Melbourne's perpetually fickle weather outside,…
Cm it seems you are a kindred spirit and I do agree that unfortunately I think we are in the minority these days. I understand sport is about entertainment, maximising revenue etc but it should also be about history, tradition and soul. And fandom to me, as you have stated, is all about community and that sense of identity and belonging and it was the home grounds that provided these as much as the actual team itself.
Great example with the US situation- I think the new retro ballparks are the way forward as they provide character, quirks and proper home ground advantage whilst still providing all the amenities the modern sports fan seems to need/want. Another example of where they have got it right are the football grounds in Germany, once again new and modern but utilising safe standing areas to create a bit of that atmosphere of old.
I live in the UK now and many fans here still pine for their old grounds. As they say ‘it might have been a shithole, but it was our shithole’. .
An ode to suburban deprivation: Victoria Park
Having lived in both London and Melbourne it’s pretty close I reckon. In terms of gaining interest on a worldwide scale for the sporting events that are held in either city then London is streets ahead. English Premier League, Wimbledon, Rugby at Twickenham draw the attention of people all over the world.
We need to talk about footy in Queensland
I agree but disagree Slane. The majority of clubs in big cities around the world have outgrown their neighbourhoods however they still manage to remain in them, with grounds to call their own. This is the case here in London, in Buenos Aires, Madrid etc. Playing at a centralised ground that everyone shares would be unthinkable. Home ground advantage is still cherished around the world, this is not the case in Melbourne anymore and I do think that’s a shame.
However I do agree that certain matches are simply too big for the old grounds and those matches belong at the MCG, the blockbuster games are special there, although I still can’t see the benefit of Footscray or St Kilda playing GWS or Fremantle for example at Etihad. Half full stadium, poor atmosphere, an opposition who plays at the ground a few times a season and to top it off the home team losing money on the day! These home grounds were great levellers also- I’m sure Freo would be less comfortable going to Moorabbin or the Whitten Oval than playing under a roof at Etihad.
An ode to suburban deprivation: Victoria Park