Re: 05-12-21 Halifax (H)
Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2021 1:51 pm
I hate to be a party pooper so can I preface my comments with a ‘ho ho ho’ before I go all ‘humbug.’
I am thrilled for the club that the turnstiles will be rattling (figuratively) on Sunday and that the raised profile and TV exposure may garner some new long-term supporters (particularly if we win), but as a season ticket holder and long-term supporters, I do envisage that the club would be wise to acknowledge that a full main stand will present some foreseeable problems come kick off and beyond? A full stand with unreserved seats will mean that some regular supporters will find that their preferred vantage point and chosen company will in all likelihood be lost for this one game at least.
It is human nature that as people and newcomers take their seats, they will find a good spot and probably leave gaps rather than taking the next available seat? Any latecomers who arrive with friends or in family groups may well find that adjoining seats are unavailable unless others are asked to ‘move down the aisle please.’
I remember the Stockport game when I had to ask someone to vacate my reserved season ticket seat. They were unhappy and I felt uncomfortable asking them to move. As it was, I had to sit away from my friend who had to do the very same thing in another row. We are spoilt with good facilities at Aggborough and we can take our normal comfortable experience for granted when attendances provide ample room for unreserved seating to work.
I note that the club are saying it is ok for people to wear masks on sunday. Excuse me but I didn’t realise that we needed permission? I will be wearing mine even though I normally don’t as I can usually maintain a reasonable distance from those I don’t know and pose little threat to anyone else when I shout at the ref unmuffled and mask free.
I went to the club shop today to buy a Harriers face mask but the club had none for sale. Oh well, I look destined to wrap my trusty old Harriers scarf around my face to ensure some additional protection for myself and others. I hope and I pray that I don’t have to tighten it if we lose and am keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well on the ‘big’ day.
At the start of the pandemic, there was talk of a ‘big reset’ and that we might re-emerge in to a world where we all showed more consideration to each other? In my experience, litter, traffic congestion and selfishness now seem to be exceeding pre pandemic levels? Cue- disgruntled fans, raised voices and even covid spread if we all don't show some toleration and look after each other.
I would encourage fans to wear masks particularly as it appears that there is a new highly transmissible variant in our midst. I hope that stewarding is sufficient and sufficiently proactive to prevent unnecessary problems come 4pm Sunday? Don’t get miffed if someone asks you to budge up a bit so that we can all watch us proceed to round three.
For the record, I am fully vaccinated and have had my booster but it isn’t tattooed on my forehead for others to see. I do however have some health concerns that make it preferable that I steer clear of covid if at all possible. Bill Shankly once said football was more important than life and death, but that was pre covid and even he didn’t take unnecessary chances as exemplified by the fact that he supplied his 60s teams with amphetamines to sustain their high pressing game as it is called these days.
I am now retired but as a former health worker, I do know how viruses work and that they are far less discriminatory than some football supporters i know sadly. COYR!!! ‘Get behind the lads in red. C’mon Aggborough, let’s make some noise.’
{Admin edit: Formatted to make readable}
I am thrilled for the club that the turnstiles will be rattling (figuratively) on Sunday and that the raised profile and TV exposure may garner some new long-term supporters (particularly if we win), but as a season ticket holder and long-term supporters, I do envisage that the club would be wise to acknowledge that a full main stand will present some foreseeable problems come kick off and beyond? A full stand with unreserved seats will mean that some regular supporters will find that their preferred vantage point and chosen company will in all likelihood be lost for this one game at least.
It is human nature that as people and newcomers take their seats, they will find a good spot and probably leave gaps rather than taking the next available seat? Any latecomers who arrive with friends or in family groups may well find that adjoining seats are unavailable unless others are asked to ‘move down the aisle please.’
I remember the Stockport game when I had to ask someone to vacate my reserved season ticket seat. They were unhappy and I felt uncomfortable asking them to move. As it was, I had to sit away from my friend who had to do the very same thing in another row. We are spoilt with good facilities at Aggborough and we can take our normal comfortable experience for granted when attendances provide ample room for unreserved seating to work.
I note that the club are saying it is ok for people to wear masks on sunday. Excuse me but I didn’t realise that we needed permission? I will be wearing mine even though I normally don’t as I can usually maintain a reasonable distance from those I don’t know and pose little threat to anyone else when I shout at the ref unmuffled and mask free.
I went to the club shop today to buy a Harriers face mask but the club had none for sale. Oh well, I look destined to wrap my trusty old Harriers scarf around my face to ensure some additional protection for myself and others. I hope and I pray that I don’t have to tighten it if we lose and am keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well on the ‘big’ day.
At the start of the pandemic, there was talk of a ‘big reset’ and that we might re-emerge in to a world where we all showed more consideration to each other? In my experience, litter, traffic congestion and selfishness now seem to be exceeding pre pandemic levels? Cue- disgruntled fans, raised voices and even covid spread if we all don't show some toleration and look after each other.
I would encourage fans to wear masks particularly as it appears that there is a new highly transmissible variant in our midst. I hope that stewarding is sufficient and sufficiently proactive to prevent unnecessary problems come 4pm Sunday? Don’t get miffed if someone asks you to budge up a bit so that we can all watch us proceed to round three.
For the record, I am fully vaccinated and have had my booster but it isn’t tattooed on my forehead for others to see. I do however have some health concerns that make it preferable that I steer clear of covid if at all possible. Bill Shankly once said football was more important than life and death, but that was pre covid and even he didn’t take unnecessary chances as exemplified by the fact that he supplied his 60s teams with amphetamines to sustain their high pressing game as it is called these days.
I am now retired but as a former health worker, I do know how viruses work and that they are far less discriminatory than some football supporters i know sadly. COYR!!! ‘Get behind the lads in red. C’mon Aggborough, let’s make some noise.’
{Admin edit: Formatted to make readable}