The importance of an electric atmosphere
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Last week I was at home watching the European Champions League game between Real Madrid and Tottenham in which Real Madrid entirely dominated. I hate to use clichés but men against boys came to mind after the game. Anyway, prior to kick off there was an incredible eye catching shot caught by the TV cameras of the whole stadium which was jam packed with white Madrid jerseys. The stadium was rocking from side to side with the Madrid fans in full voice. I remember thinking to myself; I bet you the Spurs players are absolutely bricking it!!
Now, I know over here in Ireland we do not have anything near the likes of the famous Bernabeu Stadium but what we do have here in Ireland is the same passion and commitment that fans of football share around the world; no matter if you’re a Madrid, Liverpool, Milan or Cork City supporter.
Fans have the power to do some magical things. Firstly, they can create an extraordinary atmosphere that frightens the life out of the opposition and makes their home ground a fortress. Secondly, fans have the ability to both inspire and motivate their own players and with this they can get the best out of their players. Forgive me for using such a cliché but ask any player and they will tell you the same; their fans can be the 12th man on the pitch and they can make the difference needed to gain those valuable three points or even one.
It is unfortunate and sad that in Ireland, most of our football grounds are of a terrible standard. Fans here in Ireland should be looked after better and really do deserve better. We need to keep the one’s we have and try arouse more people to go to games aswell. This argument has been going on for years but without proper stadiums and facilities within these structures, the league here will probably never reach the attendance figures that are realistically achievable. I always take Norway as a perfect example. Standard wise, on the pitch, the football is very similar to that in Ireland. However, off the pitch, they are in another planet compared to what we have here.
The facilities that they have there are mostly, if not entirely paid for by the government and are of flawless standard. That alone inspires people to come to games to not only watch the football on show itself but also to enjoy the whole experience. A football match should be about more than just football. It should be a social experience also, a chance to possibly bring your son, daughter, friend, husband, wife, girlfriend, etc.
This issue however, of having proper stadiums and facilities in place in Ireland I fear will never be resolved. Without huge private investment and government financial backing and let’s be honest; I do not see either happening anytime soon. So all we can do for the foreseeable future is get on with what we have and try to create the best atmosphere we can with we already have in place. And hey, it can be done, I’ve witnessed it!!
I have had the honour and pleasure in the past of playing in front of the Bray fans week in week out and also the Drogheda United fans. Both sets of fans were equally devoted to their club but let me bring you back to 2006-2008 when I was with Drogheda United. It was a successful period for Drogheda with huge games being played on a regular basis. It is nonetheless the European games we played in Dalymount that stand out for special mention. I am sure the Drogheda fans remember those games just as fondly as I do; AK Start, Helsingborg, Dynamo Kiev.
The one thing that stands out most about those games was the atmosphere created within the ground. It was magnificent, and it was passed on to the players on the pitch. We were encouraged, motivated and moved by the atmosphere on show and I feel it helped bring out the best in us and not the best in the opposition. In honestly, we were playing against better teams than us but with that added bit of stimulation from the crowd we became equals and we gave just as good as we got and that showed in our results we achieved.
So what I took out of those games and other games that I have played in here is that despite the problems we have here in Ireland, too numerous to mention but let’s just say attendance figures and stadium infrastructure for the moment, we CAN create memorable atmospheres at our games here. I know Shamrock Rovers get an unbelievable atmosphere at their home games as do Sligo. Cork City used to be unbeatable, I used to hate going down to Turners Cross because I knew they had that “extra player” in terms of their crowd. There are other places of course around Ireland with their encouraging atmospheres. Imagine if every club could create that intimidating and yet motivating atmosphere week in week out, what a more attractive and better league it would be then.
I think, however, I will end by describing what I genuinely and wholeheartedly can say is the best environment I have played within since I have started playing league of Ireland football nine years ago. We played Sligo Rovers in our first home game of season, then Shamrock Rovers and finally Dundalk last week. The Brandywell and the atmosphere that is created on match days there is the without doubt the best in the league. FACT!!
I knew before coming to Derry that it was special and the fans are unbelievable up here but my expectations have been certainly beaten. They love their football and they love their team here and it shows every Friday night. The commitment, energy and passion is inspiring. My family came up to watch the Shamrock Rovers game a few weeks ago and they loved the experience and cannot wait to return. The Derry fans and the atmosphere they create together on a Friday night in the Brandywell makes the team want to make each one of them proud of us and it makes us want to play there in front of them every week.
Now, I know over here in Ireland we do not have anything near the likes of the famous Bernabeu Stadium but what we do have here in Ireland is the same passion and commitment that fans of football share around the world; no matter if you’re a Madrid, Liverpool, Milan or Cork City supporter.
Fans have the power to do some magical things. Firstly, they can create an extraordinary atmosphere that frightens the life out of the opposition and makes their home ground a fortress. Secondly, fans have the ability to both inspire and motivate their own players and with this they can get the best out of their players. Forgive me for using such a cliché but ask any player and they will tell you the same; their fans can be the 12th man on the pitch and they can make the difference needed to gain those valuable three points or even one.
It is unfortunate and sad that in Ireland, most of our football grounds are of a terrible standard. Fans here in Ireland should be looked after better and really do deserve better. We need to keep the one’s we have and try arouse more people to go to games aswell. This argument has been going on for years but without proper stadiums and facilities within these structures, the league here will probably never reach the attendance figures that are realistically achievable. I always take Norway as a perfect example. Standard wise, on the pitch, the football is very similar to that in Ireland. However, off the pitch, they are in another planet compared to what we have here.
The facilities that they have there are mostly, if not entirely paid for by the government and are of flawless standard. That alone inspires people to come to games to not only watch the football on show itself but also to enjoy the whole experience. A football match should be about more than just football. It should be a social experience also, a chance to possibly bring your son, daughter, friend, husband, wife, girlfriend, etc.
This issue however, of having proper stadiums and facilities in place in Ireland I fear will never be resolved. Without huge private investment and government financial backing and let’s be honest; I do not see either happening anytime soon. So all we can do for the foreseeable future is get on with what we have and try to create the best atmosphere we can with we already have in place. And hey, it can be done, I’ve witnessed it!!
I have had the honour and pleasure in the past of playing in front of the Bray fans week in week out and also the Drogheda United fans. Both sets of fans were equally devoted to their club but let me bring you back to 2006-2008 when I was with Drogheda United. It was a successful period for Drogheda with huge games being played on a regular basis. It is nonetheless the European games we played in Dalymount that stand out for special mention. I am sure the Drogheda fans remember those games just as fondly as I do; AK Start, Helsingborg, Dynamo Kiev.
The one thing that stands out most about those games was the atmosphere created within the ground. It was magnificent, and it was passed on to the players on the pitch. We were encouraged, motivated and moved by the atmosphere on show and I feel it helped bring out the best in us and not the best in the opposition. In honestly, we were playing against better teams than us but with that added bit of stimulation from the crowd we became equals and we gave just as good as we got and that showed in our results we achieved.
So what I took out of those games and other games that I have played in here is that despite the problems we have here in Ireland, too numerous to mention but let’s just say attendance figures and stadium infrastructure for the moment, we CAN create memorable atmospheres at our games here. I know Shamrock Rovers get an unbelievable atmosphere at their home games as do Sligo. Cork City used to be unbeatable, I used to hate going down to Turners Cross because I knew they had that “extra player” in terms of their crowd. There are other places of course around Ireland with their encouraging atmospheres. Imagine if every club could create that intimidating and yet motivating atmosphere week in week out, what a more attractive and better league it would be then.
I think, however, I will end by describing what I genuinely and wholeheartedly can say is the best environment I have played within since I have started playing league of Ireland football nine years ago. We played Sligo Rovers in our first home game of season, then Shamrock Rovers and finally Dundalk last week. The Brandywell and the atmosphere that is created on match days there is the without doubt the best in the league. FACT!!
I knew before coming to Derry that it was special and the fans are unbelievable up here but my expectations have been certainly beaten. They love their football and they love their team here and it shows every Friday night. The commitment, energy and passion is inspiring. My family came up to watch the Shamrock Rovers game a few weeks ago and they loved the experience and cannot wait to return. The Derry fans and the atmosphere they create together on a Friday night in the Brandywell makes the team want to make each one of them proud of us and it makes us want to play there in front of them every week.
