Leazes Corner: “Singing” Section? or Family Enclosure? What do you think?
Posted on February 22nd, 2011 | 28 Comments |
Somewhat unsurprisingly, this has had some sections of the Newcastle United fanbase up in arms at the loss of what they feel adds significantly to the “atmosphere” of St James’s Park on a match day. This has led to the organisation of a petition by fan’s group, “United for Newcastle” in a bid to make the club change their minds over the plans.
When plans were originally made to create an official “singing section” in this area in 2008, then Chairman of the club, Chris Mort said:
“Over the course of the year I’ve spoken to lots of fans about how we can improve things at St James’s Park.
“Two themes have regularly cropped up in those conversations.
“One was somehow creating a section in the ground where like-minded fans – who enjoy singing – can come together to generate a great atmosphere and get behind the team for 90 minutes.
“The other issue was getting more of our younger fans into the ground. And I really think with the changes we are making for next season we’ve been able to deliver on both.
“We want Leazes Corner to be a place where the noise and backing for the team really causes a stir, and we’ve purposely reduced prices for fans to sit in that section of the ground.
“The larger family enclosure, with reduced prices, furthers our commitment to looking after young supporters, something we started last season with the ticket initiatives for the friendlies, and which we continued with the 10-game season tickets after Christmas.”
Speaking on behalf of United for Newcastle, PR Excectutive and founder of the group, Krishan Turner-Dave, said of the current plans to remove the section:
“Our aim is to make sure there is still a singing section in the ground after the changes. We feel it is important to have an area where like-minded fans can make noise where others around them will be doing the same.
“I can’t see any negatives to it. If it has a positive impact on the players, it is great. The fans showed how important they can be during the Arsenal game when they helped spur the side to come back from 4-0 down.”
Speaking on the petition, he added:
“I only started the petition on Friday, but already we have 1,500 names. It’s had a great response. The Gallowgate is also noisy, but it is good to have as many areas as possible where people are singing. Hopefully this petition will show the club how important this area is to the majority of fans.”
Krishnan has already had a meeting with representatives from the club, but he said that no promises were made regarding the continuance of an official singing section within St James’s.
The plans were announced alongside the promise of a ten year price freeze on season tickets for season ticket holders who would be willing to pledge their allegience to the club for the next decade. They also said that those who bought season tickets during Newcastle United’s season in the Championship would be offered a 10% discount.
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the club gave their side of the argument over the plans, saying:
“The club has held meetings with supporters following the announcement of new season ticket plans and seating arrangements. The changes to the seating plan in Level 7 affects just 5% of season ticket holders, but we are keen to find a solution that satisfies those supporters and the club wherever possible. Supporters who had seats in the singing section and will be renewing their season ticket will be given priority when it comes to alternative seat selection. The club will continue to engage with fans during this process.”
Another alleged factor in the reorganistion is that the club have had to expand the facilities for away supporters to comply with Premiership rules. These state that the club should give at least 3000 seats or 10% of the capacity of the ground to away supporters. Currently the club can supposedly only offer 2750, which is just short of the minimum mentioned above.
However both of these factors should not preclude the sanctioning of an official singing section in such a large stadium, and no firm promises have yet been made on the continuance of such a section, wherever it is within the ground.
Some cynics may say that the existing section has been something of a hotbed of embarrassing verbal (and musical?) dissent against the Ashley regime since it’s inception, and since he made certain decisions which proved to be very unpopular with the fans, that despite the reasons given by the club, the changes could be seen as a way of dissipating such dissent through a kind of football “gerrymandering” – a political term where electoral boundaries are deliberately drawn in such a way to favour one or other political party.
But what do you think? Do you think that the Leazes “Singing” section should be removed to make way for an expanded family section? That it should only be removed if another singing section is made available elsewhere in the ground? Or that the it should stay where it is?
You decide!
I definitely think it should stay where it is as it help to build the atmosphere. Why can’t they put the other things somewhere else?
Your probably right that Ashley and owlheed want to get rid of it though!