The atmosphere at Carrow Road, or apparent lack of, has become a big talking point in recent weeks. We’d like to know what your views are on the issue.
Amid the uncertainties of Norwich City’s season on the field, an off-field issue has become an increasing cause for concern – the atmosphere at home games.
Carrow Road is no longer a fortress, and it is no longer a place which regularly rocks to the rhythm of 25,000-plus crowds.
The lack of atmosphere has not gone unnoticed – the question is, how do you get it back?
There are myriad answers, but are there any guaranteed solutions?
Today we ask you, the fans, what you think can be done to crank up the atmosphere... but first, let’s just look at what might be causing the Library Effect.
The first thing that springs to kind is clearly what is happening on the pitch: if the football is exciting to watch, the crowd is more likely to respond by raising the volume. The less exciting, the less noise: it’s not a proven formula, more a good rule of thumb. City are a team struggling to score: their total tally of 16 league goals is better than only three other teams.
In nine home games, City have scored seven goals – better than just one other team. The number of goals doesn’t always tally with the quality of the football, but it does go a long way to rewarding fans for their investment.
Of course, the football fan demographic has changed over the years: the more corporate atmosphere has produced a more affluent fan and that fan tends not to be the type who is happy to sing On The Ball, City at the top of their voices for 90 minutes.
Is this a product of City’s admirable intentions to create a family atmosphere where youngsters were charged very little, where season tickets could be purchased on interest free monthly payments?
While 20,000 season tickets holders tread a familiar path for every home game, is there enough to attract the casual fan?
The recent BBC survey into the cost of football suggested younger people find it more and more difficult to finance the life of a football fan – and City’s own prices for season tickets are certainly higher than many.
And what do you get for your money: do fans need more than 90 minutes of football? If so, what else can the football club provide?
This is your chance to have your say....
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