Is celebrating an away goal among home fans ever acceptable?

[Ads]

The away end is for celebrating opposition goals at Villa Park. The tickets and the ground regulations are clear.

[PeterWithesShin]

Didn't Forest try a mixed fans area? Are they still doing it?

[McGraths Dry Cleaning]

I've done it the other way round in the Chelsea/Villa 3-3 from (I think) Jan 2011. Brother in law treated a couple of us to corporate hostility and it just happened to be this game. It was a great game and we equalised right at the death and myself and a couple of other Villa fans celebrated to the general bemusement of the Japanese tourists around us. If I hadn't been in the posh seats I would have been a lot quieter (naturally) plus having two more Villa in close proximity helped. Oh and the enormous amounts of beer.

[Legion]

Would it be that bad if we set aside an area to do the same as Fulham do?

[Dave]

Maybe there could be an area reserved for a neutral area, but currently there isn't. Tough cheese

Like Fulham have. It always struck me as a bit naff, having a "neutral" section.

If it were a way for us to sell more tickets then I wouldn't be particularly concerned about how 'naff' it was.

[glasses]

Maybe there could be an area reserved for a neutral area, but currently there isn't. Tough cheese

Like Fulham have. It always struck me as a bit naff, having a "neutral" section.

maybe a neutral family area, then. But one where all parties were aware and happy with the fact that both sets of young fans or families were likely to occupy.

[Ads]

I noticed that Fulham had a line of segregation on the weekend. Not sure how that works with the way the stand is underneath.

[cdbearsfan]

Another thing... regardless of the ages, allowing opposition fans to celebrate in the home end clearly spoils the day for home fans. Whether away fans are genuinely going out of their way to piss off home fans, or are just celebrating oblivious to the impact of their actions, I don't want to see people jumping up and down next to me just after the gut-wrenching experience of watching my team concede to a team everyone with a soul hates.

I suspect many Villa fans are the same. Certainly judging by the number posting on here that the club were justified in their action and by the large quantity of Villa fans shouting "kick the fuckers out" as similar incidents played out throughout the stadium.

So, as I see it, the club has two choices...

(i) Throw the fans out. Risk annoying a few Man U fans. They may decide to stop making their once-a-year trip to Villa Park for a game which is always close to sell-out anyway.

(ii) Let them get on with it. Risk annoying countless Villa fans who may decide not to attend Villa Park on a regular basis for years to come.

Under what kind of logic would anyone choose option (ii)?

[Villa in Denmark]

Regardless of the right general rights and wrongs of going in "the wrong end", as a parent, how big of an arrogant twat do you have to be to take kids in with you.  Family area or not, there will always be someone who takes offence if you give yourselves away.

If the kids had just been genuinely excited about being at the game and watching the players on both sides (if they genuinely are half and halfers because of their parents, they should have been jumping about just as much at Benteke's goal) = 99% chance of no problem.

He knew exactly what he was getting into (and what he was potentially taking his kids into), it was pointed out at several stages through the purchasing process and several points at the ground from the turnstiles to their seats.  Sorry but no sympathy and no excuses.

In fact you've got to ask the question ig he's stupid (didn't see the potential for problems), arrogant (didn't care about the consequences) or just a coward (hiding behind his kids), or any combination of the 3.

[cdbearsfan]

Would it be that bad if we set aside an area to do the same as Fulham do?

I think it's an accident waiting to happen but not sure. I don't think there would be a problem if we were playing a Fulham type team, but against Small Heath?

Do Fulham still have the neutral end when they play Chelsea? What about against Millwall? This isn't rhetorical, I was wondering if anyone knew.

[IAmTheOneIanOlney]

Maybe there could be an area reserved for a neutral area, but currently there isn't. Tough cheese

Like Fulham have. It always struck me as a bit naff, having a "neutral" section.

If it were a way for us to sell more tickets then I wouldn't be particularly concerned about how 'naff' it was.

Fair enough - money makes the world go round and that and lots of seats are currently empty. But when good times come around again and some absent Villa fans decide to return, that area is still neutral.
I sat in the neutral zone at Craven Cottage when I couldn't get a ticket for the away end and, yes, it was naff. Silent, atmosphere-free and restrictive (you weren't allowed to demonstrate any allegiance or emotion). I'd hate to see it at Villa Park.

[Ger Regan]

Maybe there could be an area reserved for a neutral area, but currently there isn't. Tough cheese

Like Fulham have. It always struck me as a bit naff, having a "neutral" section.

If it were a way for us to sell more tickets then I wouldn't be particularly concerned about how 'naff' it was.

Fair enough - money makes the world go round and that and lots of seats are currently empty. But when good times come around again and some absent Villa fans decide to return, that area is still neutral.
I sat in the neutral zone at Craven Cottage when I couldn't get a ticket for the away end and, yes, it was naff. Silent, atmosphere-free and restrictive (you weren't allowed to demonstrate any allegiance or emotion). I'd hate to see it at Villa Park.

That's not how I recall it being when i was in the neutral area.

[dave shelley]

Then their dad should've told them. It's not exactly difficult to say "don't jump up and down if a goal goes in for Manu or we might get chucked out". A poor father blaming the club for his stupidity.

I don't think you have kids do you.  No matter what you tell a seven year old, he/she will do one of two things: the complete opposite or ignore what you have said altogether.

[john2710]

Anyone with an ounce of common sense or who regularly attends football matches would know to keep their gobs shut. Personally I don't have a problem; even with adult supporters; but there are plenty of people who do. Normal, mild mannered, sensible blokes turn into raging nutters when confronted with with away supports celebrating.

I'd never have put my kids in that situation without telling them to keep it shut in Utd score. They're 'between the two' but didn't celebrate Benteke's goal but did the Utd one, bollocks. The tickets are sold to home supporters only so stop fucking moaning. Stewards acted correctly, perhaps they'd have preferred a slap in the mouth.

[cdbearsfan]

If I had kids I wouldn't bring them up to be glory-hunting filth. And I think if you tell a child "don't go mad or somebody might try to fight Daddy" most would have the common sense to behave. If they can't take in such a simple message, they shouldn't be brought to the game till they're older.