Reclaim The Kop

[alunevans]

If that was what the original poster was trying to say then furry muff .
He just didn't explain it properly and his "prick from Cork" line was un called for.

The prick from Cork line totally pissed on his own chips I agree. But I endorse what else he had to say. And in truth, in my own experience its been the Scouse accents who've been annoying me with this kind of thing more than non Scouse accents.

Last two examples of it this season were both Scousers.

A 10 minute conversation on last nights piss up on the mobile phone including as we had a great chance on goal.

Two dopes having a chat for most of the first half about work in a self important manner.

[brikkis]

Some of us go to the match to escape the world mate. If you wanna discuss work, do it elsewhere. When I watch football I'm totally wrapped up in it. What's your problem with that??

No problem here mate. If your so wrapped up in it, how do you hear 2 people talking behind you?

Here I can't even be arsed

[Neil Young]

I think the original post (and many subsequent ones) make some good points but there's a real danger of encouraging divisiveness here. If it's not scousers vs. out-of-towners or regulars vs. day-trippers, it's "proper Liverpool fans" vs. "people who don't behave exactly the same way as some ideal type that just happens to coincide with what I like to do."

[alunevans]

No problem here mate. If your so wrapped up in it, how do you hear 2 people talking behind you?

Here I can't even be arsed

Being wrapped up in a game and seeking escapism through it does not induce deafness. That's how.

One of the reasons why I and many love the match is the fact that it takes you out of the mundaneness of the every day world.

So the last thing you want is someone dripping the everyday world back into your consciousness.

Besides, if they're so passionate about the match - why are they treating it as an incidental visual muzak to their dull office politics discussion?

I'm sorry, but I don't know how this part at least is controversial. Imagine if everyone went to the match just to chat about stuff while the game was on in the background?

I'm not even going to defend my view on the "chat about work" issue anymore because its so self evident that if you don't get it then you don't get it, and no more words from me will help.

[Jack D Rips]

I think an OOTer is seen differently to a day-tripper which is what a lot of the fans regard the folk from Ireland and Scandanavia as. Sad but true.

Because I only get over once or twice a year or sometimes not at all, does that make me part of the ruination of the athmosphere at Anfield

[Jin]

Alunevans - You put it better than I could, spot on

I think when people see this is not an anti-OOT campaign, might see that this actually a positive thing

[alunevans]

I think the original post (and many subsequent ones) make some good points but there's a real danger of encouraging divisiveness here. If it's not scousers vs. out-of-towners or regulars vs. day-trippers, it's "proper Liverpool fans" vs. "people who don't behave exactly the same way as some ideal type that just happens to coincide with what I like to do."

I know what you mean Neil. But all I ask from people is that they go to the match to watch the match and support the team, and leave the real world behind them for the pub afterwards.

And if you're in the Kop, please sing.

Its not a lot to ask really, and not imposing some sort of ideal on people. Just some minimum standards. And very minor ones at that.

[alunevans]

Alunevans - You put it better than I could, spot on

I think when people see this is not an anti-OOT campaign, might see that this actually a positive thing

Well I've no truck with the anti OOT brigade. But like you say this isn't about that.

[Jack D Rips]

That post is superb!

The leaflet campaign is a great example too.

But the worst offence for me is being in the Kop and not singing. The phones and the cameras annoys the hell out of me, as does two tossers sat behind you talking about work and stock orders and deadlines and ****e while I'm trying to focus on the match.

But the worst offence is to sit in the Kop and keep yer gob shut.

We're outsung most weeks by a couple of hundred tossers who then sing "worst support we've ever seen".

Great post and well timed.

Is the Kop full of OOTers then? Surely there are enough scousers there to outsing "a couple of hundred tossers".

Or maybe the problem is not just the OOTers

[alunevans]

Because I only get over once or twice a year or sometimes not at all, does that make me part of the ruination of the athmosphere at Anfield

Not in my view. You're probably totally wrapped up in the game. I don't care where Reds are from as long as they leave reality outside the turnstile.

[alunevans]

Is the Kop full of OOTers then? Surely there are enough scousers there to outsing "a couple of hundred tossers".

Or maybe the problem is not just the OOTers

Mate, stop having an OOTer debate with me. We have nothing to argue about. When have I blamed it on the OOTers??? I've explicitly said the opposite?

[KK07]

If that was what the original poster was trying to say then .
He just didn't explain it properly and his "prick from Cork" line was un called for.

Bang on mate.

[zimbo]

I think it's more to do with not becoming like every other team's support, dictated to by the whims and fancies of the woeful Soccer AM mentality. Where banners and songs are dreamt up with the only intention being to receive some acknowledgement from the eminently punchable Tim Lovejoy, which in turn perpetuates the whole sorry saga.

End result being bland, homogenised, Sky-approved football crowds, more concerned with recording the linesman scratching his arse than watching the game they've paid upwards of £30 to go to.

As I see it, it's this sort of mentality that is creeping in at Anfield and needs to be swiftly erased. And it has nothing to do with where you're from, but it's everything to do with where you're at (to badly paraphrase Ian Brown)!

[Neil Young]

I know what you mean Neil. But all I ask from people is that they go to the match to watch the match and support the team, and leave the real world behind them for the pub afterwards.

And if you're in the Kop, please sing.

Its not a lot to ask really, and not imposing some sort of ideal on people. Just some minimum standards. And very minor ones at that.

Sure I understand that. Trouble is we all have different "minimum standards", different things that annoy us. I personally don't like seeing people leave early, it's not supporting the team to my mind. So should we include that as well? What about taking photos? What about people leaving their seats five minutes before half-time to buy something to eat, etc? What about this, what about that?

By all means let's talk about it, exchange points of view, encourage people to behave in ways we like but I do think we all need to be prepared to accept we're all different, we all go for different reasons, we all get different things out of it.

Live and let live.

[Shaggy]

What about people leaving their seats five minutes before half-time to buy something to eat, etc?live.

That REALLY annoys me.