SOL or Roker Park for atmosphere

ajax_andy · 16th February 2012, 08:42 AM

Further to my recent blog article about O'Neill (Am I going blind or has that thread been deleted for some strange reason?) I am thinking of writing about the stadiums in the north east.

I have attended a fair few matches at the SOL and generally the atmosphere has been very good, and also excellent on some occasions (I remember the place absolutely rocking against Man U about 10 years ago as one such example).

So I was wondering how you felt it compares to Roker Park in terms of atmosphere? Do you think that if it had been re-developed instead of knocked down and the SOL built instead the atmosphere would be different? If so better or worse?

How do you feel about having left your spiritual home?

Cheers
Andy

Harry Angstrom · 16th February 2012, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajax_andy

Further to my recent blog article about O'Neill (Am I going blind or has that thread been deleted for some strange reason?) I am thinking of writing about the stadiums in the north east.

I have attended a fair few matches at the SOL and generally the atmosphere has been very good, and also excellent on some occasions (I remember the place absolutely rocking against Man U about 10 years ago as one such example).

So I was wondering how you felt it compares to Roker Park in terms of atmosphere? Do you think that if it had been re-developed instead of knocked down and the SOL built instead the atmosphere would be different? If so better or worse?

How do you feel about having left your spiritual home?

Cheers
Andy

if there was standing or unallocated seating or a daft lads end, it would be much better than Roker as a place to watch football.

if we were in the second division and there was 14.000 there, Roker was a beautiful place to spend a few hours.

Kingdom Bhoy · 16th February 2012, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajax_andy

Further to my recent blog article about O'Neill (Am I going blind or has that thread been deleted for some strange reason?) I am thinking of writing about the stadiums in the north east.

I have attended a fair few matches at the SOL and generally the atmosphere has been very good, and also excellent on some occasions (I remember the place absolutely rocking against Man U about 10 years ago as one such example).

So I was wondering how you felt it compares to Roker Park in terms of atmosphere? Do you think that if it had been re-developed instead of knocked down and the SOL built instead the atmosphere would be different? If so better or worse?

How do you feel about having left your spiritual home?

Cheers
Andy

There was nothing quite like the Roker Roar when it was at its peak. I used to love dear old Roker park.

Harry Angstrom · 16th February 2012, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingdom Bhoy

There was nothing quite like the Roker Roar when it was at its peak. I used to love dear old Roker park.

the roar at the SOL during reid era surpassed anything at the cut down roker Park.

I did love roker as well. Every visit was special. there was history and atmosphere that could never be created in a modern stadium.

Silverfox1981 · 16th February 2012, 08:53 AM

If every single person who went to the SOL was able to be in the same area who wants to sing then the atmosphere could be class. The way things stand at the minute there's too many areas where singing is just by a few, bar the SWC. Like I've said before I'm more than happy to stand and sing but I'm not standing up surrounded by people who are sitting quiet as fuck and knock out a chorus of "red and white army" and look like a tit cos I'm the only fucker in 3000 people doing owt. I'm sure other people feel similar that's why everyone who's bothered about atmosphere, singing, standing etc should move to the South Stand next year cos this is a great opportunity to really get the ground going again.

Kingdom Bhoy · 16th February 2012, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Angstrom

the roar at the SOL during reid era surpassed anything at the cut down roker Park.

I did love roker as well. Every visit was special. there was history and atmosphere that could never be created in a modern stadium.

Certain games egs Chelsea (Armstrong goal) skunks games West Ham when we won 2 0 to get promoted etc were cracking atmospheres. The semi final v Sheff U at the SOL was up there with these occasions.

Silverfox1981 · 16th February 2012, 09:00 AM

If we manage to get through to next round of the cup a quarter final win at home would be pretty special I reckon like.

The Great Perhaps · 16th February 2012, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Angstrom

if there was standing or unallocated seating or a daft lads end, it would be much better than Roker as a place to watch football.

if we were in the second division and there was 14.000 there, Roker was a beautiful place to spend a few hours.

Canny answer, I think you're partially right but Roker before they made all those stupid health and safety modifications "belonged" to the fans I always felt comfortable there, this new ground feels like a sterile concrete bowl.

ajax_andy · 16th February 2012, 09:04 AM

Thanks for the replies everyone... I've heard similar complaints about not having a designated singing area at new stadiums before and it's interesting to hear you guys saying how the atmosphere is diluted a little by not having a certain stand for the more vocal supporters.

If Roker Park had been redeveloped do you think some of the original atmosphere would have remained, or is it really just a case of the more people a stadium can hold the more diluted the atmosphere becomes?

Like I said I've experienced some games where the atmosphere was electric at the SOL, but then I've always been many times when it was as flat as a pancake (usually if it was a drab match)... but is that always going to be the case once you have 40,000+ people mixed in together? i.e. it takes more to get the crowd going as there's a lot of quiet people who need to be roused before they started singing and cheering on the team.

Harry Angstrom · 16th February 2012, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Great Perhaps

Canny answer, I think you're partially right but Roker before they made all those stupid health and safety modifications "belonged" to the fans I always felt comfortable there, this new ground feels like a sterile concrete bowl.

It's like comparing a fleapit Picture hall or a multiplex cinema.

I miss roker.